UNCDF Jobs - 75297- Consultant to Formulate the Upgraded Guideline Pac

Consultant to Formulate the Upgraded Guideline Packages of the District Development Fund (DDF)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Home Based with Missions

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Nov-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 days intermittently

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

up to 4 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNCDF Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP)

UNCDF’s LDFP uses innovation and testing in new public and private financial systems that mobilize, allocate and invest additional resources and promote transparency and accountability in their use. The overall impact of UNCDF’s work in local development finance is measured in terms of increases in local fiscal space and local fixed capital formation that is triggered, or leveraged by UNCDF’s investments. For UNCDF, local development is about improving the quality of life at the grassroots level. This involves local governance and the decision-making process in a given locality. Yet, local development is more than local governance and decentralized provision of basic services. It is about spatial, institutional and economic linkages within a locality. It is about how local institutional, economic and social conditions affect the spectrum of human needs: shelter and housing, food security, education and health, safe infrastructure, aesthetic and resilient environment, citizen empowerment and representation, fulfilling and rewarding economic activity.

Background

Introduction and the District Development Fund (DDF)

This terms of reference (TOR) sets out the expectations for an independent consultancy mission to conduct an independent review and formulate the upgraded District Development Fund (DDF) guidelines, instructions and manuals to ensure relevancy as a mechanism to continue to support the Government of Lao PDR (GoL) in its efforts to move forward with the decentralization process (administrative and fiscal). The upgraded DDF guideline packages should be aligned with, and support implementation of, the related national policies and regulatory framework and be geared to strengthen efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the local service delivery and local development benefitting the local communities.

Since the 1st piloting in 2006, the DDF has been expanded under the National Governance and Public Administration Reform (GPAR) Programme – through the two phases of the Support for Better Service Delivery (GPAR-SBSD) 2007-2012 and the Strengthening Capacity and Service Delivery of Local Administrations (GPAR-SCSD) 2012-2016. Built on the achievements and lessons learnt from the previous implementation experiences, the DDF remains as a key component under the new phase of the Governance for Inclusive Development Programme (GPAR-GIDP) 2017-2021. The DDF implementation has been led by the Ministry of the Home Affairs (MoHA), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and other sectoral agencies. The necessary technical assistance is provided by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
During the inception period of the GPAR-GIDP, a comprehensive review and upgrade of the existing DDF mechanism is scheduled to be carried out. The DDF upgrade will ensure maximizing a strategic and sustainable impact of the DDF on good governance and government system building, being fully integrated into and supporting implementation of the evolving government policies and regulatory framework in the areas of decentralization, public expenditure and financial management, public investment programme and project management, and PPPs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective and scope of the consultancy mission is to formulate the upgraded DDF guideline packages based on a comprehensive review of the existing DDF mechanism, taking the following inter-linked steps:

Step 1: Produce a policy assessment/stocktaking of the current policy environment going forward with administrative and fiscal decentralization and public expenditure, financial and investment management at the macro-level, by scanning the related policies and regulatory framework guided by the Inter-Ministerial Task Force/Working Group (comprising the designated officials from MoHA, MoF, MPI, SAO, LWU and MoNRE) and cross-checking with the key development partners programmes (e.g. World Bank, ADB, EU, JICA, GIZ, Luxembourg), which is instrumental to provide evidence base and rationale and ensure relevance for strategic positioning and the upgraded DDF guideline packages accordingly.

Step 2: Built on the policy assessment, formulate a DDF strategic positioning paper, to be aligned with and in support of implementation of, the relevant government policies, by elaborating on the specific elements to be revised, added, deleted and/or merged (with the relevant government policy instructions, guidelines and manuals) based on the existing DDF guideline packages as follows:

Guidelines on Allocation, Planning and Use of DDF-Basic Block Grants (BBG) (GPAR-SCSD, MoHA, 2012);
DDF-BBG Implementation Guidelines (GPAR-SCSD, MoHA, 2012);
DDF-OEBG Implementation Guidelines (GPAR-SCSD, MoHA, 2012);
Manual for the Assessment of Districts’ Performance (GPAR-SCSD, MoHA, 2012);
Instruction, DDF Financial Management and Budget Execution Procedure (GPAR-SCSD, MoHA, 2012);
DDF Procurement Manual for District Level;
Guidelines on the Allocation and Usages of DDF-Basic Block Grants (BBG) and Climate Resilient Grants (CRG) (CRG system requirements included);
District Investment Planning Guidelines for the Usage of DDF-BBG (CRG system requirements included);
Manual for the Assessment of Districts’ Performance under NGPAR/SCSD-DDF (CRG system requirements included).

Step 3: Produce the upgraded DDF guideline packages agreed and approved by the government.

Approach

An overall approach and method for conducting the consultancy mission must feature evidence-based policy methods using information gleaned through interviews both in Vientiane and a field mission to the target districts and provinces and technical analysis that is credible, reliable and useful.

The consultant will review all relevant sources of information including but not limited to the project document (results framework), the associated guidelines and operational manuals of the DDF, the relevant national policy and legal documents, and any other materials that the consultant considers useful to design and formulate the upgraded DDF guideline packages. An indicative list of documents that will be provided to the consultant for review is included in Annex of this terms of reference.

The international consultant will work together with/assisted by the selected national consultant, while being under the overall guidance of the National GPAR Programme Manager and the Inter-Ministerial Task Force/Working Group and under the direct technical supervision of the UNCDF Laos. The consultancy mission is expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring close engagement with the government counterparts, in particular the representatives and focal points of the MoHA/GPAR-DDF, the MPI, the MoF, the SAO, LWU, the MoNRE, the selected provincial and district administrations, and the technical advisors and programme officers of UNCDF, UNDP and SDC, and other key stakeholders.

Timeframe

The total duration of the consultancy will be 25 days divided into two timeframes (1st mission in November 2017 and 2nd mission in January-February 2018) according to the following indicative plan (actual date of start dependent upon contract award):

* Note: 25 working days composition: 4 days home-based = 2 days for preparation + 2 days for report writing; and 21 days for two in-country missions, including weekends, of which 5 days are field visit.

Activity and Outputs

Preparation (e.g. reference documents, desk review, preliminary analysis, interview and survey questionnaires, mission planning etc.): 2 days (home-based). Indicative completion date: 17 November 2017.
In-country Mission 1.

Project team and stakeholder consultation meeting (MoHA/GPAR-DDF, MPI, MoF, SAO, LWU, MoNRE, UNCDF, UNDP and SDC) and produce the work plan and inception report (e.g. preliminary analysis of the DDF review, interview and survey questionnaires, consultation meetings and interview schedule etc.): 2 days (in-country). Indicative completion date: 21 November 2017.

1st round of consultation meetings and interviews in Vientiane and draft a DDF upgrade positioning paper which shall include a policy assessment brief and a business process mapping by stocktaking of the current policy environment going forward with administrative and fiscal decentralization and public expenditure, financial and investment management at the macro-level (attached with the mission report to be produced by national consultant): 6 days (in-country). Indicative completion date: 29 November 2017.
In-country Mission 2.

2nd round of consultation meetings and interviews both in Vientiane and target provinces and districts (about 5 days) and refine the DDF upgrade positioning paper as required and draft the proposed DDF upgraded guidelines and presentation materials (attached with the mission report to be produced by national consultant): 12 days (in-country). Indicative completion date: 6 February 2018.
Presentation at the Consultation/validation workshop on the upgraded DDF guideline packages, soliciting feedbacks: 1 day (in-country). Indicative completion date 7 February 2017.

Final upgraded DDF guidelines approved by MoHA/MPI/MoF and UNCDF and UNDP: 2 days (home-based). Indicative completion date: 16 February 2017.

Deliverables

The consultancy mission is expected to deliver the following products:
Deliverable 1.
Work plan and inception report. After the project team meeting, consultant provides clarifications on timing and method (e.g. preliminary analysis, interview and survey questionnaires, consultation meeting planning etc.). No later than 2 days after the in-country mission start.

Deliverable 2.
DDF upgrade positioning paper. Draft a DDF upgrade positioning paper which shall include a policy assessment brief and a business process mapping. At the end of the 1st round of in-country mission.

Deliverable 3.
Proposed DDF upgraded guidelines and presentation at the Consultation/Validation Workshop on the draft. In partnership with the Inter Ministerial Task Force, generate the upgraded DDF guidelines and presentation materials for review. Present findings at the Consultation Workshop to solicit feedback. At the end of the 2nd in-country mission.

Deliverable 4.
Final upgraded DDF guidelines approved by MoHA/MPI/MoF and UNCDF and UNDP. Finalize, using applicable and relevant feedback, the upgraded DDF guidelines. Comments to be considered if provided within two weeks of the end of the country mission. Within 1 week of receiving comments on the draft.

Payment Schedule (Upon approval of agreed deliverables and submission of CoP and invoices).
20% - Deliverable 1
20% - Deliverable 2
50% - Deliverable 3
10% - Deliverable 4

Competencies

Proven capacity of designing inter-governmental fiscal transfer system and local government grants mechanisms in line with the government policy and regulatory framework concerned;
Solid knowledge and understanding of local public expenditure management reform at the local level (e.g. involving allocation of funds, planning, budgeting, budget execution, capital investment/development project management, procurement, financial management, accounting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, performance assessment, audit etc.);
Understanding of political economy and context of decentralization processes at various stages in developing countries is preferable;
Excellent English writing, analytical and reporting skills;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work with minimum supervision;
Ability to work under pressure and meet deliverable deadlines;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Displays multi-cultural, gender sensitivity, adaptability and excellent interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced Degree (Masters or equivalent) in public administration, public finance, or related fields and proven work experience (over 10 years) would be considered in lieu of advanced degree.

Experience

Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience of working in developing countries especially on local governance and local development finance, and fiscal decentralization, or related disciplines, with significant experience of working with local administrations in Asia would be an advantage;
Proven track record of providing advisory on local government budget support, grants and fund management, performance based grant allocation and the design of discretionary grant facilities for sub-national governments, local development planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, public expenditure and financial management, infrastructure development, or related fields, preferably in Asia;
Knowledge of UNCDF, UNDP and World Bank supported projects;
Experience working in multi-culture and diverse environmental settings;
Previous experience working in the region is desirable.

Languages

Full command of English is required.

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Individual Contracts (IC).

Evaluation Process

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology [weighted scoring method], where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

The formula for the rating of the Proposals will be as follows:
Rating the Technical Proposal (TP): 70%
TP Rating = (Total Score Obtained by the Offer / Max. Obtainable Score for TP) x 100
Rating the Financial Proposal (FP): 30%
FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100
Total Combined Score:
(TP Rating) x (Weight of TP, e.g. 70%)+ (FP Rating) x (Weight of FP, e.g., 30%)
Total Combined and Final Rating of the Proposal

Technical Criteria weight 70% includes:

Professional experience -35 points;
Competencies, past work related to the assignment - 35 points;
Academic qualification - 20 points;
Geographical working experience (proven) - 10 points.

Total maximum obtainable score for Technical proposal = 100 points. Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 70 points under Technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.

UNCDF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Other

Completed PH 11 Form will be required at the time a consultant signs an Individual Contract (IC) or his/her employer, if employed, signs a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) for work associated with this assignment. UN Personal History form (UN PH11) can be downloaded from: here http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

General Terms and Conditions for ICs is provided here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.