Background

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to improve human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning. The aim is to support GSSCPD attain the ability to deliver effectively according to its mandates.

GSSCPD is responsible for elaborating, coordinating and overseeing the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP) which addresses the challenges of economic development, human and social development, the efficiency of the state institutions and administration and combating corruption, in accordance with H.H. the Amir’s State Vision “Kuwait 2035”.

Within this context, GSSCPD is seeking to recruit an Economic Specialist to support the Economic Development Department at GSSCPD in proposing interim goals for economic policies that are compatible with KNDP as well as policies to achieve those goals in light of the local, regional and international condition. The Specialist will focus on capacity building and transfer of knowledge specifically to GSSCPD Economic Development Department

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary General, the direct supervision of the Head of Economic Development Department and with close coordination with the GSSCPD and ICDI Project Management Team, the Economic Specialist will assume the following tasks:

Contribute to planning projects and activities related to the development of public administrations and e-governance in line with the KNDP:

  • In line with the KNDP policies, indicators and targets, adopt proactive approach to propose relevant economic development projects for public entities to include them in the next phase of the national plan;
  • Support GSSCPD in the development of policies, targets, indicators and criteria for projects that are related to the economic development in the KNDP with the purpose of improving the rank of Kuwait in the local, regional and international standards as well as help in achieving the 2035 Kuwait vision;
  • Propose economic policies that are compatible with KNDP, including policies on systems for taxation levels, government budgets, money supply and interest rates, labour market and other government’s economic-based interventions; and appropriate economic outlines based on ratified policies; 
  • Conduct respective evaluations of the feasibility of economic reports/projects prepared by government entities to determine their likelihood of achieving the targets and objective of the KNDP related pillar;
  • Evaluate policy outcomes on economic challenges and bottlenecks that hinder development and propose recommendations to mitigate them specifically when formulating and executing plans and programmes;
  • Support the Economic Department at GSSCPD in issuing and publishing of economic reports relating to social and economic indicators and statistics of the State of Kuwait; 
  • Provide a methodological approach related to studies on investments and its components on the macroeconomic and sectorial levels with coordination with relevant entities;
  • Evaluate the framework of general state budget’s project considering the developmental priorities and directions of the state of Kuwait;
  • Propose budget for developmental projects and coordinate with national stakeholders to put together a plan for execution and implementation.

Capacity building, training and ongoing support for Economic Development Department at GSSCPD

  • Based on thorough assessment, identify the coaching and training needs related to economic development planning of the department and develop a training plan to address them;
  • Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the economic development department to enable them to implement their role in relation to KNDP;
  • Conduct Monthly workshops on economic policy, economic feasibility study development 
  • Provide methodological and continuous support to various departments and public entities on the implementation of economic development projects in relation to KNDP implementation;

Present monthly reports to the GSSCPD and Project Officer highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations for the way forward.

The duration and timeline of the deliverables is indicated in the below table:

 

Deliverables/ Outputs

 

Target Due Dates

 

Payment schedule in percentage

 

Review and Approvals Required (Indicate designation of person who will review output and confirm acceptance)

Deliverable 1: 

Inception report including plan of implementation of the required scope of work, approach, training plan and methodology.

 

2 weeks date of contract issuance

10%

GSSCPD and UNDP

Deliverable 2: 

1-Submit implementation plan of development of policies, targets, indicators and criteria for projects that are related to the economic development in the KNDP with the purpose of improving the rank of Kuwait in the local, regional and international standards as well as help in achieving the 2035 Kuwait vision;

2-Submit draft economic policies that are compatible with KNDP, including policies on systems for taxation levels, government budgets, money supply and interest rates, labour market and other government’s economic-based interventions; and appropriate economic outlines based on ratified policies 

 

2 months from date of contract issuance

10%

GSSCPD and UNDP

Deliverable 3:

1-Submit report on developed research agenda on the evaluations conducted for the feasibility of economic reports/projects prepared by government entities to determine their likelihood of achieving the targets and objective of the KNDP related pillar;

2-Submit report on conducted analysis of outcomes on economic challenges and bottlenecks that hinder development and propose recommendations to mitigate them specifically when formulating and executing plans and programmes.

 

4 months from date of contract issuance

20%

GSSCPD and UNDP

Deliverable 4:

Submit a report related to studies on investments and its components on the macroeconomic and sectorial levels; and propose budget for developmental projects in coordination with national stakeholders to put together a plan for execution and implementation.

5 months from date of contract issuance

10%

 

Deliverable 5:

 

Conduct the training programme for the Economics Dept. at GSSCPD and other relevant counterparts (at least 1 training workshop per month). And present a final report on the training. The report is expected to highlight trainings and workshops activities conducted during the period of the assignment highlighting outcomes and post-assessment in addition to and recommendations for further trainings.

 

1 training workshop per month. To present final report by the 6thmonth from date of contract issuance

20%

GSSCPD and UNDP

Deliverable 6:

 

Final report showing achievement of the objective of the consultancy at the end of the assignment, including all reports/deliverables submitted

End of contract

30% 

GSSCPD and UNDP

1. Institutional Arrangement

The Specialist will work under the direct management of the Head of the Economic Development Department at the GSSCPD.  The Specialist will also report to the ICDI/KNDP project management team additionally with the International Cooperation Department at the GSSCPD and submit regular reports on progress and impact of the assignment.

 

2. Duration of the Work 

The overall duration of this consultancy will be 8 months.

 

3.     Duty Station

The consultant will be required to be present in the State of Kuwait during the assignment period or as agreed with the beneficiary. 

 

  1. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

 

? Lump Sum Amount 

 

  1. Clearly state that the lump sum amount must be “all-inclusive”; 
  2. Clearly state that the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
  3. Include in its initial payment the actual cost of the IC’s travel to arrive at the designated Duty Station.   Such cases therefore imply that the completion of the journey can be considered as one of the deliverables payable upon arrival.

 

? Daily Fee

 

When the daily fee option is used, the TOR must clearly specify that:

 

i)The Daily fee must be “all-inclusive”; and 

  1. an IC Time Sheet must be submitted by the Contractor, duly approved by the Individual Contractor’s supervisor, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees.  

 

4. EVALUATION

Selection process: 

Cumulative analysis 

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation:

Total score=Technical Score + Financial Score. 

Technical Criteria weight - 70%, 700 scores maximum 

Financial Criteria weight - 30%. 300 scores maximum

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 from 700 point in the Technical part of evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The lowest technically qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion according to the formula:

P=Y*(L/Z), where

P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated

Y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal

L= price of the lowest price proposal

Z=price of the proposal being evaluated

 

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:

1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the TOR in order to determine whether they are compliant/non-compliant.

 

Shortlisting criteria   

1

Minimum Master Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Finance or any related disciplines. PhD is preferable.

2

Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in economic development projects and specific experience with developing economic feasibility studies and economic analysis;

3

Fluency in English and Arabic 

 

2nd stage: Evaluation of technical proposals 

Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70%) at the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

 

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Desk review and Interview based)

Maximum obtainable points – 700; Threshold – 490 points

Years of professional proven experience in economic development and specific experience with developing economic feasibility studies and economic analysis;

 

140 Points:

7 Years : 100 points

For each additional year of experience – 5 points, but no more than 40 points in total

Years of experience in working with participatory approaches, policy development and familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;

 

140 Points:

2 Years: 100 points.

For each additional year of experience- 5 points, 

but no more than 40 points in total

Years of experience in a senior managerial or advisory position in governmental institution.

140 Points:

2 Years: 100 points.

For each additional year of experience- 5 points, 

but no more than 40 points in total

Technical proposal with clear methodology presented 

280

Financial Evaluation Criteria

Maximum obtainable points – 300 (30%)

 

3rd stage: Financial evaluation

Cumulative analysis will be used based on the following methodology:All the offers of individual consultants who scored 490 (70% from 700) and more points during the desk review are acceptable for financial evaluation. The lowest financial qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion according to the formula:

 

Formula applied 

P=y(µ/z)

P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated

 

y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal equal to 300

 

µ=the lowest priced proposal

 

z=price of the proposal being evaluated

 

 

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

 

5. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

 

 

Applicants are requested to compile and submit as one PDF file the below requested documents

  1. Duly accomplished and signed Offeror’s letter/filled-in template to UNDP confirming interest and Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
  2. Complete and signed P11 form/CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;
  3. At least three (3) professional references;
  4. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
  5. Technical Proposal of how the consultant will carry out the required assignment, with a clear Methodology.
  6. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.  
  7. Copy of diploma/s
  8. Copy of ID card (passport)

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Reliably delivers on promises and honours commitments, holding himself/herself accountable for actions taken. ?
  • Gains cooperation from others through understanding of the political and organizational culture.
  • Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Synthesizes multiple/complex messages, identifies appropriate key points for different audiences and communicates concepts in a manner that influences the perceptions/behaviours of others. ?
  • Expresses own point of view in a neutral manner rather than in an argumentative tone, avoiding unproductive conflict.
  • Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

 

 

Functional Competencies

 

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

 

  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
  • Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
  • Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Required Skills and Experience

 

I. Academic Qualifications:                                                                             

  • Minimum Master Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Finance or any related disciplines. PhD is preferable.

II. Years of experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in economic development projects and specific experience with developing economic feasibility studies and economic analysis;
  • Experience in policy development and familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;
  • Experience in working with participatory approaches
  • 2 years of experience in a senior managerial or advisory position related to economic development and feasibility studies;
  • Experience in working with participatory approaches;
  • Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is a must;
  • Excellent communication and writing skills is required;
  • Familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;
  • Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).