Background

Three years after the adoption of the Agenda 2030, countries are now looking at ways and means to localize SDGs in order to fulfil the scale and ambition of Agenda 2030.

Agenda 2030 and its aim of “leaving no one behind” provides the framework for sustainable development in the region. ASEAN countries have started to translate the global goals into relevant, applicable and attainable goals based on the local context, in addition to strengthening the overall policy enabling environment. Understandably countries are at different stages of localizing the SDGs (at and below sub-national levels) and given the varied local context, countries have adopted various ways and means to localize SDGs.

At the recent ASEAN- Government of China- UNDP joint symposium on Localizing SDGs and Realizing Poverty Eradication (August 20-21, 2018 in Siem Reap, Cambodia), participants agreed on four key enablers as well as innovation as a cross-cutting enabler, for localizing the SDGs. Strengthening these 4+1 enablers allows countries to have the appropriate systems and processes in place to develop and implement their specific strategies in any area – i.e. from improving agriculture production, to employment, to service provision, to risk informed public investments – and achieve sustainable development.

More specifically, these enablers are:

1. Governance systems for and of SDGs[1]: strengthening local/central coordination mechanisms, subnational planning and budgeting processes, risk-informed development, financing for SDGs, prioritization mechanisms and approaches (specifically for poverty eradication, and for leaving no one behind),
2. Data ecosystem: ICT-enabled data collection and analytics, ensuring people perception and citizen engagement, coherence of various databases for planning and prioritisation as well as SDG monitoring.
3. Stakeholder engagement: achievement of SDGs is not a responsibility of a single government or agency but will require involvement of all relevant stakeholders. Systems and spaces for raising awareness and encouraging different stakeholder – i.e. from private sector to local communities (incl. vulnerable populations, minorities, etc.) – to effectively engage and contribute to the SDGs,
4. SDG Financing: enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of Intergovernmental fiscal transfers (IGFTs) as well as identifying and encouraging new funding sources including private sector investments, social impact funds, SDG bond, FinTech solutions, etc. for the realization of the SDG-based programmes.
5. Systematic use of Innovation (technology as well as social innovation) across enablers for improved planning, implementation and institutionalization.

UNDP is seeking a senior expert to draft the ‘Regional Initiative to Localize the SDGs in the ASEAN region’.

[1] Governance for the SDGs - refers to the political process of building national and local ownership of SDGs, prioritization of SDGs, and integrating SDGs with national planning and budgeting processes, and strengthening parliamentary oversight.

Governance of the SDGs - refers to relevance of governance throughout all the SDGs – such as legal, policy, and institutional framework required for achieving specific SDGs, and for tracking the achievement of specific SDGs.

Governance as a SDG - refers to SDG 16 on inclusive and peaceful societies, and the support UNDP will provide to achieve the SDG 16 targets

Duties and Responsibilities

As a follow up to the Symposium, the co-organizers requested UNDP to formulate a ‘Regional initiative to Localize the SDG in the ASEAN region’ with an initial phase that will focus on the Mekong sub-region, namely in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Special attention will be given to identify and connect China’s expertise and significant contributions to South-South cooperation, particularly in poverty reduction, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and innovation in local economic development, including with the private sector.

The initiative will support countries to identify and implement specific strategies to expand local economic development, strengthen resilience and contribute to poverty eradication through equitable service delivery. Towards this end, the initiative will also work along the 4+1 enablers to support sub-national and local governments to establish appropriate systems and processes for implementing SDG plans and roadmaps.

UNDP is seeking a senior expert to draft the ‘Regional Initiative to Localize the SDGs in the ASEAN region’.

Scope of Work

The ‘Regional initiative to Localize the SDG in the ASEAN region’ will initially be implemented in Mekong sub-region, namely in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Other ASEAN countries could be included in the initiative in the future.

The initiative will help countries operationalize their SDG plans and/or roadmaps, as well as track SDG progress at the sub-national and local level. Critical local development interventions (i.e.: ‘accelerators’) and investments that will have ‘trade-off’ effects to reduce inequalities, increase resilience and improve the socio-economic conditions (and opportunities) of vulnerable populations in targeted rural and urban settings will be supported through the initiative. Through its capacity development component, the initiative will help subnational and local governments better attract public and private investments, innovate, co-design, plan, finance and implement the Agenda 2030. Towards this end, as indicated above, the regional initiative will focus on the 4+1 enablers to strengthen systems and process at the local level for sustainable development, with a specific focus on local economic development, and equitable service delivery.

As local development context varies widely in countries in the Mekong sub-region, programming areas (technical interventions and investments) will be defined country by country (scoping mission) and reflect the national development/SDG priorities as well as the various subnational/local development contexts and priorities. “Accelerator” could include: development of a next generation of local services (health, education, affordable housing, etc.); agricultural productivity, e-commerce, inclusive finance, youth and women entrepreneurship; infrastructure development (local markets, roads, rural electrification, water-sanitation, etc.), disaster risk reduction, flood management, climate change adaptation/mitigation, targeting the most vulnerable etc.

Under the direction of the UNDP Regional advisor on local governance and decentralization, the respective UNDP Deputy Country Directors/Resident Representatives and the guidance from the BRH team leaders, the Senior Consultant will be responsible for conducting analysis of the development context, and the formulation/drafting of the “Regional Initiative to localize the SDGs in the ASEAN region”.

The work includes desk review, interviews and in-country missions to: 1) map country plans and determinations toimplement the Agenda 2030; 2) identify opportunities (including resources) to localize the SDGs in selected localities and, 3) propose specific development interventions and investments (including activities to strengthen the “4+1 Enablers”) that will have a measurable impact on: i) improving the resilience and socio-economic conditions of most vulnerable populations and, ii) strengthening the capacities of key public and private stakeholders to implement the SDGs at the subnational/local level.

The consultant will work with UNDP regional and country office economists, advisors/specialists who will provide inputs on the various programming areas and advice on country development contexts, including opportunities and challenges to localize the SDGs, linkages with the UNDAF, UNDP CPD and prospects to engage with the UNCT, development partners, academia, NGOs/CSOs and

This assignment will encourage novel development solutions based on social innovation, system thinking and the utilization of technology when and where appropriate. The consultant must ensure that the programme interventions are supported by the “4+1 SDG localization enablers” and that appropriate activities are developed. He/she will be involved in planning, organizing in-country missions, preparing interviews and conducting meetings with relevant stakeholders.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

1. Inception report: including proposed research methodology, report outline, work plan, survey/interview tools, etc.
2. Country Proposals: For each of the 5 ‘Country proposals’ the consultant is expected to deliver a high quality proposal (approx. 5-8 pages excluding annexes) that will include:
   1. A preliminary review of opportunities and challenges to localize the SDGs in selected localities (based on UNDP Country Office recommendations);
   2. Proposed development interventions to localize the SDGs (incl. along the 4+1 SDG localization enablers). Potential programming areas are included in Annex I.
   3. A brief evidence-based socio-economic analysis (incl. data and graphs) of the relevance of the proposed development interventions and their impact on other SDGs (incl. means and indicators to track/report SDG progress at the subnational/local level);
   4. Proposed strategy to implement the interventions, key activities, and investments required, including identifying opportunities for South-South cooperation with China and other emerging donor countries in the region.
   5. Brief matrix on key assumptions, risks and mechanisms to sustain the intervention; as well as a budget estimate (approx. USD. 10M/country for a 2 to 3 year implementation phase).
3. Introduction chapter: In addition to the 5 Country Proposals, the Consultant will draft an introduction chapter (approx. 4-7 pages) to introduce the Regional Initiative’s objectives, its strategy and the expected (quantitative and qualitative) results and impacts over a 2 to 3 year implementation phase. The framing chapter will comprise of a short socio-economic analysis (incl. data and graphs) on the relevance of localizing the SDGs for poverty eradication, particularly considering national GDP trends, impact of FDIs (incl. BRI and the LMC),  the emergence of new economic corridors, the rapid urbanization rate and the growing GINI coefficient in the Mekong sub region.

Particular attention should be given to identifying strategies and activities that will strengthen the nexus between economic growth, large scale infrastructure investments on one side and access to services and the improvement of human development indicators, on the other.  The framing chapter could also address: resilience, issues arising from shifting demographic trends, impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution, building inclusive and smart cities.

Tentative schedule:

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of Regional Programme Advisor on Local Governance and Decentralization in the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub and in close coordination with the relevant UNDP country office.

Duration of the Work:

The period of the assignment is between 10 October 2018 and 1 March 2019 and home-base basis. Number of working days under this assignment is, approximately, up to a maximum of 30 working days over the contract period.

Duty Station:

This assignment is output-based with travels to selected countries in Asia (incl. at subnational level), namely in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Competencies

• Good communications skills, both oral and written;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in social sciences, including economics, international development or other related fields.

Work Experience:

• At least 15 years of relevant experience (incl. academic research) in local governance, local development, social sciences, public administration reform.
• Recognized international expertise in formulating and negotiating large scale development programmes/projects, particularly in the area of local governance, decentralization, local economic development and/or service delivery.
• Experience in negotiating and building strategic partnerships with senior government officials, local authorities, development partners, UN Entities, NGOs, CSO, the private sector and academia.
• Knowledge of UNDP project formulation requirements and practices
• Experience working in Asia and the Pacific, including with local development actors.
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraint and produce quality deliverables.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. The UNDP Regional Programme Advisor on Local Governance and Decentralization will review the quality of the deliverable and authorize payments as per the below payment schedule.

Payment Schedule:

Payment will be made after satisfactory acceptance and certification of each deliverables and in accordance with UNDP procedures.

Travel related cost:

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent. The provided living allowance will not be exceeding UNDP DSA rates. Repatriation travel cost from home to duty station in Bangkok and return shall not be covered by UNDP.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis. The award of the contract shall 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%) and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points)

• Criteria 1:      Relevance of education (Maximum 200 points)
• Criteria 2:      Mix of academic and practical experience in local governance, local development, social sciences, public administration reform (Maximum 125 points)
• Criteria 3:      Relevance of experience in area of specialization (Maximum 125 points)
• Criteria 4:       Excellent knowledge of the political, economic, social situation and local development for the Asia-Pacific (Maximum 125 points)
• Criteria 5:       Proven ability to write papers that straddle the academic and implementation worlds (Maximum 125 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the total technical criteria points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal that indicates the Lump Sum  fee of the candidate, in USD, using the template provided in Annex IV
• Brief documents/reports (or hyperlinks) highlighting the applicants previous work/research related to monitoring of local development indicators preferably in Asia-pacific.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The short-listed candidates may be contacted and the successful candidate will be notified.

All documents can be downloaded at :  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=49998