Background

1.Evidence shows a steep decrease in potential amounts of opium produced in Myanmar, the largest opium poppy producer in Asia. On the other hand, the over 116 tons of confirmed methamphetamine seizures in Asia in 2018 represents a 210% increase compared to seizures in 2013. Also, Kachin and Shan (North) are the sites with highest number of people who inject drugs (PWID) and highest HIV and Hepatitis C prevalence.

The downward trend of opium cultivation started in 2014 and this downward trend has continued in 2018 with 37,300 ha of opium poppy, 32% decrease from the 55,000 hectares recorded in 2015. In the two main producing states, Shan and Kachin, the cultivation area decreased by 12 percent from 41,000 hectares in 2017 to 36,100 hectares in 2018. As in previous years, the majority of opium poppy is cultivated in Shan State -nearly 90%- followed at a distance by Kachin State 9%, with negligible cultivation in Chin and Kayah states. The biggest drops in cultivation have been seen in areas that have had relatively good security. However, in parts of Shan and Kachin experiencing a protracted state of conflict, high concentrations of poppy cultivation have continued – a clear correlation between conflict and opium production. The 2018 opium survey report finds that the current value of Myanmar’s opiate economy is a noticeable share of the overall national economy, ranging from 1.5%-3.3% of GDP.  Where drug- related proceeds comprise a sizeable portion of the total economy of an area or community, dynamics are distorted with unfair competition, skewed income and wealth distributions, and increased corruption.  Countering drug production and organized crime networks active in Myanmar are also vital for providing sustainable peace and security to Shan and Kachin states, and border areas of the surrounding Mekong region.  

Law enforcement operations in the Golden Triangle gives evidence to large quantities of methamphetamine, as well as other synthetic drugs, being produced in the Golden Triangle. Between February and March 2018, Myanmar authorities dismantled six large scale drug manufacture facilities in Kutkai, Northern Shan State. Flows of foreign transnational organized crime groups to Shan State, Myanmar, have become a great concern in the country. This trend appears to have led to increases in the production of and trafficking in methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs, such as ketamine.

Kachin and Shan (North) are the sites with highest number of people who inject drugs (PWID) and highest HIV and Hepatitis C prevalence among PWID in country according to Myanmar Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey and Population Size Estimated among PWID 2017-2018. The HIV prevalence is 61% in Bamaw and 50% in Hpakant in Kachin State, in Shan  North it is around 35%. The Hepatitis C prevalence is 77.7% in Bamaw and 71% in Hpakant in Kachin State; and around 50% in Shan North. There are 18 Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) sites and 8 drug treatment centres in Kachin State while 15 MMT sites and 3 drug treatment centres in Shan North. There is one government ran rehabilitation centre in Kachin and 2 in Shan North However, as m any people do not have easy access to these services especially people located rural and remote areas and communities and religious groups also run rehabilitation centers especially in remote places. As a concern, those do not apply scientific evidence based approaches, but use religious teachings and cold turkey method for drug treatment.

Duties and Responsibilities

2. Purpose of the assignment:

The consultant will be undertaking development of an analytical report related to the illicit economy of Myanmar, including all main elements and beneficiaries (in broad terms).

3. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant:

The assignment will require:

a) development of a table of contents within one week of start of assignment;

b) consultation with UNODC experts and programme managers in Bangkok and Myanmar after table of contents agreed, and participation in a roundtable consultation meeting in Myanmar after consultation with UNODC;

c) development of a draft report (approximately 30-40 pages, 4 months after start of the assignment) and completion of a final report (two weeks after receipt of feedback on draft report);

d) participation in a roundtable presentation of the report and meeting with UNODC in Myanmar after completion of the report.

4. Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s):

The International consultant to undertake the following:

1. A table of contents
2. A draft report
3. A roundtable presentation of the report

5. Dates and details of deliverables/payments:

Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and/or submission of outputs/deliverables and dependent on actual number of training days required.  

6. Indicators to evaluate the consultant’s performance:

• Outputs described in section 5) above have been achieved
• Quality and timeliness of the delivery of the outputs described in section 5) above

7. Evaluation Process and Criteria

    Evaluation Process and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: 

Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Screening;

Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% = Step II: Shortlisting (100 points) and Step III: Desk Review; Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step IV.

Scoring evaluation – Step V: Selection

Step I: Screening:

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria (listed under education and experience) will progress to the pool for shortlisting.

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review:

UNODC will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate them.

As applicable, only the first top 3 ranked applicants achieving 70% of the points at this stage shall be considered for a desk review.

Step III: Desk Review Technical Evaluation:

The top 3 shortlisted candidates will be considered by the evaluation panel.

The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on the following technical qualification evaluation criteria (it depends on TOR):

• Relevance of education – max 10 points
• Experience in the area of Research and Analysis – Max 30 points
• Experience at the national and/or international level in providing advisory services – Max 10 points
• Technical skills in Economic Research in Myanmar – Max 10 points
• Experience working at the political level – Max 10 points

Step IV: Financial Proposal Evaluation:

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: Lowest Financial proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated X 30%. Lowest Financial Proposal refers to the lowest price offered by Offerors scoring at least 49 points in the technical evaluation.

Step V: Selection

The contract shall be awarded to the best applicant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable and having received the highest combined weight technical proposal 70% + financial 30%= 100%’’

Language Requirements:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, is an advantage.

Other requirement:

Able to travel and work under pressure

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of
• Conduct for international civil servants;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Good knowledge of the natural resource management particularly lake and watershed management, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the region and developing countries;
• Ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to sustainable financial mechanism for environmental conservation;
• Ability to advocate and provide technical advice on the relevant sector/theme;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Economics, Management or related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of Research and Analysis is required.
• Five years of practical experience at the national and/or international level in providing advisory services is required
• Experience in Economic Research in Myanmar would be an added advantage
• Experience working at the political level is highly desirable

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. or proposal should be submitted to bids.mm@undp.org

Annexes – Please visit http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=55970
Procurement Notice
Terms of Reference

P-11