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 capabilities 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 support the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) to create an enabling environment for KNDP results. The aim is to enhance institutional and human capacities of the CSB for evidence-based plans and policies on sustainable development.

 

The main purpose of the assignment is to provide technical expertise and support the capacity of CSB through the development of systematic national statistical tools and information systems and production of periodic statistic and data, especially those that are needed and linked to the implementation of the Non-Markovian Rewards Decision Process (NMRDP). Also, building national account in current and constant prices and accordance with recommendations and suggestions of Nationals Account System 2008 and building the capacities of the department.

 

Within this context, CSB is seeking to recruit a specialist in national accounts to support the Department of Economic Statistics, National Accounts Unit, in developing national accounts in current and constant prices, in accordance with recommendations and suggestions of the National Accounts System (2008). The Specialist will also, focus on capacity building and transfer of Knowledge to National Accounts Unit at CSB. The consultancy will also contribute to the following:

 

KNDP objectives:

Continue with the development of tools, methodologies, and resources of statistical work on the national level: 

  • Complete modernization programs at the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB), including the development of institutional and ICT infrastructure, develop information systems, indicators and database, models, and statistical surveys and transform into the registeredcensus, and develop economic research.
  • Training and Development of national human resources in statistics, allowing to fulfill qualitative and quantitative needs from specialized national cadres in statistics and census. 

The assignment will also contribute to the following ICDI/KNDP project outputs

  • Output:Enhanced institutional and human capacities of the CSB for evidence-based plans and policies on sustainable development;
  • Activity Result:Improved capacityand statistical quality management
  • Indicator:Number of analyses conducted using SAM with 2008-2013 data 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Assistant Undersecretary for Statistical Affairs Sector and close coordination with the UNDP Project officer, the National Account Specialist will provide support for developing and improving National Account 2008 and contribute to the development of annual action plan following up on its implementation linking in the NMRDP and CSB’s strategic objectives. The consultant will be focusing on achievement of the following results:

 

Assess the current state and identify the gaps to implement National Account System (2008).

 

Develop a roadmap for the implementation of the National Accounts System (2008):

  • Upgrade and enhance the National Accounts for the State of Kuwait based on the system of Nationals Account 2008.
  • Provide practical recommendations for CSB on all technical reports and documents related to the National Accounts and assist CSB to enhance the development of the National Accounts 2008.

 

Provide technical advisory and support for Economics Statistics Department and National Accounts team.

  • Provide technical assistance to National Accounts Unit, in the field of basic accounts, institutional accounts and quarterly accounts in current and constant prices.
  • Technical expertise on how to overcome the missing data and define the appropriate data sources.
  • Technical expertise provided for the upgrading and periodically publishing bulletins on the national account

 

Conduct capacity building and needs assessment for Economics Statistics Department and National Accounts team. 

  • Based on thorough assessment, identify the coaching and training needs related to national accounts of the Economics Statistics Department and develop a training plan to address them; 
  • Developing a training plan for Economics Statistics Department on National Account 2008.
  • Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the Economics Statistics Department to enable them to implement their role in relation to economics statistics and national accounts.
  • Present monthly reports to the CSB and UNDP Project officer highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations for the way forward
  • Prepare technical reports and technical notes and materials for technical workshops and conferences.

 

The following are the expected deliverables for the consultancy:

  • Current state and gap analysis report.
  • Pre-assessment and post assessment report and templates
  • Report on capacity/training needs assessment and training plan for the Economic Statistics Department and National Accounts Unit.
  • Report on assessment and evaluation of the outcome of the training workshops conducted.
  • Manual Guide for Kuwait National Accounts.
  • Submission of gap assessment and the developed action points report including any related templates and manuals.
  • Detailed implementation plan with the proposed actions and estimated costs. 

The duration and timeline of the deliverables are 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 pre-assessment of the current national accounts and CSB staff capacity needs assessment.  

2 weeks after the start of the contract

10%

 

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 2 – Submit an assessment report that identify gaps to implement National Accounts System 2008 

4 weeks after contract starts

15%

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 3 – Conduct workshops, on-job trainings, and manual guide for Economics Statistics Department and National Accounts Unit.

6 weeks after contract starts

15%

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 4 – Submit an implementation plan for build National Accounts System 2008.

9 weeks after contract starts

20%

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 5 – Submit the following reports/templates (including missing data and what are the appropriate data sources and enhanced templates for publishing bulletins on the national accounts.)

13 weeks after contract starts

20%

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 6 – Submit post-assessment report (including approved implementation plan and capacity building assessment covering all draft reports.)

16 weeks after contract starts

30%

CSB and UNDP

 

 

 

·       Institutional Arrangement

 

  1. The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Director of Statistical Work in the CSB. He/she needs to coordinate closely with the GSSCPD International Cooperation Department and the ICDI project team.
  2. All payments subject to approval based on submitted certified and approved interim, draft and final reports (with relevant attachments) by GSSCPD / CSB and UNDP.These interim and final reports will serve as justification of payment. 
  3. The Consultant will be provided with access to printing machine and internet connection.

·       Duration of the Work 

 

The duration of this assignment is expected to be 4 months. The starting date is expected within July 2019.

 

·       Duty Station

 

The consultant will be based in Kuwait at CSB office for the duration of the assignment.

 

·       Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

 

 

Lump Sum Amount 

 

Daily Fee

 

 

  • EVALUATION

 

 

 

Option A -. Lowest price and technically compliant offer

 

 

 

 

Option B -  Cumulative analysis 

 

 

 

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 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

Academic Degree:  Masters’ degree in Economics, Statistics, Accounting or other related field

2

Experience in National Accounts

3

Language: Fluency in English. Arabic is Desirable.

 

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

PHD in Public Administration/Institutional and Human Resources development or Other Related Field.

50 

20 years of proven experience at the national or international level in providing advisory services in National Account in general

 

50 points -  for minimum 20 years of experience

10 points - for each additional year (maximum of 50 points) 

 

100

 

 

 

Experience in National Accounts System 2008 

50

Experience in working with government institutions in GCC countries/Arab region 

50

Experience working with statistical institutions 

 

50

Experience working with international organization 

 

50

Knowledge and familiarity with of the economic and social situation in Kuwait is advantage

50

Technical Proposal/Interview: Good understanding of the assignment with all specific components proposed within TOR have been identified clearly and in a logicalorder to address ToR requirements:

Excellent           100% from the score

Good                  90% from the score

Satisfactory      70% from the score

Poor                   40% from the score

               Very poor          10% from the score

300

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 per 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.

 

 

 

  • 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 or 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

Functional competencies:

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

  • Makes a 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.
  • Promotes knowledge sharing.

Promoting organizational change and development 

  • Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in the redesign to establish clear standards for implementation;
  • Develops communications and programs to assist business units in their adaptation to changing the environment.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
  • Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Core Competencies:

  • Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents; 
  • Building staff competence and creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
  • Building and promoting effective teams;
  • Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
  • Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Endorsing learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
  • Fair and transparent decision-making and calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications:

  • Minimum requirement is a Masters’ degree in  Economics, Statistics, Accounting, or other related fields. A PhD is an advantage.

II. Years of experience:

  • Minimum of 20 years of proven experience at the national or international level in providing advisory services in National Account in general. 
  • Has proven experience working on National Account System 2008 in particular.
  • Experience in a governmental statistical institution is an advantage.
  • Experience in using statistical computer programs and excellent computer skills with MS. Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  • Knowledge and familiarity with of the economic and social situation in Kuwait is an asset.
  • UN experience is an advantage;

III. Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in oral and written English is a must. Arabic is desirable.