Background

Meeting the 2030 Agenda across regions will require unprecedented investments from different sources of finance (public, private, domestic and international) and ambitious strategies and public reforms needed to increase efficiencies and value for money. Indeed, the challenge for governments will be to ensure that resources are raised, channeled to and translated into concrete and measurable development results on the ground, to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In that context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims at responding to the growing demand of countries who are not only seeking more, but also better financing for the SDGs, in order to accelerate and fulfil their commitments made during the 2015 International Conference on Financing for Development, which resulted in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA).

Countries are also facing an extra layer of complexity due to the increased diversity and sophistication of financing sources and instruments available. It is now particularly difficult for a country to understand how to maximize current financial flows, mobilize new resources and use innovative financing mechanisms to support interconnected public policy measures towards SDG implementation. Coupled with a volatile macroeconomic, financial and political international environment, the capacity of governments to mobilize, sequence and make efficient and effective use of the extended offer of financing sources and instruments is more than ever at the center of the debate on SDG achievement. 

It is in this context that UNDP has developed a unique and integrated approach to financing the SDGs and the related expertise and focus on linking financing, planning and good governance. UNDP’s comparative advantage and positioning on financing for development is particularly built through its role as SDG integrator in the UN system, and capacity to facilitate country’s exchanges and replicate successful experiences thanks to its global presence.

More specifically, through the establishment of the SDG Finance Sector Hub, UNDP has increased its offer in seven financing strategic areas, each considered as critical to putting the SDGs at the heart of the financial system. The offers are mixed and tailored across development setting to the specific regional and country contexts as UNDP regional and country offices design and implement their engagements with their partners.

UNDP has specifically developed a step-by-step approach to address the specific financing challenges, providing a unique package to countries who wish to use finance more efficiently and effectively to support SDG objectives.

UNDP’s analyses and activities in RBEC, RBAP and globally have highlighted one main challenge on the financing front in the region: the need to build a better understanding of financial flows, and how they contribute to the SDGs through a development planning angle, in order to inform governments in various regions on the necessary Public Financial Management (PFM) measures or reforms needed to better align finance with inclusive growth and sustainable development objectives to support SDG progress.

These challenges are often rooted in, or made more difficult by, a misalignment between the planning and finance policy functions of governments, as well as the participation of only a narrow group of stakeholders in the dialogue and decisions on public finance.

Given the regional context and challenges, also taking into account the current demand, buy-in and resource availability at the country level, UNDP has developed a flexible approach to development finance in RBEC, based on the overall UNDP’s package of services, specifically aimed at addressing public finance challenges and opportunities for countries in the region.

In view of the above, UNDP will support governments in RBEC and RBAP to perform (i) a mapping and analysis of the financing landscape, mainly using the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) methodology (module on assessing financing trends); and (ii) budget and policy analysis of public finance through PFM frameworks reviews and analysis. UNDP will also continue its overall methodology support and backstopping to Country Offices in all regions on integrating SDGs into public financial management systems and processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The consultant will oversee, provide guidance and support in (i) building engagement with UNDP country offices, national counterparts and UNDP FSH, IRH and BRH colleagues across units on the Financing for Development Agenda; (ii) promoting the new offer of services on development finance in the regions rolled out from the IRH/BRH and in support specifically of public sector financing; (iii) building a portfolio of country office demands in the area of public sector budgeting and development finance, aligned with regional service offers; (iv) providing timely technical support to respond to country demands on public finance in the region; (v) provide knowledge sharing and facilitation of climate finance aligned budgeting processes as part of the regional initiative on Climate Finance Network.

The consultant will have the overall responsibility for the review, drafting, quality assurance and timely completion of analysis, research, training, drafting analytical reports and provision of policy recommendations in the area of development finance. The consultant will work closely with the UNDP Finance Sector Hub, BRH and Sustainable Development Team in IRH, in close collaboration with the Team Leader and the colleagues assigned to the work on Development Finance in the region. The consultant may also be requested to liaise with other UNDP colleagues in HQ and other regions.

The consultant will have overall responsibility for ensuring quality and timely completion of the process. He/she should ensure adherence to UNDP’s corresponding guidebooks, methodologies, best practices and general policies.

Expected outputs and deliverables:

     • Workplan of the assignment

     • Workshop report upon delivery of SDG budgeting training

     • Reports on five proposals for the Joint SDG Fund.

     • 2 public finance reports for RBAP countries

     • 5 public finance reports for RBEC countries.

     • Report on Climate Finance regional learning and knowledge exchange.

     •1 SDG budgeting and 1 climate budgeting guidance note and associated communication materials

     • Final report with the main results of the technical support provided

Competencies

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Delivery

•  Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Leadership

•  Ability to persuade others to follow

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s degree in relevant field such as applied social sciences, development economics, or other.  

Experience:

• 10 years of Experience in public financial analysis in developing countries context and excellent research skills. Required
• Experience Solid knowledge of UN Sustainable Goals (17 SDGs), public finance, Public Financial Management, Innovative Financing for Development. Required
• 5 years of Experience working on SDG budgeting and Integrated National Financing Frameworks. Desirable
• 5 years of Experience in climate change finance. Desirable
• 5 years of Experience in working with finance ministries on Public Financial Management reforms in RBEC and/or RBAP countries. Desirable

Language:

• Proficiency in English language: verbal, writing, and editing skills (Required)
• Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset

Application Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

•  A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offeror considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references; and
•  A three-page methodology on how the Offeror will conduct the work including a Work Plan and approach in delivering the required outputs within the assignment period;  

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager. 
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; (excluding mission travel); living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
• This consultancy is a home-based assignment with travel to 8 countries and UNDP will be covering travel expenses. Therefore, candidates should not include costs related to these missions in their financial offer
• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should 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.
• If the 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 a 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.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates. Candidates will be requested to submit their financial through eTendering

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

Desk review

• Criteria 1. Experience in working with finance ministries on Public Financial Management reforms in RBEC and/or RBAP public financial analysis: Weight = 15%; Maximum Points: 15;
• Criteria 2. Experience working on SDG budgeting and Integrated National Financing Frameworks: Weight = 10 %; Maximum Points: 10;
• Criteria 3. Experience in climate change finance. Weight = 10 %; Maximum Points: 10;
• Criteria 4. Quality of methodology on how the Offeror will conduct the work including a Work Plan and approach in delivering the required outputs within the assignment period Weight 15 %; Maximum Points: 15

Interview

• Criteria 5: Interview: Weight = 20 %; Maximum Points: 20.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will invite the top three shortlisted candidates for interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant is contracted by UNDP.  The Senior Public Financial Management Expert will work under the supervision of UNDP Finance Sector Hub SDG Finance Advisor, with guidance of the Team Leader of the Sustainable Development team in UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub and SDG Finance Advisor in Bangkok Regional Hub.

The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop.

Duration of the Work

The duration of the assignment is from 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021for 180 working days in total.

Payment modality

The method of payment is output-based upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted by or before the due dates agreed and certified by UNDP FSH Aid Effectiveness Specialist.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org 

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.