Background

Lao PDR’s UN Partnership Framework (UNPF) 2017-2021 is currently in its penultimate year of implementation and will be replaced by a new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025, also known as the “Cooperation Framework”. The UN Development System (UNDS) Reform, effective 1 January 2019, identified the Cooperation Framework as the single, most important strategic document guiding the UN System’s engagement and partnership with host governments. Lao PDR’s forthcoming Cooperation Framework aims to build a strong and durable partnership compact between the GoL and the UN System. The UNCT will work towards formulating a strategic Cooperation Framework that is light, adaptable, and flexible. As the first step preceding the formulation the Cooperation Framework, the CCA provides an independent, impartial and collective assessment (description of what is happening) and analysis (a description of why it is happening) of the country's situation. The overall purpose of the CCA is to provide the UNCT with an analysis of Lao PDR’s key development challenges and gaps, thus allowing it to select and prioritize UN System interventions that will yield optimal positive impact in support of national development goals and priorities. The CCA will not be a “once-off” product and/or a static analysis but will instead be a living document, which will be updated on a continuous basis to reflect situational developments and realities on the ground, guiding the UN System’s work in Lao PDR. The CCA is comprised of three main phases:

1. Analysis
2. Engagement with Government, civil society, key development partners and stakeholders
3. Drafting of the CCA

Underpinned by a robust CCA and vision, the UNCT’s contributions in support of national-led efforts to achieve 2030 Agenda should be reflected in a UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework). In consultation with national partners, the UNCT will select strategic priorities and related development results (outcomes and outputs) in which to invest its collective efforts, capacities and resources.  These choices must be underpinned by a candid assessment of the comparative advantage of the UN system vis-à-vis other development actors.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and Responsibility

The UN System in Lao PDR is seeking an international consultant who will work closely with the established Lao PDR UN inter-agency Task Team on Country Programming, to undertake the following tasks related to the development of Lao PDR’s forthcoming CCA and Cooperation Framework, in line with the latest UNSDG guidelines:

Phase 1: Comparative Advantage and Capacity Analysis: Under the leadership and guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and the Task Team on UNSDCF, the consultant will undertake an in-depth desk review of key documents (to be provided by the Task Team/RCO) supplemented by consultations with the UNCT and relevant stakeholders. The consultant will review and assess the strategic positioning of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes (AFPs) highlighting their specific strengths and advantages individually and collectively, compared to other development partners. A capacity gap analysis should be conducted to identify capacity-building requirements framed by the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) along with a Theory of Change (ToC), and a stakeholder analysis. The stakeholder analysis will provide an opportunity for increased partnerships through continuous and inclusive dialogue.

The CCA will be guided by the principle of “Leave No-One Behind” and will provide evidence and data disaggregated not only by income, gender, geography and age, but also on other grounds such as discrimination prohibited under international law. Social, cultural, economic, political, legislative and other systemic drivers of exclusion should be compiled, examined and described. The CCA should underline Lao PDR’s progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provide an analytical overview of the country’s status and progress toward the SDGs.  It should also include an examination of existing policy tools ranging from planning, budgeting and political instruments that extend beyond short-term planning to meet the ambitions of 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The CCA should draw on the perspectives, experiences and expertise of the entire UN System at the country, regional and global level.

In accordance with the HRBA, the CCA should identify multi-dimensional risks that could impact Lao PDR’s development trajectory, covering the full spectrum of development, humanitarian and human rights issues. The analysis should also include an identification and examination of groups that may potentially be left behind along with the underlying drivers of risks, vulnerabilities and needs. The CCA should also draw on the regional analyses of relevant trans-border issues, focused on Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, as the Mekong sub-regional countries, and their impact on progress toward the SDGs. Given their shared regional, sub-regional context, a coordinated assessment of the trans-border component of the six countries’ respective CCAs is underway to understand the impact of regional/sub-regional issues and challenges that extend beyond national borders.

The CCA should also examine Lao PDR’s financial and political landscape in the context of sustainable development, analyze financial flows, and identify opportunities for optimal use of finances in support of national development priorities.  The CCA should be drafted and structured in a way that allows for periodic updates to reduce the time required for the development of future CCAs.  

Phase 2. Stakeholder consultations: the consultant will participate in a series of stakeholder consultations (guidance to be provided by the Task Team on UNSDCF/RCO) to i) gather country/sector/programme information and ii) present/validate findings.

Phase 3. Finalization of CCA using the prescribed CCA template and based on feedback/inputs provided by the UNCT and relevant stakeholders.

Phase 4. Support UNCT’s formulation of a Cooperation Framework, working closely with the Lao PDR UN Inter-agency Task Team on Country Programming, based on the latest UNSDG guidelines and results drawn from the CCA. The Cooperation Framework will be focused on a clear and cohesive articulation of the UNCT’s collaboration with the Government of Lao PDR to support the achievement of national goals/priorities (aligned to Lao PDR’s 9th National Socio-economic Development Plan) and the 2030 Agenda. This will include:

• Preparation of a roadmap and timeline for the Cooperation Framework
• Coordination of a prioritization/Theory of Change workshop
• Formulation of a results framework
• Finalization of Lao PDR’s Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 based on UNCT feedback and inputs.

Expected Results and Deliverables

1. Develop a high-quality CCA that contributes to the articulation of clear development priorities and outcomes for Lao PDR’s forthcoming Cooperation Framework 2021-2025. Building on existing analytical work UN System, GoL and development partners the CCA will identify:

• UN interventions based on UNCT’s comparative advantages;
• Gaps in international norms, standards and international commitments including human rights treaties and instruments;
• Key trans-border issues and challenges among Mekong sub-region countries (Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) working in close coordination with relevant regional RCOs, task teams and focal points supporting the regional component of CCAs;
• UNCT support that accelerates responses to existing development gaps, with a special focus on excluded and vulnerable groups.

       2. Develop a high-quality Cooperation Framework that will help the UNCT:

• Determine the most pressing and critical national development priorities and gaps, and related bottlenecks and entry points;
• Determine strategic catalytic solutions and strategies to address bottlenecks;
• Match solutions and strategies with the UN System’s mandates, and global, regional and sectoral priorities
• Consider UN complementarity with other stakeholders through mapping, and an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats;
• Assess the UN development system’s human and financial resources, knowledge, technology, networks, and efficiencies, both current and potential;
• Reflect on lessons learned and evidence from research and evaluations. 

Competencies

• Excellent analytical skills including ability to review and synthesize information rapidly, distinguishing major trends from minor details;
• Excellent writing skills including ability to prepare high quality reports, summaries, and presentations
• Strong communication skills both spoken and written and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style; ability to conduct consultations and interviews;
• Solid knowledge and understanding of UNDS reform process, UN programming principles, Delivering as One SOPs, UN country programming processes (CCA/UNSDCF), SDGs;
• Ability to conceptualize and analyze problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
• Knowledge of gender mainstreaming and Human Rights based Approach;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work under tight time constraints;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationship with people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds; 

  Functional competencies:

• Proven research and analytical skills;
• Experience with UN country programming process (CCA, UNSDCF) is an asset;
• Solid knowledge and understanding of UNDS reform process, UN programming principles, Delivering as One SOPs, UN country programming processes (CCA/UNSDCF), SDGs;
• Experience reviewing and compiling multiple data sets and strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative analysis;
• Excellent analytical skills including ability to review and synthesize information rapidly, distinguishing major trends from minor details;
• Excellent writing skills including ability to prepare high quality reports, summaries, and presentations
• Strong communication skills both spoken and written and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style; ability to conduct consultations and interviews;

           Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; and

Required Skills and Experience

A. Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in international development, political science economics, public policy or other relevant field of studies.

B. Years of experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in research, analysis, evaluation, or development related work
• Experience with UN country programming process (CCA, UNSDCF) is an asset;
• Experience reviewing and compiling multiple data sets and strong understanding of quantitative analysis; 

Computer literate with strong proficiency in commonly used office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.);

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

 (I)      Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable for the work;

(II) P11 Form or CV including past experience in similar project and contact reference of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services;

(III) Financial proposals, please use the template attached, OFFEROR’S LETTER _ Annex III

Instructions for on-line submissions:

• Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically;
• Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above;
• Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected.

Please kindly refer to the TOR _ Annex I for detailed information on:

Project’s background

Scope of work and Responsibilities

Deliverables

Requirements for Experience and Qualifications