Background

Successful implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides a better opportunity for the Revitalized Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to carry out reforms skilfully, structurally, systematically, symbiotically and synthetically in financial public institutions. This will necessitate the placement of public servants with the capacity to allow the effective and efficient delivery of peace dividends to positively impact for welfare of over 12.58 million people of South Sudan Thus, economic management early support and leveraging coordinated partnerships is needed urgently during the transitional period with concentration on delivery capacity of Change Agents (CAs) in the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) mentored by Special Skills Expert (SSE) in the areas of finance and fiscal policies. This will include assessing, analysing, deciding, planning, organizing, training, staffing, leading, controlling, performing, evaluating, redressing the fundamentals of public financial and revenues management in macroeconomic setting.

The objective of the Governance and Economic Management Support Project (GEMS) of UNDP is to support the effective implementation of the R-ARCSS and improve economic management by:

  • Strengthening the capacity of key national institutions for effective and accountable implementation of the R-ARCSS with a focus on Chapter I and IV.
  • Bolstering key economic governance and accountability functions with attention on Chapter IV of the R-ARCSS.
  • Establishing a consistent and structured platform for advancing policy dialogue and mutual accountability on implementation of the R-ARCSS, and
  • Providing a platform for south-south cooperation and for development partners to bring their expertise and experiences to bear on the implementation of the R-ARCSS priorities.

 

The core objective of assigning Special Skills Expert (SSE) Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) is to develop and backstop the institutional capacity of the RTGoNU to successfully direct the administration of peace and development process with effective reforms of public financial sector through transformational leadership guided by clear vision, specific mission, ethical values and strategic plans for scoring on the following core objective:

  • Improved economic management capacity for delivering professionally on Chapter IV and related provisions of R-ARCSS, applying Public Finance Management (PFM), Economic Resource Management (ERM), National Revenues Management (NRM) and Enterprise Fund Management (EFM) in accordance with law, policies and regulations.

This core objective relates to the design of activities for supporting government institutions at national level to operate cohesively, integrally and technically with transparency, accountability, participation and inclusivity. It must be measured by quality of provision of services in line with legal principles, regulatory frameworks, operational policies, public service code of ethics, resources utilization, equitable wealth sharing and devolution of benefits. The MoFP is a key national institution for coordinating all these with links to Presidency, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (PMDAs).

Duties and Responsibilities

  • The SSE shall support the MoFP with detailed technical capacity building and development of macroeconomic framework for RTGoNU to deliver on reforms and management of Chapter IV of R-ACSS and IMF/WB recommendations in accordance with reviewed laws of this sector.
  • The SSE shall train, coach and mentor the staff of the MoFP to support technically the   public financial management of national economy, so as to:
  • Harmonize the National Development Strategy (2018-2021) and revisited Vision 2040 for Strategic Economic Development Roadmap, emphasizing on institutional reforms and new trends in economic management and public finance through budgetary commitments.
  • Update the organizational structure (organogram) of MoFP with clear line of bureaucratic authority and division of mandated duties/rights.
  • Aid the PFM Secretariat in their daily work on Public Financial Reform of RTGoNU with standardized guidelines in collaborative cooperation with World Bank, IMF, AfDB and donor community.
  • Generate periodic data on status of economics of South Sudan and future forecasts, including investment and aid flows across the country in line with Aid Strategy. 
  • Enhance the data management capacity of aid coordination unit and link this to national systems to promote informed decision on fiscal and financial in accordance with efficiency of e-governance facilities
  • To assess the needs of Public Financial Management Reform–Oversight Committee, Technical Committee and Secretariat.
  • Review the curriculum and training modules of Government Accountancy Training Center (GATC) and connect it with the Training Center of Bank of South Sudan (TCBSS) to build the capacity of accountants and public finance professionals (higher, middle and lower ranks) to implement the technicalities of Chapter IV of R-ARCSS.
  • Review the curriculum of Civil Service Training Center (CSTC) with standardized training modules and quality assurance for civil servants at national institutions.
  • Pilot the Train-to-Train (T2T) modality to enable already trained civil servants to train and mentor the attached finance managers in the targeted public institutions.
  • Create efficient coordination mechanism for linking the work of the Directors-General, Directors and Officers of public finance in all government institutions through centralized system, using computerized modern servers and software.
  • Help in reviewing the salaries, remunerations, emoluments and purchasing power of public servants to meet the demands and supplies of the liberal market.
  • Adopt affirmative action and gender mainstreaming in the division of labour of the public financial sector, ensuring employment of qualified South Sudanese nationals who hail from less developed regions.
  • The SSE shall prepare skills training plan of actions, provide policy advice, and help in designing strategic communication for informed technical understanding of government’s decision-making process in economic sector based on conferred powers, functions and responsibilities by R-ARCSS and the Law.
  • The SSE shall train, coach and mentor the staff of the MoFP (i.e., mentor and coach 11 CAs on average) to support technically the public financial management and aid coordination units with facilitation and recommendations from the Council of Ministers and related specialized Commissions, Authorities and Independent Mechanisms.
  • The SSE and CAs shall be provided with efficient work facilities (computers, printers, internet service, virtual conference screen and stationeries) through GEMS Project budget while the Ministry provide offices space with power during working hours.
  • The SSE shall work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Minister of Finance and planning in coordination with GEMS Project Manager.

Deliverables:

  • Inception Report and initial workplan (10 days after contract commencement).
  • Bi-monthly workplan and report of previous period (2 months after contract commencement and every two months following).
  • Draft Final Report on the results/finding and recommendations (one month prior to end of contract)
  • Final Report on the results/finding of the assessment and recommendations for future interventions (Revised draft incorporating the feedback from stakeholders) (one week prior to end of contract).  This is to be presented to stakeholders for validation.

All reports are subject to review and endorsement by the MoFP and UNDP and the final report to a validation workshop by stakeholders.

Competencies

Identifying and Building Strategic Consensus with Collegial Partnerships:

  • Establish effective networking with PMDAs and partners in seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to mandate of RTGoNU as provided in article 1.2 of R-ARCSS and with special focus on economic reform agenda during transitional period.
  • Contextualize assistance of MoFP for fast-tracking a coordinated decision-making and directives for macroeconomic delivery, using efficient tools necessary for supporting capacity building of the public sector with international partnerships in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Innovating and Developing Good Governance Strategies, Plans and Regulations:

  • Coordinate the harmonization of legislative frameworks, institutional policies, strategic plans, and work plans with well-studied knowledge sharing platform on financial sector.
  • Adopt new approaches of resources, revenues and financial administration with broader range of perspectives in developing innovative proposals for meeting the contemporary macroeconomic management standards and public finance.

 

  • Create conducive work environment and team spirit, which fosters innovative collective thinking through the reformed economic and financial institutions in the public sector.

Creating Impact through Sustainable Peace and Holistic Development Dividends:

  • Develop leadership and economic skills for developmental analyses of public finance and resource information on potential bilateral and multilateral cooperation with national counterparts to recommend strategic approach for mutual benefits and accountability.
  • Compile comparative lessons learned on human capacity development and resource mobilization strategy of public financial management in accordance with inculcated fundamentals of transparency, accountability and wealth sharing.

Promoting Institutional Training, Technical Expertise and Knowledge Sharing: 

  • Prioritize continuous training, coaching and mentoring of public servants with efficient use of contemporary computerized tools and mechanisms of macroeconomic e-governance in public finance and aid coordination.
  • Enhance effective planning, presentation and report-writing skills with strong analytical and strategic resilience in advanced professional financial management specialization.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive skilful knowledge and competence in information technology and strategic communication in the fiscal institutions for transparent efficiency

Organizational Awareness:

  • Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of MoFP.
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; understands the structure and hierarchy of MoFP and process flows throughout the ministry.

Working in Teams:

  • Act as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues inside MoFP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

  • Facilitate and encourage open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
  • Deliver verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

  • Create synergies through self-control, tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or Advance degree in relevant fields of economics or related fields (pure economics, applied economics, political economy, business administration, statistics, Information Technology, etc.) is required with over 5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with over 10 years of experience in government institutions.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in relevant fields related to public finance management sector is required;
  • A minimum of 5 years working in public finance management sector is required;
  • Proven experience in organizing and managing events and workshops is desirable;
  • Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards;
  • Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point) is required. Proven experience in the development infographics, online surveys, presentations, organization of webinars would be an asset;
  • Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate information collection and monitor own work plan;
  • Ability to work, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, civil society partners and other UN agencies. Strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination and mastery of economics fundamentals.
  • Experience in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management.
  • Knowledge of mandates of key national and international economic institutions at bilateral and multilateral levels of partnerships.
  • Competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates.
  • Professional command of written and spoken English with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Timely delivery on the assignment in operational environment of pressure with risks from both expected and unforeseen situations.

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Arabic Language is desired

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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

  • A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
  • Personal CV, 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;
  • Two pages to describe the methodology to respond to the TOR (understanding of the project requirements.

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 should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7-hours working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).
  • The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract.
  • 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.

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% (700 points):

  • Criteria 1: Professional working experience in relevant fields related to economics, particularly within the MoFP or public finance management sector: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100;
  • Criteria 2: Proven technical experience working in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management: Weight = 15%; Maximum Points: 150;
  • Criteria 3: Demonstrated experience working in knowledge management, strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100;
  • Criteria 4: Proven relevant work experience and knowledge of corporate social networking-based platforms/tools, and   competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates: Weight = 7%; Maximum Points: 70;
  • Criteria 5: Experience organizing and managing events and workshops: Weight = 7%; Maximum Points: 70; and
  • Criteria 6:  Proven experience to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate information collection and monitor own work plan: Weight = 21%; Maximum Points: 210.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will award the top candidates with highest scores. 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 will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Undersecretary MoFP and GEMS Project Manager and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

Payment Modality:

  • Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
  • The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hours working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily