Background

Background

COVID-19 has plunged the world economy into a recession with the potential of deep consequences and historical levels of unemployment and deprivation. Economic activities in transportation, retail trade, leisure, hospitality and recreation have been battered. Massive job losses among migrant workers, for instance, will have knock on effects on economies heavily dependent on remittances, like the Philippines.

Helping these countries to respond adequately to the health emergency and economic shock requires a broad range of systemic measures and close international cooperation. We will come through this together” – reminding us that no country can tackle this issue alone and cooperation is crucial for addressing existing challenges.

The search for effective responses to the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic has accelerated the development of new and innovative cooperation modalities. COVID19 brought a new impetus to the work of UN agencies, global foundations, development banks, bilateral development agencies and the private sector to join knowledge, capacities and resources in a more collective and effective manner. In this context, the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation has been particularly highlighted by global leaders, development partners and experts.As recently stated by UNCTAD in its report on South-South Cooperation and COVID19 “it is essential that the Southern countries build a strategic partnership and take coordinated actions without further delay. Going beyond the immediate relief packages, there is a need to have in place a plan for recovery and resilience in the South”.

The importance of South-South and triangular cooperation in accelerating sustainable development has gained continued momentum over the last decades. Developing countries are increasingly recognizing good practices in South-South and triangular cooperation as viable pathways to accelerate progress in the attainment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The new surge in South-South and triangular cooperation has also seen countries in the South increasingly championing solutions that address common transnational development challenges which would be difficult to tackle independently.

Context of the consultancy

The 2019 UN Conference on South South Cooperation highlighted the role of United Nations funds, programmes, specialized agencies, non-resident agencies and regional commissions, including United Nations Country Teams in supporting and promoting South-South and triangular cooperation. Member States have urged the United Nations development system to enhance assistance for developing countries and to act as an enabler in seeking or facilitating potential cooperation partners in several strategic areas, in line with national development priorities, as well as to continue to support regional and subregional organizations in promoting sustainable development practices.

The UNCT in the Philippines is presently conducting a threefold process of alignment, prioritization and positioning to better support the country in addressing the multiple impacts of COVID19and in recovering from the pandemic’s shock. The ongoing preparation of a Socioeconomic and Peacebuilding Framework (“the Framework”) is expected to harness the integrated capacities, knowledge and resources of the UN to address short- and medium-term priorities in close coordination with government plans.

The success of the UN Framework will greatly rely on the capacity to mobilize a wide range of partnerships (with Governments, within the UN, with member states, vertical funds, foundations, NGOs, private sector, international financial institutions, etc.) and leverage catalytic financial resources to support national development agendas. In this sense, a comprehensive analysis of the potential of South-South and triangular cooperation becomes a priority.

Objective of the Consultancy

The main objective of the present consultancy is to identify and analyse the potential for South-South and triangular cooperation in the Philippines, including the identification of strategic opportunities, key sectors, modalities of cooperation and mapping of relevant partners. The consultancy should also presents a number of strategic and tactic recommendations to leverage South-South and triangular cooperation in the country.

Duration

The consultancy will last a maximum of 45 days spread over three months, starting as soon as possible.

Institutional Arrangements

1. The IC will be under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator of Philippines.
2. The SSTC Team will be composed of : i) an international consultant who will act as a Team Leader, and ii) a national consultant who will support the consultancy.
3. The consultant will update her/his supervisor on progress via teleconference. A written progress report will be submitted.
4. The consultant will work in close collaboration with members of the UNCT and the RCO.
5. The consultant will telework from home due to the constraints imposed by COVID-19.

Duty Station

The consultant will work under teleworking modality. Alternative options will be explored.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The proposed modality of payment is Lump Sum Amount –

1. the lump sum amount is “all-inclusive” (professional fees, communications, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor should be factored into the final amount submitted in the proposal.
2. The contract price is fixed, regardless of changes in the cost components;
3. The consultant will work from home under teleworking modality. Therefore no travel expenses, including DSA is considered.

The Consultant to note that personal Medical/health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key tasks

Under the supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the United Nations Country Team, the consultant will conduct the following tasks:

1. To map and analyze existing SSTC initiatives in the country with the objective of understanding their characteristics, patterns and potential for further development.
2. To identify potential sectors for SSTC, describing challenges, opportunities main partners and impact on development cooperation.
3. To elaborate a “profiling” of potential SSTC partners, describing their preferences, expectations and cooperation agendas.
4. To develop a business matchmaking matrix combining information on SSTC partners, the Government of Philippines and the UN, amongst others.
5. Analyze the feasibility and comparative advantages of a SSTC Facility in Philippines, hosted by the UN, which can serve as a platform for the matching of the development needs of one country with the competencies of another to better facilitate the exchange of resources, knowledge, and technology.
6. To formulate a number of strategic and tactic recommendations to leverage South-South and triangular cooperation in the country.

Expected outcome

A comprehensive report identifying potential sectors for SSTC in Philippines, including a profiling of potential SSTC partners and a SSTC business matchmaking matrix, and analyzing the feasibility and comparative advantages of a SSTC Facility in Philippines, with a number of strategic and tactic recommendations to leverage South-South and triangular cooperation in the country.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Competencies

Corporate Competences

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Other Competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
• Strong initiative and desire to succeed, accountable and willingness to be pro-active in identifying

suitable companies and engaging in appropriate business opportunities

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize and execute effectively
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills in English, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;
• Proven experience in dialoguing with senior level government and private sector executives

Required Skills and Experience

Candidates will be evaluated based on the Combined Rating methodology:

• Technical qualifications = 70%
• Financial Proposal =    30%

For the evaluation of the Technical Proposal, the selection of the successful consultant must be based on the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points):

Applicants who will only receive 70 points from the assessment of the CV will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload a maximum of one document. 

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. A methodology is recommended for intellectual services, but maybe omitted for support services;
4. 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.

Interested applicants to note that personal Medical/health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

The following templates / Annexes and IC General Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU:

• General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contract
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
• P-11 form

In view of the volume of applications, UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified