At the United Nations Sustainable Summit held in September 2015, 193 UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, operationalizing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 specific targets.

The UN Joint SDG Fund is an inter-agency, pooled mechanism for strategic financing and integrated policy support. The Fund supports programmes that work across all 17 SDGs and cross-cutting areas so programme countries can accelerate progress towards attaining the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. In doing so, the Fund is committed to forge paths and partnerships that unlock public and private capital for the SDGs at scale.

Following the 2020 call of the Fund, more specifically its Component 1: Reinforce the SDGs financing architecture, UNDP Ukraine as the lead agency, together with the resident country agencies WHO and UNICEF, and the non-resident agency UNECE, have been selected to implement the initiative Promoting strategic planning and financing for sustainable development on national and regional level in Ukraine. This Joint Programme, which will be implemented over 24 months, outlines an integrated response to the need of the Ukrainian government to optimize resource allocation towards national development ambitions and their alignment with the SDGs agenda. It builds on two outcomes, which individually frame engagement and outputs at national and sub-national level:

Outcome 1: Ukraine´s national SDGs planning and financing architecture is improved;

Outcome 2: Decentralized SDGs development planning and financing architecture is improved at regional level.

The implementing agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, and UNECE) will be individually responsible for specific activities under the two respective outcomes. Taken together, the Joint Programme will result in better ways of managing existing – and potential – finance flows for strategic change to enhance alignment of available resources to long-term development priorities and achieving the SDGs in Ukraine. Promoting and supporting establishment of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) is central to this ambition. Additional methodologies and tools that will be employed include Development Finance Assessment, RIA+, Budgeting for SDGs, PPP legal and regulatory frameworks review, systems for public strategic planning, health expenditure review, among others.

As lead Convening/lead agency for the Joint Programme, UNDP will be responsible for the programme’s operational and programmatic coordination. Moreover, UNDP will be responsible for preparation and consolidation of the programme’s reporting, provided by the other participating agencies, and for submission to the UN Joint SDG Fund Secretariat (through the RCO). The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

As implementing agency, UNDP will be responsible for activities related to Development Finance Assessment, Budgeting for SDGs and activities focusing on review and strengthening of strategic planning and budgeting processes (at national and regional level). The activities have been designed in close dialogue with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, which will provide technical guidance and support. The activities will entail direct and high-level engagement with line ministries and national authorities, IFIs, and development partners.

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and track record for the position of a National consultant on strategic planning and budget assessment, who will be responsible for providing analytic support to the transformation of Ukraine’s SDGs planning and financing architecture at national level.

Main Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to ensure provision of high-quality analysis and expertise to the project and Government of Ukraine on the issues of SDGs planning and financing in the context of Ukraine’s international commitments.

Rapid Integration Assessment (RIA+) suggests clear steps and tools for policymakers to earmark finance to SDGs, while taking into consideration country context, both at the national and subnational level, and interlinkages across targets.

In Ukraine, each of the SDGs have been nationalised and integrated into the work of line ministries. An assessment of the alignment of SDGs to national policy documents was undertaken in 2017 and the Ministry of Economy is embarking on a revision. The RIA+ will add the analysis of budget flows linked to policies, assessed by contribution to SDGs targets, in providing a clear picture of public expenditures. The RIA+ assessment will provide an overall picture of the priorities at the national level and highlighting key gaps in SDGs coverage.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager in liaison with the lead expert on strategic budget planning, International consultant on Development Finance Assessments and Democratic Governance Team Leader, the incumbent will be responsible for:

1. Performing a comprehensive assessment (RIA+) of the alignment of the national strategic planning policies and cascading effect from the Government Action Plan through to its influence on sectoral policies and defined link to expenditure patterns by budget units in line ministries. Analysis of the mapping of strategies as per budget lines ideally captures the level of policy targets too. for instance, not only indicate that the policy/strategy X is captured by the budget programme/line Y, but target X1 of the strategy X is reflected in the budget line Y.

To ensure the delivery of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure communication/coordination with UNDP regarding all aspects of the assignment;
• Coordinate the work with the Project Team Lead, Project Manager as well as other UNDP experts;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to the Project Manager and Project Team Lead as requested;
• Hold consultations with UNDP as requested.

Deliverables

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

Proposed payment schedule:

Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in this TOR will be paid fully upon completion of all 3 Deliverables.

The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the UNDP Project Manager. The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations whereupon the UNDP Project Manager signs the certification of acceptance.

Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The consultant will work under overall guidance of the Democratic Governance Team Leader, direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close day-to-day coordination with the other project consultants. Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with Democratic Governance Team Leader on a regular (weekly) basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work.

The consultant will interact with Project Manager and DG Portfolio Team Leader to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed. He/she will also receive all necessary informational and logistical support from UNDP Country Office and the Project. On a day-to-day basis, consultant’s work will be coordinated by the DG Portfolio Team Leader and supervised by the Project Manager.

No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). All reports and presentations shall be submitted in English. 

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical Competencies:

• Ability to work under the deadline and deliver within the schedule;
• Ability to work on complex issues under changing environment;
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations;
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills;
• Knowledge of sustainable energy and environment issues;
• Strong communications skills (written and oral).

Experience and Qualifications Requirements

Education

• At least Master’s / Specialist’s degree in public economics, sustainable financing, international relations and management, or related field. PhD is an asset.

Work Experience

• At least 10 years of proven experience to provide services (consultancy, development, design) to governmental and public institutions at national and international levels in the sphere of finance and economic;
• At least 7 years of experience in elaborating strategic documents, policy papers and policy recommendations, conducting policy research;
•  Extensive knowledge and experience of SDGs financing, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis or presentations (at least 5 samples provided);
• At least 3 years of experience working in CIS region is essential;
• Experience in international financing, multilateral or international technical assistance preferable in UN structures and advisory support would be an asset.

Language (s)

• Excellent English writing, communication and presentation skills are required.

Fluency in Ukrainian.

Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents (to be uploaded as one file):

• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees (at least 3).
• A brief methodology (max. 1-2 pages) on how the applicant plans to approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs according to defined deliverables, as per template provided (in USD).
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• At least 5 samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis, or draft legislation documents in related field (environmental policy making process in Central and Eastern Europe, SDGs).

Note: UNDP documents templates are available at the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gl77bauo27ed0l9/AACGhkF0QmlC5dhm5HZutu2Fa?dl=0

The above documents need to be uploaded to the online application as one document. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days).

Travel costs

The travel is not envisaged for this assignment. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. BSAFE course must be successfully completed before the commencement of travel. Individual Consultant is responsible for ensuring he/she has vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. A consultant is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/

Evaluation Criteria

Educational background

• At least Master’s / Specialist’s degree in public economics, sustainable financing, international relations and management, or related field. PhD is an asset (PhD degree – 7 pts; Master’s degree – 5 pts) – 7 points max.

Relevant professional experience

• At least 10 years of proven experience to provide services (consultancy, development, design) to governmental and public institutions at national and international levels in the sphere of finance and economic(more than 15 years – up to 20 pts; 12-15 years – up to 18 pts; 10-12 years – 16 pts) – 20 points max;
• At least 7 years of experience in elaborating strategic documents, policy papers and policy recommendations, conducting policy research (more than 12 years – up to 20 pts; 10-12 years – up to 18 pts; 7-10 years – 16 pts) – 20 points max;
• Extensive knowledge and experience of SDGs financing, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis or presentations (at least 5 samples provided (6 and more samples – up to 8 pts; 5 samples – 5 pts) – 8 points max;
• At least 3 years of experience working in CIS region is essential (more than 10 years – up to 10 pts; 7-10 years – up to 7 pts; 3-5 years – 5 pts) – 10 points max;
• Experience in international financing, multilateral or international technical assistance preferable in UN structures and advisory support would be an asset (experience available – 2 pts; no experience – 0 pts) – 2 points max.

Language Skills

• Excellent English writing, communication and presentation skills are required. Working knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian speaking is would be a strong asset (Fluent in English and at least working knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian – 3 pts; fluent in English – 2 pts) – 3 points max.

Maximum available technical score – 70 points.

Evaluation method:

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points (max points available for financial part) x (lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers) / (evaluated price).

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.