Background

The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme responds to deficiencies in the existing social protection system and a need for system reconfiguration. It will draw on the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), which provides final entry point for affecting changes in the wider social protection system via better governance and oversight of the system. The programme has two main components: (1) Ensuring better governance of social protection by helping to build coordination, M&E, and reporting functions while strengthening research and analysis capacities in order to build more effective evidence base for effective policy development; and (2) Stronger Social Protection System in place with the purpose of developing a modern social protection infrastructure capable of supporting a nationally integrated delivery system for reliable, transparent, and developmental GoB social transfers and promote linkages to ensure effective coordination.

The NSSS is recognised as a reference point for the social security sector and, as a result, there is an agreed set of objectives across government and development partners. A key aspect of UNDP’s support has been to strengthen coordination across the 38 Ministries engaged in social protection programming in Bangladesh. With support of the SPPS to Cabinet Division, the Central Management Committee (CMC) on Social Protection Programmes in Bangladesh has become recognised as the main management, monitoring and coordination body for the social security sector in Bangladesh, while five social protection thematic clusters as well as sub-national level different coordination committees are also available for bringing better governance in social protection programmes implementation at the field level. A significant achievement has been made drafting the NSSS 2nd phase (2021-2026) Action Plans for each individual Ministry, focused on their implementation of the NSSS guided reforms with approval from the highest body of each individual ministry. It is expected that the NSSS Action Plan 2nd phase strengthened the leadership within the coordination structure and intensifies the coordination mechanisms more functioning. The secretaries are the members of the CMC, therefore while the CMC meets, the secretaries or representatives from line ministries are often engaged with multiple duties and do not have the adequate resources and time to become fully briefed and be the effective contributors and decision-making, especially considering the complex policy nature of social security. The transfer, positing, promotion and retirement are the regular agenda of the government civil service administration. Therefore, when new civil bureaucrats, i.e., secretaries are taking up a role in the CMC, they are not prepared or fully versed in the necessary information to contribute to meaningful decision-making. Decision-making in the coordination structure could be improved through the use of technical and operational support, as identified in the Mid-term Review (MTR). Support to key line ministries, where the most impact can be made, would strengthen the ability of representatives to more meaningful engage in the coordination structure. Technical support has been requested by multiple line ministries, including the Ministry of Social Welfare, which is supposed to become the lead coordination ministry by 2026 for the majority of social security programmes. Technical support units can also strengthen the overall line ministry response to NSSS Action Plan monitoring and implementation, and key proposal development.

The SPPS Programme, through expert, evidence-based support, is working with the government to reconfigure the current social security system so that economic growth is achieved in a more inclusive manner, with economic opportunities reaching the rural and urban poor and the protection of vulnerable groups against shocks. This work includes improving upon the country’s Grievance Redress System to ensure accountability and transparency, develop holistic Monitoring & Evaluation approaches to measuring social protection outcomes, and identifying knowledge gaps and conducting research to fill such gaps to inform evidence-based policy decision-making.

The purpose of this ToR is to provide wider guidelines to the Strategic Support Specialist to provide technical support in strengthening coordination serving as a high-level liaison between the project and GoB. In addition, the consultant will provide advisory support in effective preparation and implementation of the revised M&E Framework and guidance on how to address grievances to support the government for smooth implementation of social protection support especially shock responsive social protection support for addressing COVID19.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide technical support in strengthening coordination serving as a high-level liaison between the project and GoB
   • Maintain high level liaison with the Government high level officials working at the Cabinet Division and the Cabinet Secretary and provide an expert advisory service on social protection programming.
   • Provide technical inputs in inception plan of SPPS Programme, setting up the key milestones, key policy proposal, coordination efforts between line ministries and relevant GoB decision-makers including maintain high level liaison with the high officials of the Cabinet Division and the Cabinet Secretary.
   • Provide coordination services, i.e., policy decisions of SPPS Programme, NSSS Thematic Clusters, CMC Focal Points, and CMC meetings between the technical units of Cabinet Division, General Economics Division, and other relevant ministries.
   • Provide advisory support on strengthening thematic cluster coordination
   • Provide advisory support to sensitise the implementing ministries towards the NSSS goals and time-bound responsibilities to revitalise the implementation process
   • Ensure a feedback loop of project experience and actively engage in feeding information to SPPS Programme and line ministries on project lessons with implications for social protection strategy and policy
2. Provide advisory support in effective preparation and implementation of the revised M&E Framework
   • Provide advisory support for preparation of revised M&E Frameworks for CMC sub-committee review
   • Provide advisory support in drafting the design including web-based prototype of web-based social protection dashboard
   • Assist in the adaptation of revised M&E Framework and incorporation of report into the dashboard
   • To ensure that monitoring and evaluation is carried out with due diligence and compliance to audit requirements.
   • Provide policy guidance on data collections methodologies, possible cost implications, and other vital data attributes to GED in identifying the data limitations and need for specialised surveys to identify detailed list of indicators
3. Provide guidance on how to address grievances to support the government for smooth implementation of social protection support especially shock responsive social protection support for addressing COVID19
   • Explore innovative ideas for addressing complaints/grievance to support government for smooth implementation of emergency / shock responsive social protection support for addressing COVID19
   • Target core national GRS team for capacity building in order for them to disseminate functional capacity throughout the local level
   • Advocate integrating existing GRS mechanisms such as public hearing, hotline services (333) for social protection with the Cabinet Division’s online GRS
   • Provide guidance on how to engage civil societies to implement grievance systems and other rights-protection mechanisms, particularly linked to BBS’s management information system
   • Develop strategies to build public awareness for effective operationalisation of the grievance redress system

IMPACT OF RESULTS

Improved governance of social protection through strengthened and effective coordination, M&E, accountability and reporting functions.

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION 

The duration of the assignment is for 55 working days over a period of 5 months. Duty station is Dhaka, Bangladesh.

SUPERVISION, REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The Consultant will be supervised by and report to the National Project Manager, SPPS Programme, Inclusive Growth and Resilience, UNDP.

PROGRESS CONTROLS AND PAYMENT INSTALMENTS

Project Manager, SPPS Programme will ensure progress controls. The Consultant will be paid upon satisfactory submission of deliverables.

UNDP INPUTS

From the project

• Guidance of concern Specialists of the project
• Project documents and progress reports
• Funding and logistical support.

From the consultant

• Use own equipment required for the assignment.

DELIVERABLES

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN System’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation impartiality (UNDP core ethics).
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN system; and displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Teamwork, ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as a team member, in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect.

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

Functional Competencies:

• Organises and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources, and multiple reporting relationships
• Plans, coordinates, and organises workload while remaining aware of changing Priorities and competing deadlines
• Establishes, builds, and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support

Self-Management

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
• Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behaviour

Management and Leadership

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Provides inspiration and leadership to all the implementing partners.

Language Requirement:

• Excellent command over both Bangla and English.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:         

• Minimum Master’s degree in Business Administration, Social Science, or any other relevant fields.

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of professional experience with at least 5 years of in a senior management role
• At least 2 years of experience at the national level with social protection
• Experience in the area of financial inclusivity, digital payment, Income Generating Activities (IGA), or microcredit
• Demonstratable experience in monitoring and evaluation in a leadership role
• Proven experience working with GRS implementation 
• Prior experience liaising with high-level Government officials with officials at the Cabinet Division and/or GED
• Demonstratable experience with UN, World Bank, Donor agencies, or Government Projects.

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the 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 of 70% point in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks)

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

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.

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 installments 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 number of anticipated working days).

Financial Milestone

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

Proposal

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV, 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;
• Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx