Background
UNDP helps the people and government of Bangladesh to create a more sustainable, peaceful, innovative and resilient economy, environment and society. The UNDP’s work helps our partners to improve the quality of Bangladeshi governance, and reduces poverty and inequality in cities and villages across the country. It promotes new and innovative energy and climate solutions, and helps to make Bangladesh a leader in disaster preparation and management. It assists society’s most vulnerable, helping women, youth and minorities access justice and opportunities, to ensure no one is left behind. It provides assistance, support and guidance to initiatives at the community, institutional and policy levels, and gives new development ideas a platform to grow.
The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme will help the government the need for re configure 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.
Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) is a social transfer project for ultra-poor women to be engaged in public works essential for the economic and social life for rural communities. It promotes employment, and most importantly future employability, of extreme poor rural women. Creating productive employment opportunities is generally considered the most efficient way to secure poverty reduction and inclusive growth. SWAPNO will promote and test innovations, offering a replicable model that will inform social protection strategy through a parallel policy programme designed to strengthen governance and the systems of social protection programmes in Bangladesh.
Description of the Assignment
Advisory services to the SSPS and SWAPNO Projects on programme design, results reporting and management advisory services with special focus on social protection policy, including rural and urban poverty reduction, building resilience and reducing vulnerabilities. The services will include programme management issues such as RBM, M&E and other senior level programmatic inputs and advice to the CO and projects.
These services will be coordinated through the UNDP Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster under Senior Management supervision and guidance.
There are multiple social safety net programmes in Bangladesh, fragmented across various sectors and ministries. Some 130 programmes are currently implemented by 23 different ministries. There is a clear need to consolidate and rationalize these programmes in order to increase coverage and effectiveness and to scale up the most successful programmes. There is also a need for innovative measures based on best international practices. Government of Bangladesh (GoB) committed development of a National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) which is now being implemented with UNDP assistance.
UNDP has been the prime development partner assisting GoB in developing the NSSS. In partnership with GoB – specifically, the General Economics Division (GED) in the Ministry of Planning, the Cabinet Division and the Local Government Division (LGD) in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives – UNDP has formulated two major social projection interventions to support roll-out and implementation of the NSSS. The SPPS Programme focuses on social protection governance and systems strengthening and is implemented in partnership with GED and the Cabinet Division. SWAPNO is an innovative delivery project implemented in partnership with LGD. The role of the consultant will be pivotal in taking the projects forward. The consultant will also generally support the roll-out of the NSSS with ancillary functions to advise and support the government and UNDP on the wider social protection agenda
Duties and Responsibilities
The UNDP Bangladesh has identified needs to provide programme advisory services to the SSPS and SWAPNO Projects on needs basis. Services required can be grouped into following categories:
- High Level Strategy/Policy Advisory support. This will include provision of thematic inputs related to social protection, inclusive growth with economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups, poverty reduction in rural and urban context, climate change and disaster resilience, etc.
- Programme advisory/development and resource mobilization support. This will include specific assistance in the delivery and resource mobilization for social protection interventions – the Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme and Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) project.
- Research and results management services. This will involve work to develop and strengthen M&E plans of social protection interventions, Quality Assurance in research, planning and results frameworks, integrate Value-for-Money aspects in project monitoring and reporting systems, assess sustainability of results, review theory of change in project results frameworks, etc.
Detail scope of works:
- Provide technical assistance and offer policy advice to Senior Management, the Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster and the the SSPS and SWAPNO Projects;
- Provide intellectual thematic inputs in the areas of social protection, economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups, poverty reduction in rural and urban context, climate change and disaster resilience, etc;
- Support the implementation / roll-out of the National Social Security Strategy for Bangladesh, offering technical assistance to UNDP and GoB;
- Take on a wider technical and advisory function for allied social protection activities – notably ongoing policy work and participating in relevant inter-agency forums, such as the LCG Poverty Working Group and the Social Protection subgroup.
Programme Advisory support:
- Assist the Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster in ensuring Government support for the social protection interventions (SPPS and SWAPNO) and, in tandem, obtaining backing of Development Partners;
- Undertake, in close consultation with the Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster, key works for SPPS and SWAPNO to get traction:
- Plan the capacity development and advocacy activities of the SPPS Programme;
- Assist the development of M&E Plans and M&E Reports for the NSSS;
- Assist diagnostic policy research on social protection issues;
- Assist a feasibility study recommending strategy and programmes regarding single registry of social security programmes;
- Develop linkages required for Adaptive Social Protection (the Social Protection interface with Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction);
- Assist piloting of online Grievance Redress System for social security programmes;
- Assist strategic planning of urban implementation of the NSSS;
- Take on prime responsibilities for reporting on the SPPS Programme to DFAT and the SWAPNO project to various donors;
- Support resource mobilisation for unfunded areas and partnership with key potential organisations/agencies, in particular related to the SWAPNO project.
Research and results management services
- Strengthen M&E plans, Quality Assurance plans and results frameworks with increased focus on outcome indicators, facilitate integration of Value-for-Money aspects in project monitoring and reporting systems, review sustainability of results, review theory of change in results frameworks, review project internal controls and assist Country Office results reporting.
- Assist results monitoring/reporting of the SPPS programme and the SWAPNO project
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
- Provide strategy/policy support with main focus on social protection matters, in particular National Social Security Strategy implementation.
- Provide resource mobilization services to social protection interventions: specifically the SPPS Programme and the SWAPNO Project.
- Provide results management services for the SPPS Programme and the SWAPNO Project and other selected projects.
Details of Deliverables
- Develop ToR on Single Registry MISs for Bangladesh Social Security Programmes and review the study report by providing feedback and quality assurance
- Develop the ToR on Feasibility Study for setting up Single Registry MISs in Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) – Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and review the study report by providing feedback and quality assurance
- Draft NSSS gender strategy based on NSSS gender diagnostic study and NSSS gender policy
- Design and conduct diagnostic Study: Implications of changing demographic scenario in Bangladesh Social Security areas
- Develop resource mobilization proposal (s) for SWAPNO
- Review results reports and knowledge products of SSPS and SWAPNO
Notably, more details on the deliverables should be agreed and contained in the inception report
- Develop ToR on Single Registry MISs for Bangladesh Social Security Programmes and review the study report by providing feedback and quality assurance - 10 days
- Develop the ToR on Feasibility Study for setting up Single Registry MISs in Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) – Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and review the study report by providing feedback and quality assurance - 10 days
- Draft NSSS gender strategy based on NSSS gender diagnostic study and NSSS gender policy - 15 days
- Design and conduct diagnostic Study: Implications of changing demographic scenario in Bangladesh Social Security areas - 15 days
- Provide pro-bono inputs and review resource mobilization proposal(s) for SWAPNO - 10 days
- Review results report and knowledge products of SWAPNO - 10 days
- Develop concept note, think pieces and proposals for resource mobilization and advocacy - 10 days
Impact of Results
Improved project delivery for projects receiving programme management services.
A dedicated and high calibre social protection resource, offering tailored and timely advice to CO on UNDP interventions in the areas of social protection / poverty reduction in Bangladesh.
An enhanced, comprehensive and coherent social security policy and delivery programme in line with GoB priorities.
GoB’s overall social security policy and delivery capacity is enhanced, in line with the National Social Security Strategy.
Institutional Arrangement
The consultant will report to the UNDP Assistant Country Director, who will also carry out a performance evaluation at the end of the assignment. Further, the consultant will be coordinated by the Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster of the CO in carrying out the assignment. The work will be guided and reviewed by the UNDP Deputy Country Director, with assurance support from the Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster.
Duration of the work and Duty Station
The duration of the assignment will be 80 days in the period 12 months
The place of Assignment is Dhaka, Bangladesh, with occasional travel outside Dhaka as required.
UNDP will provide fully equipped office space, vehicle support and other logistics support as required for successful completion of the assignment.
Final Products/Services
- Provide strategy/policy support with main focus on social protection, poverty reduction and resilience.
- Provide programme management services for UNDP social protection projects.
- Provide results management services for UNDP social protection projects and other projects selected by the UNDP CO.
Specific deliverables
- Specifications for engagement in diagnostic policy research on social protection issues;
- M&E Plan for the Action Plans of the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS); support to GoB annual M&E report;
- Feasibility study report recommending strategy and programmes regarding single registry of social security programmes;
- Report on piloting of online Grievance Redress System for social security programmes;
- Follow-up report on NSSS training through Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and National Institute of Local Government;
- Communication and Advocacy Strategy for the NSSS;
- Outlined plan for urban strategy of the NSSS;
- Progress reports on the SPPS Programme to DFAT;
- Reports on the SWAPNO Project to donors;
- Capacity development of GoB stakeholders on social security / social development;
- Evidence based advocacy, communication and policy dialogues with social protection stakeholders;
- Concept notes, write-ups and presentations related to resource mobilisation for unfunded areas and partnership with key potential organisations/agencies.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace,
- understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, and impartiality;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies
- Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility, and ability to manage complexities;
- Proven strong written, analytical and communication skills.
- Understanding of South Asian culture and customs;
- High-level involvement in Social Protection and Social Safety Nets at the field level in a relevant country for a sustained period of time with demonstrable results;
- Technical expertise related to engendered planning, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and information dissemination for large and complex projects, including interventions on rural employment and income generation;
- Understanding of and familiarity with Results Based Management and Project Cycle Management;
- Familiarity with climate change mitigation and adaptation issues;
- Excellent writing skills as well as strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills (in English)
Required Skills and Experience
Educational Qualification
- Master’s degree or equivalent in development management, management/business administration, development studies, economics / social sciences or related field.
Experience
- At least 15 years’ relevant work experience, of which at least five years must be with international organization;
- At least five years’ experience in capacity strengthening of Government, private sector and NGO senior personnel in the relevant fields;
- At least 5 years of experience working in development and capacity building on Social Protection and Social Safety Net projects, programmes and policies;
- Work experience in developing countries/South Asia;
- Experience with UNDP/ UN agencies/ development partners in the area of Social Protection/ Social Safety Nets;
- Experience in policy, strategic and technical advice in Social Protection / Social Safety Net related issues;
- Experience in demonstrated high-level project management work, suchas a project manager, and relationship management;
- Experience in establishing M&E systems in complex projects;
- Previous experience in project formulation and formulating development strategies.
Cumulative analysis
The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:
- 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;
Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.
Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks)
- Level and relevance of education - 15 marks;
- Practical relevant work experience with international organization, and in capacity strengthening of Government, private sector and NGO senior personnel in the relevant fields - 20 marks;
- Working experience in development and capacity building on Social Protection and Social Safety Net projects, programmes and policies - 20 marks;
- Work experience in developing countries/South Asia - 15 marks.
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
- First payment (12.5% of total contract amount) will be paid after submission and acceptance of the inception report consists of details on the work plan with list of deliverables and timeline as agreed with the supervising authority.
- Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh (12.5% of the total contract amount for each paymnet) payments will be made upon receipt and clearance of monthly progress reports.
- Final payment (12.5% of the totall contract amount) will be paid after submission and acceptance of end of assignment report which elaborates the completion of all listed deliverables as well as a summery of accomplishments.
DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
Proposal
- 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; P11 can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
- Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
- The consultant is expected to submit relevant sample of works or evidences which would substantiate the technical requirements.
- Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below: