UNDP Jobs - 83863- International Consultant on Non

International Consultant on Non – Observed Economy (NOE)

Location :

Home-based with 4 missions to ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

28-Mar-2019

Application Deadline :

14-Mar-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

March-August 2019

Languages Required :

Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

In 2018, UNDP and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan engaged into the joint project “Strengthening institutional and statistical capacity on national accounts” that aims at strengthening the national statistical and institutional capacity for implementation the conceptual transition from 1993 version of the System of National Accounts (SNA) to 2008 version and expanding the scope, degree of detailed elaboration and quality of national accounts and complementary data of macroeconomic statistics.

The project components include the following: 1) national program for the 2008 SNA implementation and establishment of institutional mechanisms for coordination of national statistical system; 2) preparation of proposals for improving the system of statistical classifications; 3) adaptation to SNA 2008 requirements on business registers; 4) strengthening methodological, information and personnel potential in the area of national accounts of Turkmenistan in accordance with the requirements of the SNA 2008; and 5) strengthening ITC capacity to support the system of national accounts in Turkmenistan.

The project corresponds to the goals and objectives outlined in Partnership Framework Programme between Turkmenistan and the United Nations for the period 2016-2020 (PFD) and the Country Programme Action Plan between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Program for 2016-2020 (CPAP) aimed at improving the quality of statistical data. Particularly the project contributes to the achievement of Result 1: Qualitative data which is aligned with international standards is available to policy makers, legislators and interested public for monitoring the major goals of the National Programs, SDGs for post-2015, PFD and for development of new national strategies and program. The project will contribute to the achievement of the Global Agenda in the field of Sustainable Development up to 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nationalized by Turkmenistan in September 2016. In particular, SDG 8 (economy) and SDG 17 (partnership).

In this regard, UNDP Turkmenistan is seeking for International Expert to support the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan (Turkmenstat) in implementation off the SNA 2008 by providing consultancy and expertise on measurement of informal sector and non-observed economy in Turkmenistan. The assignment of International Consultant on Insurance Services to support 2008 SNA implementation in Turkmenistan is supported under the first round of the Russian Experts on Demand Programme.

On 23 January 2015, the Government of the Russian Federation and UNDP signed a Partnership Framework Agreement (PFA) that establishes the foundation for a long-term Russia strategic partnership with UNDP for the implementation of development projects in other countries. According to the Russia-UNDP Trust Fund for Development (TFD) Agreement, the Trust Fund may provide financing to UNDP knowledge management and capacity building projects, developed in partnership with and using the knowledge, experience and expertise of Russian ministries, agencies, think tanks, universities and NGOs involved in international development cooperation.

The Russian Experts on Demand Programme is part of the project “Knowledge Management and Capacity Building in the Russia-UNDP Partnership” and aims to provide an instrument for knowledge and know-how transfer via rapid deployment of Russian experts for on demand small-scale interventions and consultancies and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing through mentorship.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the International Consultant will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

Review the existing documents related to implementation of SNA 2008, including World Bank report, materials prepared by UNDP international and national consultants, and provide overview of international standards and best practices in defining and measurement of Non-Observed Economy (NOE) for exhaustive estimation of Growth Domestic Product (GDP). Provide recommendations on measurement of Non-Observed Economy (NOE) for exhaustive estimation of Growth Domestic Product (GDP) in Turkmenistan. Task Deliverables: Desk review report on international standards and best practices in defining and measurement of Non-Observed Economy (NOE) for exhaustive estimation of Growth Domestic Product (GDP), including recommendations on measurement of NOE for exhaustive estimation of GDP in Turkmenistan (Estimated Time Input: 5 working days);
Hold consultations with Turkmenstat, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Central Bank and other stakeholders to discuss priorities in NOE measurement and expectations of data users and provide recommendations on methods of NOE measurement; Task deliverables: Non - output delivery (the first mission (5 days) to Turkmenistan);
With support of the national consultant, develop a detailed plan to conduct survey on non-observed economy identifying roles and responsibilities of national accountants and statisticians; Develop a methodology for NOE measurement in accordance with the 2008 SNA requirements, including questionnaires, instructions, guidelines and other relevant materials, and discuss them with the national counterparts. Revise the developed materials if needed; Task Deliverables: The developed detailed plan to conduct survey on non-observed economy identifying roles and responsibilities of national accountants and statisticians as well as draft of methodology for NOE measurement in accordance with the 2008 SNA requirements, including questionnaires, instructions, guidelines and other relevant materials. , and discuss them with the national counterparts. (Estimated Time Input: 15 working days);
Conduct a training for Turkmenstat in applying a new methodology, questionnaires, and coordinate implementation of NOE survey, including data collection process, compilation, analysis, etc. Analyze NOE survey results, prepare report including recommendations of GDP estimates and hroundtable discussions with participation of the relevant stakeholders (Prepare a final report, including methodologies for NOE measurement and GDP estimates. Task Deliverables: Mission reports, meeting and skype call notes, meeting and trainings materials/reports. Final report, including NOE survey results and recommendations of GDP estimates (Estimated Time Input: 15 working days);

Deliverables and timeframe:

The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. The international consultant should deliver a monthly report at the end of each month to the project manager, indicating which of the key deliverables have been carried out or partially carried out together with an invoice for the number of days worked that month (minimum 5 days, maximum 10-15 days).

Payment Schedule:

Desk review report to provide expertise on international standards and best practices. Due by March - April 2019. Payment - 10%;
Mission report. Due by March - April 2019. Payment - 10%;
Detailed plan and methodology for NOE survey implementation. Due by May 2019. Payment - 30%;
Mission report on the NOE survey implementation. Due by June 2019. Payment - 20%;
Final Report, including analysis of the survey results. Due by July 2019. Payment - 30%;

The average number of days to be worked each month should be 5-15 working days. The duration of the contract should be 6 months. The total number of days to be worked is 40 working days with four missions to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment. It is expected that the International consultant carried out the above-mentioned tasks and visit Turkmenistan to hold round table in March or at the beginning of April, 2019 , at the end of May , 2019, training – in June, 2019 and the meeting – in July, 2019.

Payment conditions:

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy, but in general payment is expected on a monthly basis following submission of the monthly report together with associated deliverables. The calendar of deliverables and schedule and number of associated payments is subject to changes and revisions based on the consultant’s proposed plan to implement the assignment and the assignment action plan to be agreed and cleared by UNDP provided that the overall number of days to be worked should not exceed 40 working days and the number of deliverables should not be reduced from what is in this TOR.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
Knowledge of and ability to transfer Russian expertise in statistics.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree in Economics/Statistics;

Experience:

At least 5 years of previous working experience in statistical system , preferably in national accounts;
Hands-on experience in developing NOE measurement methodologies in compliance with 2008 SNA and conducting survey;
Work experience with UN will be considered as an advantage;
Proved record of international consultancy experience in CIS countries focused on SNA 2008 implementation, including assessment of GDP;
Excellent knowledge of SNA 2008 and key principles in NOE measurement.

Languages:

Russian is mandatory, including excellent writing skills. English is an asset.

Submission of applications:

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

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

Cover Letter which contains a brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; (maximum 1 page);
A summary of experience in similar assignments;
Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form "OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT" can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html. The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
Personal CV form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html.

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/Compliant and having received the highest score – out of 100 points

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70%, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:
Education in area of Statistics – 15 points;
Work experience with UN – 10 points;
Work experience in similar assignments - 15 points;
Hands-on experience in developing NOE measurement methodologies in compliance with 2008 SNA and conducting survey - in particular in CIS countries is an asset- 10 points;
Superior writing, analytical and communication skills – 10 points;
Fluency in Russian. Knowledge of English is an asset – 10 points;
Knowledge of SNA 2008, key principles in NOE measurement -10 points;
Methodology – 10 points;
Interview - 10 points;

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.