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.

In SNA 2008, outputs of Research and Development (R&D) are now capitalized, meaning they are recognized as assets and the acquisition, disposal and depreciation of R&D fixed assets will be treated in the same way as other fixed assets. The 2008 SNA recommends that the output of research and development should be valued at market prices if purchased (outsourced) or at the sum of total production costs plus an appropriate mark -up representing the costs of fixed assets used in production if undertaken on own account. The value of R&D should be determined in terms of economic benefits it is expected to provide in future. This includes the provision of public services in the case of R&D acquired by government. In principle, R&D that does not provide an economic benefit to its owner does not constitute a fixed asset and should be treated as intermediate consumption.

In this regard, UNDP Turkmenistan is seeking for International Expert to support the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan (Turkmenstat) in implementation of the SNA 2008 by providing consultancy and expertise on development of national accounts and indicators related to Research and Development.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

1. 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 the main changes and modification in Research and Development (R&D) outputs between 1993 SNA and SNA 2008 versions as well as overview of international best practices in determining R&D services  in accordance with SNA 2008. Provide recommendations on measurement of R&D services and its application in GDP calculation in accordance with SNA 2008.

Task Deliverable 1: Desk review report on the main changes and modification in insurance between 1993 SNA and SNA 2008 version, international best practices in determining R&D services in accordance with SNA 2008 including recommendations on measurement of R&D services and its application in GDP calculation in accordance with SNA 2008 prepared (home based with estimated 5 working days);

2. Hold a series of consultations with Turkmenstat, the Institute “Turkmensuvylymtaslama”, the Institute of Seismology and Atmospheric Physics, Academy of Sciences and other relevant agencies and organizations of Turkmenistan with the purpose to collect these institutions feedback on adoption of SNA 2008 modifications related to R&D services.

Task Deliverable 2: First five days mission to Turkmenistan completed and consultations conducted.

3. Develop a methodology aligned with SNA 2008 for calculating GDP that accounts R&D services, including relevant indicators and statistical forms. Support Turkmenstat in applying a new methodology and conducting experimental calculation of GDP that accounts R&D services in accordance with SNA 2008;

Task Deliverable 3: Methodology aligned with SNA 2008 for calculating GDP that accounts R&D services, including relevant indicators and statistical forms developed. Support to Turkmenstat in applying a new methodology and conducting experimental calculation of GDP that accounts R&D services in accordance with SNA 2008 provided. Round table discussions with participation of the relevant stakeholders (Turkmenstat, the Institute “Turkmensuvylymtaslama”, the Institute of Seismology and Atmospheric Physics, Academy of Sciences and other relevant agencies and organizations of Turkmenistan) to present a new methodology and experimental results is held (Estimated Time Input: 10 working days including 5 days mission to Turkmenistan);

4. Prepare a final report, including the recommendations and methodologies for measurement of R&D services in GDP.

Task Deliverable 4: final report, including the recommendations and methodologies for measurement of R&D services in GDP prepared and submitted (Estimated Time Input: 5 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 days).

Payment Schedule:

• Desk review report, December 2019, 40%;
• Draft methodology on R&D Services, February 2020, 40%;
• Final report, March 2020, 20%;

The average number of days to be worked each month shall be in the range of 5-10 working days. The calendar duration of the contract is estimated within 4 months. The total number of working days is 20 calendar days with two five days missions to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

The final schedule of both field missions and deliverables may be discussed and 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 December 2019 or at the beginning of January 2020 and in March 2020.

This is an deliverables-based contract and shall also include the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables and travel costs of two mission. 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 working days do not exceed  20 working days and the number  and general nature of deliverables described above not reduced.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• 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;
• Knowledge of 2008 SNA standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master Degree in Economics/Statistics;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of international experience in statistical system, preferably in national accounts;
• Proven record of international consultancy experience in CIS countries focused on SNA 2008 implementation, including assessment of GDP. Excellent knowledge of SNA 2008, particularly changes related to R&D services, and experience in developing relevant methodologies for measurement of R&D services and estimate in GDP;
• Experience of working with UN is a strong asset;

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 named "Offeror's Letter to confirm its interest to UNDP" 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 deliverables tied 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 the 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.

The candidate with the highest total score shall undertake a validation interview with the panel.

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;
• International experience in similar assignments – 15 points;
• Experience and good knowledge of statistics with the focus on SNA 2008 implementation, including assessment of GDP, 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;
• Methodology – 20 points;
• Interview – 10;

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.

The Russian version of the TOR can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sbhEkR_-gQ5gPTo7UlOFDBrBbFMMwHgq/view?usp=sharing .