Cambodia is a country undergoing many transitions – an emergent Middle-Income Country (MIC) with a rapidly growing economy, and deeper level changes given by societal modernization and the twin processes of industrialization and urbanization. Its transformation from a near history of conflict is also dramatic.   This is a time of dynamism and opportunity, but also one of turbulence, dislocation and vulnerability - and these changes bring risks as well as opportunities.

Specific questions can been raised about the quality of the growth process. There are two dimensions to these concerns. The first relates to inclusiveness of the economic model.  While there have been large reductions in poverty, a persistent proportion of Cambodians still live in extreme poverty, and a larger proportion of the population are vulnerable to shocks.  The second set of issues concern slow structural change, including sluggish efficiency gains.  Overall, productivity improvement has been weak, expansion is driven by extensive as opposed to intensive growth, and there has been significant environmental impacts.  

Still more pressing in the near term are the ongoing impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While Cambodia has avoided a major outbreak of disease, and hence severe supply-side restrictions, the demand shocks operating via global goods and capital markets have driven severe economic and social dislocations.  IFI and UNDP sponsored modelling exercises, and the these predictions of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has suggested growth will turn markedly negative in 2020, and that unemployment and poverty will grow as a result.

UNDP is working to support the RGC on its economic policy agenda via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). This commits the agency to work on a number of economic policy issues and capacities, with MEF and other ministries. These Terms of Reference (TOR) refers to a set of assignments to address the above and the priorities given within the MOU.

The LTA holder will work as part of UNDP’s programme to strengthen analytical capacity and data/ evidence gathering systems within MEF and other strategic ministries. Activities will build on past capacity building on economic analyses and the development of General Equilibrium (GE) and Global Trade Analysis (GTAP) models for the Cambodia.  Assignments will be designed under three headings:   

1. Delivering training and capacity building: Deliver, with others, an extended training course and related capacity building for staff of the Royal Government.

1. Provide GE and GTAP modelling training and capacity building to MEF – this would include further developing MEF staff capacities apply to GE and GTAP models via formal training, but also mentoring and tutoring; and developing a core expert group. In addition to designing and delivering sessions, the supply of written teaching materials will be required.  

2. Develop GE and GTAP modelling training manuals – in line with the with the above to enable transfer and embedding of know-how within MEF. This is to facilitate in-house training delivery, and potentially also includes developing Training of Trainers learning materials. 

2.  Supporting economic analysis and modeling specifically in connection with the Covid-19 crisis and the economic policy agenda under the MOU:

1. Deliver a TA facility for on COVID-19 economic policy responses – To serve MEF and RGC generally, in combating the economic/ socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. Specifically in designing, calibrating and implementing stimulus and other measures, linking to analysis to support the National Recovery Plan being developed by MEF.

2. Provide technical assistance to the delivery of analysis and modeling in respect of the economic impacts of the current Covid-19 Crisis.

3. Provide technical assistance to the delivery of research and analysis on the economic policy issues under the MOU and to support UNDP’s socio-economic team in designing and implementing specific projects

3. Technical assistance in supporting UNDP Cambodia in the successful roll-out of its strategic Covid-19 policy responses including the IDpoor formula revision, poverty assessment, IDpoor cash transfer impact evaluation.

1. Building evidence and undertaking data analyses to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of IDpoor questionnaire design and suggest policy options for the improvement based on empirical evidence.

2. Spearheading the methodological and questionnaire design, analysis and report writing of impact of stimulus packages on poverty Both qualitatively and quantitatively.

3. Providing technical oversight to the design and analysis of longitudinal evaluation surveys on the socio-economic impact of Covid-19 Cash Transfer Program.

4. Attend high-level meetings, provide inputs and strategic advice on issues related to the projects and working areas of the economics team.

Technical Compentencies

• Application of techniques (e.g. econometric approaches, statistical analysis, general equilibrium modeling).

• Advanced teaching/ training capacity building in economic analysis and modelling (specifically including GE and GTAP) is an advantage.

• Capacity to engage with senior decision/ policy makers, and to synthesize and present complex arguments in easily understood terms.

• Ability to work collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.

• Superior written/ oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex development concepts and recommendations.

• Positive and results-oriented attitude, able to meet targets/deadline.

• Capacity building skills, at higher education level (teaching, tutoring and mentoring).

Functional Compentencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Education: 

• Doctorate in economics with specialty in development, macroeconomics and/ or econometrics or PhD in international development with other graduate or undergraduate studies in Economics and working experience or academic publication in Economics.

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience with conducting research and training in macroeconomics and economic development and experience in Socio-economic development and macroeconomic analysis including experience in development economics

• Experience in engaging with senior policy/decision makers with technical knowledge of the stage assignment – industrial policy, emergency response

• Experience of similar assignments in similar international development contexts and extensive work assignments in Cambodia with UN and/or other international organizations;

• Experience of SNA, and related tools – Supply/ Use and Input/ Output tables, and construction of Social Accounting Matrixes (SAM) in developing country contexts.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in written and spoken English

Interested offeror must read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at  https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=72815 more detail information about term of references, instructions to offeror, and to download the documents to be submitted in the offer through online.

UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete.

Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.

Interested Offerors are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your online applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

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

1. Proposal:

(i) Lettter of explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

(ii)  Sample of work to prove superiorwritten communication skills, with the ability to convey complex development concepts and recommendations

2. Financial proposal (Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP)

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email pheara.lek@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org . While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC).