Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. UNCDF programmes are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from development partners, national governments and the private sector, for maximum impact toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNCDF’s approach to Local Development Finance acknowledges the challenges LDCs face in enhancing local basic services, promoting local economic development and increasing local resilience to shocks in an increasingly uncertain world. The approach recognizes that LDC economies have reached levels of domestic capital (public and private) significantly greater than a decade ago. Yet under-investment at the local level remains a feature of LDCs that holds back structural transformation. In addition to external sources of development finance there is an additional need to find ways of channeling domestic resources for local development.   

This picture of overall growth, increased inequalities and stubborn pockets of poverty within LDCs reveals an uncertain and differentiated development environment in which many localities are not sharing the benefits of growth. How can resources be reinvested locally to build resilience and reduce inequalities?

This is the challenge of local economic development and it is a challenge that becomes more and not less important as developing countries experience growth and capital accumulation but lack the means to reinvest that capital to promote sustainable, equitable and inclusive development. The result is localities lacking in infrastructure and capital investment that could support a more sustainable and equitable inclusion into the growing economy. Without this investment there is a tendency for value chains to be extractive and for a reduced scope to develop the clustering, linkages and labor markets that could recycle the proceeds of growth at the local level. There is also a tendency for poor quality infrastructure and for local areas to lack access to the financial resources that are available centrally. This includes areas where local authorities have a comparative advantage such as climate change adaptation, food security, and women’s economic empowerment.

The growing differentiation at the local level is accompanied by two broad trends in development finance. Firstly the general decline of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and secondly the above mentioned accumulation of significant capital surpluses in LDCs that are not reinvested locally due to perceived risk and a lack of investment opportunities, instead they are often held in unproductive real estate or in overseas accounts. These trends complicate the task of investing in public and private infrastructure for local development in those regions that are lagging behind.

Inclusive and sustainable growth requires resilient local economies that include a varied mix of public sector and private sector investment and that are not over dependent on one activity. Economic activities can contribute to inclusive local growth if they leverage and utilize other local resources, or they can be of an 'enclave' nature where the activity has little impact on the surrounding economy. Therefore, not all local economic activity has the same impact on local development. 

What is local development? It is not simply development that happens locally, as all activities happen somewhere. Instead Local Development means increasing the prosperity and wellbeing of localities and strengthening their resilience to economic and environmental shocks. This requires: Leveraging and using local resources; Providing benefits, employment and services to local people - In economic terms, promoting forward and backward linkages and positive externalities; Strengthening and using local institutions, and; Increasing local environmental resilience and sustainably exploiting environmental resources;

This is the development challenge addressed by UNCDF’s Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) that works primarily with Least Developed Country governments to: 

• mobilize additional capital for local development including from the domestic public and private sectors (for example by promoting fiscal decentralization, increasing own revenue of local authorities and stimulating investment finance by domestic banks);
• design appropriate allocation mechanisms for this capital (intergovernmental fiscal transfers 
• public-private partnerships, structured project finance, municipal debt instruments);
• support local investments that provide a demonstration effect and lead to upscaling and mainstreaming of these mechanisms (including supporting UNCDF’s pipeline of investible projects);
• secure these investments within an accountable institutional environment that sustains and promotes local development. (legal, political, administrative, social).

This work is carried out through country portfolios negotiated and implemented together with LDC government partners and UN System Agencies. It is also supported by global programmes in Women’s Economic Empowerment, Resilience to Climate Change, Municipal Finance and Project Finance. Additional relevant thematic areas for local development finance include food security, agriculture, water and energy and local economic development. 

To promote and support transformative investments through local governments and domestic banks in LDCs, LDFP designs, pilots and tests out financing mechanisms and business models in both public and private sectors that support locally designed public investments and revenue generating capital investment projects. The investment financing toolboxes of UNCDF’s LDFP include Fiscal Decentralization, Local Development Funds for public capital investment programming, Structured Project Finance, Municipal Finance, SME Finance, and Public-Private Partnerships. To ensure the selected investments meet both financial and thematic impact requirements, according to measurable indicators, the LD Dual Key Investment Committee was established in 2017 to provide oversight on the investments and support the decision-making process on the financial and development impact credibility and sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision and day to day management of the Deputy Director of Local Development Finance Practice, the consultant will contribute to the overall work of the Local Development Finance Practice Area, with focus on Monitoring and Evaluation and Quality Assurance, including corporate reporting on practice and program results, the development of measurement and data collection tools and methodologies for LDFP’s thematic programs, evaluation, program formulation, knowledge management and resource mobilization. More specifically, the consultant will support the Deputy Director in the following deliverables:  

Corporate Reporting and Quality Assurance for LDFP (30%)

• Support the RBM unit and the LD Practice Area with general Quality Assurance and monitoring of results (including the implementation of UNDP QA-approach and a new online monitoring system, if in place), in line with corporate guidelines and requirements
• Provide input and background information for the application of relevant and new data collection tools, templates and guidelines reflecting the results and indicators of the Strategic Framework in collaboration with the RBM unit and conducting the next cycle of data collection and analysis
• Support the Contribution towards the data analysis of the yearly reporting cycles against the Strategic Framework: supporting and coordinating the data collection process, providing the data collection tools, templates and guidelines.
• Assist the LDFP in quality control of the annual data reporting exercise, data analysis and results presentation and support the RBM Unit in the preparation of the annual reports

Monitoring & Evaluation support for programmes and Global Thematic Initiatives (GTI) (30%)

• Support the analysis of baseline data for new LD programmes under the Strategic Framework assisting in the design of results frameworks ensuring relevance to UNCDF IRRM and the LDFP Theory of Change.
• Support the LDFP Global Thematic Initiatives (GTIs) at the country level with M&E related issues with particular emphasis on Municipal Investment Finance (MIF), Inclusive and Equitable Local Development (IELD) and Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL). Assist in updating and improving RRFs, data collecting tools, monitoring frameworks, etc.
• Contribute towards the quality assurance of proposals, with a specific focus on RRFs, ToC, and the “evaluability” of the programme/project, thereby supporting LDFP to extend its portfolio with high quality interventions to new countries and develop new approaches to strengthen local development finance impact across a range of thematic areas including municipal investment, women’s economic empowerment, energy and climate resilience, etc.

Support the Evaluation function for LDFP (10%)

• Support the efficient implementation of the Evaluation Plan and the related processes, including programme reviews, for LDFP in collaboration with the Evaluation Unit

• Provide input and background information on evaluation guidelines, keeping abreast of overall findings and assessments in relation to the thematic areas of relevance for LDFP
• Working closely with the Deputy Director and programme staff, support the LDFP programmes and projects to be prepared for undergoing evaluations and assist in development and updating of their management responses.
• Liaise and collaborate with programme teams in understanding and applying evaluation recommendations and findings, providing available knowledge and experience across the practice as well as from UNCDF’s other technical areas

Support Local Development Finance Practice operations at UNCDF (10%)

• Support the Deputy Director, in annual work-planning and target setting processes within the practice, risk logs, helping to track key metrics and benchmarks for the practice
• Support periodic practice wide reviews of pipeline and programming priorities, and resource mobilization efforts

Knowledge Management & Communications  for LDFP (20%)

• Support the Deputy Director and the Senior Investment Manager in Coordinating documentation of progress, performance, lessons learnt in the LDFP practice area and its revenue generating pipeline, and contribute to forward looking analysis and reflections on LD Theory of Change
• Support the Deputy Director in Exploring key topics for practice wide learning, identifying areas for further study through targeted case studies and analysis.
• Contribute to communications and formulate quality knowledge products, including publications, evaluations, programme reviews, methodological notes and similar
• Propose and adopt innovative approaches to ensure that the lessons learnt are collected and disseminated, actively engaging with practice team members to support learning and uptake from RBM experiences.

Competencies

General Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and writing skills;
• Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of unit;
• Focus on results for the clients and responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrate excellent organizing, planning and time management skills with strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work under pressure in a well-organized, flexible and calm manner in fast-paced environment;
• Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office.
• Ability and willingness to travel in various field locations in LDCs and developing countries.

Functional/Technical Competencies:

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Advocacy & Activations

• Ability to design and implement strategic short/long term campaigns and carry out customized activations to highlight UNDP’s position and support issue-based advocacy. 

Sustainable Development Goals

• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Substantive Networking

• Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions and think tanks.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/Projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. 

Communication

• Ability to effectively communicate intensions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in economics, public administration, development finance, development policy, marketing or related Development field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional work experience
• Knowledge or experience in results-based management, monitoring and evaluation.  Prior experience in a development programme or developing country desirable.
• Experience in Knowledge Management and Dissemination of Knowledge
• Excellent analytical, and written and oral communication skills. Ability to work in partnership and in teams.
• Advanced computer skills especially in data base management;
• Prior professional experience in developing countries/international aid & development sector would be regarded a merit.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;
• Working proficiency in French is desirable.

Application

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Proposers who shall not submit below mentioned documents will not be considered for further evaluation. (Note: the system does not allow multiple uploads of documents. Applicants must make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file).

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
• Personal CV or UN P11 form, - indicating all past experience, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate AND names of at least three (3) professional references (e-mail addresses, telephone numbers);
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, outlining track record and direct relevance for the present assignment; Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.  This is the section where the preferred thematic areas should be indicated;
• Signed Financial proposal, for the assignment outlining: All-inclusive daily fee in USD (including professional fees and other professional expenses, such as housing, insurance, taxes, etc.) Available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).

If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNCDF under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNCDF. 

When applying for this consultancy position, the Offeror must apply with his/her official name as shown in the government issued identification document (e.g. passport and/or driver license). Contract award is subject to this verification.

Failure to submit all the below mentioned documents may result in rejection of the application.

Evaluation

Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions. The following selection method will be used: Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals. The overall combined score will be 100 points, where weight distribution shall be 70% technical (Desk Review) and 30% financial.

Step I: Screening:

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria (listed under education and experience) will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

• Education requirements as indicated in this ToR.
• At least 3 years of relevant working experience (e.g. Results-based Management, Knowledge Management, Data collection and analysis etc.)
• Excellent analytical, and written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills especially in data base management;
• Proficiency in English is a must, Fluency in French is an advantage.

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review (Maximum 50 points)

UNCDF will conduct a desk review process to shortlist and technically evaluate candidates as per the following criteria (total of 100 points):

1.  Education (5 points)

2.  Knowledge or experience in results-based management.  Prior experience in a development programme or developing country desirable (40 points).

3. Experience in Knowledge Management and Dissemination of Knowledge Products (25 points)

4. Experience in data collection, analysis, policy interpretation and recommendations (25 points)

5. Proficiency in English (Speaking, Listening, Writing). Additional UN language would be considered an asset (5 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Step II: Desk Review will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for Interview and financial evaluation.

Step III: Interviews (Maximum 20 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Step II: Desk Review will be considered as technically qualified and will be invited for a virtual interview (will be conducted over the phone/Zoom/Skype).

Only Candidates obtaining an accumulative minimum of 70% from Step II and Step III (desk review and Interview) will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step IV: Financial Evaluation (Maximum 30 Points):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

The Price proposal must be submitted as an inclusive daily fee in USD.

Issuance of Individual Contract

Issuance of Individual Contract will be made to candidates whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable vis-à-vis the requirements of the TOR and the project operating environment; and

• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical criteria (70%) and financial criteria (30%) specific to the solicitation.

Both individual consultants and individuals employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply.

Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly).

Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNCDF 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.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

Payment Terms: All-inclusive Daily Fee

• The consultant will be paid on a daily rate (based on the number of days worked).
• Payments will be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted, based on the deliverables outlined above.
• Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and
• Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor.

IMPORTANT: Extension of Contract -  This contract has a duration until 31 December 2021. However, the need for the services described in this TOR will likely continue.  Before 31 December 2021, a new selection process may be undertaken for the same services following the procedures appropriate for an International Personnel Services Agreement (IPSA), which is a contract modality. You can learn more about the new IPSA here: https://info.undp.org/gssu/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/gssu/SiteAssets/PSA/IPSA/Individual%20Contractors/1-FAQs%20-%20IC.docx&action=default .

Consultants that will be selected for this selection process may apply for the new IPSA selection process that will be launched in 2022.  However, UNCDF does not and cannot guarantee that the remuneration under the IPSA will be the same as the fees that will be paid under this IC, given that IPSA has a different fee scale.

UNCDF 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.

UNCDF 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.

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