Cambodia is undergoing many transitions – an emergent Middle-Income Country, with a growing middle class supported by a rapidly growing economy; and deeper level changes given by societal modernization and the twin processes of industrialization and urbanization. Its development transformation from a near-history of conflict and social dislocation is dramatic.  With economic growth (pre-Covid19), topping 7 per cent per year and a relatively equitable income distribution, poverty has declined dramatically to just 13.5% in 2014, and is likely to be below 10% today.  This is a time of opportunity, but also one of turbulence. Two key social policy challenges are the emergence of: (1) a large group of near-poor and vulnerable households, with incomes just above the poverty line; and (2) a remaining group of hard-to-reach extreme poor, often living in remote areas. The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has recognized these issues with the launch of the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF).

Among other measures, UNDP has responded by developing research on the adoption of graduation-based social protection programmes.  These innovative interventions offer assets and a support package to poor households in place of cash alone, enabling the poor to escape poverty through their own productive efforts.  During 2020, UNDP will deliver a large operational pilot under which a Cambodian graduation package would be field-tested using a rigorous Randomized Control Trial (RCT) methodology.  RCT results and operational learnings will be used to enable and inform the adoption of a similar approach by RGC at scale. 

Additionally, in recent weeks, Cambodia, is set to face a severe economic downturn due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.  While there has not been a major outbreak in Cambodia, the demand shock will have significant consequences for livelihoods and poverty.  UNDP, with other UN agencies, is supporting RGC policy response, and the graduation pilot will likely require adaptions to enable delivery under restricted conditions, and to meet post-Covid social protection policy objectives.

The consultant is tasked to support the successful delivery of GBSP Project. This would include various tasks and ad hoc inputs, with the LTA holder to serving as a retained economics and statistical adviser to the project.  A list of examples ordered by each stage of the project cycle is attached as an Annex 1.  Offerors should also consult the GBSP project document (the Pro-Doc is available on request).

The 4 cycles (given on the attached and in the Pro-Doc) correspond to the project outputs:   project set-up, delivery of the RCT (under UNDP and contractor-based management), delivery of follow-on round (likely to be under RGC management), and reporting/ assessment.  The precise outputs are given in the Pro-Doc are:

• Output 1: Finalization of the RCT and scheme design, and selection of localities - made up of village selection, participant selection methods and rules; and design of analytics, base, mid and end-line questionnaires and the local economy-wide study.

• Output 2: Provision of technical inputs for the delivery of a pilot graduation-based social protection programme with 2,400 extreme poor household participants (with 1,600 households receiving assets and/or cash transfers), with randomized selection, delivering clear results on livelihood and poverty impacts

• Output 3: Provision of the technical inputs on the follow-on graduation trials, of similar size and shape (but more efficiently), to ensure future RGC deliverability

• Output 4: Provision of statistical and economic analyses of data collected at base, mid-line and 2 end line surveys for household and economy-wide impacts

  Note also, in line with standard LTA procedures, individual assignments (covering relevant bundles of tasks) would be supported by detailed TORs and supported by a purchase order.

Technical Compentecies:

• Technical (econometrics, statistics) and field research skills (sampling, quantitative  surveys, RCTs).

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

• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders, specifically including government agencies.

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

• On demand availability during the project.

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

Functional Compentencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;

Education: 

• Master’s degree in economics/ development economics/ econometrics and/ or  statistics is essential. A PhD in these subject areas  is desirable.

• Further documented study of social protection and RCT research modalities is highly desirable

Experience

• Extensive experience (over 10 years) at international level in research, analysis, and provision of technical assistance on social protection interventions or similar statistical assignments.

• Experience of social protection assignments in Cambodia and/ or very similar development contexts.

• Experience of project systems design and management (including M&E systems) and reporting results.

• Policy development and advocacy skills, given by extensive experience with LIC/ MIC governments, in the field of social protection.

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=68975 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: Letter of intertest explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

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).