Historique
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 be 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.
Devoirs et responsabilités
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) models for the Cambodia. Assignments will be designed under four headings:
Provide a second round of GE modelling training and capacity building to MEF – this would include further developing MEF staff capacities apply to GE 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. [Estimated at 50 working days].
Develop GE 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. [Estimated at 50 working days].
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. [Estimated at 10 working days].
Assisting the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), in the Ministry of Planning (MOP) - with capacity building and TA in two areas. This is firstly in respect of improving Cambodia’s System of National Accounts (SNA) to enable GDP revaluation; and second in relation to economic statistics to build environmental accounts following the proscribed SEEA[1] rules. [Estimated at 70 working days, both activities].
Separate summary TORs will be developed for specific assignments (within the scope of the overall LTA and the categories above). Specific deliverables of each assignment will be based on an agreed sub-ToR and PO issuance. All property – tangible and intellectual – produced during assignments/ LTA would remain the property of UNDP. The consultant should also ensure confidentiality of all the information received during assignments.
[1] System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) is a UN framework that integrates economic and environmental data, to provide a fuller account of the costs impact of economic activity on the environment.
Compétences
Technical Compentencies
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.
Qualifications et expériences requises
Education:
Doctorate in economics, with specialism in development, macroeconomics and/ or econometrics.
Experience
At least 10 years of relevant work experience with conducting research in macroeconomics and economic development
Extensive knowledge of Cambodia’s social and economic development.
Experience of similar assignments in similar international development contexts.
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).
- 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=70887 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 superior written 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).