Antecedentes

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional and Technical support for the establishment of Kuwait Public Policy Centre (KPPC) project, UNDP will collaborate closely with GSSCPD to support the establishment of a pioneer KPPC to address policy making gaps and mainstream policy research, analysis and studies in the policy making process.

The KPPC seeks to be a reliable resource that will influence national policies and strategies. The project builds on UNDP's mandate and strategic vision and aims to promote efficient governance and institutional management. This project will provide a framework of how UNDP will accompany the GSSCPD in its ambition to improve the quality of policy making in Kuwait and on how the KPPC can contribute to that, while operating under the umbrella of GSSCPD.

Within this context, the KPPC is seeking to establish a behavioral insights unit with the aim to apply the latest findings on behavioral science and economics into public policies. The purpose is to provide a platform and tools for policy experimentation in challenging areas, particularly related to the implementation of the KNDP

Deberes y responsabilidades

The overall purpose of this assignment is implement the second phase of the behavioral insights unit establishment. The consultant will be responsible for developing a thorough policy agenda with the priority areas for experimentation, as well as to support the KPPC in building national capacity in the growing field of behavioral science in Kuwait.

1. Devise a national capacity building plan in the area of behavioral economics

• Coordinate and deliver workshop geared for each government entity (those related to the different pillars under the KNDP) to build national capacities on how to incorporate behavioral insights into policy and program design and implement randomized control trials;
• Liaise and engage with academic institutions in Kuwait to integrate behavioral science into their respective curriculum;
• Develop a behavioral science and economics course with related lecture materials that combines both theoretical and practical background.

2. Develop policy agenda with priority areas for experimentations

• Identify and closely collaborate with the national stakeholders on development of the national policy agenda;
• Review the policies and the current policy areas in KNDP, and suggest ideas for experimentations;
• Engage with national key stakeholders by conducting meetings and focus group consultations and identify challenges and priority areas in each sector related to the KNDP;
• Identify the strength of behavioral roots in each of the challenges compiled from stakeholders and recommend what could lend to behavioral experimentation;
• Based on the above analysis, develop a comprehensive list of policy challenges that have behavioral components from assessment of the current challenges;
• Conduct constant review of the global RCTs and policy experimentations and analyze what could have potential application in Kuwait.

3. Stakeholders engagement and collaboration

• Work closely with the World Bank and Diwan Amiri team to ensure close coordination on the implementation of the behavioral insights unit;
• Prepare partnerships program with regional and international BE related centers in the areas of policy experimentation and behavioral science;
• Leverage the coordination with government entities and ministries to improve the application of behavioral economics.

4. Ensure proper implementation of the strategy and strategic initiative of the unit

• Ensure that the suggested operating model is being implemented in the nudge unit with staff recruited and trained;
• Report on the implementation of the strategic initiatives of the strategy and suggest recommendations to revise the unit’s strategy based on actual performance;
• Engage and liaise with international renowned expertise in behavioral science to implement and pilot policy experimentations based on the policy agenda.

5. Provide internal workshops and training sessions for staff at KPPC and GSSCPD to build their capacity in this field.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The duration and timeline of the deliverables is indicated in the below table:

Institutional Arrangement

1. The Consultant shall report directly to the Secretary General of the GSSCPD and shall closely coordinate and work with the project team of the KPPC.

2. The Consultant should cooperate with the governmental and other stakeholders for successful achievement of expected results within implementation of the assignment.

3. Preparation and timely submission of final deliverables, reports and other papers required under this assignment for the Secretary General of the GSSCPD and UNDP is sole responsibility of the Consultant.

4. These final and interim reports will serve as justification of the payments.

5. The Consultant will be provided with working space, internet and access to printing machine in GSSCPD.  

Duration of the Work

The overall duration of this consultancy will be 12 months (180 working days).

Duty Station

He/ she needs to be physically in Kuwait 5 days every month to conduct the stakeholders’ meetings and workshops. 12 round trips will be covered under this assignment.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial proposal submitted shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. The financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, living allowance, and the number of anticipated working days).

Travel: All envisaged travel and other related costs must be included in the financial proposal.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging, and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed

EVALUATION

Cumulative analysis

Total score=Technical Score + Financial Score.

Technical Criteria weight - 70%, 700 scores maximum 

Financial Criteria weight - 30%. 300 scores maximum

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:

1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the TOR to determine whether they are compliant/non-compliant.

2nd  stage: Evaluation of technical proposals

Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70%) at the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

3rd stage: Financial evaluation

Cumulative analysis will be used based on the following methodology: All the offers of individual consultants who scored 490 (70% from 700) and more points during the desk review are acceptable for financial evaluation. The lowest financial qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion according to the formula:

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Following documents should be submitted:

1. Duly accomplished and signed Offeror’s letter/filled-in template to UNDP confirming interest and Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template. 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 UNDP 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 UNDP;
2. Complete and signed P11 form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;
3. At least three (3) professional references;
4. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and description of Approach to Work (Methodology); 
5. Copy of diploma/s
6. Copy of ID card (passport)

Competencias

Core Competencies

• Reliably delivers on promises and honours commitments, holding himself/herself accountable for actions taken. ?
• Gains cooperation from others through understanding of the political and organizational culture.
• Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Synthesizes multiple/complex messages, identifies appropriate key points for different audiences and communicates concepts in a manner that influences the perceptions/behaviours of others. ?
• Expresses own point of view in a neutral manner rather than in an argumentative tone, avoiding unproductive conflict.

Functional Competencies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of social development as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines. ?
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for social planning.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of public policy development and international organisations and seeks to develop him/herself professionally

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

I. Academic Qualifications:

• PhD in behavioral science, behavioral economics, economics, public policy, public administration or any related field.   

II. Years of experience:

• 5 years of experience in developing programmes and/or policies/ strategies related to the public sector;
• Experience in working on at least one similar assignment, preferably in the GCC or the region is a must;
• Experience in management, design and implementation of 4 behavioral interventions, randomized control trials or policy experimentations, preferably in the region;
• Extensive experience in working for the public sector and for government agencies in the region;
• Fluency in English and Arabic is a must.
• Excellent communication, drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Proven oral and written communication skills.