Antecedentes

On September 25, 2015, all member states of the United Nations approved a new global Agenda for Sustainable Development for the period between now and 2030 in the form of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets. In October 2015, Turkmenistan immediately began to adapt the SDGs at the national level, holding the first consultations between UN agencies and representatives of the ministries and authorities of Turkmenistan. During 2016, the interaction between the Government of Turkmenistan and UN agencies was continued on a systematic and regular basis, as a result of which, on September 20, 2016, Turkmenistan adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 148 targets and 197 indicators at the governmental level with a view to achieve implementation in the forthcoming 15 years.

On 17 November 2017, the President of Turkmenistan adopted a decree and approved the Institutional Structure of the SDGs Monitoring System in Turkmenistan, including the establishment of the SDGs Working Group, which includes the heads and representatives of 57 ministries and authorities, municipalities (hyakimliks) of provinces (velayats) and the city of Ashgabat, research institutes and higher education establishments. At the same time, the Institute for Strategy and Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan was designated as the Secretariat of the Working Group. This document also defines the functions and tasks of key ministries and government agencies of Turkmenistan, including the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the State Statistics Committee (SSC) and the sectoral ministries and departments of Turkmenistan.

According to the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, The State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan will be responsible for the following: 1) development of methodology, collection and processing of state statistics; 2) creation and maintenance of the SDG database; 3) coordination of the collection of administrative data and departmental statistics, including support for the development of appropriate methodologies.

In light of monitoring and reporting on SDGs in Turkmenistan, the priority is to assess and measure the starting point for SDGs in the country, in terms of data availability and in terms of national capacity. For this purpose, UNDP is hiring an international expert to prepare a baseline report and to propose a methodology and a road map for developing a first database on SDGs in Turkmenistan

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this consultancy are to:

1. Assess the availability of data for SDG indicators and the capacity for data management and monitoring purposes;
2. Support the SSC and key line ministries (Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Labor and Social protection, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Committee on Environment and Land Resources, Migration Service, etc.) in identifying standardized and secure data management and dissemination platform which fit to the infrastructure and capacity requirements and that is based on a set of pre-determined indicators and reporting requirements.
3. Propose a compatible standardized procedures for setting up and maintenance of an electronic database for storage, visualization and reporting/sharing the data for the need of SDGs (internal and external components of the platform).

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Programme Analyst on Governance, Economy and Social Protection and in close collaboration with the UN SDG Coordinator, the International Consultant will be responsible to carry out the following tasks: 

1. Conduct an assessment to review the available data and resources at SSC and line ministries, to understand the current situation and requirements, the data flow and practices. A separate section of the  assessment will be dedicated to best practices/ experiences from other countries, preferably in Europe and CIS region in establishing the national SDG indicators database;
2. Discuss with the SSC and line ministries the findings of the assessment and possible options suitable in the context of Turkmenistan;
3. Once an option is agreed upon, work out a plan for the development of a platform database specific to the needs of the SDG monitoring and dissemination in Turkmenistan. The elements of such should include:
   • The institutional framework and database platform to be used
   • The standards for data and metadata to be employed
   • The procedures to be used to ensure quality (accuracy, integrity, and completeness)
   • The handling of data storage and preservation and endurance of data security management (access, erasure, security, privacy)
   • The procedures to be used to upload/transfer/share data
   • The institutional responsibilities and capacity building needs
   • The recommendations for a secure and web-enabled databank, allowing for data storage, privacy controls, user interface for visualization and transfer/sharing for data users.
4. Present the plan for the SDG database to the UNPFD Result Groups; Ministry of Finance and Economy; SSC and line ministries.

It is anticipated that the consultant will collaborate with the assigned focal point at SSC to develop the report and consult with the respective UN agency personnel. SSC will ensure that the focal point has the necessary expertise.

The International Consultant within the contract duration will undertake two missions to Turkmenistan. She/he is expected to be available for on-line feedback, review and consultations throughout the whole period of the contract.

Deliverables and timeframe:

The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment.

Deliverable 1 - Conduct an assessment on the existing data and resources at SSC and line ministries, to understand the current situation and their requirements, the data flow and practices available. The assessment will also describe practices/ experiences from other countries, preferably in Europe and CIS region in establishing the national SDG indicators database; due date - December 2018 - 40% of payment;

Deliverable 2 - Provide and discuss with the SSC and line ministries the findings from the assessment and the possible options suitable for the context of Turkmenistan; due date - January 2019 - 40% of payment;

Deliverable 3 - Once the option is agreed, to develop a plan for the development of a platform(database) specific to the needs of the SDG Monitoring and dissemination in Turkmenistan; due date - February 2019 - 10% of payment;

Deliverable 4 - Present the plan for the SDG database to the UNPFD Result Groups; Ministry of Finance and Economy; SSC and line ministries; due date - February 2019 - 10% of payment;

The payment is done upon timely completion of the assignment, based on the agreed deliverables and results, as per the above described percentages.

Competencias

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
• Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education

• A post-graduate university degree, Masters or above, in any of the following disciplines;
  • data/information management, statistics, economics or related disciplines, information and geospatial technologies, etc.;
  • Terminal degree (PhD) in the above-mentioned disciplines is preferable.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years’ work experience related to statistical data management/database development and archiving, statistical indicators including SDGs, and common statistical analysis tools;
• Prior experience with data production and management of statistical data sets preferably in ECIS region;
• Knowledge and good awareness of the national statistical systems in ECIS countries, including overall policy context and institutional/legal framework;
• Good communication and analytical skills as well as excellent writing skills are mandatory;
• Advanced computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and advanced knowledge of geospatial information and technology integrated to statistical data..

Language requirements

• Excellent command of spoken and written English;
• Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Submission of applications:

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

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• A summary of experience in similar assignments;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (includingtransportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html . The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount.  In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
• Personal CV and filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html  

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant and having received the highest score – out of 100 points

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% , and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

• A post-graduate university degree, Masters or above, in any of the following disciplines Statistics, information technologies, programming,  etc.- 15 points
• Minimum five (5) years’ work experience in long-term IT industry – 30 points
• Proved experience in developing Statistical databases in the countries, preferably in ECIS region, and developing the national plans – 10 points
• Knowledge and good awareness of the national statistical systems in ECIS countries, including overall policy context and institutional/legal framework – 30 points
• Good communication and analytical skills as well as excellent writing skills are mandatory – 15 points

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.