Antecedentes
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), given its massive investments especially on infrastructure, will be an important driver for economic growth. The challenge for partner countries will be to use this – and other development – financing productively, in support of their national priorities, while also achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Financial institutions and investors are continually improving their due diligence processes and risk mitigation mechanisms, to better protect their loans and investments from (mainly financial) risks. Similarly, private and state-owned enterprises face a set of risks stemming from their involvement in countries along the BRI. However, lending and investments also carry considerable risks for the countries to which they flow. These risks relate primarily to economic, social, and environmental aspects of the development process and to their sustainability. In addition, they also include possible risks to these countries’ security and governance.
Risks for the recipient countries often harder to assess. Long-term development planning is often weak and not rooted in sound analysis, making it more difficult to align projects properly with development priorities. Moreover, the costs arising from risk mitigation, or the impacts that materialize often borne by others. Often, those affected were not parties to the transactions giving rise to these effects (e.g., local communities); and with considerable lag over longer timescales (e.g., with debt whose repayment will be the responsibility of populations long after decision-makers who incur the debt have left power, or owing to social tensions stemming from heightened inequality or to environmental damage). Poor or asymmetrical information, short-term decision-making and divergent interests amongst stakeholders can all contribute to higher risks for the sustainable development of economy, society and environment.
If, however, these risks are better understood, analyzed and the results are built into the decision-making process for investments and lending, countries can make better policy decisions on the projects they select, as well as the choice of funding mechanisms and the modalities under which they are contracted. This helps alleviate the negative impacts and also enables a more equitable distribution of the resulting costs and benefits. Better understanding and mitigating risks is also beneficial for investors, as it provides more certainty, helps avoid expensive overruns, delays or controversies, thereby reducing repayment or default risk.
Deberes y responsabilidades
About the Project
UNDP is commissioning a series of discussion papers, each focused on a specific type of risk to sustainable development in partner countries, linked with BRI. The objective is to:
To better understand the multidimensional risks associated with BRI projects and financing to countries to which they flow; how these risks are assessed and managed; and what roles and opportunities could emerge for various types of stakeholders.
The four types of risk (and corresponding discussion papers) to be studied are: a.) Environment and climate risks, b.) Social risks, c.) Political Risks and Rule of Law, d.) Security Risks
In addition to the four stand-alone discussion papers, and using findings from them, UNDP will develop a Chapeau paper, introducing overall concepts, methodology, overall trends on risks linked with BRI. In order to demonstrate some of the overarching issues and trends in this area, we are commissioning a media discourse analysis on the aforementioned topics, both to inform the report, and also to evaluate the impact of this report on the discourse after publication and dissemination of the report.
Competencias
Deliverables and Timeline
- Research plan and methodology, including proposed list of keywords/phrases to be searched and code book for data analysis (by March 15, 2019)
- 1 discourse analysis report (approx. 8 pages, plus annexes) of international, Chinese, and national media in 8 target countries (Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia – to be confirmed). (First report – April 15, 2019; 2nd report using same parameters, April 15, 2020).
- Presentation of results at Beijing Roundtable event (June 2019).
What we are looking for
- Proven track record on discourse analysis and ability to conduct research in at least English and Chinese language media (other languages a plus).
- Ability to conduct research of and present balanced findings on politically-complex and --sensitive topics.
Habilidades y experiencia requeridas
Your proposal
A select number of renowned research institutions have been invited to submit a short proposal to carry out the research in the afore-mentioned topic area. Your proposal should include:
- Short concept note outlining:
- Your response to this TOR—proposed methodology and implementation.
- Your/ your organization’s relevant experience in this field, and what your comparative advantage is in carrying out this research.
- Financial offer for the above deliverables.
- CVs of the researcher /research team and proposed division of roles
Final selection criteria
- Technical evaluation (including written test, interview, desk review of technical proposal, if any): 70%(includes 20% of Job Related Technical Expertise; 25% of Relevant working experience; 25% of Methodology & Approach to Assignment)
- Financial Evaluation: 30%
UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.
Offeror’s letter and proposal download link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1N7G41zkxbzoFNCYfdikDirAkPPNEc7kP