Antecedentes

Turkmenistan has adopted the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and nationalized 148 targets and 187 indicators at the governmental level with the aim to achieve the SDGs by 2030. An Institutional Structure of the SDGs Monitoring System was adopted, and an SDG Working Group was established, represented by 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.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan was assigned the role as Secretariat of the Working Group, and in line with the Presidential decree, it is entrusted the role and responsibility of leading implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Turkmenistan, which includes:

1. Preparing and providing the government agencies with methodological notes, guidelines and consultations for preparing SDG reports through the support of the UN agencies in Turkmenistan;
2. Compiling reports on the implementation of SDGs in Turkmenistan prepared by government agencies; and
3. Preparing the Voluntary National Report (VNR) on the implementation of the SDGs in Turkmenistan, preparing it for the approval by the SDGs Working Group and submitting it for consideration to the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.

In 2017, UNDP launched a joint project in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economy “Partnering for SDG acceleration in Turkmenistan” which established a Platform for other UN agencies to support the project partners and sectoral ministries in SDG implementation within their respective fields.

Turkmenistan presented its first VNR at the 2019 High-level Political Forum (HLPF). The theme of the HLPF in 2019 is "Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality" and Goals 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 17 are reviewed in depth. The VNR of Turkmenistan has been prepared within the framework of a joint project of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme, for the purpose of which the Government of Turkmenistan allocated adequate financial and human resources. The UN agencies actively participated in this process by providing feedback and suggestions on the relevant sections of the Review. The Government reports on SDG 16 by providing data solely on four targets 16.1, 16.6, 16.7 and 16.9, yet the process of developing a methodology for SDG 16 indicators is yet to be initiated.

Objective:

The purpose of the 4-day mission is through the services of one external consultant with a possibility of joining the IRH focal point on SDG 16:

1. To hold consultations with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the State Statistics Committee, the Ministry of Interior and the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan and other institutions responsible for monitoring and implementation of the SDG 16 indicators in the country as per the nationally agreed distribution of Indicators, with the purpose of providing technical support and recommendations in developing a methodology for SDG Indicators #: 16.6.2, 16.7.1, 16.7.2.;
2. To develop agenda and conduct a two-day technical workshop that aims to provide the national partners (Members of the SDG Working Group involved in implementation of the SDG 16. Representatives of UN Turkmenistan) with:

• Tools for strengthening their technical knowledge in data innovations for the implementation and measurement of SDG 16, including identifying innovative sources of data collection methods for measuring, monitoring and reporting on SDG 16 indicators;
• Examples of data innovations in SDG 16 implementation and measurement from other countries including ECIS (The region for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States) region and globally, with special focus on methodological tools on measuring SDG 16 indicators;
• Support integration of a Human Rights- Based Approach to SDGs through data production, collection and use of data in line with the principles of participation; disaggregation; self-identification; transparency and privacy; and accountability;
• Support the development of an Action Plan for further steps in adopting methodology for collection and measurement on selected SDG 16 indicators:16.6.2, SDG 16.7.1, SDG 16.7.2.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Scope of Work and Deliverables: 

As part of this assignment, the consultant is requested to:

• Familiarize with Turkmenistan’s nationalized SDG indicators table; VNR 2019 and other relevant country documents on SDGs (to be provided by CO);
• Hold consultations with national counterparts on monitoring and implementation of SDG 16 indicators;
• Conduct a 2-day workshop on selected SDG 16 indicators: 16.6.2, SDG 16.7.1, SDG 16.7.2;
• Draft an Action Plan for the adaptation of the methodology for the selected SDG Indicators.

Management arrangements:

The international expert will work with UNDP on a daily basis. He/she is expected to work closely with UNDP and UNRC team in this assignment.  The consultant will report directly to UNDP Portfolio Manager. The consultancy duration is 10 working days. The consultant is expected to work home-based most of the time (6 days home-based) undertaking one country visit (4 working days in-country) during the consultancy period.

Deliverable 1:

• Agenda of the two-day workshop on selected SDG 16 indicators; 16.6.2, SDG 16.7.1, SDG 16.7.2., additional data/information materials needed for the workshop. Location and number of days: 4 days, deskwork.

Deliverable 2:

• Conducted consultations and workshop during the four-day mission;
• Draft an Action Plan for the adaptation of the methodology for the selected SDG Indicators;
• Mission-completion report with further recommendations on Action Plan for the adaptation of the methodology for 16 indicators: 16.6.2, SDG 16.7.1, SDG 16.7.2. Location: Home based and in-country visit. Total of 6 days, whereas 4-days of visit and 2 days for deskwork.

Payment Conditions:

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. Payment will be released in 2 installments: 1st installment: 50% (for completion of the deliverable 1), and 2nd installment 50% (for deliverable 2) – upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

Competencias

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of and extensive experience working in the area of SDGs, research, M&E and development of methodologies related to SDGs, etc.;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
• Good understanding and practice of capacity development;
• Cultural sensitivity;
• Diplomatic skills.

Corporate Competencies:

• 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;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Advanced university degree in statistics, M&E, social sciences.

Experience:

• At least 8 years of working experience in the area of statistics, SDG research and metadata;
• Practical experience in research, analysis, monitoring and implementation of the SDGs agenda. Strong analytical skills.

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and spoken English; Good knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Submission of applications:

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

Technical Proposal:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• Description of the methodology (1-2 pages) for the assignment;
• 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 (including transportation 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 amount. 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 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees.

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 of 100 points, 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:

• Education – 20 pts;
• At least 8 years of working experience in the area of statistics, SDG research and metadata - 20 pts;
• Experience in SDG advocacy, development of methodologies and M&E of SDG indicators - 20 pts;
• Methodology - 20 pts;
• Fluency in English - 10 pts;
• Fluency in Russian - 10 pts;

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.