Antecedentes

General Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries (LDCs). With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s?Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) promotes and supports transformative investments through local governments and domestic banks in LDCs by piloting and scaling up innovative financing mechanisms and policies in the public and private sectors. Specifically, LDFP works with LDC governments to: (i) mobilize additional capital for local development including from the domestic public and private sectors (for example, by promoting fiscal decentralization, increasing own revenue of local authorities and stimulating investment finance by domestic banks); (ii) design appropriate allocation mechanisms for this capital (intergovernmental fiscal transfers, public-private partnerships, structured project finance, municipal debt instruments); (iii) support local investments that provide a demonstration effect and lead to upscaling and mainstreaming of these mechanisms (including supporting UNCDF’s pipeline of investible projects); (iv) secure these investments within an accountable institutional environment that sustains and promotes local development (legal, political, administrative, social).

UNCDF’s approach to Local Development Finance acknowledges the challenges for LDCs in enhancing local basic services, promoting local economic development, and increasing local resilience to shocks in an increasingly uncertain world. The approach recognizes that LDC economies have reached levels of domestic capital (public and private) significantly greater than a decade ago. Yet,underinvestment at the local level remains a feature of LDCs, which?is holding back structural transformation. In addition to external sources of development finance, there is a need to find ways of channelling domestic resources for local development – including in rapidly growing urban areas.

Reporting directly to the Regional Advisor for the Local Development Finance Practice, the Senior Expert will?ensure developing the Municipal Investment Finance (MIF) Programme in Senegal and West African Region, by supporting its Programme Manager. This program aims at supporting towns, cities, and urban areas in the region to secure the capital and recurrent financing required for their growing infrastructure and service requirements. The MIF Programme operates in Senegal and other selected LDCs in the Western Africa region in coordination with the respective UNCDF country team under the direct supervision of the Regional Technical Advisor who is based in Dakar, Senegal.

The?objective?of the MIF Programme is to increase the ability of local governments and other sub-sovereign entities to address key urbanization challenges through access to sustainable sources of capital financing. The Programme will improve quality of life in LDCs in Africa and Asia, especially for the poor. Specific objectives include (i) improving access to capital for investment in critical urban infrastructure and services in LDC cities targeted by the program, (ii) creating or strengthening financial markets and market intermediaries so that they can facilitate capital access for cities, and (iii) establishing policies, standards, and practices that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital financing process in beneficiary countries.

Assignment Background

The government of the Gambia will be allocating approximately USD 10 million over two years from its own budgetary resources to UNDP to implement the Programme for the Accelerated Community Development (PACD) throughout the country. This is a PUDC inspired project. The resources from the government are allocated to hard infrastructure (Water, energy, road, agricultural processing equipment and markets) with no resources available to ensure the sound management of the assets. Resources have been mobilized to complement these from the Government for specific activities.

In 2021 in the Gambia, UNCDF is willing to support one key activity in 4 local government areas, where local projects are undertaken by local communities and municipalities:

The activity is about capacity building on asset management and asset management tools in four communities and local government (beneficiaries of the training will be community representatives, and representatives from ministries that are involved in water resources management, agriculture, and rural development and investments) as well as financial management and revenue collection.

UNCDF will draw on its proven experiences in The Gambia with the PUDC, and countries of the sub-region in terms of supporting local government finance and specifically in the areas of local development planning and budgeting, sustainable access for population to basic socio-economic infrastructures, local project management, capacity building for national and local actors, participatory processes by local governments with local populations. These experiences are also based on the development of proven intervention tools and methodologies that will be deployed quickly.

UNCDF will work with its partners, the Local Area Councils, the Wards Development Councils, the DCD and the NAO, to ensure the appropriateness of the capacity development provided, the ownership of the tools developed, and management processes advocated and trainings. Besides, these institutions are already on site, and will resume travel before other international organisations. They can make use of training centres in the regions for effective training and access to the trainees, avoiding costly trips to Banjul. Further UNCDF can count with its team in Banjul, in the regions and the consultants that already know the country and regions and can quickly provide support, developing material at a distance and travelling as needed and permitted. This two-pronged approach means that the support can be carried out in 2021.Critically, the activities outline below are designed for the UNDP Target for resource Assignments from the Core system (TRAC) in support to PACD but are conceived to be replicable so that they can be used in other programmes, and in fine by applied to all assets owned by the local governments and communities.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to support the UNCDF in the Gambia to Develop an Asset Management Action Plan (AMAP) for revenue generating assets (rural drinking water assets and agricultural labour-Saving Devices) .

Scope of Work

Working under the overall supervision of the UNCDF’s Africa team leader, under the direct supervision of designated UNCDF staff, and in close collaboration with the government and other relevant stakeholders, the consultant will be responsible for developing an Asset Management Action Plan (AMAP) for 06 Rural Drinking water infrastructure and agricultural labour-Saving Devices: 19 tractors, 09 coos (millet) milling machines and combined coos (millet) milling machines and 02power tillers,

For different assets subject to this consultancy, the consultant shall undertake his actions/analyses on two levels of details: the national level and the local levels related to targeted communities.

The consultancy’s post level is international, but nationals of Gambia may apply provided that they have a track record of international experience.

The consultant shall:

• Familiarize with PACD, the environment of the expected mission, and gather data (primary and secondary)

• Familiarize with aspects of investments in drinking water infrastructure and facilities and Labour-saving devices (with a focus on tractors, coos (millet) milling machines and power tillers) in Gambia’s rural areas,

• Review and achieve a diagnosis regarding the aspects of current asset (rural drinking water and labour-saving devices) management policy, strategic asset management plan(s), methods and technologies applied: analyze targeted communities, involved institutions and organizations, socio-economic and cultural environments, practices, gaps, economic and financial aspects, risks, and all other necessary elements.

• Define accurately with explanation, components of asset management framework: demand management, asset life cycle management, financial management, asset management information system, operations etc.
• Set and refine possible choices from:
• The report?untitled “Transfer and ownership models for investments (TOMIs)”, pre-select, with explanation TOMIs which could be suitable to the project’s targeted communities, assess, analyze, and compare their feasibilities in Gambia’s local contexts.
• Other sources that the consultant may judge useful to set and refine AMAPs options and choices with explanation, in accordance with the international norms and references (e.g.: ISO 55000 series of standards)
• Support in defining and planning accompany measures and scheduling their implementation to ensure the sustainability of the proposed AMAP
• Develop and support in implementing training modules on community asset management, maintenance and sustainability, financial management for the targeted communities and representatives of government (ministries involved in water resources management, agriculture and rural development and investment)
• Conceptualize and conduct the implementation of a pilot AMAP for a selected community from the targeted ones,
• Rep resent UNCDF in meetings as required (periodic meetings with project partners and other meetings) and exchanges with partners and stakeholders,
• Interact with the national consultant for stakeholder’s analysis,

In performing these tasks, the consultant shall, inter alia, undertake, organize, or facilitate consultations, as agreed during the inception phase. The consultant shall lead the exchanges (meeting, interviews etc…) with project partners and stakeholders to ensure the smooth conduct of the mission.

The consultant will benefit from the support of a UNCDF program support officer based in Banjul and from the outputs of the national consultancy on stakeholder analysis.

Delivarables and Payment Terms

Deliverable 1: Inception Report and methodological notes, chronogram (20%)

Deliverable 2: 1st Mid-Term Report (25%)

Deliverable 3: 2nd Mid-Term Report (25%)

Deliverable 4:?Final report: Finalized asset management action plan(s) for different type of assets + training modules/material (30%)

The consultant shall present the results of the activities described in the scope of work in the final report.

The consultant shall structure the mid-term reports in accordance with what will be agreed in the inception report and in his validated methodology. However, the content of the mid-term and final reports could be adapted to respond to needs arising/findings along the work progress.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Outputs produced and costs incurred will be monitored by the by the UNCDF’s Africa team leader in close consultation with designated UNCDF staff.

A payment will be made against key deliverables based on the satisfactory completion of the deliverables indicated in the TORs. Payments will be authorized by the UNCDF’s Africa team leader.

Competencias

Corporate, technical, and functional competencies include:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant local public financial management and sustainable development issues;
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify needs and interventions for capacity enhancement of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
• Ability to take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Project management and planning skills
• Communication, consultation and presentation skills (including ability to manage social development dialogue processes)
• Rural development and finance experience
• Demonstrated knowledge on asset management

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• A Master’s Degree in asset management, Finance, Rural Development, Economics, Social science, Argo-Economics, or related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in asset management, development investment projects, infrastructure financing, investments analysis, and related fields
• Sound experience in asset management in Least Developed Countries (LDCs);
• Familiarity with national and sub-national development actors involved in asset management in Africa or is a strong asset;
• Sound Experience in working/communicating with the UN System and/or other International Agencies, knowledge in UN developed sources and tools in asset management is an asset;
• Experience in developing financing mechanism for subnational governments adapted to the Gambia context is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required

Application Process

Interested individual consultants shall submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications (remark: the system does not allow to upload many documents. Candidates shall upload documentation in one PDF).

Submissions shall include the following information:

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability duly filled. This include a signed all-inclusive financial offer (professional fees, housing, transportation insurance, taxes, different types of cost, etc…). This should be emailed separately to financial.proposal@uncdf.org with the subject line: VA 99894: Asset management Expert under Programme for Accelerated Community Development (PACD)
2. CV or P11 presenting experience in similar projects, candidate’s coordinates (e-mail and phone number), names and coordinates of three professional references (e-mail and phone number);
3. Description (maximum 5 pages) of the methodology (including an activities’ implementing plan)/approach to work;

For section (e) of the Letter of interest: payment rate: fill the second choice:” total lump sum” as payment will be on a lump sum payable in the manner described in the Terms of Reference.

The consultant shall include the travel related costs in his/her financial offer.

In case the offeror is employed by an organization/firm/institution and is expecting to be charged by his employer for the management fees during the period of his service providing process to UNCDF within a refundable loan agreement, the offeror shall include these fees in his financial offer. Incomplete submission is subject to rejection of application.

Evaluation Process

The offers will be evaluated based on financial and technical criteria: a weighted combined notification method will be adopted:

Global score = 70% technical score + 30% financial score

Technical score = 60% at desk review+ 40 % for the approach/ methodology

Step I: Longlisting

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria will be shortlisted:

• A Master’s Degree in asset management, Finance, Rural Development, Economics, Social science, Agro-Economics, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in asset management, development investment projects, infrastructure financing, investments analysis, and related fields

Step II Part A. Technical Review of CVs by Desk Review - 60% out of technical evaluation

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates by evaluating the following criteria with the corresponding points (100 points):

Education (15 points)

Experience in asset management, development investment projects, infrastructure financing, investments analysis,Sound Experience in working/communicating with the UN System and/or other International Agencies and knowledge in UN developed sources and tools in asset management?and related fields (15 points)

Sound experience in asset management in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) (15 points)

Familiarity with national and sub-national development actors involved in asset management in Africa is a strong asset (15 points)

Experience in developing financing mechanism for subnational governments adapted to the Gambia context (15 points)

Sound Experience in working/communicating with the UN System and/or other International Agencies and knowledge in UN developed sources and tools in asset management (15 points)

Language skills (10 points)

Step II Part B approach/ methodology - 40% out of technical evaluation

In a document of maximum 04 pages, the candidate shall submit a work plan that presents his understanding of the assignment with a proposal and description of activities, approach, and methodology and, timelines, he shall also present and explain the tools he is aiming to use, and a risk analysis and mitigation plan regarding the proper achievement of the mission related tasks.

Step III: Financial Proposal Evaluation

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Step IV- Contract Award

The contact shall be awarded to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable vis-à-vis the requirements of the TORs.
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria.

Individual consultants and individuals employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply. 

Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly). 

Useful Links and Tools

Transfer and ownership models for investments (TOMIs): 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zNrDyUZ6S5hqYiICXmfH6HSSdPXi6eVq/view?usp=sharing

Managing Infrastructure Assets for Sustainable Development: A Handbook for Local and National Governments:

UN Handbook on Infrastructure Asset Management | Financing for Sustainable Development Office

UN DESA-UNCDF field tested tools for sustainable asset management:

a. Asset management diagnostic tools,

b. Template for Asset Management Action Plan,

c. Writing guide for Asset Management Action Plan:

Pilot Project: Field tested tools | Financing for Sustainable Development Office (un.org)

UNCDF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.