Background
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
The overall purpose of this assignment is implementation of the second phase of the behavioral insights unit establishment. The consultant will be responsible for developing and proposing a policy agenda with the recommended 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. Propose a policy agenda with priority areas for experimentations
- 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;
- Ensure 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;
- Liaise 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;
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:
Deliverables/ Outputs | Target Due Dates | Payment schedule in percentage | Review and Approvals Required |
Report with the national capacity building plan in the area of behavioral economics with required materials and engagement with local and international institutions (samples of curriculum courses, etc). | 2 months after the start of the contract | 25% | GSSCPD and UNDP |
Zero draft report on developed policy agenda based on the conducted stakeholder workshops and meetings and RCTs. | 4 months after the start of the contract | 25% | GSSCPD and UNDP |
Report with a consolidated first draft of the policy research agenda with ideas for possible experimentations based on analysis of the current KNDP and challenges from stakeholders | 6 months after the start of the contract | 25% | GSSCPD and UNDP |
Final report with approved policy agenda and priority areas for experimentations. Including report with summary and recommendations from workshops conducted with government entities to build capacities. The implementation strategy and strategic initiatives developed for the unit. Submit partnerships program with regional and international BE related centers in the areas of policy experimentation and behavioral science. | At the end of the contract | 25% | GSSCPD and UNDP |
Institutional Arrangement
1. The Consultant shall report directly to the Secretary General of the GSSCPD/UNDP Authorized Officer 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 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 8 months (174working days).
Duty Station
He/ she needs to be physically in Kuwait 5 days every month to conduct the stakeholders’ meetings and workshops. 8 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.
Shortlisting criteria | |
1 | Master’s Degree in behavioral science, behavioral economics, economics, public policy, public administration or any related field |
2 | 5 years of experience in developing programmes and/or policies/ strategies related to the private or public sector. |
3 | Fluency in English is required |
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.
Technical Evaluation Criteria (Desk review and Interview based) | Maximum obtainable points – 700; Threshold – 490 points |
PhD in behavioral science, behavioral economics, economics, public policy, public administration or any related field is significant advantage | 25 |
5 years of experience in developing programmes and/or policies/ strategies related to the private or public sector For each additional year of experience – 5 points, but no more 15 points in total | 50 15 |
At least completed one similar assignment to develop a policy research agenda, preferably in the GCC or MENA region | 80 |
Experience in management, design and implementation of at least 1 behavioral intervention, randomized control trial and policy experimentation, preferably in the region | 80 |
Experience in working for the public sector and for government agencies as a policy advisor/policy specialist, or in a similar position | 50 |
Arabic is highly desirable | 30 |
Technical proposal with clear methodology presented (the proposal will be evaluated vs paper submission and interview based for communication and drafting skills) | 370 |
Financial Evaluation Criteria | Maximum obtainable points – 300 (30%) |
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:
Formula applied | P=y(µ/z) |
P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated |
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y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal equal to 300 |
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µ=the lowest priced proposal |
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z=price of the proposal being evaluated |
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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.
- 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. http://www.kw.undp.org/content/kuwait/en/home/operations/procurement.html 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;
- 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 http://www.kw.undp.org/content/kuwait/en/home/operations/procurement.html;
- At least three (3) professional references;
- Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and description of Approach to Work (Methodology);
- Copy of diploma/s
- Copy of ID card (passport)
Competencies
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.
Required Skills and Experience
I. Academic Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in behavioral science, behavioral economics, economics, public policy, public administration or any related field. PhD in indicated fields is significant advantage.
II. Years of experience:
- 5 years of experience in developing programmes and/or policies/ strategies related to the private or public sector.
- At least completed one similar assignment to develop a policy research agenda, preferably in the GCC or MENA region.
- Experience in management, design and implementation of at least 1 behavioral intervention, randomized control trial and policy experimentation, preferably in the region.
- Experience in working for the public sector and for government agencies as a policy advisor/policy specialist, or in a similar position.
- Fluency in English. Arabic is highly desirable.
- Excellent communication, drafting, presentation and reporting skills.
- Proven oral and written communication skills.