Background

Project Description

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) presents an ambitious, complex and interconnected vision that countries around the world have committed to working towards. Realizing this vision will require mobilizing a diverse range of public and private resources to contribute to sustainable development outcomes. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which outlines a framework for financing the 2030 Agenda, calls for integrated approaches to finance that are driven at the national level.

Countries face a number of challenges in developing an integrated approach to financing the SDGs. Mobilizing the scale of public and private resources required while maximizing their impact on the social, environmental and economic dimensions of the 2030 Agenda presents a range of challenges, from managing complex financing instruments to designing and implementing effective policies, and collaborating with a diverse range of actors.

The reference framework for Afghanistan SDGs at the end of the nationalization process includes 16 goals (excluding goal 14 – life underwater), 111 targets and 177 indicators. While number of goals remain unchanged, targets and indicators have continued to be adjusted adducing need for more accurate baselines, more realistic targets and data availability and measurability (tiered indicators). A data gap analysis carried out in 2018 made several recommendations along these lines, based on which a revised indicator framework for Afghanistan SDGs has now been introduced.

Under the aegis of an Executive Committee (ExCom) chaired by the Chief Executive and co-chaired by UNDP Afghanistan and Ministry of Economy, government of Afghanistan with support from UNDP completed the key process of assessing the degree to which country’s national development priorities are aligned with nationalised SDGs and prioritising Afghanistan SDG targets using a multi-criteria assessment method. In terms of development finance specifically, a DFA scoping mission in 2018 assessed the financing policy and institutional landscape for SDG financing providing a baseline for the DFA OT and TOR, and leading to establishing a baseline for launching in parallel a DFA and costing exercise of the Afghanistan SDGs.

Developed in response to demand from countries for support for policy and institutional reforms, the DFA supports governments to use the concept of the Integrated National Financial Framework (INFF) to help strengthen policies and actions for mobilizing different types of finance for economic, environmental and social results into a single, coherent framework. This is consistent with and builds on the call in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for integrated national financing frameworks to be ‘at the heart of our efforts’ to realise cohesive nationally owned sustainable development strategies.  An integrated national financing framework is the system of policies and institutional structures that government uses to mobilise the investments necessary to achieve the national sustainable development strategy.

The DFA is structured as a government-led process, with an oversight team led by ministries of economy and finance to guide the DFA process. The DFA builds consensus for reform in the above areas under the leadership of the oversight team and through consultations that engender participation in, and ownership of, reforms from a wide spectrum of actors at the national level. It aims to demystify technical debate on public and private finance and brings together decision makers from across government, the private sector, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), NGOs, development partners and other actors. By engaging this wide group of actors and making financing dialogue more accessible, the DFA aims both to build a broader base of support for reform agendas and to identify innovative solutions to the challenges of financing the SDGs

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

Objective of the Assignment:

Under the supervision of the UNDP Senior Deputy Resident Representative for Programme in Afghanistan and closely working with the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, the Expert will support the DFA process, analysis and follow-up actions for financing solutions for Afghanistan. The expert will work together with a local DFA expert for the duration of the assignment, whose role will mainly entail assistance with data collection and analysis, and coordination and liaison with government institutions.

• Map and analyse the financing landscape covering all types of finance, including from domestic resources and international aid;
• Assess government’s existing financing strategies, policies and institutional structures to establish a baseline for the building blocks of an INFF;
• Propose a roadmap for implementation for establishing an INFF, including areas where Integrated Financing Solutions can support DFA follow-u;p
• Review, consolidate and use as input into DFA, policy and analysis work completed on the various streams toward developing the national SDG financing strategy

Responsibilities:

The expert will drive the process under the guidance of a DFA oversight team and country office including but not limited to the following activities throughout the various phases of the DFA process:

Research phase

• Compile and analyse data and policy literature to build an understanding of development financing trends and the current policy and institutional landscape, following the DFA analytical framework;
• Oversee national consultant in data collection, analysis and outreach to national stakeholders;
• Actively participate in planning for the research mission with the country office, including determining the schedule and objectives for collection of data/information and engaging the participation of key stakeholders in the process;
• Undertake research mission to (i) collect data and information, (ii) engage key stakeholders in the DFA process and (iii) share, socialize and refine initial emerging findings and ideas for recommendations to be developed;
• Lead technical discussions at a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop;
• Engage closely with the oversight team to ensure the process remains in line with their guidance and objectives for the process
• Prepare first draft DFA report.

Consultation phase

• Engage in substantive dialogue with the oversight team to refine the draft report;
• Develop draft DFA roadmap;
• Engage in dialogue around the DFA roadmap to refine recommendations, clarify responsibilities and build buy-in;
• Undertake second mission including validation workshops: (i) with the oversight team, (ii) with the wider group of stakeholders engaged in the DFA process;
• Finalise the DFA report and roadmap under the guidance of the oversight team;
• Draft / feed into terms of references for priority recommendations to be taken forward and implemented in follow up to the DFA.

Launch

• Support launch as required (e.g. preparation of presentations)

Please see the DFA process module in the DFA guidebook for further details on the DFA process.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

Institutional Arrangement

The expert will work under the close guidance of the UNDP Country Office (CO) reporting to the Senior Deputy Director for Programme and under the guidance from the Development Team in UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.

Duration of the Work

The expected duration of this assignment is 85 days with a start date of mid-March, 2020, and planned to be completed within 5 months.  The timeframe and expected deliverables are shown in the table under section D above.

Duty Station

The selected consultant will be home based with an anticipated two missions to Afghanistan. 

Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Self-development, initiative-taking.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work.
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control.
• Managing conflict.
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in the field of Finance, Economics or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in the field of finance, public financial management, private sector development, budgeting and planning. Previous experience of work in Afghanistan or countries of similar context, especially with a development partner or government is a very strong advantage.
• Research experience in the areas of public finance, budget review and public expenditure review are required.
• Experience in country level work rooted in public policy reforms in close collaboration with government.
• Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous research/analytical reports on relevant topics.
• Ability to lead consultations with senior government officials required.
• Sound grasp of substantive policy issues in the public finance field.
• Excellent knowledge of data collection, analysis and statistics tool are essential.
• Advanced quantitative skills and experience with related data analysis tools are an advantage.
• A specific experience in implementing monitoring and evaluation instruments is mandatory. A significant experience in management of Information Systems will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic analysis, and sectoral analysis.
• Understanding of and experience in working in Afghanistan will be an advantage.

 Language requirement:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken), and an ability to summarise and present information.

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.  The consultant shall then submit a price proposal when requested by UNDP, in accordance with the below:

1. Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of his professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical health insurance and evacuation). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract of 85 working days.
2. The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables and at the end of assignment.
3. DSA/Living Allowance – The Consultant shall be separately paid the Living allowance/DSA as per applicable UNDP rate for stay in Kabul and travel to other locations as per actual number of nights spent in Kabul or other locations. Deductions from DSA shall be made as per applicable UNDP policy when accommodation and other facilities are provided by UNDP. An estimated provision in this regard shall be included in the contract. The consultant need not quote for DSA in Financial Proposal.
4. Accommodation in Kabul - The Consultants are NOT allowed to stay in a place of their choice other than the UNDSS approved places in Kabul, Afghanistan. UNDP will provide accommodation to the Consultant for the duration of the stay in Afghanistan in UNDSS approved places. Deductions in this regard shall be made from DSA payment as per applicable UNDP Policy.
5. Travel & Visa – The contractor shall propose an estimated lump-sum for two Airfare home-kabul-home travel (economy most direct route) and Afghanistan visa expenses.

UNDP reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 70%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%)

Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (70 marks):

1. General Qualification (15 marks);

2. Experience relevant to the assignment (35 marks);

3. Technical Proposal:Brief methodology and workplan on how the consultant will approach and complete the work (please see mandatory question on jobs site for inputting response) (20 marks).

Financial Evaluation (30%):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested international Consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

2. Technical Proposal (can be attached with CV or response can be provided to mandatory question on jobs site):

   1. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;

   2. A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNDP Afghanistan.  UNDP Afghanistan will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

• Annex 1 - IC Contract Template (for information);

• Annex 2 -  Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (to be completed at later stage upon request by UNDP);

• Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions (for information);

• Annex 4 – RLA Template (if consultant wishes to be recruited through an employer) - (for information).

  Note: Incomplete application will result in automatic disqualification of candidate.