National consultant on integration of the SDG financing approach into regional development policies

Background

At the United Nations Sustainable Summit held in September 2015, 193 UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, operationalizing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 specific targets.

Following the 2020 call of the UN Joint SDG Fund, more specifically its Component 1: Reinforce the SDGs financing architecture, UNDP Ukraine as the lead agency, together with the resident country agencies WHO and UNICEF, and the non-resident agency UNECE, are implementing the initiative Promoting strategic planning and financing for sustainable development on national and regional level in Ukraine. This Joint Programme outlines an integrated response to the need of the Ukrainian government to optimize resource allocation towards national development ambitions and their alignment with the SDGs agenda. It builds on two outcomes, which individually frame engagement and outputs at national and sub-national level:

Outcome 1: Ukraine´s national SDGs planning and financing architecture is improved;

Outcome 2: Decentralized SDGs development planning and financing architecture is improved at regional level.

The implementing agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, and UNECE) are individually responsible for specific activities under the two respective outcomes. Taken together, the Joint Programme will result in better ways of managing existing – and potential – finance flows for strategic change to enhance alignment of available resources to long-term development priorities and achieving the SDGs in Ukraine. Promoting and supporting establishment of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) is central to this ambition. Additional methodologies and tools that will be employed include Development Finance Assessment, RIA+, Budgeting for SDGs, PPP legal and regulatory frameworks review, systems for public strategic planning, health expenditure review, among others.

As lead Convening/lead agency for the Joint Programme, UNDP is responsible for the programme’s operational and programmatic coordination and reporting.

As implementing agency, UNDP is responsible for activities related to Development Finance Assessment, Budgeting for SDGs and activities focusing on review and strengthening of strategic planning and budgeting processes (at national and regional level).

Implementation of SDGs requires involvements of various stakeholders at different tiers of government. It is necessary to collect all relevant information for the SDGs implementation in order to update or enhance internal policy prioritization based on Agenda 2030.

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and track record for the position of a National consultant on integration of SDG financing approach into Regional Development Policies. The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of this assignment is to analyse regional development strategies till 2027 in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts from the perspective of inclusion of SDG targets and indicators and, in close collaboration with the National consultant on identification of correlations between subnational expenditures and oblast’s dynamics in achieving SDGs, to develop drafts of regional SDG strategies for Donetsk and Kherson oblasts and amendments to the regional development strategies of these oblasts.

Specific objectives of the assignment are as follows:

1. Conduct analysis of regional development strategies till 2027 in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts from the perspective of inclusion of SDG targets and indicators.
2. Conduct interviews & round tables with regional decision-makers (at least, 40 respondents from oblasts’ administrations and authorities in hromadas) on their awareness and priorities regarding the financing for achieving SDGs.  
3. In close collaboration with the National consultant on identification of correlations between subnational expenditures and oblast’s dynamics in achieving SDGs, develop drafts of regional SDG strategies for Donetsk and Kherson oblasts and amendments to the regional development strategies of these oblasts

 

Deliverables

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

No.	Deliverables	Tentative Timeframe
Deliverable 1	In close collaboration with the National consultant on identification of correlations between subnational expenditures and oblast’s dynamics in achieving SDGs, develop an action plan with concrete timeframe and next steps for achieving tasks identified in this TOR Analyse regional development strategies till 2027 in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts regarding the inclusion of SDG targets and indicators Conduct interviews & round tables with regional decision-makers (at least 10 interviews conducted and 40 respondents from oblasts’ administrations and authorities in hromadas involved) on their awareness and priorities regarding the financing of achieving SDGs.   Expected result: action plan with concrete timeframe and next steps for achieving tasks identified in this TOR developed Analytical report (at least 20 pages) regarding the inclusion of SDGs priorities in regional strategic priorities & awareness of regional decision makers regarding financing SDGs in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts developed	within 21 working days
Deliverable 2	Based on the report produced as part of 1 Deliverable and including information provided by National consultant on identification of correlations between subnational expenditures and oblast’s dynamics in achieving SDGs, develop: regional SDG indicators for Donetsk and Kherson oblasts draft strategies on SDG implementation in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts amendments to the regional development strategies of the current and future periods to include all SDGs that can be influenced at the regional level. Expected result: regional SDG indicators for Donetsk and Kherson oblasts identified draft strategies on SDG implementation in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts developed amendments to the regional development strategies of the current and future periods to include all SDGs that can be influenced at the regional level developed	within 35 working days
Deliverable 3	Organize the public event with invitation of all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, business associations, civil society organizations, international donors (UNDP will take care of the logistical arrangements and will cover the respective conference cost; the responsibility of the incumbent is to draft the agenda, list of participants, draft an invitation, and develop presentation of the above strategies and talking points for UNDP). Present the developed documents. Adjust the previously developed deliverables based on the feedback of stakeholders. Expected result: The public event is organized and developed Draft of documents updated	within 14 working days

Proposed payment schedule:

UNDP will provide payments upon provision of deliverables duly certified by UNDP in accordance with the table above. UNDP will be the ultimate authority to control the quality of work results and assess the Contractor’s performance during the assignment. The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the UNDP Project Manager.  Payments are made in four tranches as per the Schedule of payments indicated in the table above.

In particular, the payment schedule will be as follows:

Deliverable 1   30%

Deliverable 2   50%

Deliverable 3   20%

 

Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The consultant will work under overall guidance of UNDP Project Manager of the Democratic Governance team, and in close day-to-day coordination with the other project consultants. Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with Democratic Governance Project Manager on a regular basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). All reports and presentations shall be submitted in English. 

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

 

Technical Competencies:

• Ability to work under the deadline and deliver within the schedule;
• Ability to work on complex issues under changing environment;
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations;
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills;
• Knowledge of sustainable energy and environment issues;
• Strong communications skills (written and oral).

Required Skills and Experience

Experience and Qualifications Requirements

Education

• Master’s / Specialist’s degree in economics, public administration, MBA or related field.

Work Experience

• At least 4 years of proven experience of providing services (consultancy, development, design) to public institutions at national and international levels in the sphere of finance and economics or regional development;
• At least 4 years of proven experience in elaborating strategic documents, policy papers and policy recommendations, conducting policy research;
• Extensive knowledge and experience of public financing, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis or presentations (at least 5 samples provided);
• Knowledge of SDGs Financing agenda is considered as a strong asset

Language (s)

•  Fluency in Ukrainian and English, communication and presentation skills are required.

 

Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents (to be uploaded as one file):

• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees (at least 3).
• A brief methodology (max. 1-2 pages) on how the applicant plans to approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs according to defined deliverables, as per template provided (in USD).
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• At least 5 samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis, or draft legislation documents in related field

Note: UNDP documents templates are available at the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gl77bauo27ed0l9/AACGhkF0QmlC5dhm5HZutu2Fa?dl=0

The above documents need to be uploaded to the online application as one document. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

 

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days).

Travel costs

The travel is not envisaged for this assignment. 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 paid by UNDP. BSAFE course must be successfully completed before the commencement of travel. Individual Consultant is responsible for ensuring he/she has vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. A consultant is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/

 

Evaluation Criteria

Educational background

• Master’s / Specialist’s degree in statistics, economics, public administration, MBA or related field – 5 points max.

(Master’s / Specialist’s degree – 3 pts, PhD degree – 5 pts)

Relevant professional experience

• At least 4 years of proven experience to provide services (consultancy, development, design) to governmental and public institutions at national and international levels in the sphere of finance and economics – 15 points max;

(more than 5 years – 15 pts; 4 years – 12 pts)

• At least 4 years of proven experience in elaborating strategic documents, policy papers and policy recommendations, conducting policy research (more than 5 years – 15; 4 years – 12 pts) – 15 points max;
• Extensive knowledge and experience of public financing, regional development confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis or presentations (at least  samples provided (6 and more samples – 8 pts; 5 samples – 6 pts) – 8 points max;
• Knowledge of SDGs financing agenda is considered as a strong asset – 3 points max;

(available experience – 3 pts; no experience – 0 pts)

• Proposed methodology how the applicant plans to approach and complete the assignment  is well-adjusted to the needs of the ToR and shows an understanding of the assignment and how the organization will achieve the TOR, keeping in mind the appropriateness to local conditions and project environment – 20 points max

{excellent – 20, very good – 18, good -16, bad – 14 and less}

Language Skills – 4 points max;

(Fluency in Ukrainian and English – 4 pts, fluency in Ukrainian and working knowledge of English – 2 pts).

Maximum available technical score – 70 points.

 

Evaluation method:

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the cumulative 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 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points (max points available for financial part) x (lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers) / (evaluated price).

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.