Overview : UNDP Philippines Terms of reference UNDP Philippines Senior Advisor Description of the assignment: Senior Advisor for UNDP Philippines Period of assignment/services: 1 August 2018 – 31 March 2019 Duty Station: UNDP Philippines Recruitment method: Individual Contract (IC) 1. Background Information UNDP Philippines is commencing the implementation of its new Country Programme Document (CPD) 2019-2023 in January 2019, following an approval of its Executive Board in September 2018. In the draft CPD 2019-2023, UNDP Philippines’ work will be structured around three outcomes that are aligned with and contribute to the achievement of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, the UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021, and the draft Philippine Framework for Sustainable Development 2019-2023. The three integrated programme work areas are the following: - strengthening capacity to plan, manage and deliver quality social and economic services for the most marginalized and at-risk people;
- supporting the effective transition towards low carbon and climate resilient development; and
- Support towards addressing the key drivers of conflict and risks to stability
While building on the gains from the Country Office’s wealth of experience in the above-mentined programme areas, it would need to revolutionize the way it works and break from the past. It has become clear that transformational changes are necessary for the Philippines to tackle critical challenges and ultimately realize its national development goals and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to support the Philippines in this transformation, the Country Office has identified five inter-related, cross-cutting approaches to underpin its work. These are: focusing on financing and not funding to deliver results, applying innovations to provide new solutions to old development problems, deepening partnerships to ensure no one is left behind, re-conceptualizing the human rights-based approach and providing platforms for SDGs integration and acceleration. As part of its new way of working, UNDP Philippines will strengthen evidence-based programme design and strengthen internal and partners’ capacities and systems to ensure data generation, collection, analysis and reporting for quality planning, monitoring and reporting. In order to achieve these, UNDP Philippines requires the services of an individual consultant who will act as the Senior Advisor to the Country Office to provide intellectual and strategic advise to the UNDP Philippines’ Management Team to enhance its programme impact and ensure an effective transition to its new Country Programme 2019-2023. The Senior Advisor will work with the Programme and Operations team, and collaborate with and support Bangkok Region Hub (BRH) colleagues and the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of Country Office Economist. He/she will also develop and maintain a network of colleagues from UN Agencies, IFIs, Government Officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society. 2. Specific objectives Under the overall supervision of the Country Director, the Senior Advisor will support a number of work streams in the UNDP Philippines Country Office and ensure an integrated and multi-year approach to policy development, programme design and resource mobilisation is in place to support the new Country Programme. The Senior Advisor will identify and propose strategies and actions to Senior Management on development policies, plans and trends, and their implications for UNDP positioning and programming in relation to national planning and Country Programme priorities. In this, the Agenda 2030/Sustainable Development Goals are of particular importance and priority, as is support to strengthening development cooperation partnerships and development effectiveness. To this end, the Senior Advisor will conduct evidence-based research and analyses to support UNDP programmes and policy-based work. As part of his/her duties, the Consultant will be assigned to provide advisory support to the Strategic M&E Project of the National Economic and Development Authority and the Country Office’s work on private sector engagement and innovation. 3. Scope of work and indicative outputs Specific tasks and outputs include: - Lead the development of a multi-year policy research and programme development agenda, with focus on reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive development. He/she will lead the implementation of that agenda, working closely with the programme units, thereby facilitating and ensuring, in collaboration with the Country Director, an integrated approach to policy and programme development and implementation. Specific outputs will include:
- Contribute to evidence-based research and analyses for programmatic options, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Supporting the formulation and implementation of the SDG localization programme, including strengthening institutional capacities to implement the SDGs at national and local levels; strategic inputs to and quality assurance of the Leapfrogging LGU service delivery project and the setting-up of Innovation Labs; strengthening data and statistical capacities;
- Advise on the application of innovation approaches and technology across programme areas, including blockchain for remittances
- Marawi recovery program support, including implementation of financial inclusion program including Islamic finance; development and implementation of an economic recovery plan; implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system including innovative technology applications;
- Lead the Country Office in supporting a UN-wide engagement to broaden the debate on the national development agenda and the SDGs, including
- Development of a multi-year research agenda to produce policy briefs, discussion papers and periodic reports, including the National Human Development Reports on themes related to inequality;
- Assisting in the identification and analysis of issues that impact upon multiple SDGs and targets and the development of ‘accelerator interventions’ that help unlock sustained progress across multiple development areas;
- Academic research partnerships for SDG localization analytical work; and
- Conduct of a high-level event and formulation of a discussion note on Leaving No One Behind.
- Provide technical advisory support to the “Using Strategic Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) to Accelerate the Implementation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 (Strategic M&E Project)” of the National Economic and Development Authority, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Ensuring quality in the conduct of evaluations of key themes, sectors, and/or programs under the PDP;
- supporting the implementation of the National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF);
- assessing the evaluation capacity of and providing learning opportunities to NEDA and other government agencies; and
- strengthening of a community of practice on evaluations through the M&E Network Philippines
- Explore linkages between the above tasks and the broader areas of UNDP engagement on the SDGs:
- Contribution to development and implementation of a CO private sector engagement strategy, including analytical contribution to Philippine country report on Better Business Better Philippines and advisory support for the Innovation for Social Impact Partnerships project; and
- Contribution to the development of a private sector and multi-lateral development partners engagement amd resource mobilization plan for UNDP Philippines
- Contribution to UNDP’s work across Asia-Pacific region in selected priority areas.
- Provide technical and programmatic advice to the Philippines CO as well as RBAP and other C in the region on financing the SDGs.
- Active participation in the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of economists, including through attending regional meeting (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews.
- Stay update to latest global, regional and in country trends on innovative SDG financing, and substantively contribute to UNDP core regional knowledge products on areas identified as regional priorities, such as by conducting country case studies as relevant,
- Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development by leading collaboration, experience sharing, and knowledge management across the regional economist network in selected thematic areas relevant to the Philippines and other countries in the Asia-Pacific.
- Support the delivery of programmes and advice by the other UNDP Asia-Pacific Country Offices as relevant, such as through joint analysis, experience sharing, and short-term details assignments in the selected areas of expertise (as possible).
As deemed necessary, the Senior Advisor will conduct a mix of informal and structured discussions with relevant government counterparts, civil society organizations, the private sector and development partners, including at the sub-national level, in order to deliver the said outputs. Participation in sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to development issues, may also be required. 4. Governance and accountability The Senior Advisor will work under the primary supervision of the Country Director. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Management Team and programme staff of the Country Office. As the consultancy is part of a UNDP regional initiative, the Senior Advisor will collaborate with Senior Advisors and Development Economists in other Country Offices in the Asia and the Pacific region, the Bangkok Regional Hub specialist and advisors, and UNDP global centers to exchange knowledge and contribute to UNDP’s regional and global analysis and positioning. A detailed workplan and monthly progress reports will be required from the Senior Advisor and will be the basis for monthly payments. The Senior Advisor’s deliverables will be reviewed by relevant members of the Management Team, coordinated by the Team Leader of the Management Support. Final deliverables will be approved by the Country Director. The Country Director will also evaluate th performance of the Consultant at the end of the assignment. Tranche payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be certified by the Team Leader, Management Support prior to payments. 5. Facilities to be provided by UNDP UNDP Philippines will assign a work area for the Senior Advisor and provide administrative and logistics service on a need basis. 6. Duration of assignment The period of engagement is seven months, commencing on 1 August 2018 up to 31 March 2019. A no-cost extension may be approved following the submission of a revised proposed schedule of remaining deliverables and agreed on by the Country Director through an exchange of letters. 7. Duty station UNDP Philippines Country Office, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. While the Senior Advisor will not be required to report on a daily basis at the Country Office, s/he is expected to report on a mutually agreed schedule, organize regular updates meetings with the Country Director and participate in Management Team meetings. As may be deemed relevant to the assignment, the Senior Advisor may be required to travel within the Philippines or the Asia-Pacific region. Travels will be endorsed by the Deputy Country Director for approval by the Country Director. Travel expenses, to be covered by UNDP Philippines, shall be agreed prior to travel and a travel report is to be submitted after trips are completed. 8. Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies Educational qualifications - Advanced university degree in economics, development studies, public policy, public finance or other relevant fields
Experience - At least 15 years of experience working on economic and social development issues with no less than 5 years in the Philippines;
- At least 10 years progressive experience working with multilateral development partners; Prior work with UNDP country offices is an advantage;
- Proven track record in providing high-quality, development-relevant analysis and policy advice in areas such as development planning, public financial management, macroeconomics, microeconomics or poverty reduction.
- Familiarity with 2030 Agenda/SDGs and integrated approaches to planning, programming and monitoring and evaluation;
- Proven capacity to work in a multicultural work environment and engage with a diverse set of partners including Government, development and communities, with experience in and effective communication skills for dialoguing with senior officials and executives; and
- Satisfactory track record of publications (research or policy papers)
Language requirements - Excellent command in written and spoken English
Competencies - Ability to synthesize complex issues and draw synergies and linkages between development issues (poverty, inequality, environment, governance, peace)
- Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities Strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards
- Positive, constructive attitude to work
9. Price and Schedule of Payments The Senior Advisor must send a financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall include all costs components required to deliver the goods and services identified above, including professional fees and any other applicable costs (i.e., such as transportation/travel to and from residence for meetings within Metro Manila, supplies and materials, equipment, reproduction, communications, etc.) to be incurred by the Consultant in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the outputs and timelines, as well will need to be agreed on between the Senior Advisor and the Country Director. Travel, as deemed relevant by UNDP, will be covered and arranged by UNDP, following UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations. Deliverables | Target Due Dates | Tranche payments | 1. Detailed workplan for the consultancy services | Not more than one month after contract signing | 5% | 2. Monthly reports indicating progress against the deliverables in succeeding outputs below (items 3 to 6) | Monthly, commencing after contract signing workplan | 13.6 % per monthly report (7 monthly reports) | 3. Strategic M&E Project advisory support, including a. Draft TORs for consulting services for evaluation studies of at least 6 programs/projects or policies and the conduct of evaluation capacity assessment; b. NEDA-approved NEPF implementation guidelines c. Draft national evaluation agenda 2018-2022 | As indicated in the workplan and approved by the Country Director | | 4. SDG localization advisory support, including strategic inputs to and quality assurance of the Leapfrogging LGU service delivery project and the setting-up of Innovation Labs | As indicated in the workplan and approved by the Country Director | | 5. Engagement with private sector and non-traditional partners, including a. Analytical contribution to and quality assurance of the Better Business Better Phillipines and Transformational Business Reports; b. Advisory support for the Innovation for Social Impact Partnerships project; c. Contribution to the development of a private sector and multi-lateral development partners engagement and resource mobilization plan for UNDP Philippines | As indicated in the workplan and approved by the Country Director | | 6. Support the development of a multi-year policy research and programme development agenda, including a. Marawi recovery program support focusing on financial inclusion program including Islamic finance and economic recovery plan; b. Advise on the application of innovation approaches and technology across programme areas, including blockchain for remittances c. Forging of at least 2 academic research partnerships for SDG localization analytical work d. Conduct of a high-level event on on Leaving No One Behind | As indicated in the workplan and approved by the Country Director | |
10. Criteria for Evaluation The offer will be evaluated based on a Combined Scoring Method where the qualifications will be weighted a maximum of 70% (with a minimum passing score of 55%), and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a maximum of 30%. Criteria | Max points | - Technical criteria
- At least 15 years of experience working on economic and social development issues with no less than 5 years in the Philippines (10 points)
- At least 10 years progressive experience working with multilateral development partners; Prior work with UNDP country offices is desirable (20 points)
- Proven track record in providing high-quality, development-relevant analysis and policy advice in areas such as development planning, public financial management, macroeconomics, microeconomics or poverty reduction (15 points)
- Capacity to work in a multicultural work environment and engage with a diverse set of partners including Government, development and communities, with proven experience in and effective communication skills for dialoguing with senior officials and executives (10 points)
- Familiarity with 2030 Agenda/SDGs and integrated approaches to planning, programming and monitoring and evaluation (10 points); and
- Satisfactory track record of publications (research or policy papers) (5 points)
| 70 | - Financial Proposal
To be computed as a ratio of the Proposal’s offer to the lowest price among the proposals received. | 30% | Total | 100% |
11. Recommended Presentation of Offer Interested applicants must submit the following documents at procurement.ph@undp.org : - Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
- 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;
- Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.
Top shortlisted bidders will be called for an interview. |