Overview : Consultancy Title: RMI National Strategic Plan Formulation Specialist | Project Name: Pacific SDG Partnerships | Duty Station: Majuro, Marshall Islands | Duration of the Contract: - Contract period: 15th April2019 to 1st of May 2020
- Number of working days: 90
- Commencement and ends dates of assignment: 15th April 2019 to 1st of May 2020
Consultancy proposal should be sent via email to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org no later than 8th April 2019 (Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered. NOTE: Proposals must be sent to the designated email (etenderbox.pacific@undp.org). Please do not copy or directly email applications to UNDP staff. |
If the selected/successful Candidate is over 65 years of age and required to travel outside his home country; He/She will be required provide a full medical report at their expense prior to issuance to contract. Contract will only be issued when Proposed candidate is deemed medically fit to undertake the assignment. |
Objectives: Specific objectives of the assignment are the following: - Support EPPSO, and the NSP/SDG Committee in the preparation of an NSP 2019-2030
- Support EPPSO and the NSP/SDG Committee (as the core team) in the design, coordination, and facilitation of stakeholder engagement and consultations
- Ensure that vulnerable groups and civil society including disadvantaged groups, women's groups, community-based organizations, non-government organizations working are consulted and that culture is appropriately considered and represented in all work conducted under the TA.
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Background The National Strategic Plan (NSP) is the most recent national development plan for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The NSP, designed as a rolling plan, needs to be updated to account for progress, new policies, programs and strategies as well as updated priorities. An NSP Stock Take Report is currently in draft format, and is undergoing review to determine where the NSP was successful and where roadblocks occurred. This stock take report is to be one of the guiding documents in the expected revision/update of the NSP. Furthermore, a template for the revised NSP is also being reviewed by the NSP/SDG Committee (and Sector Committees). This template includes for discussion several critical areas of the NSP including: - Background and Economic Information
- NSP Mission
- NSP Vision
- NSP 10 National Development Themes (aligned with Sectors)
- NSP Alignment with SDGs
- NSP Monitoring Matrix
Although the NSP has technically expired, it is the strategy of the RMI Government to use this plan as the foundation for an updated NSP that encompasses the planning, budgeting and reporting requirements for the upcoming years. The NSP was designed during 2012-13 and was submitted and approved by the RMI Government in 2014. This plan was used as the foundation document for the most recent donor workshop in the RMI in May 2014. Since the beginning of Constitutional government in 1979 and the commencement of the Compact of Free Association in 1986, government has followed different processes and timeframes for national development planning. The table below draws on analysis in the National Strategic Plan 2015-2017 (NSP 2015- 2017)2 to compare the past seven national development plans. As summarized, the timeframes, focus areas, and other aspects of these plans have changed over time, corresponding to unique contexts and circumstances. National Plan Title and Timeframe | Background/Context | Strategic Focus and/or Structure | First Five-Year Economic Development Plan: 1986−1991 (5-year coverage) | A requirement under the original Compact of Free Association, the plan aimed to help in the allocation of significant new Compact grants, commencing in 1986. The original version of the plan covered the period 1985–1989, but it was re-framed to cover the five- year period 1986–1991. This was the first of what was intended to be three five-year planning phases under the original 15-year original Compact economic assistance period (1986−2001). | Focused on economic development, with emphasis on private-sector expansion, personnel development, employment creation, regional development, population planning and social development, and cultural and environmental preservation. | Second Five Year Economic Plan | Same as above | Emphasized increasing real incomes, employment opportunities, | Development Plan: 1992-96 (5-years) | | Equitable development, and promoting national identity and unity. | Third Five Year Economic Plan | N/A | Not completed | Public Sector Investment Program: 1997 | In the absence of a Third Five Year Economic Development Plan (for 1997−2001), and following from the 1995–1997 RMI Policy Reform Program supported by the Asian Development Bank, Cabinet adopted the concept of a Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP). A Cabinet-appointed committee developed the PSIP and was to update it annually. The first PSIP document was approved by Cabinet in January 1998 and tabled at the Consultative Group meeting in Tokyo that same month. | The PSIP identified a range of priority projects for Cabinet consideration and approval during the post-reform period (after 1997). Project proposals were screened and prioritized in line with the underlying philosophy of the RMI Policy Reform Program (1995–1997). | National Sustainable Development Strategy 2000 (not formally adopted) | The plan was developed in 2000 to integrate the Barbados Plan of Action into the national development process, although the plan itself was never formally adopted. The NSDS offered a range of recommendations regarding government planning and sustainable development at the national level. The NSDS also made specific recommendations, including in the areas of climate change and sea level rise. | The plan was aligned to the Barbados Plan of Action’s 14 Priority Areas. | Vision 2018: Strategic Development Plan Framework 2003−2018 (15-year coverage) | This plan was adopted in 2003 after a series of consultations under the National Economic and Social Summits (NESS). The plan was initially intended to cover the 15-year period 2003−2018, which was expected to be the period for a renewed package of economic assistance under an amended Compact. Ultimately, the amended Compact provided a 20-year economic assistance period. | Covered a broad range of development issues and was framed as follows: - 10 Challenges
- 10 Goals (with objectives)
- 6 Broad Strategies
| National Strategic Plan: 2015−2017 (3-year rolling coverage) | The NSP was developed out of recognition of the need for a new, comprehensive strategy to serve as an overarching (supreme) plan to guide national development. The plan was adopted in 2014, 11 years after Vision 2018, is now technically expired but was meant to be updated on a rolling basis. | The NSP focus and format incorporated some elements of Vision 2018. It was structured as follows: - 5 Sectors, each with strategic areas
- 10 national development themes
| Agenda 2020: A Framework for Progress (4-year coverage) | Agenda 2020 provides a four-year roadmap of priorities to be pursued during the administration of President Hilda C. Heine (2016−2019). Building on the NSP, the plan was developed through a series of high- level government retreats held in 2016 and 2017. The framework identifies objectives to be pursued up through the end of 2019, when the current political term ends. | Agenda 2020 identifies: - 10 national challenges, each with time-bound actions
- 10 priority government reforms, each with time-bound actions.
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Current Status The NSP review process was kicked off on Feb 15 2019. A workshop including the NSP/SDG sector committees began an initial review of the NSP Stock Take draft and a revised NSP outline for the updated document. Work will continue with the NSP/SDG Committee overseeing continued focus on finalizing the NSP Stock Take for review by RMI Government. This document will be used during the NSP update process as a foundation for moving forward. Further work will focus at the Sector Committee level to continue to organize and design the sector by Strategic Areas, and linking National Goals and Policy Objectives to the goals. The consultant will take over this process, which is currently underway, in coordination with the NSP/SDG committee, once selected and on board. |
Scope of work/Expected Output This assignment is intended to provide specific support for the updated NSP. Reporting to the Director of the Economic Policy Planning and Statistics Office (EEPSO) with quarterly reporting to the NSP SDG Committee, the advisor will coordinate with EPPSO staff and the established NSP/SDG Committee (and Sector Committees) to build on the substantial work already in place. The advisor will: - Support EPPSO, and the NSP/SDG Committee in the preparation of an NSP 2019-2030
- Support EPPSO and the NSP/SDG Committee (as the core team) in the design, coordination, and facilitation of stakeholder engagement and consultations
- Ensure that vulnerable groups and civil society including disadvantaged groups, women's groups, community-based organizations, non-government organizations working are consulted and that culture is appropriately considered and represented in all work conducted under the TA.
The concept is to design a high level NSP document that can be used by the RMI Government to align planning, reporting and budgeting. It is expected that during the design of the updated NSP a close alignment with National Strategies and Policies, Ministry Plans and International Agreements will be included. The end result of the NSP update should lead to the development of an NSP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, that provides SMART indicators and targets that can be used by the RMI to monitor and measure progress. Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output The advisor will undertake the following tasks as part of the deliverables as outlined below: - Coordinate consultations with Government, Civil Society and Private Sector (to be included in the work plan and time line and developed in dialogue with NSP/SDG Committee)
- Coordinate preparations for the Development Partners Dialogue in mid-2019 including liaising with EPPSO and NSP/SDG Committee regarding agenda and meeting objectives, and development of estimated budget allocation needed for meeting
- Assist NSD/SDG Committee in presenting Development Partner Dialogue mid-June 2019
- Present final review NSP review draft to NSP/SDG Committee
- All of the above tasks are to be undertaken with a view to building local capacity to guide the update and reporting process in the future
The advisor will prepare the following deliverables - Prepare a work-plan and methodology for NSP process (10 days after commencing work)
- First NSP draft including alignment with SDGs (5 weeks after contract start).
- Second NSP draft including alignment with SDGs (no later than mid-May 2019)
- Final Donor Meeting Results/Technical Report*, Final NSP Draft (15 days after meeting)
- Final NSP Document submitted to Government (March 2020)
* To include a folder of materials templates and tools used during consultations as well as Best Practices, Lessons Learnt Timing is April 2019 to June 30 2019 with additional 4 weeks in February 2020 to finalize the NSP draft document after review by incoming RMI Government (90 working days based on a 5-day work week) The adviser will be based at EPPSO, with reporting responsibilities to Chief Secretary. The NSP/SDG Committee is chaired by the Minister in Assistance to the President, and the Vice Chairs are Chief Secretary and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade. EPPSO Director is a member of the Committee. |
Resources Provided Office space and operational support by the Office of the Chief Secretary will be provided by UNDP to the consultant. Consultant is expected to have their own laptop. |
Supervision/Reporting Government of RMI: Director of EPPSO UNDP Inclusive Growth Deputy Team Leader. |
Qualifications | The Consultant must have at least a Master’s degree in Economics or National Development Planning, Social Studies or Social Statistics and/or Development Studies with at least 5 years of post-graduate experience. | Experience | At least 5 years of relevant working experience. | Candidate must have proven capabilities in development planning and must have good understanding of human development challenges and issues in developing countries. Previous working experience in Pacific will be an advantage Experience in Small Island Developing States (specifically the RMI) is very desirable. | The candidate should possess both knowledge and aptitude of alignment of national and sectoral program strategies, as well as background in Monitoring and Evaluation. | Evidence of strong consultation facilitation skills, analytical skills, report writing, and presenting in English and demonstrated work in multicultural environments is an asset. Candidates with a working knowledge of Marshallese will be an added advantage - Strong PC based computer skills, Microsoft applications (in particular, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Fluency in written and spoken English required, some knowledge of Marshallese is desirable.
- Background and knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS)
Good interpersonal skills | |
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Payment Schedule (if required): | Deliverable: | Percent of contract amount | Signing of contract | 20% | Prepare a work-plan and methodology for NSP process (10 days after commencing work) | 10% | First NSP draft including alignment with SDGs (5 weeks after contract start). | 20% | Second NSP draft including alignment with SDGs (no later than mid-May 2019) | 10% | Final Donor Meeting Results/Technical Report[1], Final NSP Draft (15 days after meeting) | 20% | - Final NSP Document submitted to Government (March 2020)
| 20% |
Evaluation Cumulative analysis The proposals will be evaluated using the cumulative analysis method with a split 70% technical and 30% financial scoring. The proposal with the highest cumulative scoring will be awarded the contract. Applications will be evaluated technically and points are attributed based on how well the proposal meets the requirements of the Terms of Reference using the guidelines detailed in the table below: When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract may be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weighting; 70% * Financial Criteria weighting; 30% Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Interviews may be conducted as part of technical assessment for shortlisted proposals. Qualifications | | At least a Master’s degree in Economics or National Development Planning, Social Studies or Social Statistics and/or Development Studies with at least 5 years of post-graduate experience. | 5 | Experience | | At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the relevant field . | 20 | Candidate must have proven capabilities in development planning and must have good understanding of human development challenges and issues in developing countries. | 15 | The candidate should possess both knowledge and aptitude of alignment of national and sectoral program strategies, as well as background in Monitoring and Evaluation. | 15 | - Evidence of strong consultation facilitation skills, analytical skills, report writing, and presenting in English and demonstrated work in multicultural environments ( 5%)
- Strong PC based computer skills, Microsoft applications (in particular, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) ( 3%)
Fluency in written and spoken English required, some knowledge of Marshallese is desirable. ( 2%) Background and knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) (5%) | 15 | Technical Criteria | | Financial Criteria – Lowest Price | | Total | |
Proposal Submission Offerors must send the following documents. i) Signed CV including names of at least 3 referees. ii) Cover letter setting out: A statement of how the applicant meets the qualifications and experience requirements which should include the below key points; iii) Completed template for confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Applicants must send a financial proposal based on a Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the Individual Consultant´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the Individual Consultant in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Individual Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the event of unforeseeable travel that is not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective UNDP business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji website (www.pacific.undp.org) Women candidates are encouraged to apply Interested Candidates must accept UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants |
[1] To include a folder of materials templates and tools used during consultations as well as Best Practices, Lessons Learnt |
