| Overview : TERMS OF REFERENCE Location | Home based with 4 days travel to Nadi, Fiji | Application deadline | 30th July 2019 | Type of Contract | Individual Contractor | Post Level | International Consultant | Consultancy Title | PFM introduction modules for civil society, SAI and Parliaments | Languages required: | English | Duration of Initial Contract: | 31 days between the August 2019 to the 10th January 2020. |
BACKGROUND Public Finance Management is throughout the Pacific a topic of importance for international and local partners equally. Numerous stakeholders, institutions and international actors have been engaged in reinforcing the frameworks, tools and actors linked to PFM. Parliament and supreme audit institution function in public financial management across the Pacific Islands region have been identify as an area requiring strengthening. A specific focus of UNDP in this regard is the parliament’s role in budget scrutiny; effective external audit of government budget execution by the supreme audit institutions, inclusion of citizens and civil society in budget processes, thorough and transparent parliamentary oversight of the external audit, and follow-up with government on recommendations. Strengthening of public Finance Management and Governance in the Pacific Project (hereafter PFM) aims to strengthen oversight over public financial management in the Pacific region, though improving the budgetary scrutiny, public financial oversight and accountability capacities of parliaments, supreme audit institutions and civil society within the region, aligning with international public financial oversight and accountability standards, and fostering citizen engagement and oversight. Strengthening of Public Finance Management project is funded by the European Union (EU) and Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Under the umbrella of the European Union support to Public Finance Management and Governance in the Pacific, UNDP is working closely with PASAI, the IMF, the University of the South Pacific and PIFS amongst other partners to build capacities and improve the efficiency of PFM systems for sustainable development. Those partners have agreed that knowledge-building modules on PFM could greatly benefit the different stakeholders in the region and ensure that basic understanding of PFM principles and processes are understood in a coherent and uniform manner throughout the region and across stakeholders. Audience for these modules from a UNDP perspective are the three key stakeholders of the UNDP PFM project namely Parliaments including Parliamentary Accounts Committees, Supreme Audit Institutions and civil society. This consultancy will develop the content and material for a one-day workshop presenting the basic knowledge and skills associated with PFM oversight and accountability to those three key stakeholders. |
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Scope of Work The objective of this consultancy is i) in alignment with the IMF PFM online course, the UN Convention Against Corruption Principles and other relevant guiding documents, develop a one day course on Public Finance Management with a focus on oversight and accountability processes; ii) coordinate consultations with key Pacific partners on the draft and ensure feedback is integrate so that partners operating in the PFM space feel comfortable and themselves make use of the basic modules created; iii) test the modules with a diversity of public during a mission to the Pacific (dates and length to be confirmed) including a) the UNDP PFM project grantees; b) USP student group engaged on anti-corruption activities; c) institutional partners (PAC/SAI) if opportunity arises; iv) based on feedback and pilot tests, refine the modules in 2 formats: guidelines/presentations/exercises for face to face modules and video presentations/narrative/exercises for online dissemination. Expected Outputs and Deliverables The key products to be delivered are as follows: No | Deliverable description | Indicative completion date | No of working days | 1 | Draft modules content for Day workshop on PFM. Content (including guidelines for facilitator, power point or alternative format presentations, exercises material) should include at least 2 sessions + 2 exercises on knowledge and or skills-building related to a) frameworks, institutions and processes of PFM cycles, with a specific focus on oversight and accountability entry points and rational; b) practices, tools and lessons learnt linked to transparency/accountability and oversight of PFM cycles. The modules designed should cover roughly 1 day of content for a workshop. Modules should include but not be limited to: - References to agreed international principles and frameworks;
- Concrete example and tools, including material referring to further readings/case studies on PFM oversight;
Modules design should: - Take into account adult learning path to maximize understanding and memorization of information;
- Propose alternative tracks/exercises for audience with significant or less (close to none) experience engaging with PFM processes;
| 25th August 2019 | 10days | 2 | Final (1.0) modules content for Day workshop on PFM. Based on consultations on draft and feedback from partners and UNDP. Produce a final | 10th September 2019 | 5 days | 3 | Delivery of modules to (3) minimum sets of audiences. Test the modules in agreement with UNDP at: - Training of first tranche grantees (CSOs), PFM project (est. end August/September 2019, 2 days, Nadi);
- Youth audience (tbd)
- Institutional audience (PAC or SAI, tbd)
| 5th November 2019 | 6 days – inclusive of travel to the Pacific region | 4 | Final (2.0) modules content for Day workshop on PFM. Refine the modules based on pilot tests responses and feedback notably to produce: - Full package for 1 day workshop including facilitators guidelines, exercise material, presentations and resources for participants;
- Full package to cover the same content in an online course including adapting the exercises and modules when needed for online consumption and recording video of presentations (alternatively, narrative of soundtrack can be produced and will be animated if consultant not comfortable with his/her image being used)
| 10th January 2020 | 10 days |
Timeframe The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is a total of 31 days between the August 2019 to the 10th January 2020. The duty station for this assignment is home based with an anticipated 6 days of travelling in the Pacific. Given the uncertainty linked to the travel, the Financial Proposal should NOT cover travel expenses which will be covered under UNDP conditions when travel plan is confirmed. The Consultant Profile The prospective consultant should have significant experience working in the field of PFM and ideally some proven experience facilitating workshop/adult learning experiences. Institutional Arrangement The Consultant will report to the Project Manager, Public Finance Management Project, Effective Governance. Reporting is to be undertaken as per Deliverables and Activities outlined above. The Consultant to provide their own IT (computer). |
COMPETENCIES Corporate competencies: - Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
- Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
- Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies: - Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team and to work under pressure;
- Excellent relationship management;
- Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation and reporting skills;
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REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Education - Minimum Master’s level qualification in domains related to Accountability, Parliament, Public Financial Management, economics or social sciences;
Experience - At least 5 years of experience working at advisory, technical support or senior level on Public Finance Management, experience in the Pacific Islands Region preferred but not essential;
- Demonstrated understanding of international principles of Public Finance Management, as well as principles of the UN Convention Against Corruption and other relevant international instruments on PFM;
- Demonstrated experience in facilitating workshops with a wide set of audiences including understanding or proven interest in experimenting with innovative approaches and/or adult learning methodologies;
- Previous experience working with Parliament, SAI or civil society on their oversight capacity of PFM and in developing countries will be an advantage.
PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS Daily Fee The IC shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for this consultancy work. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. Payments Payments shall be done on a monthly basis and based on actual days worked, and upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period. General Notes on Financial Offer - UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using his/her own resources;
- • In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed;
Cumulative analysis The award of the contract shall 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment. Technical Evaluation Method and Criteria The candidates meeting the minimum requirement will be assessed on the following basis: Criteria 1 | At least 5 years of experience working at advisory, technical support or senior level on Public Finance Management, experience in the Pacific Islands Region preferred but not essential; | 20% | Criteria 2 | Demonstrated understanding of international principles of Public Finance Management, as well as principles of the UN Convention Against Corruption and other relevant international instruments on PFM; | 20% | Criteria 3 | Demonstrated experience in facilitating workshops with a wide set of audiences including understanding or proven interest in experimenting with innovative approaches and/or adult learning methodologies; | 10% | Criteria 4 | Previous experience working with Parliament, SAI or civil society on their oversight capacity of PFM and in developing countries will be an advantage. | 10% | Criteria 5 | Minimum Master’s level qualification in domains related to Accountability, Parliament, Public Financial Management, economics or social sciences. | 10% | Financial offer | 30% |
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Payment for Services The Consultant – NACS Revision shall receive payment in four instalments from UNDP as follows: - 30% Upon signature of the contract and submission of timeline for deliverable 1;
- 40% Upon submission and clearance of Deliverable 3;
- 30% Upon submission and clearance of Deliverable 4.
DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document: - Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II).
- Personal CV, 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 (Annex II)
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Incomplete, joint proposals and proposals sent to the wrong mailing address will not be accepted. Individuals applying for this consultancy should apply and will be reviewed based on their own individual capacity. The successful individual may sign an Individual Contract with UNDP or request his/her employer to sign a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) on their behalf by indicating this in the Offerors letter to Confirming Interest and Availability using Annex II. Annexes Proposal Submission All applications must be clearly marked with the title of the consultancy and submitted by 5.00pm, 30th July 2019 (Fiji Time) electronically to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org. For further information concerning this Terms of Reference, please contact, UNDP Pacific Office on email: vaseva.cerelala@undp.org Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only candidates for whom there is further interest will be contacted. Women applicants are encouraged to apply |
Annex II OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT Date (Name of Resident Representative/Bureau Director) United Nations Development Programme (Specify complete office address) Dear Sir/Madam : I hereby declare that : I have read, understood and hereby accept the Terms of Reference describing the duties and responsibilities of [ indicate title of assignment] under the [state project title]; I have also read, understood and hereby accept UNDP’s General Conditions of Contract for the Services of the Individual Contractors; I hereby propose my services and I confirm my interest in performing theassignment through the submission of my CV or Personal History Form (P11) which I have duly signed and attached hereto as Annex 1; In compliance with the requirements of the Terms of Reference, Ihereby confirm that I am available for the entire duration of the assignment, and I shall perform the services in the manner described in my proposed approach/methodology which I have attached hereto as Annex 3 [delete this item if the TOR does not require submission of this document]; I hereby propose to complete the services based on the following payment rate : [pls. check the box corresponding to the preferred option]: An all-inclusive daily fee of state amount in words and in numbers indicating currency] A total lump sum of state amount in words and in numbers, indicating exact currency], payable in the manner described in the Terms of Reference. For your evaluation, the breakdown of the abovementioned all-inclusive amount is attached hereto as Annex 2;
I recognize that the payment of the abovementioned amounts due to me shall be based on my delivery of outputs within the timeframe specified in the TOR, which shall be subject to UNDP's review, acceptance and payment certification procedures; This offer shall remain valid for a total period of ___________ days [minimum of 90 days] after the submission deadline;
I confirm that I have no first degree relative (mother, father, son, daughter, spouse/partner, brother or sister) currently employed with any UN agency or office [disclose the name of the relative, the UN office employing the relative, and the relationship if, any such relationship exists]; If I am selected for this assignment, I shall [pls. check the appropriate box]: Sign an Individual Contract with UNDP; Request my employer [state name of company/organization/institution] to sign with UNDP a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), for and on my behalf.The contact person and details of my employer for this purpose are as follows:
I hereby confirm that [check all that applies]: At the time of this submission, I have no active Individual Contract or any form of engagement with any Business Unit of UNDP; I am currently engaged with UNDP and/or other entities for the following work :
Assignment | Contract Type | UNDP Business Unit / Name of Institution/Company | Contract Duration | Contract Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assignment | Contract Type | Name of Institution/ Company | Contract Duration | Contract Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
I fully understand and recognize that UNDP is not bound to accept this proposal, and I also understand and accept that I shall bear all costs associated with its preparation and submission and that UNDP will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the selection process.
If you are a former staff member of the United Nations recently separated, pls. add this section to your letter: I hereby confirm that I have complied with the minimum break in service required before I can be eligible for an Individual Contract. I also fully understand that, if I am engaged as an Individual Contractor, I have no expectations nor entitlements whatsoever to be re-instated or re-employed as a staff member.
Full Name and Signature: Date Signed : Annexes [pls. check all that applies]: CV or Duly signed P11 Form Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template Brief Description of Approach to Work (if required by the TOR)
BREAKDOWN OF COSTS SUPPORTING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL Breakdown of Cost by Components:
Cost Components | Unit Cost | Quantity | Total Rate for the Contract Duration | - Personnel Costs
| | | | Professional Fees | | | | Life Insurance | | | | Medical Insurance | | | | Communications | | | | Land Transportation | | | | Others (pls. specify) | | | | | | | | - Travel Expenses to Join duty station
| | | | Round Trip Airfares to and from duty station | | | | Living Allowance | | | | Travel Insurance | | | | Terminal Expenses | | |
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