A. Background & Objectives

Addressing corruption and strengthening governance systems requires a more active role of the private sector – both in developing and complying with the spirit and letter of laws and regulations, and ensuring that business practices promote values of fairness, inclusiveness, integrity, transparency, accountability[1] and contribute to the principle of “leaving no one behind” of Agenda 2030[2]. This vital role of the private sector in promoting overall business integrity and contributing to the sustainable development agenda is widely recognized. The agility and innovativeness of the private sector are considered essential factors for developing and financing interlinked solutions for achieving SDGs.

In 2018, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UK Government launched the Regional Project called “Promoting a Fair Business Environment in ASEAN (FairBiz)” for Southeast Asia under the new Prosperity Fund. The project aims to minimize corruption risks and shape sustainable business practices in ASEAN.

In the Philippines, FairBiz is being implemented through public procurement reforms and enhancing integrity in the private sector. Business Integrity Partners for Accountable, Clean and Transparent Sustainable enterprises (Integrity PACTS) project. Integrity PACTS will run for a year in addressing unethical business practices prevalent in the Philippines’ private sector and minimize leakages in private to private business contracts.

One critical component of the Business Integrity PACTS project is the conduct of a quick Feasibility Study on the utilization of blockchain[3] technology in private sector supply management and procurement systems, focused on small and medium contractors in the engineering and construction sector. The goal of this study is to present ways in which blockchain can enhance supply chain efficiency and transparency, particularly between large companies and their SME vendors. More importantly, it aims to demonstrate how blockchain adoption can compel contractors and subcontractors to comply with local regulations and international industry standards.  

[1] Transparency International. Business Integrity Country Agenda (Malaysia). 2018, p. 1

[2] Agenda 2030 refers to the plan of action for people, planet and prosperity adopted by all member states of the UN in 2015. The Agenda consists of 17 sustainable development goals and 169 targets. See Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld

[3] An appendable immutable universally distributed open ledger, or more commonly described as a distributed record of events or transactions that is tamper-resistant, tamper-evident and cryptographically secure. https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/15396/USAID-Primer-Blockchain.pdf

B. Scope of Works and Deliverables 

The Consultant will be required to work closely with the Integrity PACTS Project Coordinator and organise activities that will determine the feasibility of utilising blockchain technology in the Philippines’ private procurement system, covering the following aspects:

• Present how blockchain technology is being applied in the engineering and construction sectors of other countries;
• Identify enablers and challenges in adopting blockchain technology in the Philippines;
• Present the sustainability and scalability of utilising blockchain in the local engineering and construction industry;
• Identify positive and negative impacts (e.g. economic, social, environmental, and legal) of blockchain adoption and present ways to manage identified risks; and
• Offer recommendations to UNDP and its partners on how to facilitate SME blockchain adoption in the Philippines.

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

1. Research plan and outline of the study
2. Submission of first draft
3. Submission of final Report
4. Two-page reference briefer for government/private sector/development partners/FairBiz
5. Slide deck for presentation to project partners
6. Design of a forum for the presentation of the report with Integrity PACTS partners

The Consultant is responsible for managing the experts that will be collecting the data and information required for the research activities, as well as in the analysis of the same.

C. Institutional Arrangements

The Consultant shall report to the Institutions and Partnerships Team Leader of UNDP Philippines.  Deliverables will be reviewed by Institution and Partnerships Programme Analyst and will be approved for payment by Programme Team Leader.

The consultant shall render intermittent service, equivalent to 55 person  days spread from Jan 2020 to March 2020, to execute the scope of the tasks and deliverables indicated in this terms of reference.

D. Duration of Assigment, Duty Station and Travel

The assignment shall commence on 24 Jan 2020  and shall be completed on 31 March 2020, unless revised in a mutually agreed upon timetable between the Consultant and the Institutions and Partnerships Team Leader and subject to availability of funds.

Duty station: UNDP Philippines Country Office, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. The Consultant is not required to report to UNDP offices during the project period, but will be required to attend meetings to report progress.

Travel: As may be deemed relevant to the assignment, the Consultant may be required to travel within the Philippines or the Asia-Pacific region. Travels will be endorsed by the Institutions and Partnerships Team Leader for approval by the Resident Representative. 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.

E. Scope of Plan and Schedule of Payment

The Consultant 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 between the Consultant and the Institution and Partnerships Programme Team Leader.  Travel, as deemed relevant by UNDP, will be covered and arranged by UNDP, following UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.

Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be certified by the Institutions and Partnerships Programe Team Leader prior to payments.

Corporate Competences

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Other Competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
• Strong initiative and desire to succeed, accountable and willingness to be pro-active in identifying suitable companies and engaging in appropriate business opportunities
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize and execute effectively
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;

Proven experience in dialoguing with senior level government and private sector executives

F. Criteria for Selection of Best Offer

Applications from qualified candidates will be desk reviewed by the UNDP Philippines’ selection panel.

G. Recommended Presentation Offer

For purposes of generating Offers whose contents are uniformly presented and to facilitate their comparative analysis, it is best to recommend the preferred contents and presentation of the Offer to be submitted, as well as the format/sequencing of their presentation. The following documents may be requested:

a) Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
b) 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;
c) Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. A methodology is recommended for intellectual services, but may be omitted for support services [Note: this is optional for support services];
d) Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

You may download the editable version of the Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC by clicking on this link: http://gofile.me/292aN/5eiV7qhBq

In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.