Procurement Notices

Project Description

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) now poses a more serious threat to health systems and economies worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the outbreak as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. Responding to the threat of COVID-19 in the country, the Philippine government placed the entire island of Luzon under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from 16 March to 30 April 2020 to contain the spread of the disease thereby “flattening the curve” of the contagion. Some local governments in the Visayas and Mindanao have followed suit and imposed their localized lockdowns, severely affecting the movement of goods in the process. With the lockdown comes the closure of “non-essential businesses” in the Philippines depriving both business owners and employees with the much-needed income to ride the tide of the enhanced community quarantine.

The ECQ and disturbance in the flow of goods have caused supply shocks in the value chain causing significant negative impact, especially for many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). However, there is little information available so far on the specific effects of the quarantine on MSMEs. To better assess and understand the impact that supply shocks from the disturbance have caused to the value chains of MSMEs, UNDP will deploy a rapid response survey to capture the experiences, behavior, and perceptions of MSMEs as they cope, respond, and adapt to these supply shocks in the value chain.

To address the challenge of not being able to conduct face-to-face data collection, the rapid response survey will be carried out using innovative approaches that utilize various internet platforms and mine insights using data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, with the potential for follow-up surveys. Results from the survey would be used to inform and guide the response of UNDP, the government, and other development partners in designing interventions that respond to the specific needs of MSMEs in ensuring critical supply chains are maintained and strengthened.

Scope of Work and Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The Individual Consultant (IC) will work closely under the overall supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Team Lead for Institutions and Partnerships (I&P). The IC will work in close collaboration with UNDP I&P Programme staff, the UNDP 

Accelerator Lab, and other consultants implementing the assessment.

The scope of work includes the following key functions:

• Coordination with key stakeholders, such as relevant national line agencies, other UN agencies under the SME Subgroup, and the firm implementing the survey;
• Participation in the ideation workshops for the survey questionnaires;
• Processing of data from the three deployments of the online survey, analysis, presentation of results;
• Synthesis of findings from the surveys and social listening insights and report writing; and
• Formulation of policy recommendations for a recovery response plan for MSMEs based on a desk review of current MSME support from government and other development actors and the results of the surveys and social listening insights.

For this assessment, the following are the specific deliverables:

Methodology

Due to the limitations of conducting face-to-face interviews, data collection for the rapid response survey will be twofold:

1. Deployment of an online survey using pre-built solutions and released in various platforms: online survey tools, chatbots and messaging; and
2. Social listening for public social media sentiments through the mining of data using readily available artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools.

The survey was developed with guidance from UNDP Global on conducting value chain impact assessments. It also builds on earlier UNDP surveys deployed for social enterprises (SEs) in the Philippines and other countries. Consultations have been made in designing the instrument, with the Department of Trade and Industry and National Economic and Development Authority providing inputs. The survey instrument has also benefited from pre-testing with several MSMEs and SEs.

The survey questions will be translated into three (3) major local languages (I.e., Filipino, Ilocano, Visayan). Results will be converted into a format readable by statistical packages, and all entries will be coded, with some indicators’ codes conforming with those used by the Philippine Statistics Authority to ensure easy processing and analysis.

The survey will be deployed in three waves, once a month from April to June, and will be nationwide in scope. Periodical analytical reports and a final report with recommendations and action plan will be produced to inform and guide UNDP CO & government in policy directions and response to support the MSMEs.

Institutional Arrangements

For the duration of the contract, the IC shall report to the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme Team Lead in the delivery of the terms of reference. Reporting is output-based, and deliverables must be submitted to the same. Final outputs are subject to a peer review to be established by UNDP Philippines. Similarly, the final outputs should be formally accepted the I&P Team Lead before payment is made. It is expected that the IC will inform the UNDP Team of the schedule with government agencies and other stakeholders for meetings and consultations. The UNDP Team can also assist the IC in setting up meetings.

Duration of Work, Duty Station and Travel

The IC shall be engaged for 25 working days spread over three months. Effectivity of the engagement will be upon signing of the contract and will be valid until all outputs have been delivered and accepted. The target start date is May 2020 and the expected completion date is August 2020.

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work of the IC shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local government. During the quarantine period, the IC shall NOT ENGAGE in any meetings or activities OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES. Coordination/meetings shall be done through phone or online communication until such time that the quarantine is lifted. This is STRICTLY a HOME-BASED assignment; NO TRAVEL IS REQUIRED for the IC to complete their abovementioned tasks.

Related costs for the engagement shall be borne by the IC and should be included in the Consultant’s Offer Letter. 

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The IC should send a financial proposal based on a lump-sum “all-inclusive” per person-day rate for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall include all costs of components required to deliver the goods and services identified above, including professional fees and any other applicable costs (i.e., transportation/travel to and from residence for meetings within Metro Manila, supplies and materials, communications, etc.) to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during contract duration.

The contract price will be fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the outputs and timelines will need to be agreed upon between the IC and UNDP.

Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be reviewed and certified by the Institutions and Partnerships Team Lead prior to release of payments. Furthermore, contracts will only be issued subject to the confirmation that the IC is covered under personal health/medical and other insurances.

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity, and adaptability; and,
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda.

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;
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize and execute effectively;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgement and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines and achievement, ethics, and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a diverse environment;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Build strong relationships with internal and external clients;
• Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with complex multi-stakeholder environment;
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources; and,

Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment.

Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

Only those applicants who score a minimum of 70 points out of 100 from the assessment of the CV or passed the technical evaluation will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal.

The breakdown of technical evaluation is as follows:

Criteria Selection of the Best Offer

The combined scoring method where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a maximum of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a maximum of 30%.

Interested applicants must submit the following documents:

• UNDP Personal History Form (P11) or detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Duly accomplished Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, per template provided. Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.
• Three references attesting to the above competencies and experience.

Applicants/Offerors must upload in one (1) file the aforementioned documents at https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=91634. Templates for a) UNDP Personal History Form (P11) and b)  Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability are available through the link below. UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contractors  are also available:

http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU

Please see the deadline for the submissions above. In view of the volume of applications, UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.