Project Title: Support to Peacebuilding and Normalization (SPAN) Project Description The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH), through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement a project entitled "Support to Peacebuilding and Normalization" or Project SPAN. The Project aims to contribute towards sustaining the gains of the Government's peace process, and in ensuring peace and security in conflict-affected areas by (a) accelerating the implementation of the security and socio-economic aspects of the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that was agreed upon by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and (b) strengthening the enabling environment for peace, recovery and development. As part of the project implementation strategy, a total of 21 Civil Society Organizations (CSO) had been engaged in 2018 and early part of 2019 by UNDP through a Responsible Party Agreement (RPA) to assist or directly implement activities. The CSOs went through the selection process of OPAPP, who then endorsed these CSOs to UNDP to engage as Responsible Partners. A change in OPAPP’s administration delayed the implementation of activities by the CSOs, especially as the incoming officers expressed the need to review Project SPAN’s Work and Financial Plan, including the assessment and evaluation of all CSOs from selection to implementation. On February to March 2019, a monitoring activity to update the financial and physical progress was conducted by UNDP to assess the status, level and quality of implementation of activities by the CSOs; and accuracy of financial records and compliance with UNDP’s financial guidelines. The monitoring report showed that project expenditures of some CSOs were insufficiently supported with proper documentation and inadequately filed. Subsequently, OPAPP and UNDP conducted a joint Workshop to thresh out the SPAN workplan and strategize the ways forward. UNDP proposed to conduct an independent audit to inform both UNDP and OPAPP’s decision on how to proceed with the contracts and programs of the CSOs. After several discussions, OPAPP and UNDP came to an agreement and on November 2019, the CSOs with remaining activities were micro-assessed by a third-party firm. And then, in July 2020 a remote spot check was also carried out by third-party firms on all the CSOs to validate expenditures and confirm effectiveness of internal controls. To date, notable observations include the incomplete submission of supporting documentation for their respective disbursements; late submission of FACE forms; non-compliance to HACT guidelines; weak policies in internal controls; and possible ineligible expenses. As the project is scheduled to be terminated by end December 2020, the services of a Project Finance Associate will be required to provide technical assistance in the project closure activities, particularly in validating the financial transactions of the CSOs under the project. Institutional Arrangement The Project SPAN Finance Associate will work under the direct supervision of the SPAN Project Manager. The Project Manager will monitor and track the Project Finance Associate’s performance and delivery of expected outputs in accordance with the indicated schedules. Release of payments will only be triggered after issuance of certificates of acceptance for the outputs and deliverables of the Project Finance Associate. Duty Station The duty station of the consultant is Cotabato City, Philippines. The engagement will include travels within Mindanao and if need be, to Manila and will be shouldered under the SPAN Project. 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, which should remain valid under the contract duration. Scope and Price Proposal and Schedule Payments The Project Finance Associate will receive a total amount in a lump sum amount commensurate to the scope of work. The amount indicated in the Offeror’s Letter will be released in tranches upon the satisfactory performance of agreed deliverables based on the schedule provided below: Tranches | Milestones | Review and Approvals Required | 20% | Upon submission and acceptance of Validation Report of CSOs’ Expenditures along with the documentation of proof of financial delivery for priority CSOs with financial findings | UNDP Senior Advisor for Peacebuilding and Prevention of Violent Extremism | 40% | Upon submission and acceptance of Validation Report of CSOs’ Expenditures along with the documentation of proof of financial delivery for CSOs without financial findings | 40% | Upon submission and acceptance of the Consolidated Final Detailed Report on the Financial Utilization of SPAN CSOs |
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