Consultant for Capacity Building in Conducting Feasibility Studies of Development Projects – for Sri Lankans only

The Capacity Development for Local Government (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country. These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank.

The overall objective of the CDLG project, implemented by UNDP, is to strengthen the capacities of LAs to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable and be able to plan, enhance resilience, and deliver better services. The capacity development support, coupled with the fiscal support (through Basic Transfers and Performance Transfers provided through Local Development Support Project -LDSP) for inclusive service delivery and economic investment, is aimed at strengthening the role of elected representatives at the local level. It is about improving local governance systems and making local governments “fit for future”, as well as increase downward accountability of elected officials and local governments. The project also aims to strengthening mechanisms for public engagement in local decision-making processes.

The State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government Affairs (SMPCLGA) in Sri Lanka is implementing the Local Development Support Project (LDSP) with financial support from World Bank and the European Union (EU). The goal of LDSP is to strengthen all 134 Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Northern, Eastern, Uva and North-Central provinces of Sri Lanka for effective and responsive local service delivery and accountable governance. The LDSP will provide Basic Transfers (BT) and Performance Transfers (PT) as grants to the LGAs and institutionalize local government’s accountability to citizens via participatory processes in the form of regular ward-level meetings, preparation of Ward Development Plans and Local Area Participatory Development Plans (LAPDPs), open budgeting, regular performance monitoring and assessment. The overall responsibility for implementing the LDSP rests with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) within the MPCLG while Project Implementation Units (PIUs) in Provincial Councils (PCs) are responsible for ensuring implementation of activities via the respective LGAs.

One of the components under LDSP is designed to finance delivery of local services and economic infrastructure by LGAs and provinces in an accountable, equitable and effective manner. Under the component of ‘Economic Cluster Support’, it is expected to finance identification and provision of infrastructure that supports local economic development such as roads, minor irrigation, markets, IT connectivity, rural electricity etc. SMPCLGA will allocate funds to participating provinces to implement this component. The provinces will work with LGAs, businesses and other stakeholders to analyze potential economic clusters or value chains that can benefit from infrastructure investments that cut across administrative boundaries of multiple LGAs. Investments will be selected based on three compulsory basic criteria: (i) support or advance economic activity in a selected cluster or value chain; (ii) boost or catalyze economic activities of local residents; and (iii) activities that result in greater climate resilience, e.g. reduced flooding, improved accessibility, reliable water supply, ensuring continued economic and livelihood activities, preserving perishable food item etc., to help project beneficiaries adapt to climate change impacts.

UNDP is seeking to employ the services of a suitable consultant to facilitate feasibility assessment of selected projects identified by the PIUs of the LDSP by creating a resource pool at the PIUs in North Central and Uva provinces using appropriate capacity building approaches by building capacities of the PIUs.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES    

The scope of services associated with this assignment can be broadly categorized as follows.

1: Situational Assessment (Literature Review & Field Visits)

2: Support to assess the feasibility of projects identified by PIUs

3: Formulation of Project Feasibility Reports with the PIUs & LGAs

The main objective of this assignment is to build the capacities of officials at the Department of Local Government and Local Authorities in North Central and Uva provinces in project formulation and assessing the feasibility of planning and implementation of development projects in terms of social, political, environmental, and economic factors.

The consultant is expected to closely engage with the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) of LDSP at the State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government affairs (SMPCLGA) and respective Project Implementation Units (PIUs) at the Uva and North central provinces in which LDSP is being implemented. The consultant will have to undertake tasks under three major components as described below.

 1: Situational Assessment (Literature Review & Field Visits)

The consultant will have to understand the current status of interventions planned under the ‘economic cluster support’ component of LDSP. Some of the potential tasks to be performed under this component are.

• Study the ‘economic cluster support’ component of LDSP.
• Study the identified projects submitted by the PIUs of LDSP.
• Consultation with relevant stakeholders.

  2: Support to assess the feasibility of projects identified by PIUs

The consultant will have to engage with the PIUs and LAs to facilitate assessing the feasibility of all the projects identified for ‘economic cluster development’ component of LDSP. Some of the potential tasks to be performed by the consultant under this component are;

• Conduct training programs for selected officials at the PIUs and LGAs
• Facilitate the ‘resource pool’ to assess all the projects identified under the ‘economic cluster development’ program of LDSP.
• Report the PCU and PIUs on the final results of the feasibility assessment of all projects under the economic cluster development component.

3: Formulation of Project Feasibility Reports with PIUs and LGAs and develop the feasibility assessment manual.

Main objective of this component is to formulation of reports on feasibility of development projects considering following factors influencing the viability of implementation.

• Social factors and considerations
• Political factors
• Environmental factors
• Economic factors including financial viability.

Illustrative tasks for the consultant will have to engage under this component are.

• Design all necessary checklists and templates that can be used for feasibility assessment of development projects.

Develop the ‘feasibility assessment manual with guidelines and necessary checklists’ based on the finalized ‘feasibility assessment framework.

Expected Output/Deliverables & Milestones

The consultant is expected to generate the following deliverables during the period this assignment:

1. Inception report with content of feasibility assessment- 20% by 15/08/2021;
2. Complete the assessm-ent of feasibility of projects while conducting in-house and field trainings for officials of PIUs & LGAs- 30% by 15/09/2021;
3. Reports on the feasibility of all projects identified by PIUs-20% by 15/10/2021;
4. Final report on feasibility assessment on the selected projects under ‘economic cluster support’ component of LDSP , results of the assessment process and feasibility assessment manual with guidelines and necessary checklists-30% by 02/02/2022.

The consultant will directly work with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of LDSP at the State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government affairs (SMPCLGA). But the contract is managed by UNDP and the consultant need to report to the project manager- CDLG project, UNDP.

Timeframe

The assignment should be completed within six months. PCU of SMPCLGA will make arrangements for liaising with the respective PIUs to facilitate this assignment and will also provide support for logistics during the assignment.

The prospective consultant should have

1. Technical competencies

• Consultant should possess the abilities, skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed.
• Pro-active, results driven and able to meet strict deadlines.
• Strong research , and excellent writing skills in English and Sinhala
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent training skills.
• Experience in producing corporate products, training manuals.

2. Behavioral Competencies:

• Respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.
• Ability to be flexible and respond to changes to text/layout as part of the review and feedback process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people.
• Participate effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others.
• People Management, maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of government institutions.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback.

3. Results

• Proven delivery of high-quality results, in a timely manner.
• Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.

Following are the minimum qualifications required for the selected consultant;

a) Academic Qualifications

• Master’s degree or above in the relevant field obtained from recognized Universities.

b) Experience

• At least five years professional experience in local government or similar field.
• Experience in conducting feasibility studies of development projects is essential.   
• Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs especially in the areas of capacity development.
• Prior work experience in implementing development projects

Evaluation Method and Criteria

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 Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points)

Overall technical evaluation criteria:

Summary of Technical qualification – Maximum Total Points

• Part 1: Relevance of Education – 150
• Part 2: Relevance of experience in area of specialization – 400
• Part 3: Methodology – 150
• Total – 700

Further Details of evaluation criteria and marking scheme: (Criteria – Maximum Points)

Part 1: Academic  Education:

• Master’s degree or above in the relevant field obtained from recognized Universities – 150

Part 2: Experience

• At least five years professional experience in local government or similar field – 100
• Experience in conducting feasibility studies of development projects – 100
• Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs especially in the areas of capacity development – 100
• Prior work experience in implementing development projects – 100

Part 3: Methodology

• Proposed Methodology for feasibility studies of development projects – 150

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

HOW TO APPLY

 To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: [email protected]  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.  Failing to provide correct vacancy number & Position would be a disqualification.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Please use the below link to submit the Financial Proposal

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts. 

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by  the Project Manager- Capacity Development of Local Government Project (CDLG) of UNDP Sri Lanka.

Payment Milestones will be as follows: .

1. Inception report with content of feasibility assessment – 20%
2. Complete the assessment of feasibility of projects while conducting in-house and field trainings for officials of PIUs & LGAs – 30%
3. Reports on the feasibility of all projects identified by PIUs – 20%
4. Final report on feasibility assessment on the selected projects under ‘economic cluster support’ component of LDSP , results of the assessment process and feasibility assessment manual with guidelines and necessary checklists – 30%