Special Skills Expert (SSE) on Economics

Successful implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides a better opportunity for Revitalized Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to carry out reforms skilfully, structurally, systematically, symbiotically and synthetically in the key public institutions. This will necessitate the placements of well-trained capacity of public servants with motivation to effectively and efficiently deliver peace dividends impactfully for the welfare of over 12.58 million population whose human development index stands lowly at 0.418. That is why governance early support and leveraging coordinated partnerships is needed urgently during the transitional period with concentration on delivery capacity of Change Agents (CAs) in the institution of Presidency, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (PMDAs) mentored by Special Skills Expert (SSE) on Economic Cluster.

It is for this purpose that the GEMS Project has been designed with enabling functional tools of professional discharge of duties in public governance sector, including communication technology applied in conducive physical infrastructure and secure working environment. The Project has been envisioned to induce behavioural change in conduct of public affairs, learning from relevant comparative experiences and adjusting attitude of civil servants to match the standards of “good governance” through serious implementation of Chapter I of the R-ARCSS with adoption of relevant comparative best practices. The performance of RTGoNU shall be enhanced with help of SSEs and CAs, providing dynamic inputs, including assessing, analysing, deciding, planning, organizing, training, staffing, leading, controlling, performing, evaluating and redressing the fundamentals of public administration and management of the public sector. The processes outputs shall be considered with cost-effectiveness in generating outcomes within PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental) context of operation informed by validated SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.

Assignment Objective 

The core objective of assigning Special Skills Expert (SSE) on Economic Cluster is to develop and backstop the institutional capacity of the Presidency of the RTGoNU to successfully direct the administration of peace and development process with effective reforms of public sector through transformational leadership guided by clear vision, specific mission, ethical values and strategic plans for scoring on the following core objective:
To Strengthen the functional capacity  of economic institutions with focus on trained skills of public servants to practically assist in implementing Chapter IV and the related provisions of R-ARCSS, applying high-level financial and resources management with professionalism, coordination and continuous engagement among the stakeholders guided by leadership ideals.

This objective relates to the design of activities that support government institutions to operate cohesively, integrally and technically to promote honest transparency, enforceable accountability, participation and nationalistic inclusivity with diversification of the economy. It shall be measured by the quality of provision of services in line with legal principles, regulatory frameworks, operational policies, public service code of ethics, human resource development and devolution of resources with checks and balances through the institutions of the Presidency and the Council of Ministers with its Clusters and associated specialized agencies.

The SSE shall support the Office of Vice President for Economic Cluster with detailed technical capacity building and development of economic institution, especially the delivery on financial and resource reforms in accordance with R-ARCSS and reviewed laws.

The SSE shall train, coach and mentor the staff of the Office of Vice President for Economic Cluster with technical support and coordination at a high-level of 11 Ministries and related Specialized Commissions, Authorities and Independent Mechanisms of RTGoNU.

The SSE shall prepare skills training plan of actions, provide policy advice, and help in designing strategic communication on collegial consultations in the Economic Cluster and the Presidency with informed technical understanding of government’s decision-making process based on conferred powers, functions and responsibilities by R-ARCSS and the Law.

The SSE shall follow the directives of Vice President for Economic Cluster, first and foremost, for supervision of the expertise assignments on economy in coordination with GEMS Project Manager and team operating under UNDP Resident Representative.

The SSE and CAs shall be provided with efficient work facilities (computers, printers, internet service, and stationeries, etc..) through GEMS Project budget while the Office of Vice President for Economic Cluster, will provide office space with power during workhours.

DELIVERABLES

The assignment is results-oriented with payments directly linked to the following deliverables/outputs anticipated from the starting date of contract or contract:

• Inception Report and initial workplan (10 days after contract commencement).
• Bi-monthly workplan and report of previous period (2 months after contract commencement and every two months following).
• Draft Final Report on the results/finding and recommendations (one month prior to end of contract). Final Report on the results/finding of the assessment and recommendations for future interventions (Revised draft incorporating the feedback from stakeholders) (one week prior to end of contract).  This is to be presented to stakeholders for validation.
• All reports are subject to review, validation and endorsement by the Office of Vice President for Economic Cluster and UNDP’s Manager of GEMS Project.

Identifying and Building Strategic Consensus with Collegial Partnerships:

• Established effective networking with PMDAs and partners in seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to mandate of RTGoNU as provided in article 1.2 of R-ARCSS and with special focus on governance reform agenda during transitional period. 
• Contextualized assistance of hierarchical bureaucracy of the Presidency for fast-tracking a coordinated decision-making and directives for administrative delivery of public service, using efficient tools necessary for supporting capacity building of public sector with international partnerships in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

Innovating and Developing Good Governance Strategies, Plans and Regulations:

• Coordinated harmonization of legislative framework, institutional policies, strategic plans, and work plans with well-studied knowledge sharing flatforms on economics;
• Adopted new approaches of public administration with broader range of perspectives in developing innovative proposals for meeting the contemporary economic standards;
• Created conducive work environment and team spirit, which fosters innovative collective thinking through the reformed economic institutions in the public sector;

Creating Impact through Sustainable Peace and Holistic Development Dividends:

• Developed leadership and administrative skills of developmental analyses of economics and information on potential bilateral or multilateral cooperation with national counterparts to recommend strategic approach for mutual benefits and accountability;
• Compiled comparative lessons learned on human capacity development and public financial management strategies, managing the public sector in accordance with inculcated fundamentals of good governance for economic development;

Promoting Institutional Training, Technical Expertise and Knowledge Sharing: 

• Prioritized continuous training, coaching and mentoring of public servants with efficient use of contemporary computerized tools and mechanisms of financial e-governance;
• Enhanced effective planning, presentation and report-writing skills with strong analytical and strategic resilience in advanced professional economic management specialization;
• Demonstrated comprehensive skillful knowledge and competence in information technology and strategic communication on economics with efficiency and accountability.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

The SSE candidate should have the following qualification, competence, skills and experience:

• At least Master’s degree or Advance degree in economics and relevant fields related to economy (statistics, banking, accounting, commerce, management, communication, information, etc.) is required with over 5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree in the same relevant fields with over 10 years of experience in the public sector.
• Strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination and mastery of public service fundamentals.
• Experience of capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at leadership level and middle administrative level.
• Knowledge of mandates of key national and international institutions at bilateral and multilateral levels partnerships.
• Competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates on e-governance.
• Professional command of written and spoken English with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Timely delivery on the assignment in operational environment of pressure with risks from both expected and unforeseen situations.
• Good knowledge of gender and youth issues with gender mainstreaming approaches.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical Evaluation = 100% total points (1000 total marks):

• Criteria 1: Relevant Educational Experience as per this TOR: Weight = 30% Maximum points out of sub-total of 300 marks.

• Criteria 2: Professional working experience in relevant fields related to public sector with particular focus on economic sector or within line  ministries; proven technical experience in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management; demonstrated experience working in knowledge management, strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination; and proven relevant work experience and knowledge of corporate social networking-based platforms/tools:  60% Maximum points out of sub-total of 600 marks.

• Criteria 3: English language, professional competence, computer skills in office applications, data basing and visualization software with faster adaptation to new updates: Weight = 10% maximum points out of sub-total of 100 marks.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will award the top candidates with highest scores. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for financial proposal.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation – Total 30% (30 points).

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award:

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores of Technical and Financial Evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.