UNDP-IC-2021-231 International Data Validation Expert

The Government of KP has adopted a multi-year Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP), 2019-2022, to address the key developmental gaps in the Merged Areas (MA), erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). AIP is the first three-year program under the Tribal Decade Strategy (TDS) of the government that seeks to address developmental disparity of the MA and bring these areas at par with other areas of Pakistan.

The TDS, with detailed discussion of the development challenges and issue of the MA is available on the following link:

http://bit.ly/TDSKPMA

The Draft Accelerated Implementation Programme is available on the following link:

http://bit.ly/AIPKPMA

UNDP is implementing its Merged Areas Governance Project (MAGP) as key partner in the process of erstwhile FATA development. MAGP seeks to support AIP implementation through technical assistance in the areas of project formulation, context specific innovations in service delivery systems, results oriented programming, data collection and analysis to contribute to development of locally feasible solutions. In this regard several surveys are planned to inform policies and programs of the government and regulatory reform where necessary to promote private sector development.

Description of Responsibilities

1. Technical Assistance on Bureau of Statistics Data Processing; BOS collects data from a number of departments. These data are reported regularly but suffer from serious quality concerns. Improvement in the quality of these data will add a major value to government’s processes and decisions. The consultant is expected to provide technical assistance to improve the quality of the collected data sets which will help the Govt in more informed decisions.

1. The consultant is expected to provide technical assistance to development BOS data collection schemes and surveys.

Deliverables, Scope and Schedule of Payments

Competencies

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Makes effective use of UNDP’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations

Innovation and New Approaches

• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking, especially for Fata reforms contexts
• Conceptualizes more effective approaches to program development and implementation

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Participating in the development of policies and innovative approaches and promoting their application throughout the organization
• Promotes UNDP as a learning/knowledge sharing organization, with a focus on Fata reforms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures, with expertise in reforms contexts
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Client Orientation

• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions
• Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for clients

Core Competencies

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
• Staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
• Promoting effective teams 
• Very good communication skills. Ability to express clearly and concisely in both written and oral forms
• Transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking
• Ability to be flexible and react to changing circumstances, e.g. security situation

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND LANGUAGE:

Academic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree in economics or a closely related discipline.
• Active research in the subject area and use of the primary data collection, survey data analysis and microanalysis (demonstrated by peer reviewed publications)

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in related field such as economics, conflict studies, economics of extractive industries.

Language:

• Excellent communication skills, flawless writing, and editing in English.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

The following documents must be submitted by interested persons to become an eligible candidate. Failing to comply with the requirements will result in disqualifying the applicant.  Due to the large number of applications we receive, only the successful candidate will be informed about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications:

• CV 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 – UNDP retains the right to contact references directly

• One or more analytical pieces demonstrating expertise (may be linked in CV or annexed)
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability,

Applicants are instructed to submit the Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee.
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
• The consultant should budget for 1 trip to Islamabad of 10 calendar days. Any approved additional travel will be reimbursed as per UNDP travel policy. The current DSA rate for Islamabad (Marriott) is $275.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
• If the 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 a 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.: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780.

In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown.

TRAVEL

All envisaged travel cost must be included in the financial proposal as detailed above. In case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel cost including tickets, lodging and terminal expense should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

EVALUATION PROCESS

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria weight:  30%

Only Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the Technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

• Copyright:

The above assignment will have UNDP and governance department sole ownership and copyright.

• Institutional Arrangement and Duty Station:

The consultant will be working under the direct supervision of Lead Technical Advisor with close coordination with the Task Team Lead. The consultant will be based off-site.