International Consultant- MDG Acceleration - Rangamati, BANGLADESH

Twenty five years of protracted conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have left the majority of its inhabitants in conditions of extreme poverty, and tensions over land tenure, resource access, and ethno-demographics remain challenges to sustainable development. Three quarters of the population live below the national poverty line; 50% of primary-enrolled children drop out in their first few years; and it is estimated that 40% of the CHTs’ workforce is either unemployed or underemployed. A CHT Peace Accord was signed in December 1997 and was recognized as a significant political achievement for the region which is home to 11 distinctive indigenous groups and Bengalis. It raised high expectations that it would serve as the cornerstone of a successful peace building process and as a means for opening up new opportunities for development. Relevant institutions have been established to support this process although not all subjects as per the CHT Peace Accord have yet been transferred to them, and several parts of the Peace Accord are yet to be implemented. In partnership with the Government, CHT communities and NGOs, UNDP supports the Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts through the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility. The CHT Development Facility plays a very important role ensuring a successful peace building process and improving the development conditions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) people. The support is focused on: CHT governance institutions functioning and national systems developed in support of Peace Accord implementation; Confidence is built to solve long-standing problems critical to sustainable development and peace in CHT; Economic development opportunities enhanced for CHT; Literacy increased through an education scheme adapted to local context; Access to quality preventive and curative health services at the community level; Local organizations and communities empowered and their capacities enhanced to manage their own development; With an annual budget of USD 25 million and 200 staff in five offices, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) is one of UNDP’s large interventions spanning across governance, peace-building and multiple sectors within one facility. In addition to UNDP’s own resources, funds have been made available by the European Union, Canada (CIDA), Denmark (DANIDA), USA (USAID), Norway, Australia (AusAID) and the Embassy of Japan since the inception. The Facility manages the respective donor agreements within one programmatic framework. The CHT Development Facility is led by a Director and a Senior Management Team consisting in addition of four Chiefs leading programme sections and one Chief Operations. Expected outcome of CHTDF’s interventions with the CHT Institutions is increased capacity of these institutions to deliver services and support community development. Expected outputs are (a) Capacities of local government institutions to advocate on CHT issues strengthened, in particular implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, resulting in enhanced clarity and consensus on CHT issues, (b) Capacities of Local Government Institutions in the CHT strengthened, resulting in improved management systems for decentralized service delivery and (c) Participatory planning, budgeting, monitoring mechanisms among CHT institutions enhanced to contribute towards achievement of MDGs. MDG acceleration is managed by CHTDF’s Capacity Development cluster, it is an approach that leads to identification of high-impact and feasible solutions for prioritized bottlenecks, that are preventing ongoing interventions to achieve MDG targets. Outcome of MDG acceleration is direct action by all development partners, to help realize the solutions. Local Government institutions at district (HDCs) and sub-district level (Upazila parishad) are taking the lead in the acceleration process, members of respectively District and Upazila Development Coordination Committees are participating. Members and organized in thematic task forces formed around the MDGs. The outputs of the MDG acceleration process in the CHT are as follows: Mapping of MDG achievements at district and upazila level; Selection of one MDG per district for MDG acceleration process; For selected MDGs, bottlenecks identified and multi-stakeholder action plans developed for addressing them through joint action at different levels (union, upazila and district); Implementation and monitoring; Government Development coordination committees/meetings at upazila and district level will conduct mapping exercise annually to review overall development results. Broad steps of MDG acceleration: MDG mapping (on 7 MDGs) at district and upazila level; Selection of MDG for acceleration process (one for each district); Analysis by using MDG acceleration Framework (MAF); Development of MDG acceleration action plan; Implementation and monitoring of MDG acceleration plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main objectives, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work: The consultancy is expected to result in the development of focused, agreed upon District MAF Action Plans (3) to address the selected MDGs that rally the efforts of national and sub-national governments, and their development partners, on providing the investments and services needed to overcome identified constraints. Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work: The International Consultant is based at UNDP-CHTDF Rangamati office, with frequent travel to the other 2 districts. S/he is expected to be familiar with the MAF methodology. Under direct supervision of the Chief Implementation and in close coordination with Capacity Development Cluster, the International Consultant will perform the following tasks: Review (desk review) and analyze for the selected MDGs the respective MDG Mapping reports, existing development plans, government programs, survey reports, pertinent development partner and NGO/CSO initiatives and other relevant documents. Identify the broad range of interventions in place to achieve the selected MDG target. Compile and present findings in presentations and documents that will support the local government institutions and government development committees in applying the MAF. Facilitate MAF workshops, meet regularly with local technical teams, support Local Government institutions and Government Development Coordination committees in identification, analysis and prioritization of bottlenecks, and developing District MDG acceleration plans. Ensure that relevant cross-sectoral, CHT-specific governance and cultural issues, and cross-cutting issues that are important for achieving the specified MDG (such as gender equality perspectives) are integrated in the analysis of bottlenecks and the action plan. Draft 3 District MDG acceleration plans, ensuring their technical quality, acceptability and validation Work through the iterations required to incorporate Draft MDG acceleration report for publication. Through the CHTDF staff, liaise with UNDP’s MAF quality assurance support team at HQ, incorporating their suggestions and feedback into the action plans. Deliverables/Outputs of the assignment/service: Desk review report and presentation that will support local government institutions and government development committees in applying MAF for the selected MDGs in 3 districts; 3 finalized district MDG acceleration plans, incorporating feedback over successive drafts as may be needed CHT MDG acceleration report for publication, covering the 3 district MDG acceleration plans Tentative Payment Schedule: (please refer to the IC notice in the link below) Period of assignment: The assignment is expected to take a maximum period of 12 weeks. Inputs: From CHTDF CHTDF will provide office space and necessary logistics for the consultant. CHTDF will make arrangements (vehicle, security clearance) for official travel Workshops/meetings/trainings will be organized according to work plan submitted from the consultant All deliverables mentioned in this TOR as per work plan will be achieved by time specified. Bring own laptop.

Competencies

Good knowledge and understanding of the MDGs, human development and the international development agenda. Good knowledge and understanding on development planning processes. Knowledge of and exposure to a range of cross-sectoral and cross-cutting issues (such as women empowerment, gender equality, special approaches for addressing the circumstances of marginalized groups), that can be expected in to accelerate progress in achieving MDGs. Knowledge of the MDG Acceleration Framework (MAF). Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are necessary. Excellent analytical skills. Strong IT skills, including ability to work regularly with MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Uses information and internet technology applications effectively as tool and resource. Proven cross-cultural communication. Ability to travel regularly to the project areas. Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards. Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability. Treats all persons fairly without favoritism. Proven English professional writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree preferably in development studies, economics, political science, public policy and/or relevant field of social sciences. Experience: A minimum of 7 (seven) years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the field of development, working with development planning processes at the national and sub-national levels; Experience in different development sectors desirable. Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 1. Proposal: (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work (ii) Provide a brief methodology, including a timeline, on how they will approach and conduct the work 2. Financial proposal 3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references Financial Proposal: Lump sum contracts The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount including cost of meeting/workshops and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days). Travel All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel not mentioned in the TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. Evaluation: Proposal of Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: Preliminary Evaluation: Prior to the technical evaluation all proposals will be screened based on the eligibility criteria mentioned in the table below. To be eligible for technical evaluation a proposal must meet both the criteria. Any proposal not meeting either of these criteria will be rejected from the evaluation. There is no scoring in this stage and screening will be done pass/fail basis. Eligibility Criteria (Yes/No): Advanced university degree preferably in development studies, economics, political science, public policy and/or relevant field of social sciences; A minimum of 7 (seven) years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the field of development, working with development planning processes at the national and sub-national levels. Technical Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 70) All proposals that passed through the preliminary evaluation will be scored out of 70 based on the criteria mentioned in the table below. To qualify in the technical evaluation a proposal must obtain minimum 70% of the total obtainable technical score or at least 49 points. Any proposal obtaining a score less than the minimum required score (49) will be technically disqualified. Proposals achieving 70% or more points in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation. Technical Evaluation Criteria: (Total 70) Appropriateness of the proposed methodology including the timeline (20) Knowledge and understanding of the MDGs, human development and the international development agenda (20) Knowledge and exposure to a rage of cross-cultural and cross cutting issues (such as women empowerment, gender equity, special approaches for addressing the circumstances of marginalized groups) that can be expected to accelerate progress in achieving MDGs (20) Knowledge of the MDG Acceleration Framework (MAF). (10) Applicants may also be invited for a face to face/telephone interview as part of the technical evaluation process. The interview shall not bear any additional score but shall be used to validate the scores given above by assessing the knowledge on the subject matter. Financial Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 30) All technically qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula: 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 Final Selection: The final selection will be completed through the cumulative calculation of obtained points from Technical and Financial Evaluation. The highest cumulative scorer will be awarded the contract. Proposal should be submitted at ebidbox-chtdf.bd@undp.org no later then 25th June, 2012. Proposal submitted to any other email address or location or submitted in hard copy shall not be considered. Detail IC Procurement Notice along with the TOR and submission guideline can be found in the following link, http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=9061

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

International Consultant- MDG Acceleration - Rangamati, BANGLADESH