Job Title: National Consultants: Preparation of Project Document - Evidence-based analytical studies available to inform policy making.(Ugandan Nationals Only), Kampala, Uganda
Closing Date: Monday, 11 April 2011
Background
In April 2010 UNDP and the Government of Uganda (GoU) endorsed the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2010/11-2014/15, a five-year plan that guides the implementation of development interventions that respond to government priorities as stated in the National Development Plan (NDP). Aligning to national development priorities, the UN system in the country developed the United Nations Development Assistance framework (UNDAF 2010/11-2014/15) which aims to support the government in addressing challenges identified in the NDP. The CPAP therefore responds to the priorities as articulated in the UNDAF. The country programme has two main components which are Accountable Democratic Governance (ADG) and Growth and Poverty Reduction (GPR).
Under the GPR component, is the outcome area “National and local institutions capacitated to develop, implement and monitor pro-poor and MDG responsive polices/strategies”. The proposed project is to be developed for the delivery of the CPAP output which falls under this outcome: namely “Evidence-based analytical studies available to inform policy making in human development”.
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED) is central to the national policy formulation on development issues and is also responsible for the production of evidence-based analytical studies, as reflected in the mandate of the Economic Development Policy and Research Department (EDPR). In the past much of EDPR's activity has been limited to commissioning studies as and when the need arises. There is now a need to strengthen EDPR's internal capacity to conduct such analysis, as well as its ability to coordinate with key stakeholders in the identification of research priorities, emerging policy questions and issues across a spectrum of development challenges and needs, establishment and maintenance of research standards and the synthesis of technical results into policy briefs.
Before high-quality analytical studies can be fed into the national policy dialogue, there are large gaps in the available evidence base that must be addressed. The informal sector has absorbed 80% of new entrants into the labour market over the last decade and is therefore an essential element of inclusive growth, particularly given continued rapid population growth. But the design of interventions to address the constraints faced and exploit the opportunities available in this sector is undermined by lack of information; informal enterprises are not covered by existing survey instruments such as the Business Register or the Employment and Earnings Survey. Furthermore, there are other emerging issues such as in the areas of climate change; environment and natural resource management; impacts of anticipated increased revenue inflows from extraction of oil as and other natural resources; impetus for enhanced disaster risk management arising from increasing incidences of disaster occurrences; as well as other issues which impact on the ability of the poor both in the informal and formal sectors to meaningful exploit the opportunities to create wealth and improve their incomes.
The MDG targets, and other development outcomes such as the distribution of income, are not only influenced by the direct effects of single policies, but also by indirect effects and policy interactions that feed back into the processes that determine these outcomes. Analysis of the implementation of government policies and projects must therefore be complimented by an economy-wide approach to analyse Uganda's development strategy and progress towards the MDGs. This will require capacity gaps in the areas of microsimulations and modelling of inter-sectoral linkages to be addressed.
Quantitative analysis, although vital, often raises further questions which can only be adequately addressed using qualitative techniques such as Participatory Learning and Action methodologies. The Uganda Participatory Poverty Assessment Process (UPPAP), initiated in 1998, was pivotal in strengthening MFPED's capacity to generate high-quality qualitative analysis for guiding policy dialogue and decision making on poverty reduction. But the programme relied on the financial support of Development Partners, which ended in FY2008/9 thus closing a vital channel for deepening the understanding of government interventions from the perspective of the poor
Scope of Work:
The consultant is to prepare a project document with interventions to support the preparation of evidence-based analytical studies to inform policy dialogue on current and emerging issues and concerns affecting, or likely to affect the development path of the economy.
The consultancy will cover the key aspects below:
* Identification of a niche for UNDP support within the output area in line with the existing policies and regulations, and the ongoing interventions by government and development partners. Project scope should contribute to achieving the output by the end of the programming cycle and build synergies with other programme interventions (GPR and ADG).
* Selection of the appropriate implementing partners, responsible parties and collaborating partners to deliver the project.
* Develop annual work plans with outputs and activities, baselines, indicators and targets for the duration of the project with a view to ensure continuity over the 4-year CPAP period.
* Integrate cross cutting issues such as gender and environment and human rights-based approach to programming.
* Develop a monitoring and evaluation strategy in line with the CPAP and UNDAF M&E framework.
* Develop a clear partnership/collaboration strategy.
* Identify appropriate management arrangements with clear responsibilities for project management; oversight/assurance; implementation and accountability for resources.
* Conduct an initial analysis of risks that will impact on the project formulation and implementation.
* Define a clear exit strategy for the project.
To ensure project quality, the consultant will consult closely with key stakeholders, including EDPR in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Interministerial sector working groups, policy research think tanks such as Economic Policy Research Centre, Private Sector Foundation, etc and build on lessons learnt during the implementation of CPAP 2006-2010.
Key operational principles to be considered in the project design are:
* Relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of project activities
* Building national capacities and ownership
* Strengthening capacity development
* Promoting south-south cooperation
* Focus on key cross cutting themes of UNDP programming
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant shall undertake the following activities:
* Attend detailed briefing on UNDP programming facilitated by the UNDP programme team.
* Review critical documentation/literature related to the CPAP and UNDP/UN programming.
* Present inception report and discussion guide for agreement with UNDP prior to consultations.
* Undertake consultations with key stakeholders from UNDP, UN agencies, EDPR and other GoU MDAs, NGOs, development partners and the private sector to ascertain priorities areas, ongoing interventions etc.
* Identify areas of interventions that aim at achieving the stated outputs 2.1.1 and 2.1.2, identify target beneficiaries and establish the baselines.
* Articulate conceptual linkages of the outputs and outcome while addressing cross cutting issues Identify opportunities for resource mobilization and partnership.
* Present key findings and recommendations to stakeholders' validation workshop and incorporate relevant comments into the draft project document.
* Make presentation at internal pre-Project Appraisal Committee(PAC) meeting with UNDP Senior Management and staff to review the revised draft project document.
* Make presentation of final draft project document at PAC meeting with selected key stakeholders including Government, proposed IPs and collaborating partners and incorporate comments for the finalisation of the project document.
Key Deliverables:
* Inception report detailing the understanding/interpretation of the TORs; the methodology of carrying out the assignment; work plan and implementation schedule as agreed upon with UNDP team.
* Draft project document.
* Presentations to stakeholder validation, Pre-PAC and PAC meetings.
* Final project document .
The assignment is expected to take 30 working days from the signing of the contract and the consultants will be expected to be available on a full-time basis and deliver the outputs as per schedule proposed below:
Output:
* Inception report is due 7 days after signing of contract .
* Presentation of findings to stakeholder validation meeting is due 21 days after signing contract.
* Draft project document is due 23 days after signing.
* Presentation of draft project document to pre-PAC meeting is due 27 days after signing.
* Final Project document is due 30 days after signing.
Reporting Arrangements:
The consultant will report to the team leader of the Poverty Reduction Unit, who will take the lead in providing technical backstopping; they will work closely with the programme consultants. At the conclusion of the deliverable, there will be a presentation to the programme team leaders in UNDP for review. The consultants will work under the overall guidance and leadership of the Country Director and Resident Representative.
Competencies
Competencies:
Technical Competencies:
* Strong leadership and task management competencies.
* Strong analytical skills.
* Good communication and writing skills in English
Personal Competencies:
* Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards.
* Positive, constructive attitude to work.
* Ability to act professionally and flexibility to engage with government officials, donor representatives, private sector and communities.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
* Postgraduate degree in Economics or related field.
Experience:
* At least 7 years progressive work experience in micro and macroeconomic policy and research.
* Extensive experience in project and programme formulation and management.
* Experience in addressing MDGs and cross-cutting issues like Gender.
* Good knowledge of UNDP and development context of Uganda .
* Experience in strategic planning.
* Knowledge of UN/UNDP programming is an added advantage.
Application Procedure - applicants are required to submit an application and proposals, which include the following:
Job Proposal:
* Letter of Interest.
* Explanation as to why you consider yourself suitable for the assignment.
* A brief methodology on the approach and implementation of the assignment.
Personal CV
* Highlighting past experience in similar projects.
* Work references - contact details (e-mail addresses) of referees.
Financial Proposal
* Please submit a financial proposal indicating consultancy fee in
Ugandan Shillings
, lump sum fee (with a breakdown) or unit price together with any other expenses related to the assignment.
Please note that the system will only allow you to upload one document, therefore all the job and financial proposals are to be attached to the CV and uploaded together at once.
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.
To apply
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=22613