Two Consultants for Supporting the Government of Albania to prepare the Mid Term Budget Programme Analysis against SDGs in Albania

Background

On 1 January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Over the next fifteen years, with these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

Having endorsed the 2030Agenda on September 25th, 2015, the Government of Albania is bound to embark upon a comprehensive implementation in line with the National Strategy for Development and Integration 2015-2020 and country’s EU integration agenda, by landing of SDGs through the MAPS (mainstreaming, acceleration and policy support) approach:

• Mainstreaming - Providing support to the government to reflect the new global agenda in the national development plan and policies.
• Acceleration - Supporting the country to accelerate progress on SDG targets – targeting national (and UN) resources at priority areas, identified in the mainstreaming process; and
• Policy support - Making the UN’s policy expertise available in a timely way and at the lowest cost possible.

As of today, the Government of Albania has initiated a number of efforts to implement the global development goals, with their 17 goals, 169 targets and 229 indicators that need to be achieved by 2030. UNDP supported the Government to integrate SDGs into the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) 2015-2020 and the National Statistical Programme 2016-2020[1].

In July 2016, GoA carried out a stock-taking exercise, using the UN Rapid Integrated Assessment (RIA) tool, to assess the level of integration of SDG goals and targets into NSDI II and sectoral programmes[2]. The assessment indicated that a substantial number of SDG targets and indicators are not covered by the current Albanian policy framework.

On 24 October 2016, GoA and UN Albania signed a new five-year Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development (PoCSD) 2017-2021 that lays out how the UN will help Albania achieve the 2030 Agenda.  Under the UN’s strategy Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support, the UN assisted the government to develop its implementation strategy for the 2030 Agenda. In the first half of 2017, the Prime Minister’s office, with UN’s support, prepared a Baseline Report (BR), collecting available data against the SDG indicators and a National Action Plan (NAP) that outlines how Albania intends to pursue SDG achievement. Both BR and NAP are being finalized.

In May 2017, in line with the NAP, the government established an inter-ministerial Committee and inter-institutional Working Group for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister with participation of line Ministers, will provide an inclusive, long-term approach to sustainable development including policy direction, planning, implementation, financing and reporting in close dialogue with other partners - independent institutions, local government, development partners, private sector, academia and civil society. The Committee held its first meeting on 17 May 2017.

Achieving SDGs would require considerable mobilization of resources. Further to the above government’s efforts, it is important to know what the current levels of budgetary resources and expenditures related to SDGs are, in order to set realistic targets.

In this context, UNDP and the Resident Coordinator’s Office are seeking to hire 2 national consultants, who will work under the guidance of the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, to undertake the review of public expenditure related to SDGs in Albania by analyzing MTBP documents for the last three years, i.e. 2017-19 Actual Budget Allocations and Expenditures, Revised Estimates and Budget Estimates. The process may capture also the MTBP 2018-2020, recently endorsed by the Parliament.

The primary focus will be to identify where the country stands in relation to “SDG budgeting”, “where” it needs to be – reflecting on global guidance and the experience of other avant-garde countries in the region- and propose sustainable actions, key stakeholders, responsibilities, timeframe and approximate related financial costs, based on evidence and context- sensitivity. This analysis is needed to ensure that government spending (as well as all aid) tackles all forms of inequality simultaneously, rebalancing of spending to tackle specific forms of inequality and designing more specific and focused programmes to reach the marginalized

[1]  http://www.instat.gov.al/media/376765/programi_kombetar_i_statistikave_zyrtare_2017-2021.pdf

[2] The analysis involved assessments at the goal, target and indicator levels of the NSDI II and related strategic frameworks, comprising a set of more than 50 national strategies, national plans and policy documents.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

This assignment aims to support the Government of Albania prepare a State Budget Analysis Report (SBAR) against SDGs in the country, as well as make recommendations about the path to take until 2030.

The SBAR should give an overview of allocations and trends in public expenditure from all sources (donors and domestic) analyzed for each SDG and its related targets. It should provide a framework for a more rational consideration of all sources of financing against SDGs, ensuring an integrated analysis of both the recurrent and the capital budgets. Finally, the desired outcome of the SBAR is to inform and advise policy decisions regarding how to make available more financial resources in the national budget for investment in “Agenda 2030” without jeopardizing the fiscal sustainability.[1]

Importantly,  the  exercise  is  not  an  audit,  but  a  tool  to  enable  Government of Albania  to  improve prioritization, efficiency and effectiveness of all public resources against SDGs and to develop an equity based funding model for SDGs in Albania.

The main timeframe to be considered is MTBP 2017-2019.  Specifically, data trends should be matched as far as possible with previous published work deemed relevant for the exercise, to make comparisons and check on trends.

The report will be a living document, based on data to be taken also from the analysis of the recent approved MTBP 2018-2020.

Scope of work, deliverables:

To support the Government of Albania with the preparation of the SBAR, UNDP and UNRCO Albania are seeking to recruit the services of 2 national consultants for a total amount of 30 consultancy-days/each, over a three (3) month period, starting no later than December 1st, 2017 and ending not later than February 2018. They will bring the experience of other countries in the region in tailoring the SDGs.

Under the direct guidance of the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, the consultant will work with relevant line ministries, ministerial departments and institutions, UN agencies, local government administrations, and other relevant stakeholders in the country to carry out the following deliverables:

• Inception report writing: a) assessment tools & data collection methods; b) work plan and timelines for deliverables; and c) report structure (5 days- by December 2017)
• Desk review report: Preliminary analysis and findings of secondary data and information. (7 days-  by December 2017)
• One workshop on the methodological approach (to be reflected in the consultancy’s inception report). This workshop will primarily involve the UN agencies teams (1 day- January 2018)
• Draft SBAR and presentation of the preliminary findings to UN Albania, prior to sharing the reports be shared with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders. Then, preliminary analysis, findings and recommendations shared with the Ministry of Finance and Economy for comments.  (10 days- by January 2018)
• Final report writing: Reflecting key findings and agreed recommendations. (4 days) (end January- February 2018)
• Presentation/Workshop to discuss key findings of the report (1 day) (first week of February 2018)
• Finalize SBBR based on feedback received. (3 days) ( third week of February 2018)

To prepare the SBAR, the consultants should explore the following areas:

• Trends in budgetary allocation and expenditure towards SDGs and its related targets within overall Government of Albania MTBP. Clear outline given of definitions of sector and sub-sectors used;
• Comparison of stated policy objectives and expenditure allocations/disbursements against SDGs in the MTBP. Tools and frameworks used for the annual budget planning and execution will also taken into consideration and explained as a source of data.   
• Identification of bottlenecks in the systems and slow progress toward targets and identification of reasons why;
• Consistency of recurrent and capital budgets (recurrent implications of capital expenditures);
• Performance of Albania in relation to regional and international benchmarks and where feasible cross country comparisons. Indication of lessons from international best practice on all areas;
• Mapping of division of responsibilities, stakeholder groupings and existing coordination mechanisms. Indicate appropriate financial resources to be matched and capacity development opportunities in order to fill identified gaps;
• Mapping of financial monitoring, review and reporting modalities against SDGs, at central and local level;
• Recommendations  on  adapting  policy  and/or  financial  allocations  in  order  to  ensure consistency between budgets and policies against SDGs. Stocktaking and prioritization – identification of specific areas to pursue in the short or medium term, at central and local level.

Research methodology

The methodology will be subject to a proposal by the consultant, but should provide for adequate consultation with different Government Line Ministries, local level administration, development partners and end-users where this is desirable and feasible. It should also include a significant element of quantitative analysis, evidence based findings and an emphasis on making clear recommendations (especially for expenditure reallocations against SDGs) based on thorough, objective analysis.

Implementation Arrangements:

The Consultants will work in a team under direct supervision of the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy for the conduct of the assignment. Strong cooperation will be kept with UNRCO and UNDP- Programme Specialist.

The SBAR should be undertaken  in collaboration  with Line Ministries, and efforts should be made to ensure ownership of the conclusions  and recommendations by the Government.

[1] Assignment objectives could be further fine-tuned based on the outcome of discussion with UN agencies on the inception report

Competencies

• Experience and knowledge of the MDGs and SDGs agenda;
• Understanding of Albania’s policy priorities and national plans and its link with the global development agendas;
• Relevant experience in public expenditure management issues in Albania
• Relevant experience with public expenditure reviews
• Understanding  of  Albania’s  finance  and  economic dynamics and practices
• Strong and proven skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis methods;
• Strong capacity and record in designing and writing reports, using a wide range of evaluation approaches and toolsets;
• Strong management, facilitation, interview and writing skills and demonstrate ability to deliver quality results within strict deadlines.
• Proficiency in English and/or Albanian.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree or equivalent in relevant areas of studies such as international development, public administration, economics, statistics, social and political sciences.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in carrying out complex policy and analytical work, public expenditure management and reviews, evaluations on development policy and programme analysis and in multiple areas relevant to the SDGs;
• Previous programme and/or evaluation experience for international development agencies, preferable with the UN system;
• Experience with/knowledge on the experiences from other countries in the region on SDG mainstreaming

Language Requirements:

•  Excellent command of written and spoken English;

Evaluation Procedure

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above. UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

• Criteria   A: advanced educational background in economics, finance– max points: 20
• Criteria   B: Professional experience in public finance management and budget analysis - max points: 35
• Criteria C: Experience in working with central government and or financial institutions on economic development or related issues – max points: 15

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30.

Application Procedure

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...http://www.un.org.al/doc/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Letter%20to%20UNDP.docx
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download here.
• Financial Proposal in ALL* - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek  for the tasks specified in this announcement.  The attached template may be used - http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application.

How to Submit the Application:

How submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);

• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal, Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability  and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;

• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement); 

• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”

• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);

• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

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