National Consultant (SDGs Statistician)

Background

Organizational context:

Adopted by the world’s Heads of States and Governments’ representatives on 25 September 2015, including the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA), the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda includes 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets that are expected to guide sustainable development efforts around the globe until 2030.

The SDGs aim at focusing on the integrated pillars of Sustainable Development that had been at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): economic, social and environmental. The SDGs further include development elements that rely on institutions that were not part of the MDGs framework and comprise peace and justice components.

In this context, GoIRA has taken actions to affirm its commitment to attaining the SDGs by:

• Setting up a unit within the Office of the Chief Executive that focuses on the provision of political support and policy advice, the nationalization of the SDGs, the adoption of oversight and cooperation mechanisms to ensure the implementation of SDGs and a stronger cooperation with the private sector, civil society and community organizations.

• Supporting and designating the Ministry of Economy (MoEc) as the lead line-ministry and focal point for coordination, monitoring and reporting on SDGs.

UNDP is supporting the MoEc in nationalizing the SDGs based on the country’s priorities as well as in setting up national level coordination structures. The project will also assist in aligning the National SDGs with the national development strategies, planning and budgeting process to ensure that the progress along the development plans will denote progress on the SDGs.

To achieve the SDGs, the participation of different stakeholders is necessary to best implement the SDGs. Therefore, the process towards the achievement of the SDGs, and more globally of the Agenda 2030, should include civil society, private sector, development partners, traditional leaders, religious organizations, citizens and other stakeholders. These actors play vital roles in society as agents of accountability and service delivery.

The 2030 Agenda points to the centrality of civil society in linking the SDGs’ global ambition with the realities and rights of people affected by the practices and impacts of the private sector. Therefore, the assistance of private sector and development partners is important in terms of providing support to the achievement of the SDGs. Furthermore, an organized and empowered civil society is a key accountability mechanism for the private sector and the SDGs. It is up to civil society to ensure that private sector’s activities related to SDGs occurs in an accountable manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Deliverables:

Under the direct supervision of the A-SDG’s Project Manager and in collaboration with the MoEc and the Office of the Chief Executive, the Consultant will carry out the following:

Technical support for Afghanistan SDGs:

• Develop data gap analysis for the A-SDGs indicators and data, including data collection gaps assessment for the A-SDGs.

• Carry out analysis of data availability for A-SDGs indicators in coordination between MoEc, CSO and leading/supporting budgetary entities to identify data gap and modalities for disaggregated information and reporting for each A-SDG indicator.

• Mapping of indicators by data availability on each goal.

• Analyze and validate the A-SDGs Indicators’ baselines in close consultation with MoEc, CSO and other relevant ministries and stakeholders.

• Develop, finalize and obtain approval of the data gap analysis report.

• Support the MoEc, CSO and leading/supporting budgetary entities to set targets for SDG indicators.

• Support the alignment of A-SDG indicator framework with M&E framework of national development plans.

• Support preparation and development of national A-SDG reports and statistical analysis report.

• Support the assessment of national data ecosystems, to identify the specific needs of policy-makers and development stakeholders.

• Support capacity building for policy-makers and other development stakeholders to use analytical tools and methodologies that leverage data and statistics for sustainable development.

A-SDG indicators development:

• Support methodological development and norm setting for selected SDG indicators, under the guidance of relevant thematic clusters and in line with existing working mechanisms.

• Support national data collection and reporting of selected SDG indicators at regional and global levels.

Research and analysis:

• Support the application of approved A-SDG tools and initiatives such as the Rapid Integrated Assessment (RIA) and others at the country level.

• Explore cutting-edge approaches and emerging trends in the field of statistics for development, data innovations and inclusive data ecosystems.

• Support development of knowledge products and advocacy (internal and external).

Expected Key Deliverables:

• A-SDGs data gap analysis methodology is completed, prepared and published.
• Statistical Analysis of the A-SDGs indicators, baselines and annual targets is completed and published.
• Technical verification of the available data for A-SDGs indicators is carried out and published.
• Mapping tool for data analysis and verification of the A-SDGs is prepared and published.
• Statistical analytical tools for the A-SDGs National Development Strategy has been developed and applied.

Payments under the contract shall be delivery based and be made on receipt of the specific milestone deliverables on monthly bases and including a timesheet according to UNDP procurement formats for individual contractors. These shall be as indicated in the table above and shall be made upon approval by the relevant A-SDG manager. The draft of the report will be reviewed by GoIRA’s stakeholders. Upon receipt of final comments, the consultant shall finalize the report for formal acceptance by GoIRA and UNDP/SDG management at which point the final payment shall be released.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Maturity combined with tact and diplomacy;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism. 

Special skills requirements

• Shows ability to communicate and to exercise advocacy skills in front of a diverse set of audience
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multiethnic environment;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to work independently with strong sense of initiative, discipline and self-motivation.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent, in Statistics, Econometrics, and Economics or related disciplines and he/she must be familiar with advanced statistical software.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the areas of statistical analysis, policy and framework development in national and international agencies or post conflict countries.
• Experience in mapping and statistical analysis of the stakeholders to achieve Millennium Development Goals is an advantage.
• Experience in development programmes, preferably with international agencies in Afghanistan.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
• Excellent computer skills (word processing and statistical data analysis).

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement. Knowledge of Dari, and Pashto is desirable.

Working Arrangements

Institutional Arrangements:

The consultant will work under the supervision of the SDG Project Manager. The consultant shall work in close collaboration with international consultant, staff of the A-SDG project and will liaise with relevant ministerial authorities as and when required.

SDG project office will provide office space and internet facility, logistical and other support service including transport and security applicable to UNDP international personnel. The consultant, however, is expected to bring his/her own laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs (A-SDG project will provide a local pre-paid SIM card). Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs to and DSA during field visits (if any), etc. shall be covered by the A-SDG project.

Duration of the Work

The performance under the contract shall take place over total contract duration of 6 Months (with maximum 130 working days) excluding joining and repatriation travel days.

Duty Station

The duty station for the contractor is Kabul, Afghanistan for the entire duration of the contract. The contractor will be required to report regularly and be present at the Ministry of Economy during the working hours, security conditions permitting. The contractor will follow the working hours and weekends as applicable to UNDP project staff. Contractor’s movement for meetings and consultations shall be coordinated by UNDP A-SDG project office.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

• Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee which should be inclusive of his/her professional fee, local communication and transportation costs. The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 130 working days.

Payments shall be done monthly based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of specific reports and approval by the consultant’s supervisor and a timesheet according to UNDP procurement formats for individual contractors.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

• Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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 weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 70%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Proposal 70%

Technical proposal (30 marks):

• Technical Approach & Methodology (20 marks) – Explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach;

• Work Plan (10 marks) – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the Client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan;

Qualification and Experience (40 marks) [evaluation of CV for shortlisting]:

•     General Qualification (15 marks);

•     Experience relevant to the assignment (25 marks).

Documents to be included when submitting the Proposals:

Interested consultants (Statistician) must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II); as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Personal CV indicating all experience from similar projects.

Technical proposal:

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;

• A methodology, including a workplan, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.