2241 Expert for IBM i2 Analyst Notebook Software

Background

Purpose

To assist the Serbian Tax Administration (STA) – Tax Police Department in strengthening professional capacities for data structuring and analytics by providing customized training in the use of IBM i2 Analytical Notebook software.

Objective

To provide assistance to the Tax Administration in the implementation of the Tax Administration Transformation Programme Action Plan for the period 2018 – 2023.

Background information

The Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Public Financial Management Reform Program (PFM RP) in November 2015.  It represents a comprehensive and integrated framework for planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring the progress in the implementation of a set of sustainable actions to improve macro fiscal stability, to ensure efficient and effective allocation and use of public resources and to improve service delivery by the Serbian public administration, whilst at the same time fulfilling the necessary requirements for European Union (EU) accession. In that sense, it addresses a broad range of issues grouped under six pillars:  (1) Sustainable Medium-Term Macro-Fiscal and Budgetary Framework, (2) Planning and Budgeting of Public Expenditures, (3) Efficient and Effective Budget Execution, (4) Effective Financial Control (5) Accounting Monitoring and Financial Reporting and (6) External Scrutiny of Public Finances.

The implementation of this program has been readily supported by the European Commission, SIDA, SECO, SDC, UNDP and GIZ since 2015 and while much has been done in the previous two years, actual implementation of the reform measures has been moderate due to challenges that the public administration has been faced with in the previous period.  Nevertheless, the PFM RP represents a key development since it provides a basis for planning and implementing essential reforms in a structured manner.

The Serbian Tax Administration has been implementing the Tax Administration Transformation program since June 2015, in line with the PFM Reform Program and the Economic Reform Programs for the period 2017-2019 and 2018-2020.  The basic objectives of the Tax Administration Transformation Program include the rationalisation and optimisation of core business processes, introducing new methods and solutions for increasing tax collection, upgrading the existing infrastructure and working environment and increasing the overall quality of work, while at the same time, maximising services provided to taxpayers.

The Action Plan of the Transformation Program for the period 2018-2023 defines the structural changes aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Tax Administration in performing its core business activities.

UNDP in Serbia supports the Government’s efforts in this area and closely collaborates with the key institutions involved in these processes - such as the State Audit Institution (SAI), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Public Procurement Office (PPO), Tax Administration, Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM), Judicial Academy (JA) and other relevant entities.

Support provided through this project component shall contribute to reducing the tax evasion by strengthening the capacities for operational analysis and intelligence activities of Tax Police Sector of the Serbian Tax Administration. The Tax Police Sector is a specialised organizational unit of the Serbian Tax Administration with a mandate to prevent and detect and process tax crimes and their perpetrators. The strategic direction of the Tax Police, in terms of carrying out its basic function, is to direct existing human and material resources to prevent and suppress the types of tax crimes that pose the greatest threat in tax collections which are in the competence of the Tax Administration.

In line with the abovementioned, the UNDP Serbia is seeking a qualified and experienced expert to assist the Tax Police Sector in strengthening professional capacities for data structuring and analytics by providing customized training in the use of IBM i2 Analytical Notebook software.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The consultant shall, in close collaboration with STA management and UNDP project team, assist the Tax Police Sector by conducting the following activities:

1. Organize and conduct consultations with relevant personnel of the Tax Police Sector in order to gather key inputs for adequate design of the Training program.

2. Prepare the Training program and practical exercises for the 5-day training in I2 Analyst notebook software (including content of the training). Content of the training must include at minimum:

• Creating an association chart
• Creating a temporal chart
• Search and analyse
• Importing and additional importing
• List items
• Visual search
• Find linked
• Find path
• Clustering
• Using sets
• Combining attributes

3. Deliver the 5-day training in practical use of I2 Analyst notebook, in person, in premises of the Tax Police Sector, in Belgrade.

Duties, responsibilities and key milestones

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Required documents (Deliverable 1.) shall be delivered in electronic form in Serbian language.  Training (Deliverable 2.) shall be delivered in Serbian language.The premises for the above-listed workshops will be provided by the Tax Administration, while the consultant will bear the costs of his / her own transportation / accommodation to the intended location. Presentation at the workshops will be in person with respect to epidemiological measures.All deliverables will have to be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP Portfolio Manager in consultation with the Tax Administration National Project Director.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.

Functional competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of Crime Analyses and Crime Intelligence Sector
• Good research and analytic skills;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the public sector;
• Ability to express ideas clearly, to work independently and in teams;
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• MA in IT related field.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the field of electronic evidence used in Cybercrime investigation, Digital forensics, and Organized Crime Investigation
• Experience in I2 Analyst notebook
• Experience in analysing information using I2 Analyst notebook
• Proven experience in development and delivery of trainings, preferably in the area in practical use of I2 Analyst notebook
• Experience in working with governments.

Language

• Full working proficiency in English and Serbian language is required. 

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 3 June 2021.

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).  
• Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx. The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded. 

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields.

Financial Proposal:

Lump sum contracts

 The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments 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).

Evaluation

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable in terms of relevant experience and academic background, and

b) 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 would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.   If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP.  Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on:   https://rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/downloads/General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) shall be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity Template of Reimbursable Loan Agreement with General Conditions could be found on: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc. In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract: 

(i) A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and

(ii) The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.     

UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.   Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.   The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status, and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.