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National Consultant - Private Sector Expert for a Study on Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh

Dhaka

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Banking and Finance
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • Governance and Peacebuilding
    • Scientist and Researcher
    • Public, Private Partnership
    • Disability Rights
    • Sustainable Business Development
    • Impact investing, Social venture capital
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

BACKGROUND

The Government of Bangladesh (GoB), as a signatory of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, has adopted a ‘whole of society’ approach and engaged the private sector, NGOs, CSOs, think-tanks, academia, and media for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Going forward, GoB has a commitment to meet the twin objectives of achieving SDGs and national development aspirations. To do so, the country has done all the preparatory works. Bangladesh has integrated SDGs into its five-year plan, conducted a data gap analysis, completed the financing strategy, developed a national action plan, and designed a monitoring and evaluation framework for SDGs. These are expected to be the important building blocks to guide strategies in achieving the SDGs.

Bangladesh has achieved commendable progress in the last two decades. The country has maintained a stable economic growth rate that averaged over 7 percent and achieved major successes in several socio-economic parameters. Bangladesh intends to sustain a high GDP growth rate to succeed in reducing poverty rapidly through inclusive employment generation. Nonetheless, exogenous shocks including the impact of climate change and the strain capacity of the country to mitigate those risks may threaten the remarkable progress that Bangladesh has achieved so far and can make the attainment of SDGs by 2030 challenging. Thus, in the coming days, the country will require to work on innovative strategies for resource mobilization and implement the economic policies effectually to attain the SDGs as well as national development aspiration of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2031 and a high-income country by 2041.

To recover from the economic and social impact of COVID-19 crisis, the General Economics Division (GED) of the Bangladesh Planning Commission has prepared the 8th Five Year Plan (8FYP). Aside from COVID-19 recovery, the acceleration of GDP growth, generation of employment, and reduction of poverty are in the center of the 8FYP. The GDP growth acceleration from 7.4% in the 7FYP to 8.0% in the 8FYP period will create enough new employment opportunities for new labour entrants. It has been projected that 3.52 million additional jobs will be created during the years 2021-2025. This will contribute to reducing youth unemployment and curb the stock of underemployment in Bangladesh. Here, the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs) are expected to play an important role in creating non-farm jobs for a large proportion of the population, particularly for the less educated youth population in both rural and urban areas in Bangladesh. During the 8FYP period, topmost attention will be given to protect the jobs and enhance new jobs in CMSMEs. The GoB will work on infusing dynamism in CMSMEs to accelerate inclusive growth and achieve the SDGs by the year 2030.

Strengthening Institutional Capacity for SDGs Achievement in Bangladesh (SC4SDG) project jointly financed by UNDP Bangladesh and UNEP-PEA4SDGs is supporting GED through providing technical assistance in the evidence-based policy formulation, implementation, localization, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and outreach of SDGs in Bangladesh. The project also aims to extend support to the GoB in aligning finance and investment with poverty, environment, and climate objectives. The project, in association with the GoB, will put an effort into designing innovative strategies for resource mobilization and unlocking financial opportunities. As the implementation of SDGs goes forward, the project will provide technical support to the GoB to design an inclusive business model to encourage investment, focusing on CMSMEs and build bridges between businesses and the poor for mutual benefit that go beyond immediate profits and higher incomes.

GUIDANCE FOR THE STUDY

The study is supposed to emphasize on constructing an inclusive business model to encourage investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh. The following points should be considered while conducting the assignment.

  • Understand the inclusive business models and their relevance for the development of the private sector, particularly CMSMEs;
  • Analyze how inclusive business models can help to overcome barriers in doing business with the poor;
  • Assess the existing instruments to promote inclusive business models;
  • Review the inclusive business models and best practices adopted by other countries; and
  • Examine the measures required at the policy level to promote CMSMEs.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

This study focuses on fabricating an inclusive business model to encourage investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh. The assignment will give emphasis to

  • Understand the importance of CMSMEs for broad-based job creation and sustained economic growth followed by poverty reduction in Bangladesh;
  • Assess the impact of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on CMSMEs in Bangladesh;
  • Evaluate the current investment scenario and financing barriers (e.g., access to finance) for CMSMEs;
  • Analyze how digital adoption can be beneficial for the CMSMEs; and
  • Design an ‘inclusive business model’ considering the gender issues for bolstering investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

  • Review the SDGs carefully, especially SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 10;
  • Critically analyze the CMSMEs in Bangladesh and the nexus between investment in CMSMEs, employment, economic growth, and poverty eradication;
  • Evaluate the existing policies and programmes for CMSMEs in Bangladesh;
  • Assess the effect of COVID-19 on the CMSMEs;
  • Scrutinize the current investment scenario and financing barriers (e.g. access to finance) for CMSMEs and recovery pathways;
  • Examine the alleyways to promote investment in CMSMEs for achieving SDGs;
  • Ascertain how CMSMEs can be benefitted from access to digital tools and practices and effective use of digital technology;
  • Analyze the relevant national and international documents on innovative strategies for resource mobilization and inclusive business models;
  • Assess the inclusive business models proposed or best practices adopted in other countries to benefit the low-income communities;
  • Comprehend how inclusive business model can contribute to green recovery of CMSMEs from COVID-19;
  • Write the inception report covering the understanding of the assignment, initial assessment, proposed methodology, detailed work plan, timeline, and draft content of the report;
  • Conduct consultation meetings with the relevant state and non-state stakeholders;
  • Write the draft report ‘Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh’ with a special focus on promoting female entrepreneurs based on the review and consultation; and
  • Incorporate the comments and feedbacks of GED, concerned ministries/divisions, and SC4SDG project and finalize the report ‘Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh’ with a special focus on promoting female entrepreneurs.

DELIVERABLES

Key deliverables of this assignment shall include

SL.

Deliverables/Outputs

No. of Days Required

1.

Inception report

      06

2.

 Draft report ‘Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh’

      24

3.

Final report ‘Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh’

     10

Total

     40

 

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: The assignment is scheduled for 40 working days over a period 04 months starts from August 2021.

DUTY STATION : Dhaka

SUPERVISION, REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of SC4SDG will be the focal point from the management point of view of the assessment under the guidance of GED. The consultant will report to the CTA of the SC4SDG project and will also receive guidance from the GED. UNDP will play the role of a facilitator and will be responsible for ensuring the quality of the assignment in line with the GED requirements.

INPUTS

The   consultant  is  expected  to  largely work   from home. The consultant should be present at the project office, as and when required, to share the work plan, methodology, and progress of the assignment.

The SC4SDG project will assist in scheduling meetings and consultations and producing the necessary background information to prepare the above deliverables

Travel and DSA 

The project will not provide any DSA for the travel separately. In case of any travel at the duty station as well as outside the duty station is required within the 'scope of work', the individual contractor will need to mention the cost in the financial proposal.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: 

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards (human rights, peace,understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, result orientation (UNDP core ethics), and impartiality);
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; and   
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

  • Capability to participate effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaboration and cooperation with others:
  • Flexible and positive to change through active involvement;
  • Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills;
  • Ability to work independently, produce high-quality outputs, and meet deadlines;
  • Strong interpersonal skills; and
  • Ability to work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Minimum Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Management, Social Science, or related fields.  

Experience:

  • At least 15 years of professional experience in academia, think tanks, research institutions, government institutions, UN agencies, and other international organizations;
  • At least 3 years’ experience of working in CMSME area;
  • At least 5 years’ comprehensive knowledge and proven experience in Global Goals such as MDGs and SDGs, innovative financing strategies, and inclusive business models; and
  • At least 7 years’ demonstrated experience in producing analytical reports based on quantitative and qualitative data and information management.

Language:

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Bangla

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, 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 70% point in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria

Weight

Max. Point

Technical:

70%

70

Educational qualifications

15%

15

Experience of working in CMSME area

10%

10

Comprehensive knowledge and proven experience in Global Goals such as MDGs and SDGs, innovative financing strategies, and inclusive business models

15%

15

Demonstrated experience in producing analytical reports based on quantitative and qualitative data and information management

15%

15

Professional experience in academia, think tanks, research institutions, government institutions, UN agencies, and other international organizations

15%

15

Financial:

30%

30

Total

100%

100

All technical 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 received 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.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payment:

Lump-sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump-sum amount and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the ToR. To assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump-sum amount as indicated in Annexure-II.

Payment of the Consultant as per deliverables:

SL.

Deliverables/Outputs

% of Total Payment

1st Installment

Inception report

15%

2nd Installment

Draft report ‘Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh’

60%

3rd Installment

Final report ‘Inclusive Business Model to Encourage Investment in CMSMEs in Bangladesh’

25%

Total

100%

 DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Proposal

  • Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
  • Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/her self as the most suitable for the assignment and Work plan, as to how they will approach and completed the assignment. Provide link for the relevant publications (at least 2);
  • Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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