Promoting strategic planning and financing for sustainable development on national and subnational level in Ukraine

Background

At the United Nations Sustainable Summit held in September 2015, 193 UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, operationalizing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 specific targets.

Following the 2020 call of the UN Joint SDG Fund, more specifically its Component 1: Reinforce the SDGs financing architecture, UNDP Ukraine as the lead agency, together with the resident country agencies WHO and UNICEF, and the non-resident agency UNECE, are implementing the initiative Promoting strategic planning and financing for sustainable development on national and regional level in Ukraine. This Joint Programme outlines an integrated response to the need of the Ukrainian government to optimize resource allocation towards national development ambitions and their alignment with the SDGs agenda. It builds on two outcomes, which individually frame engagement and outputs at national and sub-national level:

Outcome 1: Ukraine´s national SDGs planning and financing architecture is improved;

Outcome 2: Decentralized SDGs development planning and financing architecture is improved at regional level.

The implementing agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, and UNECE) are individually responsible for specific activities under the two respective outcomes. Taken together, the Joint Programme will result in better ways of managing existing – and potential – finance flows for strategic change to enhance alignment of available resources to long-term development priorities and achieving the SDGs in Ukraine. Promoting and supporting establishment of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) is central to this ambition. Additional methodologies and tools that will be employed include Development Finance Assessment, RIA+, Budgeting for SDGs, PPP legal and regulatory frameworks review, systems for public strategic planning, health expenditure review, among others.

As lead Convening/lead agency for the Joint Programme, UNDP is responsible for the programme’s operational and programmatic coordination. Moreover, UNDP is responsible for preparation and consolidation of the programme’s reporting, provided by the other participating agencies, and for submission to the UN Joint SDG Fund Secretariat (through the RCO).

As implementing agency, UNDP is responsible for activities related to Development Finance Assessment, Budgeting for SDGs and activities focusing on review and strengthening of strategic planning and budgeting processes (at national and regional level). The activities have been designed in close dialogue with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, which will provide technical guidance and support. The activities will entail direct and high-level engagement with line ministries and national authorities, International Financial Institutions, and development partners.

Implementation of SDGs require involvements of various stakeholders at different tiers of government and is necessary to collect all information for the SDGs implementation in order to update or enhance internal policy prioritization based on Agenda 2030.

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and track record for the position of a National consultant on to support develop communication materials on SDG financing in Ukraine. The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager in liaison with Democratic Governance Team Leader, the incumbent will be responsible for communication support of the SDG Financing Joint Programme and related activities on the Integrated National Financing Framework in Ukraine.

 

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

No.	Deliverables	Deadline
Deliverable 1	Based on Joint Programme Communications Plan for 2021 SDG Financing Programme and in line with the JP AWP, develop communication plan related to the SDG Financing Project implementation   Expected result: Communication plan for 2021 – 2022 with concrete deadlines and responsible stakeholders developed and agreed VPM/SCMU	15 October 2021
Deliverable 2	Based on the developed reports on DFA, RIA and SDG budget tagging (will be provided by UNDP), propose short version of the reports that need to be visualized and promoted via communications channels of the implementing partners and the government counterparts, including social networks   Expected result: Reports DFA, RIA and SDG budget tagging analyzed and short version of the reports that need to be visualized proposed (UNDP will engage designers to support with design of the developed materials)	15 December 2021
Deliverable 3	Develop communication materials focusing on SDGs Financing in Ukraine   Expected result: 5 info materials (brochures, leaflets or booklets) related to SDG Financing developed and agreed (UNDP will support with design of the developed materials) At least 20 draft interviews, press releases, articles, social media posts or media publications focusing on SDG financing in Ukraine including Integrated National Financing Framework, Rapid Integrated Assessment (RIA), Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and SDG Budget tagging developed (texts to be cleared with the government counterparts and UNDP) 1 article on SDG Financing in Ukraine and programme achievements developed and published (the platform to be agreed with UNDP communications unit)	30 May 2022
Deliverable 4	Assess coverage of the communication materials produced and develop short report (up to 5 pages)   Expected result: Coverage of the produced communication materials assessed, and short report (up to 5 pages) developed	15 June 2022

Proposed payment schedule:

UNDP will provide payments upon provision of deliverables duly certified by UNDP in accordance with the table above. UNDP will be the ultimate authority to control the quality of work results and assess the Contractor’s performance during the assignment. The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the UNDP Project Manager.  Payments are made in four tranches as per the Schedule of payments indicated in the table above.

 

In particular, the payment schedule will be as follows:

Deliverable 1   20%

Deliverable 2   30%

Deliverable 3   30%

Deliverable 4   20%

 

Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The consultant will work under overall guidance of UNDP Project Manager of the Democratic Governance team, and in close day-to-day coordination with the other project consultants. Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with Democratic Governance Project Manager on a regular basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). All reports and presentations shall be submitted in English. 

 

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree (Specialist) or equivalent in public administration, media relations, journalism, social sciences or related field

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in public relations, communications or advocacy
• Relevant professional experience specific professional experience in communication production including digital, presentations, events, and video
• Relevant experience in cooperation with the state institution related to communication issues
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization/foundation is an asset

Languages

• fluency in Ukrainian and basic knowledge of English is required.

 

Skills to be evaluated during validation interview stage with technically compliant candidates:

• Knowledge of state standards in software development;

• Strong managerial and leadership skills, notably planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling, problem solving and decision-making;
• Mature judgment combined with a proactive, energetic approach to problem solving; excellent interpersonal skills;
• Integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent writing, proficient communication and organization skills.

 

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

Required
	Letter of interest/proposal, explaining why the applicant considers him- or herself the most suitable for
	Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees, including clearly stated information about previous projects
	Financial proposal

 

Financial proposal

 Lump sum contract

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 a number of anticipated working days).

Travel costs

Should any travel be necessary in connection to this TOR, UNDP will reimburse the expenses based on the duly authorized travel details, including travel and per diems.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

 

1. Evaluation criteria

Educational background – 10 points max:

• 10 pts – PhD in public administration, media relations, journalism, social sciences or related field;
• 8 pts – Master/Specialist Degree in public administration, media relations, journalism, social sciences or related field

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in public relations, communications or advocacy – 25 points maximum:

• 25 pts – more than 10 years;
• 22 pts – 8-10 years;
• 19 pts – 5-7 years.

Relevant professional experience specific professional experience in communication production including digital, presentations, events, and video – 15 points maximum:

• 15 pts – more than 5 years;
• 13 pts – 5 years and less.

Relevant experience in cooperation with the state institution related to communication issues – 10 points max

• 0 pts –more than 5 years;
• 8 pts – 4-5 years;
• 6 pts – 1-3 years.

Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization/foundation is an asset– 5 points max

• 5 pts – the candidate has previous experience;
• 0 pts – the candidate does not have previous experience.

Language skills - 5 points max:

• 5 pts – fluency in Ukrainian and English;
• 3 pts - fluency in Ukrainian and basic knowledge of English

 

EVALUATION METHOD

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative 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 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer.