Background
In 2021, UNDP and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan initiated the joint project “Strengthening institutional, statistical capacity and IT capacity of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan”, which is a logical continuation of the previous project and aims at strengthening the institutional, statistical and IT capacity of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan (TurkmenStat). Under the second component of the project, it is planned to continue work on the conceptual transition to the 2008 SNA and expanding the scope, degree, detail and quality of national accounts and complementary economic statistics.Within this component of the project, the international consultant to assess the current situation on transition to SNA 2008 and develop recommendations for further implementation of SNA 2008. And one of the recommendations was improvement of assets valuation and fixed capital consumption calculations. Over the past years, the CIS countries have made significant progress in implementation of the 2008 SNA. However, most countries face serious issues, the solution of which is a need to obtain more reliable indicators for accounts and providing on their basis a comprehensive macroeconomic analysis. One of these issues is that the method of calculating the consumption of fixed capital remains highly simplified; countries have no experience in using the method of continuous revaluation; the stocks of fixed assets provided by enterprises are usually valued at purchase prices of the respective years, and not at replacement cost (in current market prices), which distorts the measurement of consumption of fixed capital. In this regard, under the second component of the project, the UNDP is looking for an International Consultant to support the State Statistics Committee in the implementation of the 2008 SNA by providing expertise on valuation of assets and calculations of consumption of fixed capital, the introduction of the method of continuous revaluation.
Duties and Responsibilities
The main objective of the assignment is to strengthen the methodological, information and personnel potential in the area of national accounts of Turkmenistan in accordance with the requirements of the SNA 2008. Under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the International Consultant will be responsible to carry out the following tasks: 1. a) With support of a national consultant review the existing documents related to implementation of SNA 2008, existing methodologies, reports, statistical forms, and other necessary documents related to valuation of assets and calculations of consumption of fixed capital in Turkmenistan to identify major gaps and opportunities for improvement of calculations of fixed capital consumption. b) Hold online meetings, roundtable discussions, consultations with participation of representatives of the State Statistics Committee, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Central Bank of Turkmenistan to analyze the current situation on calculations of fixed capital consumption and present the international experience, UN recommendations on calculations of fixed capital consumption, valuation of assets. c) Based on the above, prepare comprehensive report of the existing situation on calculations of fixed capital consumption in Turkmenistan, including recommendations to improve the calculations of fixed capital consumption applying the method of continuous revaluation.Task Deliverables: comprehensive report on the existing situation on calculations of fixed capital consumption in Turkmenistan, including recommendations to improve the calculations of fixed capital consumption applying the method of continuous revaluation. Revise it in case of need.
Number of days: 10, Location: 10 days home based
2. Conduct Round table or two-day training on calculation of fixed capital consumption in accordance with SNA 2008 for representatives of the State Statistics Committee, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Central Bank of Turkmenistan and present and validate the comprehensive report of the existing situation on calculations of fixed capital consumption in Turkmenistan, including recommendations to improve the calculations of fixed capital consumption applying the method of continuous revaluation. Prepare draft agenda, presentations and hand out materials for the event/workshop and revise them in case of need. Submit a complete final report, including recommendations for establishment and calculation of calculation of fixed capital consumption in compliance with international standards and UN recommendations.
Task Deliverables: Conducted two – day training/workshop (virtual or physical participation) on calculation of fixed capital consumption in accordance with SNA 2008 for representatives of the State Statistics Committee, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Central Bank of Turkmenistan, where the final version of the above-mentioned report with recommendations would be presented and validated.
Number of days: 7, Location: Home based/and in Ashgabat (depends on COVID-19 situation, resuming of international flights to/from the country and quarantine requirements- 5 days mission to Ashgabat)
3. Develop a methodology aligned with SNA 2008 for calculating fixed capital consumption applying the method of continuous revaluation and conducting experimental calculation and present it to relevant stakeholders. Task Deliverable: Methodology aligned with SNA 2008 for calculating fixed capital consumption applying the method of continuous revaluation, including relevant indicators and statistical forms developed. The draft methodology finalized, taking into account the feedbacks from relevant stakeholders obtained during online meetings. Support to TurkmenStat in applying a new methodology and conducting experimental calculation of fixed capital consumption in accordance with SNA 2008 provided. Round table discussions with participation of the relevant stakeholders (the State Statistics Committee, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Central Bank of Turkmenistan) to present a new methodology and experimental results is held. Final methodology and final report are submitted. Number of days: 23, Location: Home based/and in Ashgabat (depends on COVID-19 situation, resuming of international flights to/from the country and quarantine requirements- 5 days mission to Ashgabat)
Deliverables and timeframe: This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. Payment will be released in three installments: 1st installment: 30% (for deliverable 1), 2nd installment 20% (for deliverable 2), 3rd installment 50% (for deliverable 3) upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan. PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The comprehensive report on the existing situation on calculations of fixed capital consumption in Turkmenistan, including recommendations, the end of July or beginning of August 2022.
The comprehensive report with respective recommendations on improvements, till the end of the August 2022.
The draft Methodology for calculating fixed capital consumption applying the method of continuous revaluation and final report, December 2022,.
The average number of days to be worked each month shall be in the range of 5-25 working days; The calendar duration of the contract is estimated within 6 months. The total number of working days is 40 calendar days with two five days missions to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan(depends on COVID-19 situation, resuming of international flights to/from the country and quarantine requirements).. The missions could be replaced by online meetings, workshop, etc. The final schedule of field missions and deliverables may be discussed and agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment. It is expected that the international consultant carried out the above-mentioned tasks and visit Turkmenistan to hold round table in August or September 2022 and the second round table in October or November 2022.
Payment conditions: This is a deliverables-based contract and shall also include the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables and travel costs of two mission. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. Payments will be released in three installments upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan. The calendar of deliverables and schedule and number of associated payments is subject to changes and revisions based on the consultant’s proposed plan to implement the assignment and the assignment action plan to be agreed and cleared by UNDP provided that the overall number of working days do not exceed 40 working days and the number and general nature of deliverables described above not reduced.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies: - Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards. - Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. - Treats all people fairly without favoritism. - Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.Functional Competencies:
- Good knowledge of statistics, preferably national accounts and economics. - Good understanding of SNA 2008; - Excellent facilitation and communication skills. - Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- University Bachelors’ degree in Statistics or/ and Economics. Higher degree in these fields is an advantage.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in statistics, preferably on national accounts (5 years). - Good knowledge of international standards in the area of statistics, including SNA 2008; - Previous relevant work experience with the UN or other international organizations is an asset; - Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS, Central Asia and other countries with similar environment is an advantage.
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian would be an asset.
Submission of applications: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: All experts applying for this position are required to provide:
• Cover Letter which contains a brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; (maximum 2 page) • A summary of experience in similar assignments. • Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html. The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amount. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.); • Personal CV form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html.
Evaluation of proposals: Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant and having received the highest score – out of 100 points;
Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70%; and for financial criteria 30%. The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided: - Education in Statistics and other related fields – 20 pts; - The experience (at least 5 years) in statistics, namely on national accounts –25 pts; - Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS, Central Asia and other countries – 10 pts; - Methodology-20 pts; - Interview – 10 - Fluency in English –10 pts; - Fluency in Russian –5 pts. • Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation Additional requirements for recommended contractor: Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.