Back Consultant (Lao Nationality Only) to support the Ministry of Planning and Investment for the preparation of the 9th NESDP

Background

The United Nations in Lao PDR with UNDP as lead technical agency and in close collaboration with other development partners has supported the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and related ministries on national planning, including the development of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP; 2016-2020), the Mid-term Review of the 8th NSEDP and the localization of the Agenda 2030. 

The National Socio-Economic Development Plan is the Government's overarching framework for the development of Lao PDR. Building on the findings of the Mid-Term Review of the 8th NSEDP, the Government through the MPI is now preparing the 9th NSEDP (2021-2025). The primary objectives of the new plan are the well-being and equality of the people, sustainable socio-economic development; smooth transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, with graduation expected in 2024; and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no one behind. Moreover, the intention is for the 9th NSEDP to be an overall framework linking with sectoral strategies, to be costed, and to have a strong results and M&E Framework. To the extent possible the 9th NSEDP should be linked to provincial plans. 

To date, a number of areas have been identified for in-depth research to help define the plan priorities. These include but are not limited to structural economic transformation; inequality and regional disparities; business environment; agricultural productivity; disaster management, prevention and mitigation; rule of law and governance and people’s participation; human resources development; social protection; and access to quality education and health.

The draft  of the 9th NSEDP should be finalized and ready by late 2020 for review at the 10th Ordinary Session of National Assembly’s 8th Legislature and presentation at the Round Table Meeting now being proposed for February 2021. . The Plan is expected to be formally endorsed by March 2021.

The key objective of this assignment is to assist the Department of Planning of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (DOP/MPI), in particular the NSEDP drafting team, in formulating a high-quality national plan. Specific work assignment includes working in close coordination with the International Adviser Dr. Swarnim Wagle who is normally based in Nepal and will be undertaking work visits to Laos. The National Consultant is expected to serve as an active interface between the International Adviser and the DOP/MPI team.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP, on behalf of the UN is seeking a highly qualified national consultant to support the international consultant / Advisor who provides technical inputs and advisory guidance for the development of the 9th NSEDP, including the coordination and analysis of the various technical inputs, and consultation with Government, as well as with the development partners via the Round Table Process for Policy Dialogue and the ten Sector  Working Groups. 

In the overall context of strong national ownership of the 9th NSEDP across the Government ministries and agencies, with a well-coordinated and integrated UN country team engagement and with a core technical policy support from UNDP, the National Consultant reports directly both to the International Consultant and DOP/MPI management. The National Consultant is also expected to work very closely with UNRCO and UNDP country office.  

The key tasks and responsibilities are the following:

• Assist the International Consultant in macro-economic and social data collection (secondary data and desk research), processing, analysis and visualization;
• Under the guidance of the international consultant research and write-up of policy briefs as specific inputs to the 9th NSEDP;
• Compile documents, reports, etc. which could be used as reference for the development of 9th NSEDP
• Translate technical inputs provided by International Consultant, or from international development literature, into Lao language;
• Translate Lao texts – especially drafts of evolving sections of the 9th NSEDP into English as needed or required by International Consultant;
• Attend meetings to take notes and prepare minutes and summaries;
• Prepare slides and present relevant technical inputs, in consultation with the International Consultant, to the DOP/MPI drafting team;
• Assist in consecutive/simultaneous interpretation for International Consultant during in-country missions as needed; and
• Perform other relevant tasks required by DOP/MPI management to support the drafting team, including translation of relevant documents.

III. Scope of work 

The scope of work for this assignment is to directly support the International Consultant to fulfill the required tasks in providing technical and advisory inputs for the development of the 9th NSEDP as well as serve as an interface between the international consultant & DOP/MPI. The National Consultant shall work under the guidance of the International Consultant whose main tasks and responsibilities include the following:

Drafting of the plan

• Assist the development of a costed results and M&E framework for the 9th NSEDP, around Outcomes and Outputs, with LDC graduation, SDG and green growth indicators mainstreamed into the framework;
• Provide technical support on localizing the Agenda 2030, LDC graduation and the green growth agenda into the 9th NSEDP;
• Provide inputs / support to ensure consistency between the 9th NSEDP and the national long-term development strategy (2016-2025) as well as the vision 2030; 
• Assist DoP in costing the 9th NSEDP and mapping available resources through liaison with the Ministry of Finance and line ministries; and
• Assist DoP in aligning/linking 9th NSEDP costing to the SDGs.

Coordination of inputs 

• Guide and coordinate inputs from the various technical experts contributing to the development of the 9th NSEDP, including those at the UN Regional Offices and HQs;
• Guide and coordinate the absorption of findings from policy research;  
• Support DOP-MPI and the international consultant on consultation with development partners and other stakeholders, in particular through the Round Table Process and its Sector Working Groups;
• Support the incorporation of inputs received from Government, development partners and other stakeholders; and
• Support the design and implementation of an inclusive consultation process, including with central government ministries and institutions, sub-national/sector government actors, development partner agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives.

Competencies

• Good understanding of the LDC graduation, Agenda 2030 and green growth agenda is an asset;
• Prior experience with UNDP/UN agencies or international organizations, particularly in developing countries, is an asset;
• Ability to understand highly technical documents and transpose into simplified language to ease and facilitate a common understanding amongst partners; and
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English and Lao languages.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Public Administration and Governance, Development and Public Policy, Political Science or other relevant fields;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supporting / working in a team with international consultant/s with similar assignments will be a comparative advantage;
• Extensive experience in economic data research and analysis, reviewing and conducting literature reviews, and drafting policy brief and strategic documents to support the government of Lao PDR;
• Past experience working to support the development of the sectoral or national plans will be a definite advantage;

Requirements for submission of proposals:

All interested and qualified National Consultant should apply on-line using the following links:

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available on the link below

1. TOR Annex I

2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II

3. IC contract template

4. OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III

5. P11 Form

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY” 

•  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work;

• Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable;
• P11 Form  Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services;

 Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work;

Financial proposal (Using the Offeror’s Letter, Annex III form)

• Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable.

Instructions for on-line submissions:

• Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically;
• Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above;
• Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

• Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected.

  Please kindly refer to the Terms of Reference Annex I TOR for detailed information on:

  Project’s background

  Scope of work and Responsibilities

  Deliverables

  Requirements for Experience and Qualifications

  Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail: surith.sengsavang@undp.org with CC to somsay.ouanphilalay@undp.org

  UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

  Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. 

  Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

  For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at

  https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html

   

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected.

Please kindly refer to the Terms of Reference Annex I TOR for detailed information on:

Project’s background

Scope of work and Responsibilities

Deliverables

Requirements for Experience and Qualifications

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail: surith.sengsavang@undp.org with CC to somsay.ouanphilalay@undp.org

UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. 

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at

https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html