CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT APPLICATION IN SELECTED MINISTRIES AND DISTRICT COUNCILS
Location :Lilongwe, MALAWI
Application Deadline :20-Mar-14
Additional Category:Management
Type of Contract :Individual Contract
Post Level :National Consultant
Languages Required :English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)20-Apr-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :50 Working days
Background
The Government of Malawi, with support from the United Nations System is implementing the Development Effectiveness and Accountability Programme (DEAP) whose interventions include institutionalizing Results Based Management (RBM) in the public sector. RBM is a management strategy by which all actors, contributing directly or indirectly to achieving a set of results, ensure that their processes, products and services contribute to the achievement of desired results (outputs, outcomes and higher level goals or impact). The actors in turn use the information and evidence on actual results to inform decision-making on the design, resourcing and delivery of programmes and activities as well as for accountability and reporting. (UNDG, RBM Handbook).
A great deal of effort has been made in introducing RBM concepts and principles. Over 90 officials from line ministries and district councils have participated in RBM training. A Manual for RBM has been developed and is used in institutions as a point of reference for the main RBM concepts. There is a good understanding of the benefits of the RBM approach and its attributes. While more training is required to attain a critical mass in appreciation of RBM in the public sector, it is felt that a systematic approach should be followed to allow practical roll-out to institutions. Against this background the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) has set up a core team for RBM. With support from DEAP the core team will be involved in Government's efforts to facilitate the application of RBM practice in selected line ministries and departments and district councils.
Duties and Responsibilities
The overall objectives of the assignment are to ) assist in rolling-out RBM practice and pilot implementation in selected ministries and districts and (b) assess training needs of Implementing Partner staff in the six pilot Ministries and District Councils and (c) compile RBM case studies that can be used for illustration purposes during RBM training.
The consultant will work very closely with the DEAP Project Coordinator based in MEDP and the RBM core group established by MEPD whose membership includes staff from MEPD, OPC and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. He/she will report to the Secretary for Economic Planning and Development through the Director of M&E.
The consultant's duties and tasks will include the following:
- Support the core team for RBM established by MEPD to roll out RBM to three line ministries and three districts including finalization of the roll out action plans, stakeholder engagement plans in selected district councils and ministries and coordination of related working sessions and staff trainings;
- Liaise with the appropriate government institutions to ensure that complementary support and services including programme based budgeting to the RBM roll out process is provided in a timely manner;
- Undertake RBM training need assessment of staff in the six pilot institutions;
- Develop six case studies (one for each of the six pilot institution) based on staff experiences and RBM practice in the 6 pilot institutions. The practical case studies shall be developed in such a way that they can be used for up-dating the existing RBM training manual and for the on-going RBM regular training by the UN;
- Prepare a handbook for introducing and implementing RBM in district councils and government ministries; and
- Prepare a report on the lessons learnt and proposals for application of RBM in the public sector.
Deliverables
- An inception report within seven days after contract signing, proposing a detailed work plan for the assignment;
- A handbook on RBM district and ministerial roll out;
- Training Needs Assessment Report on RBM in the 6 pilot institutions;
- Six RBM practical Case Studies developed and to be used for up-dating the already existing RBM training manual and on-going training by the UN;
- A final report consolidating all of the above with the outcomes of the pilot trainings conducted, the lessons learned and a plan for future further enhancement of the capacity building for RBM.
Implementation arrangements
The consultant is expected to be fully self-sufficient in terms of office equipment and supplies, communication, transport and accommodation. The consultant will work closely with the core team for RBM coordinated by MEPD, the DEAP programme coordinator, the DEAP advisor and will collaborate with the consultant for PBB in MoF.
The consultant will report to the Director of M&E in MEPD. The RBM core team will serve as a reference group for the consultant and the DEAP Programme Management and Coordination Committee will provide further guidance for the successful completion of the assignment. The consultant should provide regular feedback on the progress of the assignment and should ensure strict adherence to timely delivery of all reports and expected deliverables.
Timeframe
The assignment is for a maximum of 50 full-time working days over a period of 6 months from the date the contract is signed. The assignment is expected to be carried out between March 2014 and September 2014.
Methodology
The Individual Contractor (IC) will determine the most appropriate methodology.
- Report Requirements
- Before each payment, the IC will produce a progress report on his/her work
- Before the final payment, the IC will produce a final report compiling all his/her deliverables
Documents to be included:
- Technical Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;
- Financial Proposal;
- Personal CV (P11 Form) including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
Proposals must include all three documents. Proposals not meeting this requirement will be rejected.
Financial Proposal
Contracts based on daily fee
The financial proposal will specify the daily fee, travel expenses and per diems quoted in separate line items, and payments are made to the Individual Contractor based on the number of days worked.
Travel
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station in Lilongwe, repatriation travel.
Evaluation
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
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:
- Responsive, compliant, acceptable; and
- 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.
Competencies
The specialist is expected to have core competencies allowing him/her to support the PM:
- Promoting Ethics and Integrity/Creating Organizational Precedents;
- Building support and political acumen;
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
- Building and promoting effective teams;
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
- Fair and transparent decision making;
- Calculated risk-taking.
Additionally, he or she is expected to have functional competencies allowing him or her to support the PM:
- Contributing to positive outcomes for the client in a client based approach that:
- Anticipates client needs;
- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
- Demonstrates understanding of client's perspective;
- Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services;
- Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
- Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.
- Ability to work cooperatively and constructively with counterparts;
- Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary teams.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- At least a Master's degree in Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Political Science, Law or any other related social science discipline.
Experience:
- At least seven years experience in planning, monitoring, policy coordination in Government;
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in RBM;
- Previous experience in delivery of training and training of trainers.
Language
- Excellent drafting and communications skills in English.
