Jobs

Le PNUD est le réseau mondial de développement du système des Nations Unies. Le PNUD prône le changement et relie les pays aux connaissances, à l’expérience et aux ressources pour aider les gens à se construire une vie meilleure. Présent dans 177 pays et territoires, le PNUD offre une perspective mondiale et des connaissances locales aux peuples et aux nations.

La mission du PNUD au Maroc est double. Par son expertise internationale, il propose au gouvernement marocain des analyses et des solutions adaptées aux défis des solutions de développement.

En outre, le PNUD joue un rôle fédérateur dans la mobilisation et la coordination de nombreux partenaires nationaux et internationaux autour d’un agenda commun : la réalisation des Objectifs de Développement Durable (ODD). Le portefeuille des programmes de développement du PNUD Maroc se concentre sur trois thèmes prioritaires :

Consolider le développement durable.
Réduire les inégalités.
Promouvoir la gouvernance et le soutien à la mise en œuvre de la régionalisation avancée.

Afin de mettre à disposition et partager en temps réel et opportun les informations sur les enjeux de développement au Maroc, les résultats, les bonnes pratiques et les initiatives des projets et programmes appuyés par le PNUD au niveau national, régional ou corporate, divers outils de communication sont développés (écrits, audio-visuels).

Le PNUD renforce ainsi la capacité de son unité communication à relever ces défis en recrutant un/une stagiaire en communication. Il s’agit d’une expérience enrichissante pour les étudiant.e.s souhaitant acquérir de l’expérience dans la production de matériels d'information publique (imprimé, vidéo et web), dans la communication axée sur les résultats et la gestion de la communication dans un environnement onusien, mais aussi l’amélioration de leurs compétences rédactionnelles. Le/La stagiaire travaillera au sein de l’Unité Communication.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Office/Unit/Project Description:

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigation services to UNDP and its affiliated entities. OAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls. OAI also responds to allegations of misconduct by conducting and reporting on investigations.

The Investigations Section of OAI is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as procurement fraud, corruption and bribery, theft and embezzlement, retaliation on whistleblowers, workplace harassment, abuse of authority, reckless or grossly negligent disregard of UNDP regulations, rules, and administrative instructions, that involve UNDP staff, contractors and other applicable persons. The Investigations Section is also tasked with investigating allegations against parties external to UNDP of financial irregularities committed to the detriment of UNDP. In addition, OAI undertakes proactive investigations in high risk areas that are susceptible to wrongdoings, fraud and corruption.

OAI conducts investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations, the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct, and the OAI Investigation Guidelines.

OAI needs to engage a suitably skilled and experienced International Personnel under the International Personnel Services Agreement (IPSA) to support OAI/Policy, Quality Assurance and Special Investigations Unit.

Institutional Arrangement

The IPSA holder will be tasked by or on behalf of the Investigations Advisor, Head of the Policy, Quality Assurance, and Special Investigations Unit. The work performed by the IPSA holder will be submitted to the Investigations Advisor, Head of the Policy, Quality Assurance and Special Investigations Unit.

Qualifications

This assignment requires the services of an individual consultancy that can demonstrate adequate analytical capacity and expertise with the following minimum qualifications:

Education:

• Must have at least Advanced University degree (Masters’) in Environmental Studies, Development studies, Natural Resource management or related field of study

Experience:             

• Minimum 5 years professional experiences and familiarity with coastal climate change impacts and adaptation measures and other climate issues.
• Demonstrate understanding of sustainable development issues and challenges in the natural resource and environment sector.
• Experience in environmental safeguards instruments like EIAs

• Previous experience on EIAs in developing country would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English required.

How to Apply

Qualified consultants are hereby requested to apply with the following required information:

• Brief letter of application.
• Personal CV indicating relevant professional experience.
• Brief description (max. 2 pages) of the proposed methodology and approach on how they intend to carry out the assignment.
• Financial proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (including professional fee and specified other costs if applicable including travel costs and DSA).

Note:

• The information in the breakdown of the offered lump sum amount provided by the offer or will be used as the basis for determining best value for money, and as a reference for any amendments of the contract.
• The agreed contract amount will remain fixed regardless of any factors causing an increase in the cost of any of the components in the breakdown that are not directly attributable to UNDP.
• The breakdown of budget shall include local travel related to this assignment.

Please note that applications will only be considered if they include ALL of the items listed above. Also note that UNDP job portal website only allows for one document to be uploaded, so please combine all the above-mentioned items into one single Word or PDF document before uploading.

Evaluation criteria

The award of the contract will be made to the consultant that obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method”.

Technical Competence (based on CV and technical proposal)           Weight 70%              Max. Point 700

Academic qualification:                                                                                 10%                             100                                                     

Advanced University degree (Masters’) in Environmental                               10%                              100

Studies, Development Studies, Development Management,

or related field of study.                           

Methodology                                                                                                    40%                         400                                                                     

A well develop approach to the assignment detailing                                       30%                          300

among other things methodology and approach

to the assignment suitable to the required ToRs.

A well develop work plan relating to the scope of                                            10%                           100

the ToRs included as per the technical proposal.

Experience relevant to the assignment                                                       20%                           200

Previous working experience indicating similar                                              10%                            100

assignment with updated CV submitted

as an attachment to the technical proposal.

Previous experience on EIA                                                                          10%                             100

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 Points)                                                        30%                            300

Financial proposal in spreadsheet indicating all costs related to the proposal     30%          300

Total Score                Technical Score *70% + Financial Score *30%

Harnessing the potentials of the oceanic economy, also known as blue economy, has emerged as a crucial development opportunity for optimum use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. Accordingly, the Government of Sierra Leone has embraced the emerging concept of the Blue Economy as a mechanism to diversify its economy and realize ocean-based sustainable economic development. However, to date, the country has explored only a few Blue Economy sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and port facilities, using traditional methods. This, thus presents opportunities as well as challenges for exploring these blue economy sectors, including the fishery, maritime trade and shipping, energy, tourism, coastal protection, aquaculture, mining, maritime safety, and surveillance, addressing environmental changes and managing carbon discharge, and introducing innovative technology for further development to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

Considering the above, the UNDP through its Natural Resource Management (NRM) portfolio, supported the Government of Sierra Leone to develop a Blue Economy Strategic Framework (BESF) for harnessing the country’s oceanic resources, through a national consultative process, including desk reviews. The final draft strategy reflects an inclusive and integrated approach to the Blue Economy management that would guide policies going forward. With the recent validation of the BESF, it is critical that an implementation strategy which will include the overall timeline, a breakdown of priorities for each year along with the criteria for prioritization. The strategy should also consider potential collaboration and partnership beyond government institutions i.e. UN APF, NGOs and IFIs.

In view of the above, the services of a National Consultant are required for a minimum of 30 working days to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Blue Economy Strategic Framework, including working with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to consolidate the various inputs and produce the final strategy document.

Sierra Leone launched its fourth Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) in 2019 to accelerate the country’s development. This plan set an ambitious vision for the country’s sustainable development path and targets stable economic growth, alongside progress in poverty reduction, education, health, and peace and cohesiveness. Plan realization is an important step in the country’s journey out of fragility towards its vision of becoming an inclusive, green, middle-income country by 2035, but a key bottleneck is lack of financial resources. The total estimated cost of the MTNDP is US$8.15 billion for the period 2019 to 2023. According to the Ministry of Finance fiscal projections for this period, discretionary and non-discretionary expenditures including direct development (domestic and foreign), totaled US$6.60 billion, there remains a financing gap of US$1.55 billion. Bridging this gap requires a wide range of resources that go beyond public finance, as well as policy reforms for equal participation of women, especially from rural communities.

In view of the above, UNDP commissioned Development Finance Assessment (DFA) to support the realization of the MTNDP. The DFA scanned the financing landscape, analysed financing trends and opportunities, and assessed the potential for various forms of public and private financing to contribute towards the objectives of the MTNDP. It produced 18 recommendations adopted in the plan implementation chapter of the MTNDP including the establishment of an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF). INFFs are the architecture used within government to bring together a coherent approach to financing national sustainable development that incorporates public and private forms of financing. As such, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development undertook the preparation of an INFF strategy supported by UNDP to operationalise DFA recommendations. The INFF prescribes several instruments and policies that government can use to promote growth through resource mobilisation and job creation in the economy in line with the overall objectives of the MTNDP. As part of the operationalisation, a new secretariat was established at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED) supported by the Joint SDGs Fund (UNDP and UNCDF) to support institutions strengthen domestic resource mobilisation to support SDGs financing in the country. A national coordinator superintends the activities of the secretariat in line with the INFF strategy.

Implementing partners such as the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Fiscal Decentralisation Division of the Ministry of Finance, National Revenue Authority, Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce and National Social Security and Insurance Trust have been implementing Joint SDG Fund project activities for almost two years now towards enhancing domestic resource mobilisation for development.

Contributing outcome and output

United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2023 Outcome 2: By 2023, people in Sierra Leone benefit from more gender- and youth-responsive institutions that are innovative, accountable, and transparent at all levels and can better advance respect for human rights and the rule of law, equity, peaceful coexistence, and protection of children, girls, and persons with disability

Output 2.6: Government has strengthened Public Financial Management

Output 2.7: Government-wide national M&E system of development results strengthened

Outcome 4: By 2023, the most vulnerable, particularly women, youth,

adolescents and children (especially girls), and persons living with disabilities are empowered and benefit from increased social protection

services, economic and social opportunities

Output 4.5: Vulnerable groups have improved entrepreneurial and, financial literacy, and employability

Country Programme Document (CPD) Output 2.4: Capacities of targeted local councils improved to deliver on devolved functions and manage resources

The Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for 2019-2023

Pillar-I: Domestic Public Finance

Pillar-II: Private Sector Investment and Financial Services, and

Pillar III: Development Cooperation

Implementing Partners

Ministry of Planning & Economic Development; Ministry of Finance

Bank of Sierra Leone; Directorate of Science; NASSIT National Pension Fund; SLANGO; FAMBUL TOK; Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Banks; Sierra Leone Association of Microfinance institutions; and Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce

The project theory of change relies on several interventions that work in tandem with activities planned or underway to improve domestic resource mobilization through improved policies, systems, and outreach. Increasing government revenues for enhanced social service spending (Activity 1) and more lending to the private sector, as well as financial inclusion (Activity 2), are mutually reinforcing to ensure that both economic and social development advance in tandem, as neither will be as successful without progress on the other.

Activity 1 – Improved Government Revenue Collection

If Public-Private Dialogue occurs under this JP between NRA and businesses, particularly those businesses currently operating in the informal sector, to build trust and better understand obstacles to tax payment by businesses;

If awareness is raised among the public on how taxes are used to benefit the country through Public-Private Dialogue under this JP and events like annual Taxpayers Day planned initially for 2020 (AfDB support);

If more Tax Preparers are trained to support SME tax filings through an ongoing program (AfDB support);

If NRA improves its overall tax administration capability through data management improvements (IMF support);

If NRA adopts an integrated tax administration system (ITAS) consolidating different accounts for the same taxpayer into a single account for a more simplified and transparent system (World Bank support);

If NRA enhances collection of the existing Goods and Services Tax though an ongoing program that includes expanding the use of electronic cash registers (AfDB support);

If NRA has improved capacity for tax collection and auditing of businesses and individuals due to the digitization of tax filing and collection systems and support on compliance by Tax Inspectors Without Borders under this Joint Programme (JP);

Then, GoSL will increase revenues and increase spending on SDG social programs, while and other parties, such as donors, the private sector, and the diaspora, will recognize this commitment and the improved fiscal environment and increase financial flows to Sierra Leone for SDG realization,

Because the culture will transition from one of tax avoidance to responsible tax payment, SMEs will have the support and tools necessary to be tax compliant, NRA will increase its capacity and efficiency for tax collection and auditing, and the country will demonstrate its full commitment to funding the SDGs and stabilizing the fiscal environment

Activity 2 – Increased Domestic Capital Accumulation

If Public-Private Dialogue occurs under this JP among the Ministries of Finance, Planning, Trade and other state institutions, financial institutions, and civil society groups representing consumers to identify types of savings products that would encourage more privately held savings to be deposited in the formal banking sector;

If financial institutions design savings products that respond to the needs of individuals and SMEs and market these products throughout the country;

If those lacking financial literacy skills are well trained to improve their confidence is dealing with money matters and the formal banking sector (ongoing UNCDF project);

If consumer confidence in the banking system is enhanced by the development and publicizing of legal protections for banking consumers (ongoing UNCDF project);

If Public-Private Dialogue occurs under this JP between Bank of Sierra Leone, financial institutions, and potential third-party banking agents to develop a plan to reach areas of the country not currently served by commercial banks;

If Bank of Sierra Leone continues to develop its agent banking guidelines with technical assistance under this JP and support is provided for implementation systems;

If ongoing initiatives with the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Sierra Leone and mobile phone service providers to develop mobile banking services throughout the country are accelerated under this JP;

If the national pension fund (NASSIT) is provided with technical assistance under this JP to digitize contributions from businesses and promote use of the fund, thus making it easier for businesses of all sizes to contribute to the fund;

If NASSIT is provided with technical assistance under this JP to improve its governance and assess the composition of its investment program and consider modifications to better channel investments towards SDG realization;

Then participation in the formal banking sector will increase along with use of savings products; groups currently lacking financial literacy and access to banking services, including women in rural areas, will have improved skills and access; and, more funds will be available for SDG investment,

Because increased funds accumulated in savings products by individuals and SMEs, and the increased capital in the national pension fund, would be available for lending to the private sector, and a re-oriented investment program of the national pension fund could direct more funds to large-scale SDG investment projects.

1) BACKGROUND

In 2014 the Government of Timor-Leste created the Special Administrative Region (SAR) and established the Special Zone of Social Market Economy (ZEESM) in Oé-Cusse district (an enclave nestled within Western Timor province of Indonesia and with an estimated population of 85,000).  As part of the rollout process, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been providing the ZEESM office with policy advice and support since its establishment. The framework for this support was built around two components: (i) governance and (ii) sustainable and innovative development, which aligns with the priorities articulated under East Timor’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 to establish special zones of the social market economy to transform the lives of the people of Oé-Cusse with an integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development.

In 2022 the Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Special Zone of Social Market Economy (ZEESM) and UNDP agreed on continuing this support through the implementation of “Support for Institutional and Sustainable Development of Oé-Cusse Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Special Zone of Social Market Economy (ZEESM TL) –Phase III 2022-2025” project which aims to create sustainable economic opportunities, promote resilience to climate change, and ensure quality public services by supporting three key components; I) Livelihood and Economic Diversification, II) Clean and Safe Water and Forest Management and III) Effective and Accountable Governance.

Despite some progress over the years, the Region’s livelihood development and economic diversification remain underachieved. The employment rate of the working-age population was 47.8% (43.2% for women; 52.3% for men) which was higher than the national average of 45.2%. However, most of them are self-employed or “contributing family workers” who work in ‘vulnerable employment’ (70.9%). Tourism sector is seen as an opportunity to increase the livelihood of the population of Oé-Cusse and Community Tourism is one of the strategic pillars of ZEESM TL to achieve development in Oé-Cusse.

Oé-Cusse is one of the least-explored tourist destinations in South-East Asia and also in Timor Leste. It is blessed with diverse unspoiled landscapes, indigenous flora and fauna, abundant marine life, a complex history, traditional cultures, and hospitable communities. While the richness and diversity of Oé-Cusse tourism products offer huge rewards to adventurous, discerning, and nature-conscious travellers, tourism is still in its infancy stage. Oé-Cusse hosts just a handful of international travellers, with most of the visitors being domestic, and the contribution to the economy is minimal.

In order to promote Oé-Cusse as preferred destinations for travel, the Regional Administration is seeking to developing the regional tourism marketing strategy to attract both international and national visitors to the region and develop institutional partnerships to enhance Tourism industry in the region.

This terms of reference (TOR) defines scope of work, expected outputs/deliverable, key qualifications etc. of an international consultant to support the Project and the Regional Administration to develop the tourism marketing strategy to increase the inflow of visitors into the region.