Terms of Reference
Consultant/ Economist for Value for Money Analysis-CBDRM component of BDRP programme
November 2019
1. Background
Concern Worldwide is an international, non-governmental, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern has been working in Pakistan since 2001, when it initiated an emergency response project to address the Afghan refugee crisis in Baluchistan. Concern later moved into emergency, early recovery, and long-term development programming implemented though local NGO partners in Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Sindh provinces.
Concern’s aim is to help people living in extreme poverty achieve major improvements in their lives which last and spread without on-going support from Concern. To achieve this aim Concern engages in long term development work and seeks to address the root causes of extreme poverty. Concern understands extreme poverty based on the following three dimensions;
a. Lack of and/or Low Return to Basic Assets (unique to extreme poverty),
b. Inequality (causes, maintainers and obstacles),
c. Risk and Vulnerability (causes, maintainers and obstacles).
To address the issues of risks and vulnerabilities in flood affected areas, the Community Based Disaster Risk Management component of the Building Disaster Resilience in Pakistan (BDRP) programme funded by DFID is designed to improve the resilience of targeted communities in 9 districts[1] of Pakistan over a period of 4 years. The project targets poor men and women to make them more resilient to natural disasters. This Programme has the following outputs.
Output 1: Target communities have effective disaster risk management structures in place to take up and advocate resilience-building measures;
Output 2: Target communities and households are prepared to (a) cope with climate related natural disasters and (b) adopt risk reduction measures, and
Output 3: Target communities & households are introduced to sustainable livelihoods and environmental management practices for resilience building.
2. Purpose of the consultancy
The specific purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a Value for Money analysis of the programme taking into account the indicators set out in the VfM framework. These indicators are divided into various categories including Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Equity. The Consultant/VFM Economist will review and refine these indicators if required and will establish a system for costs’ calculations by tracking actual expenses on quarterly or need basis. On the basis of this working the consultant will submit VfM analysis reports to Concern Worldwide. While conducting the VFM analysis of the programme, the Consultant would also be expected to compare unit costs at the various levels with available data from other DFID funded programmes and will highlight differences between the CBDRM programme and other similar programmes. In addition the consultant would provide relevant and applicable recommendations to improve value for money in the programme through revisions to procurement methods, other cost drivers if required.
3. Objectives and Specific Tasks to be undertaken by the Consultant(s)
The following are the major tasks the consultant is expected to undertake.
- Value for Money analysis of programme taking into account the indicators set in VfM framework.
- If required, to refine these indicators as per DFID’s guidelines.
- Establish a system for costs’ calculations by tracking actual expenses on quarterly or need basis.
- Work closely with the programme M and E team in linking the existing monitoring system with the proposed VfM approach.
- Submit a VfM analysis reports to Concern Worldwide Pakistan.
- A comparative with available VfM data from other programmes.
- To highlight and report success stores from the programme showing good value for money.
- To find opportunities for improving value for money through appropriate revisions of procurement methods and other cost drivers where applicable and feasible.
4. Outputs
The consultant(s) will produce following key outputs
- Value for Money analysis of programme under the headings of Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Equity for all or some programme activities
- VfM analysis reports and case studies based on successes from VFM perspectives in the programme
- A report on analysis by comparing VfM with available data from other programmes which should consist success cases of good value for money
- Recommendations for improving value for money through timely re-appropriation of procurement methods, costs and complementarities
The outputs can be further adjusted based on the need of the programme and donor.
Payments will be made in instalment as per the set milestones agreed in the contract agreement. Apart from this Digital copies of all reports/documents will be required by Concern at the end of the set deadline.
5. Lines of Communication
The consultant will report to Concern’s M&E Specialist and will liaise closely with the Team and Deputy Team Leader of the CBDRM component of the BDRP Programme, as well as the Finance and Contract Specialist, and other Specialists and relevant Advisors from Concern’s headquarter (Dublin). Apart from this regular meetings and interactions with the relevant team of Consortium partners will be made to discuss and finalize each output mentioned in section 5. In addition if required, consultant may be asked to present his/ her work in Consortium Technical Working Groups for broader understanding and feedback of Consortium Partners.
6. Timeframe
The consultant/VFM Economist will be engaged on intermittent basis for a period of 90 working days spread over 10 months starting from November 2019 to Sep 2020. Based on scope of work, consultant can be engaged for 15 days either spread over a quarter (equally for 5 days in a month) or in single month. The assignment will involve field visits to programme districts. A break down can further be discussed once consultancy is offered.
Outputs
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By when
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Value for Money analysis of programme around Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Equity for all or some programme activities
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On Quarterly basis
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VfM analysis reports to CWP and donor
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By the end of quarter
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A report on analysis by comparing VfM with available data from other programmes.
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By The end of quarter
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Developing and documenting case studies from good VFM of the programme
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Quarterly/six monthly basis
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Recommendations for improving value for money through re-appropriation of costs and complementarities
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During the quarter
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7. Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualifications
Concern Worldwide is seeking an experienced consultant/Value for Money (VFM) Economist with the following expertise:
- Post-graduate degree(s) in Economics with at least 5 to 6 years’ relevant experience in applying this to programmes run by international NGOs.
- Strong knowledge of VfM approach in resilience building programme with multiple hazards including floods, drought and earthquake context with special focus on CBDRM, WASH, shelter, Infrastructure, on-farm and off-farm livelihoods.
- Proven and similar experiences of developing VfM systems including expenses tracking systems (based on different indicators), methodologies and tools for costs calculations, preferably for DFID funded projects with a focus on resilience building.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent communication and drafting skills in English.
[1] Punjab: Jhang, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral Sindh: Ghotki, Kashmore, Dadu, Tharparkar