TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A CONSULTANT ON DEVELOPING LIVESTOCK TAX MODULE FOR LDF GUIDELINE
BACKGROUND
The Government of Mongolia has been implementing the “Sustainable Livelihoods Program” (SLP), which is funded by the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank Group. Within the broad framework of the Program, the specific project development objective under the current SLP3 Project is “to improve governance and community participation for the planning and delivery of priority investment in rural areas of Mongolia.”
The project comprises the following components: (i) Capacity building for Local Governance and Livelihoods (Component 1); (ii) Good Governance Performance-Based Support Program (Component 2); (iii) Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (Component 3).
The Project aims to support the implementation of the objectives of the Integrated Budget Law related to good governance by building rural local governments’ and communities’ capacity for local development, and by strengthening regulations and guidelines for the Local Development Fund (LDF). With this background, the SLP 3 focuses on supporting participatory processes and building capacity in the local governments to support successful implementation of the LDF at the soum level in accordance with the provisions of the LDF regulations. The project aims to provide local authorities and communities with a detailed how-to guideline, and with the necessary training and technical assistance related to the LDF operations in the areas of participatory planning, project appraisal and prioritization, procurement and project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, asset management and maintenance. In this regard, the five technical modules of the LDF guideline have been developed. In connection with the adoption of the new Livestock tax law, the Budget Law stipulates that the Livestock Tax will be spent at the soum level according to the Regulation on LDF activities. To meet the requirements of laws and regulations related to LDF activities and to be enforced at the local level, it is necessary to develop the Livestock Tax Module, and to do a compilation of all the modules into an integrated guideline would be further needed. Once the LT module becomes available, training materials will have to be developed to facilitate the delivery of the needed capacity-building activities to the target audiences. In this regard, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is seeking a consultancy (“the Consultant”) to develop the detailed LT Module under LDF guidelines and develop the related training materials.
OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of this assignment is to develop a Livestock Tax (LT) Module under the LDF guidelines and compile all modules to strengthen the LDF processes and practices at the soum level and develop the related training materials.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Project Consultant, in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies and PIU, will develop the LT Module of the LDF Guidelines and will advise on the development of capacity-building training materials and manuals in line with the SLP-3 project goals, and procedures, and the Livestock Head Tax law of November 13, 2020 and any subsequent guidance relating to the LT issued since then.
Detailed roles include:
(a) Desktop review
• Review and analyze LT-related legal documents and background information and documentation/studies on the LDF and the new LT law, and related study documents such as agriculture, livestock, and pasture management, including previous analytical work supported by the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
• Study and analyze the projects implemented in previous years for livestock and pasture land development, and projects to be implemented in 2022 with the livestock tax approved by soum Citizens’ Representative’s Khural
(b) Recommend adjustments to the current LDF processes of sub-project prioritization, technical screening, and approval that would best respond to the objectives and requirements of the LT financing for the LDF
(c) Develop an LT module for the LDF that:
• Explains the objective of the guideline and introduce its contents and flow;
• Provides a general background to the LT including the legal requirements;
• Identifies the various stakeholders in the LT implementation and clarify their roles and responsibilities and avenues for technical advice, coordination and collaboration;
• Introduces requirements and best practices of LT related project implementation;
• Includes any other essential information and guidance on the eligible projects that can be covered under the technical module according to livestock development and pastureland management;
• Reviews and compiles the modules into a comprehensive LDF guideline inclusive of the LT module;
• Modifies the LT module based on issues identified during the review in close consultation with the Client and other stakeholders /MoFALI/;
• Edits the module to improve the graphic and visual representation of the information, data, and guidance using infographics and prepare the documents for final publication.
(d) Design and develop training materials to enhance the capacity of local authorities (including the Local Project Officers (LPOs), members of the Aimag Level Support Team (ALSTs), and other potential trainers for soum Governor’s Office staff other relevant soum authorities):
• Develop training materials including presentations, exercises, and case studies for delivery of the contents of the LT Module to the relevant stakeholders at the local level;
• Carry out pilot training on the developed content for selected soum GO staff; and
• Review and finalize the training materials based on the feedback received from the pilot training.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES
• Incentive report on review and analysis of past experiences and survey findings in LT including LDF /livestock-related projects/.
• Draft Livestock Tax Module compiled into LDF guideline.
• Draft Training Materials
• Final LDF guidelines inclusive of finalized LT Module and training materials.
CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATION/SELECTION CRITERIA
• A suitable candidate should have an advanced university degree in Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Education, and a relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Education, and Pasture management
• Experience in developing training materials and manuals
• Fluent English and Mongolian;
• Be proficient in PC-based applications such as Word, Excel, and data management, and have excellent web research and navigation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function effectively and collaboratively in a team environment with high integrity and accountability;
• Be able to undertake field trips outside UB.
CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITIONS:
The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, July 2016.
If you possess the above qualifications, please submit a cover letter indicating why she/he considers her/himself suitable for the position, a detailed CV highlighting skills/experience, a copy of diplomas or certificates, and two references from the last two employers no later than noon, 11 February, 2022. Only those successful candidates will be contacted. The application documents shall be submitted in person to the below address. The submitted documents will not be returned to the applicants. Incomplete applications would not be considered. If you need any further details, please feel free to contact us.
Contact address: Procurement Specialist, SLP-3, 8th Floor, Tod Tower, Ankara street-23, 4th khoroo, Chingeltei district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Tel: 7000-9828.