A. BACKGROUND

Mongolia received a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Strengthening Fiscal and Financial Stability Project (SFFSP). The objective of the SFFS Project has been to contribute to the Government of Mongolia’s efforts to strengthen fiscal and financial stability and improve the quality of expenditure. The project is designed into five components: (A) Strengthening Macroeconomic and Fiscal Management; (B) Improving the Efficiency of Public Financial Management; (C) Enhancing Financial Sector Stability; (D) Strengthening the Social Protection System; (E) Project Management and Monitoring. For more details, please refer to the Project Appraisal Document Report No PAD22691.

The Development Financing Division (DFD) of Develop Financing and Investment Department (DFID) of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is responsible for developing and coordinating cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and its partner countries, international banks, international financial institutions. Within its mandate of integrated management of government external loans and grants, the MOF develops long, medium and short term policies and strategies, concludes financing agreements, organizes, coordinates and monitors its implementation. However, the MOF had not had a pooled information database of it's cooperation with development partners and uses variety of formats to record the information. Moreover, the MOF faced challenges in developing and installing software for creating an integrated database for projects financed by the official development assistance (ODA), managing, monitoring and reporting externally funded projects’ financing and execution. 

With support of the World Bank, in 2015, the MOF established result-based Monitoring and Evaluation system ODA Management Information System (ODAMIS), hosted on its website (odamis.mof.gov.mn). The focus of this system was on effective and efficient delivery of intended results of development projects, strengthening M&E network and capacity of the MOF. However, several shortcomings and issues have been identified for the system, such as accuracy of data in the database, difficulty to follow the user interface for entering new data, and inability to correct data already in the database. There has been no process or control around the older version of ODAMIS to safeguard or validate the data at rest or in-transit. In 2021, the system had been redeveloped in accordance with the approved structure and requirements, and the relevant technical environment had been configured with  the support of the project.

For the period ahead, in order to create a more comprehensive database for externally funded projects, the DFD of, DFID, MOF is planning to develop several suitable and comprehensive systems including one for recording the externally funded projects, tax exemption automation system as well as to upgrade the current ODAMIS.

B. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT 

The main objective of the consultancy service is to assist in upgrading the current ODAMIS and developing additional features in order to improve the process of reporting, the performance and the efficiency of the system, including data analysing, processing, and rectifying the system shortcomings.

C. SCOPE OF WORK

The following tasks will be conducted by the national junior consultant, at the minimum:

1. Assist in redevelopment of the ODAMIS;
2. Review and analyse the data of the ODAMIS and monitor its accuracy;
3. Cooperate with the system developer to create the templates and format for report generation from the system;
4. Support the system developer to develop the section for public information channels; 
5. Assist in finding a solution and develop the model to integrate the ODAMIS with the PIMIS;
6. Develop the design, structure, and functional requirements to develop and update the Economic Cooperation application ensuring compatibility  with the ODAMIS;
7. Assist the system developer in improving the financing request section (to include multiple transaction documents in a single request);
8. Organize trainings for PIA,  and PIU staff on system upgrades and operation;
9. Prepare presentations on updates of ODA projects and on the budget consolidations; 
10. Assist the staff of the DFD with the necessary information on ODA project financing and data; and
11. Undertake other tasks as reasonably requested and/or assigned by the Director General of DFID and Head of DFD.

D. DELIVERABLES

Based on the contracted assignments and detailed contract implementation plan approved by the client, the consultant will prepare and submit progress reports on a monthly basis including progress on the tasks above together with the relevant supporting documents and prepare and submit a final report upon completion of the assignment.   

E. CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONS/ SELECTION CRITERIA

Education:  A suitable candidate should have bachelor’s degree in the IT;

Experience: Incumbent should have at least 1 year of relevant professional experience. Candidates who have held positions in the IT sector and experience of working in central government agencies or for donor projects would be preferred;

Language skills:  Fluent written and spoken skills in both English and Mongolian languages; 

Other skills: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function effectively and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Be proficient in PC based applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and data management, and have excellent web research and navigation skills.

F. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

The consultant will report directly to the Director General of DFID. The consultant will work on a full-time basis during the period of the contract.

The consultant will work with a wide range of tasks assigned by the senior management of the DFD, and the respective government agencies’ staff on a daily basis, as necessary and appropriate, in order to attain the objectives of the mission but will be accountable to the Director General of the DFID.

All information provided to, and produced by, the consultant during the term of the assignment shall be regarded as confidential and information shall not be shared with any outside individuals or organizations.

The consultant will prepare monthly progress reports detailing the achievements and impediments in executing the entire work plan effectively. These progress reports will be discussed with the director of the DFID.

G. CONTRACT DURATION

The consultant is expected to commence the assignment in August 2022. The duration of the assignment is 8 months. 

H. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The relevant counter specialist of DFD shall provide necessary data and information to the consultant for performing the assignment. The MOF will provide office space with furniture, internet access, computer and printers. On a day-to-day basis the consultant should consult and cooperate with the MOF specialists in charge of the technical issues covered under the consultancy, collaborating with the functional admin/consultant of the ODAMIS.

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