Background

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance Rural Development (IPARD) component from which Croatia will benefit aims to support the candidate countries for the implementation and management of the Community’s Common Agricultural Policy and other related policies and also to contribute to the sustainable adaptation of the agricultural sector and rural areas.  The IPARD funds are to be implemented through a single multi-annual “Rural Development Programme” covering the 2007-2013 period.
 
In addition to providing information with regard the IPARD Programme to potential beneficiaries, extension/advisory services should assure the effective implementation of the Programme. The NGOs and the professional organizations have also an important role in disseminating information about IPARD and providing technical support and advice to potential beneficiaries in their areas of influence. Since the IPARD is a new experience for Croatia there is need to get the support to communicate IPARD rules and conditions correctly and efficiently. 
 
In this context responsible local and regional institutions and authorities need to develop their capacities in order to ensure sufficiently supported, trained and prepared advisory/extension services (for example regional development agencies), capable of providing targeted advice and information to potential beneficiaries. 
 
With regard to IPARD, the education/advisory/extension services should be able to fulfil following requirements:
  • Provide education and information on IPARD programme,
  • Provide information on project application and payment conditions and processes,
  • Provide practical advise on the preparation of adequate business plans, properly documented applications,
  • Manage on the spot controls,
  • Provide management support  to meet the requirements of investment and activities development,
  • Provide specific technical know-how on innovative agricultural practises and technologies according to the measures and sub-measures of the IPARD programme (e.g. advise on proper localised irrigation management in link with an investment in drip irrigation system),
  • Provide specific assistance in the field of food-processing practices related to the investments made,
  • Effectively coordinate with current UNDP projects (COAST) that provide agricultural and rural  extension and advisory services  and private stakeholder-led interventions in rural areas in order to prevent duplication of works with regard to preparation and to benefit from gained experiences,
  • Procure specific animation, project development and technical advisory services for a limited period,
  • Train existing advisory/extension services to become efficient trainers for farmers and other applicants.
Due to the complexity of tender procedures and the specific rules relating to the implementation of projects applying for IPARD funding, and having in mind the fact that clients often need consultant support for the preparation of tender documentation and project implementation, UNDP and COAST project has to establish cooperation with independent consultants for EU projects.
A precondition for an expert for Education of IPARD investors (SME sector) and Monitoring and Analysis of Project Proposals for IPARD Fund in Dalmatia is previous successful preparation of IPARD  projects for participation in tender procedures for EU pre-accession funding.

Description of the activity
There is a need for specific services of a high quality IPARD expert (consultant) who will support local and regional institutions and agricultural sector in Dalmatia during the preparation of project proposals for IPARD fund calls (or public tenders for investment in agricultural sector in Dalmatia). The expertise is in particular needed for preparation of documentation and analysis and monitoring of the whole process of tender procedures of IPARD program. He/she will also provide appropriate knowledge to the local and regional institutions (for example development agencies) on-the-job trainings and seminars.
 
The capacity and the skills that would be built through this consultancy will be especially important once the EU Structural funds for agricultural sector (which provides much higher financial support) will be at the disposal for agricultural sector in Dalmatia. 

Objectives of the assignment
The main objectives of this assignment are the following:
  • assess the present organization and operational capabilities of local and regional institutions
  • assess the present organization and operational capabilities of potential IPARD beneficiaries in agricultural sector in Dalmatia,
  • define the needs for an effective organization of institutions and beneficiaries in agricultural sector in Dalmatia in the frame of IPARD Programme
  • develop a model for an effective coordination among the different stakeholders with respect to IPARD extension/advisory services.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected consultant will familiarize him/herself with the operations, business plans, visions, missions and objectives of the potential IPARD beneficiaries in agricultural sector in Dalmatia.
 
The expert will:
 
  • Monitor the calls for project proposals, tender documentation etc. with the aim of acquiring new informations on IPARD programm for potential beneficiaries in agricultural sector in Dalmatia,
  • As a member of the interdisciplinary team he/she will analyze the business opportunities by conducting commercial, technical and financial reviews through: (a) assessing the value of present agricultural productions to make recommendations for new projects, and (b) proposing and presenting to the potential IPARD beneficiaries business opportunities financed by IPARD fund,
  • For selected projects, he/she will work with allocated staff on the preparation of tender documents or project proposals in his capacity as a team member.
  • Participate in developing business development process and procedures to facilitate the preparation of suitable tender documentation. 

Competencies

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Required Skills and Experience

The consultant should have:
 
  • At least University degree in the field of economic, law or political science,
  • At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of EU funds, regional and rural development,
  • Good understanding of green business concept and familiarity with COST project area
  • At least 3 projects financed by SAPARD/IPARD fund - prepared and implemented in Croatia,
  • At least 5 years of professional experience in providing education and training for potential beneficiaries in the field of SAPARD/IPARD funds, (delivering quality seminars, lectures and workshops),
  • Understanding of Croatian custom, trade and tax low,
  • Good understanding of the institutional and legal context of agricultural sector in Croatia and EU (IPARD Agreement between Croatia and EU);
  • Excellent writing, presentation  and reporting skills,
  • Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
 
OFFERS

Financial offers containing consultants daily rates will be sought only from shortlisted candidates who have passed the technical evaluation threshold. Financial offers should consist of gross daily fee in HRK.
 
Those individuals that apply on behalf of a company are requested to include a signed and stamped Company Profile in their application package. Company Profile is a brief narrative which consists of the type of business, number of employees (minimum 4), client records etc.
 
Selection criteria:
The evaluation criteria are attached for ease of reference.
Applicants are invited to throughly review the Evaluation Criteria and include all information relevant to evaluation of the advertised position within their Curriculum Vitae or their Application Letter. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.