Background

The Government of Albania is determined to fundamentally change the way public services are provided in Albania through a variety of interventions under a citizen-centric approach, which combat corruption, foster a customer-care culture, enhance access, as well as increase efficiency in the Albanian public administration.

Under the Innovative Good Governance priority, launched in April 2014, the Program “Innovation against Corruption: Building a Citizen Centric Service Delivery Model in Albania” (ISDA), led by the Minister of State of Innovation and Public Administration (MIPA), entails a multilayered reform that focuses on key administrative central government public services to reduce the time and burden for citizens and businesses and improve service delivery quality, transparency and efficiency by using innovative solutions and ICT. Its key pillars are i) the establishment and management of an integrated nationwide model of service delivery whereby, the front office interface with the public is separated from back office processing, including the implementation of the one-stop-shop and in-one-place approach of the Citizen Service Center; (ii) service provision standardization, simplification through business process re-engineering and digitization, with a focus on online services; iii) citizen feedback and performance monitoring on service delivery for ongoing improvement.

As part of the reform, in October 2014, ADISA, the Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Services in Albania, was established to manage the centralized public service delivery to the citizens. Its expanded mandate includes the implementation of the separation of the front office (FO) from the back office (BO) in all central institutions. This process entails the overhaul of public service delivery in Albania with the establishment of service standards for the citizens and performance monitoring for service window clerks, based on a customer-care culture.

While a large scale funding pledge is being made by the World Bank, starting with a Project Preparation Facility, donor support provided primarily by UNDP, the EU Delegation in Albania, through the IPS II Trust Fund, as well as OSCE, has been essential for the reform start-up phase in terms of developing the framework, design of piloting and building MIPA’s management capacities.

Since mid-2014, UN Albania has supported through provision of technical assistance for the inventorying of public services delivered from central institutions. From early 2015, this technical assistance was structured within a project format under the name of “Support for Innovation against Corruption: Building a Citizen Centric Service Delivery Model in Albania (ISDA)”. Besides UNDP and the UN Coherence Fund, the Government of Italy is a key contributor in this project.

The project focuses on:

• The development of a long-term public service reform policy document;
• The design of the Front Office - Back Office separation model and its piloting;
• The establishment of service delivery standards;
• Institutional capacity building for ADISA, the newly-established national Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Services in Albania to become operational and able to implement the service delivery reform;
• Technical assistance for MIPA in reform management and monitoring.

Objectives of the assignment:

Support MIPA and ADISA throughout the process of concept the preparation of terms of reference and implementation design for the establishment of integrated citizen service centers (CSC) outside of Tirana in refurbished/reconstructed premises.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance and management of the ISDA Program Director, and will collaborate closely with ADISA.

During the engagement period, the expert shall perform the following tasks:

• Prepare the detailed design, technical specifications and bills of quantity for the refurbishment/reconstruction work for two CSCs in Kavaja and Lushnja;
• Support the permitting process and the environmental management plans, as needed;
• Advise on the procurement process for design implementation/construction and furnishing of the CSCs;
• Provide supervisory support during the construction work for the CSCs;
• Support the assessment work in additional CSC identified locations to establish viability;
• Prepare ToRs and related procurement documents for future reconstruction detailed design for ten (10) premises outside of Tirana, with at least one location in each county.

Expected deliverables:

• Detailed designs, technical specifications and bills of quantity for the refurbishment/reconstruction work for two CSCs in Kavaja and Lushnja;
• ToRs and related procurement documents for future reconstruction detailed design for ten (10) premises outside of Tirana, with at least one location in each county.

All deliverables should incorporate gender sensitive service delivery elements, as well as address requirements related to handicap access

Competencies

Core competencies and values:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies:

• Ability to work well in teams and deliver under tight deadlines;
• Excellent problem solving skills
• organizational skills;
• Ability to facilitate, consult and negotiate with a broad range of government partners;
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills;
• Ability to travel.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University Degree in Architecture.

Work experience:

• At least 15 years of professional experience in Albania on the preparation of architectural designs and detail designs for civil buildings, administrative buildings, reconstruction interventions plans and designs, preparation of General Urban Plans, and Partial Urban Plans.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Package, Auto Cad, Photoshop, 3D Max;
• Adobe Creative Suite which includes photo shop, illustrator, in design, dream weaver (for web design);
•  Knowledge of Quark Xpress and Corel Draw would also be an asset;
•  Ability to work independently and in a team

Language requirement:

• Fluency in written English.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

• Relevance of educational background (10 points)
• Demonstrated experiences in architectural and functional designs for civil/administrative buildings (40 points).
• Proven ability and experience in preparation of bidding documents (20 points).
• Working experience with public administration

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
• Completed Personal History Form (P11 form) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/operations/jobs.html . Please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• Financial Proposal – monthly lump sum amount in Albanian Leks. Please attach the Financial Proposal with your P11 form in one file document as only one upload is allowed in the site.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs) - Download here
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.