Background

NOTE: Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and availability - https://www.ba.undp.org/content/dam/bosnia_and_herzegovina/docs/Operations/Jobs/Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx - Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.docx - to be sent to e-mail ba.shared.hr@undp.org with Subject: Job ID 104945

Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of the EU-UNDP partnership and previously supported initiative – ReLOaD1 implemented from 2017-2020. The programme continues to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration process in the Western Balkans (WB) by empowering civil society and youth to actively take part in decision making and by stimulating an enabling legal and financial environment for civil society. It is implemented in the WB region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia, Kosovo?, Montenegro, and Serbia. Working across the region, ReLOaD2 will enhance capacities of local governments and civil society organizations (CSO) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and realisation of local priorities in line with development strategies. The project in BiH selected 13 partner local governments (LGs)  and will focus on strengthening the partnership between LGs and CSOs. It will incite partner LG to improve public funding for CSO in a transparent and development-oriented manner, recognising local needs and embracing a project-based approach. Also, the project will promote youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and will work on improvement of their economic perspectives in partner localities.

The total budget of the ReLOaD2 for BiH is EUR 3.69 million. The project is implemented from January 2021 until December 2024.

As a part of activities at the local level, ReLOaD2 in BiH provides technical support to partner LGs in a transparent allocation of funds to CSOs by using the LOD Methodology for Allocation of Funds to CSOs (LOD methodology).  Transparent and project-based funds disbursement implies contractually defined support to CSOs through clearly defined criteria. In order to properly manage CSO grant scheme and plan the future support to CSOs, monitoring is crucial aspect that should be conducted systematically and in line with main principles and guidelines. Through the implementation of the CSO grant scheme in more than 50 localities in B&H in the past 14 years, the project gained extensive experience and expertise in monitoring and developed a detailed monitoring system. This expertise has been gradually transferred to LG practitioners using learning by doing method and job coaching. However, based on the project’s experience and LG feedback, it is evident that the formal training in monitoring is needed for all 13 LGs that are participating in ReLOaD2. Therefore, the purpose of this assignment is to improve capacities of designated LG staff in monitoring and to enable them to efficiently manage grant awarding schemes for CSOs. In this context it is important to equip LG practitioners with knowledge and skills and enable them to effectively monitor projects.

The objective of this consultancy is to deliver Monitoring Training in two training modules (two days each) for representatives from 13 LG. More concretely, this training is intended for LG practitioners that are directly involved in conducting of public calls for CSOs and monitoring of CSO projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent (hereinafter Consultant) is expected to develop two training modules, each lasting two days and deliver them to LG s practitioner from 13 LGs divided in two groups practitioners (total 8 days). Training modules will take place during May 2022. The exact timeline and venues will be defined at later stage, in line with the ReLOaD2 workplan and the epidemiological situation.

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

• Task 1. Development of two training modules,
• Task 2. Training delivery,
• Task 3. Reporting.

Task 1. Development of two training modules
The Consultant will develop monitoring training curriculum that consists of two modules:

Modul 1: Key principle and modalities of monitoring and evaluation
Modul 2: Monitoring simulation – case study

The training curriculum should include all relevant supporting materials (agenda, presentations, handouts, reference materials, evaluation forms, entry/exit test etc.). ReLOaD2 project will share with Consultant all available documentation and lessons learned collected during the monitoring of civil society organization projects (CSO). The focus of the consultancy to equip LG representatives with skills and knowledge to independently perform CSO monitoring (program and financial monitoring) and should consists of following aspects:

Theoretical aspects of monitoring

• monitoring as an integral part of project cycles management,
• importance and elements of monitoring,
• types of monitoring visits,
• monitoring principles, purpose and aim of the monitoring from LG, CSO perspective and CSO beneficiary’s perspective.

Practical aspects of monitoring and concrete guidelines on how to conduct the monitoring:

• preparation for the monitoring,
• means of verification for program and financial monitoring,
• working principles of monitoring teams,
• risk assessments,
• dynamic of field visits to CSOs,
• communication with CSOs,
• reporting dynamic of CSOs,
• financial utilisation (funds allowability and allocability),
• procurement procedures and archiving.,
• online monitoring and principles for consideration.

The Consultant will submit a draft of the training curriculum for both modules and relevant materials to ReLOaD2 team for approval prior to the training execution.

The Consultant is expected to prepare handout material up to 10 pages to be delivered to participants.

Training modules will be developed to ensure LG practitioners at the end of the training, will gain knowledge and skills beneficial for them when conducting monitoring of CSO projects financed through public calls for CSOs.

The estimated level of effort for this task is 9 expert days.

Task 2: Training delivery
The Consultant will deliver two training Monitoring modules (each training lasting two days) for partners LG representatives divided in two groups of trainees. The envisaged number of trainees per one group/training is between 12 and 18 (in line with epidemiological situation) The training delivery ought to enable active involvement of participants by using participatory and adult training techniques, intensive group work and exercises, etc. Training should provide participants with the relevant knowledge, skills and knowledge that allow them to effectively monitor projects.
The venue and logistics for the training will be organised by the ReLOaD2 project. In case of the epidemiological situation with COVID19 and potential government restrictions the training could be organised online, using adequate platforms (ZOOM or similar). ReLOaD2 will secure technical preconditions for such event in line with needs and in close cooperation with the consultant.

The Consultant will be required to organize his/her own travel, meals and accommodation arrangements.
The estimated level of effort for this task is 8 days.

Task 3. Reporting
The consultant will prepare a final report encompassing all activities undertaken under Tasks 1 and 2. In that regard the training report will include, but will not be limited to: training goals and results achieved, number of trainees, analysis of pre-and post-training knowledge, lessons learned and recommendations, training performance evaluation, record of frequently asked questions, etc. All data presented should be gender segregated. The draft report should be submitted to ReLOaD2 project team in English (MS Word electronic version). The final version of the report must take into consideration all comments provided by the ReLOaD project and secure the final approval of the project manager.

The estimated level of effort for this task is 2 days.

Deliverables/outputs

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

• Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Results-Orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
• Communication: Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match target audiences.
• Teamwork: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team.
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

• University degree in public administration, economics, law, social-sciences or related field. Advanced degree will be considered as an asset.

Experience

• At least 5 years work experience in the field of local development planning, monitoring and project management (PCM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Previous experience in provision of technical assistance and training is required.
• Excellent communication and group-facilitation skills.
• Specific knowledge of the LOD methodology is considered an asset.
• Previous experience with UNDP is an asset.

Languages Requirements

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in official languages in BiH.

Other Requirements

• Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation

Individual  will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the candidate 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.

• * Technical Criteria weight-70%
• * Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Interested candidated must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Personal CV/P11, including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.