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 105851.

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 enhances 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 incite them to improve public funding for CSO in a transparent and development-oriented manner, recognising local needs and embracing a project-based approach. ReLOaD2 will provide technical support to partner LGs in allocating funds to CSOs using the mechanisms for transparent disbursement of funds for CSOs (LOD methodology ). Also, the project will promote youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and will work on facilitating first job experience and internships in partner localities.
In the process of improving funds disbursement mechanisms for CSOs and designing systematic support to civil society LGs encounter different challenges in terms of political will of decision makers, but also limited capacities of CSO to properly design and implement projects and meet the needs of their beneficiaries. Therefore, the purpose of this assignment is to assist project to ensure the funds disbursement to CSOs are better planned and managed, thus contributing to greater impact of CSO projects and their beneficiaries. The objective is to provide mentoring support to LG officials from seven partner LGs (Bihac, Centar Sarajevo, Gradiška, Novo Sarajevo, Prijedor, Rudo and Vitez) to improve their procedures related to CSOs funding and assist the project efforts to the increase of the amount of funds allocated through public calls.

Travel is required: Gradiška, Prijedor, Bihac, Rudo, Vitez, Novo Sarajevo, Centar Sarajevo

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant is expected to detect challenges and propose tailor made approach ensuring improvements in quantitative and qualitative aspects of fund disbursement to CSOs in partner LGs. In order to facilitate smooth provision of mentoring support, target LGs will be organized in 4 geographical clusters as follows:

• Cluster 1: Gradiška and Prijedor - total of 42 expert days
• Cluster 2: Centar Sarajevo and Novo Sarajevo - total of 26 expert days
• Cluster 3: Bihac - total of 21 expert days
• Cluster 4: Rudo and Vitez - total of 26 expert days

Applicants can apply for provision of mentoring support to more than one cluster and the maximum number of clusters to be assigned to one consultant is two. However, in case that two clusters are assigned to one consultant, the combination of clusters must include cluster 3. Offers for each cluster must be submitted separately, indicating consultant fee, travel costs and all other related costs.

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

• Task 1:  Review of relevant documents and development of work-plan,
• Task 2:  Provide mentoring support for cluster LGs,
• Task 3:  Reporting.

Task 1. Review of relevant documents and development of work-plan
Under this task, the Consultant will:
• Review LOD Methodology and all other documents relevant to the task that will be provided by the ReLOaD2 project team;
• Familiarise him/herself with the assessment for fund disbursement to CSOs prepared by the project for respective cluster. The assessment and especially the recommendation will be set as baseline for providing mentoring support for LGs;
• Propose a detailed work plan outlining the approach for mentoring support. The work plan will be submitted to ReLOaD2 for approval.

The estimated level of effort for this task is as follows:

• for cluster 1 - 4 expert days
• for cluster 2 - 4 expert days
• for cluster 3 - 2 expert days
• for cluster 4 - 4 expert days

Task 2: Provide mentoring support for cluster LGs
From May to October 2022, the Consultant is expected to conduct meetings with LG representatives to compare the findings of the assessment with the findings and experience of the local stakeholders regarding eventual challenges in the existing LG procedures related to funds disbursement for CSOs. Then, the Consultant will provide a set of concrete recommendations and measures to be implemented during the mentoring process to improve funds disbursement procedures to CSOs. This will, among others, require from the Consultant to:

• Identify and analyze the challenges for improvement for CSO disbursement. When analyzing these challenges, the Consultant will take in considerations the role of all stakeholders in this process (LG representatives, LG councils, CSO capacities etc.).
• Based on the above-mentioned assessment and situation analyses propose concrete solutions and actions for the improvement of funds disbursement procedures for CSOs in line with LOD methodology. These suggestions will include improvements in the existing procedures for fund disbursement in respective LG and alignment with LOD methodology. The consultant will assist  project to increase the total percentage of funds allocated to CSOs by using LOD methodology. Having in mind that the full alignment of existing LG procedures with LOD methodology requires time and additional effort, the Consultant will propose steps and recommendation for future and long-term interventions in this regard as well.
• Provide technical support in improving elements of the public calls for CSO (organizing public debate, info days etc.). The Consultant will also work with LG representatives on steps to increase the minimum and maximum value of CSO as well as project duration within the public call.
• Indicate and implement concrete actions that needs to be taken in the process of preparation of LG budget for 2023 and defining the budget for CSOs. He/she will propose and implement actions needed to ensure that direct funding of CSOs is decreased and total funding for CSO increased by utilizing the LOD methodology and project-based approach. The Consultant will assist LGs in ensuring that funds for women empowerment and gender issue are also reflected in prepared inputs for LG budget.
• Familiarize him/herself with priority thematic areas suggested by LGs in 2022 ReLOaD2 public call for CSOs (public call for CSOs financed by ReLOaD2 and co-financed by LG) and LG public calls for CSOs and make qualitative comparison (number and nature of CSO projects proposal received and funded within each of the thematic areas). The Consultant will also analyze whether and in what manner the financed CSO projects contributed to implementation of local development strategies that are used for formulating thematic areas.
• Suggest modalities for improving dialogue and cooperation between CSOs and making long term partnership for benefit of citizens.
• Analyze the role of LG councils in the area of funds disbursement to CSO and purpose the improvement methods that will enable future project interventions in this area.

ReLOaD2 project will facilitate cooperation between the Consultant and contact persons in partner LGs in order to ensure that all steps and activities by the Consultant contribute to the overall capacity building activities of the project. The Consultant will provide periodical updates/draft reports, as agreed with the ReLOaD2 staff during the introductory meeting.

The Consultant will take care of his/her travel and accommodation arrangements.

The estimated level of effort for this task is as follows:

• for cluster 1 - 36 expert days
• for cluster 2 - 20 expert days
• for cluster 3 - 18 expert days
• for cluster 4 - 20 expert days

It is expected that the Consultant will organise and hold at least 9 in person meetings with each LG from Cluster 1 and 3 and at least 4 in person meetings in LGs from cluster 2 and 4.

Task 3. Reporting
The consultant will prepare a final report encompassing Tasks 1 and 2. In that regard the report will include among others, detected challenges, proposed activities to be implemented, results to be achieved in each of LGs, lessons learned and recommendations. Concrete structure and content of the report will be decided in cooperation with the ReLOaD2 project later on.
The report should be submitted to ReLOaD2 project team in one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina language (MS Word electronic version). The final version of the report must take into consideration all comments provided by the project and secure the final approval by ReLOaD team.
The estimated level of effort for this task is as follows:

• for cluster 1 - 2 expert days
• for cluster 2 - 2 expert days
• for cluster 3 - 1 expert day
• for cluster 4 - 2 expert 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, law, social-sciences or related field. Advanced degree will be considered as an asset.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience.
• At least 3 years work experience in the field local development planning, capacity building activities with officials from government institutions.
• Previous experience in provision of technical assistance to LGs is required.
• Specific knowledge of the LOD methodology is considered an asset.
• Previous experience with UNDP is an asset.
• Experience in preparation of concise and analytical reports.

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.