Antecedentes

1. BACKGROUND

The war in Ukraine has already resulted in significant loss of life, unprecedented displacement, internally and towards neighbouring countries, and devastating destruction of infrastructure. Early projections by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggest that if the war deepens and expands, up to 90 per cent of the population of Ukraine could be facing poverty and vulnerability to poverty by the end of 2022, and 30 per cent of the population are likely to require life-saving humanitarian assistance. Eighteen years of socio-economic achievements in Ukraine are at risk. UNDP’s core interest is to preserve development gains as fully as possible and to return Ukraine to pathways to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as quickly as possible.  

UNDP has been active and present in eastern Ukraine for the past decade, before the conflict, with a focus on community development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on addressing the specific conflict-related development challenges built on this earlier engagement, established partnerships, and started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP). The UN RPP is a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with a number of partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA).

The Programme’s interventions are grouped under the following key Programme components, which reflect women’s and men’s priority needs in the region:

Component 1: Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure

Component 2: Local Governance and Decentralization Reform

Component 3: Community Security and Social Cohesion.

In February 2022, UNDP signed an agreement for a multiyear project funded by Sweden “UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (Towards good governance through public participation, improved service delivery and greater environmental protection in the east of Ukraine project)”, which aims at strengthening adherence by local governments and citizens to the twelve principles of Good Governance, constituting the indispensable framework to achieve the Common Good of local communities, including in terms of service improvement (in this context, the Project will focus on environmental protection and social services). The notion of Common Good refers to what is shared and beneficial for all members of a given community, including the most vulnerable. It also refers to what is achieved by citizenship, collective action, and active participation in the realm of politics and public service.

Taking into account the geographical extension of the devastation, caused by the Russian aggression, the Programme extended the regional coverage of the project beyond Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and additionally covers conflict-affected communities in Chernihiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv oblasts. Pilot activities can also be implemented in other areas of Programme`s geographical coverage, namely Poltava, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

One of the priorities of the project in that regard is to support local governance capacities in strengthening of their ability to (a) strategically plan for the long-term sustainable development of their territories and to (b) carry out sound financial management of their budgets. Both planning and financial management must be carried out in a participatory manner, involving citizens as widely as possible. In that regard, the Project will aim at levelling up planning and financial management knowledge and competencies of newly elected LSGs (Local Self-Governments) o reduce disparities with other more experienced LSGs in the region. Local self-governments need to develop a broad and long-term perspective on the future of the local community along with a sense of what is needed for such development. This is a key principle of Good Governance. There should also be a clear understanding of the current local political, cultural, social and health complexities in which this perspective is grounded. In this respect, development strategies should contain gender-responsive anti-crisis approaches and measures and clearly identify the role of all stakeholders in contributing to solving the problematic issues.

After the needs assessment and request from the local officials, UNDP intends to support Poltava

Deberes y responsabilidades

2. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

UNDP is looking to contract a National Expert on Strategic Planning (hereinafter referred to as “Consultant”) to design the Development Strategy for Poltava Community (further – Strategy). The consultant will also elaborate the Implementation Plan of the mentioned Strategy (IPDS), as well as the evaluation and monitoring system. The consultant should also adapt the Strategy to the sustainable development goals in close cooperation with local administration, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders.

It is envisaged that the Consultant will perform their duties according to the following framework:

1. Related workplans, timeframes, methodologies and relevant data assessment should be agreed with UNDP.
2. The elaboration of the Strategy, as well as the IPDS of the mentioned strategy will be provided according to the methodology. This also should consider the relevant legislation of Ukraine governing the decentralisation processes, as well as international standards and regulations, including the integration of UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Integrate human rights and gender equality into the analysis and development of targets, baselines and indicators in the Strategy.
3. Final documents and presentation of the Strategy and IPDS should be approved by the UNDP.

 3. DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

The Consultant is expected to perform according to the suggested scope of the work framework, however, the Consultant may suggest their own methodology. The framework is as follows:

1. Preparatory activities.
2. Assess the socio-economic situation of the target territory.
3. Develop and agree with Coordinator on Strategic Planning UNDP a complete methodology for the assignment implementation (elaboration of socio-economic development strategies) in selected community, including: 1) integration of gender-based and vulnerability-based data; 2) a mechanism of sharing the planning results at local, regional and national levels.
4. Draft a "situational analysis" as part of the strategic planning process based on existing UNDP analytical documents (document analyses on local socio-economic development) in selected communities.
5. Conduct strategic sessions and workshops with stakeholders, resulting in a strategic plan that is widely accepted by the stakeholders.
6. Finalize activities.

1st stage: Preparatory activities

The Consultant will develop and agree with the UNDP on detailed methodology of the strategy designing process of Poltava Community together with the IPDS, while taking into account gender-based aspects and approaches aimed at ensuring human rights and environmental safety. Additionally, the Consultant will develop an expert work schedule with specific activities, expected results and success indicators.

The Consultant will conduct desk research and prepare an analytical report on the socio-economic situation of the community (at least 10 (ten) pages of A4 format in 10 Calibri font, Ukrainian language) as well as an overview of existing programs and plans for local development (at least 5 (five) A4 pages in 10 Calibri font, Ukrainian language).

It is also expected that the Consultant will provide all necessary support to the local authorities in the official launching and approval of the project`s activities in the hromada (i.e. the preparation of all necessary documents, letters, provision of technical support, etc.).

2nd stage: Assessment of the socio-economic situation of the territory

The Consultant will perform desk research and several rounds of interviews (offline and/or online depending upon methodology offered) with key stakeholders to understand the current profile of the territory and draft a long list of potential improvement ideas.

The following activities will be performed during this stage:

1. Performing in-depth analyses to define the current hromadas` profile:
   • Current plans of the territory (current budget, perspective directions, existing planning documents and development programs);
   • Economy and job structure;
   • Demography;
   • Infrastructure;
   • Major habits prevalent in the territory;
   • Other.
2. PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Environmental, Legal) analysis, including:

• Political cluster analysis to map precise authority regulations and policy;
• Economical cluster study to identify people’s income and the ways it is generated; assess authority’s financial capabilities; analyze the structure of the hromadas` economy and jobs, skills available by workforce, and the wealth/income situation of citizens;
• Social cluster examination to specify demographic and cultural aspects (i.e., living conditions, education, consumer debt and labor, tourism development, and cultural offerings, such as heritage);
• Technological analysis to determine the level of technological developments and assess the status of infrastructure and industrial structures;
• Environmental cluster study to consider the local, national and international environmental issues in terms of infrastructure advancements.
• Legal cluster analysis to understand national legislation in terms of city development.

        3. Creating a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threads) profile of the territory;

        4. Creating a long list of new ideas for the territory for the next five years, including ideas on potential mission/vision statements.

3rd stage: Conducting strategy sessions/workshops with stakeholders to come up wtih a commonly accepted strategy.

During the third stage of the project the Consultant coordinates Working Group on Strategy Development (WGSD) in the community, which will consist of all relevant stakeholders.

At least 7 (seven) meetings of the working group will be conducted to:  

1. formulate and discuss the results of the current social-economic situation and formulate and discuss forecasts and scenarios of community`s development;
2. formulate a strategic vision of the community;
3. prepare a draft structure of strategic and operational goals and objectives of the Strategy;
4. prepare a list of the priority development projects that meet the objectives of the Strategy, as well as the draft project forms;  
5. develop a draft of IPDS of the community;
6. elaborate Strategy’s monitoring and evaluation system;
7. approve the final versions of the Strategy and IPDS;

Minutes of the WGSD meetings, including a descriptive report of the events and list of the participants, will be submitted to specialist UNDP.

Due to the restrictive/preventive measures connected with COVID-19 pandemic and war or any other possible tough conditions, the WGSD meeting can be conducted online.

However, any replacement of the meeting with a similar one in remote mode (online) should be approved by UNDP in advance.

If the remote mode is applied, all the video records of WGSD meetings should be submitted to specialist UNDP

4th stage: Finalizing activities

The Strategy will be compiled and presented to the community at public hearings. It is expected that the Consultant will provide all necessary support to local administration in conducting the aforementioned public hearings. The consultant will organize the collection of the feedback. After the feedback will be collected, needed changes (if any) will be implemented in the document.

Additionally, the Consultant will develop and provide the UNDP with written guidance for the Strategy’s implementation/monitoring (at least 5 (five) A4 pages in Calibri 10 font, Ukrainian language) and provide technical and methodological advice and recommendations in the initiating and institutionalization of appropriate strategy implementation and monitoring structures (at least 3 (three) A4 pages of Calibri font 10, Ukrainian language).

The Consultant is expected to provide all necessary support to the local authorities in approval of the documents according to the relevant legislation.

5th stage: Elaboration of the short version of the Strategy.

The Consultant is expected to elaborate the short version of the Strategy for printing and submit it to UNDP for approval.

At the end of assignment, the Consultant shall prepare a final report with clear description of fulfilled tasks and achieved results, including recommendations on the next steps for further support and development of Poltava Community to achieve sustainable development. The report must be reviewed and approved by the UNDP’s designated supervisor.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

• During the implementation of objectives, the Consultant shall strictly comply with the COVID-19 requirements provided by the Ministry of Health.
• The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and apply the UN System Code of Conduct.

(https://www.un.org/management/sites/www.un.org.management/files/un-system-model-code-conduct.pdf).

• Consultant is responsible for ensuring his/her proper security. It is recommended to consult with UNDP on security in the region, especially before the field phase of the assignment.

4. DELIVERABLES

5. MONITORING / REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Social-Economic Development Specialist. The consultant, through weekly meetings, will report directly to both the UNDP Social-Economic Development Specialist and Programme Coordinator.

The consultant will regularly participate in Project meetings (by Skype, ZOOM) and will share his/her work progress. Moreover, the consultant must provide one Inception Report, three Interim Reports and one Final report - in accordance with the schedule covered in these Terms of Reference. Interim Reports will include work progress, as well as issues to be addressed, while the Final Report will include the achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for further actions.

6. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in five tranches according to the following payment schedule:

• the first payment upon completion of Deliverable 1 and approval of the Inception Report (20% of total contract amount);
• the second payment upon completion of Deliverable 2 and approval of the 1st Interim Report (20% of total contract amount);
• the third payment upon completion of Deliverable 3 and approval of the 2nd Interim Report (20% of total contract amount);
• the fourth payment upon completion of Deliverable 4 and approval of the 3rd Interim Report (30% of total contract amount);
• the fifth payment upon completion of Deliverable 5 and approval of the Final Report (10% of total contract amount).

The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of the contract’s obligations, whereupon the Programme Coordinator signs the certification of acceptance.

Competencias

Ethics & Values:

• Demonstrating and promoting the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organizational Awareness:

• Ability to lead formulation, design, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, RBM and reporting.
• Developing and empowering people; coaching and mentoring:
• Self-development, initiative-taking;

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitating and encouraging open and effective communication within the team;
• Delivering verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easy-to-understand manner;
• Informed and transparent decision making;
• Accepting responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Treats all people fairly.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

7. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least Master’s /Specialist degree in Management, Law, Marketing, Economics, Social Science or other related fields.
• At least 3 (three) years of proven experience in elaboration of strategies of communities, relevant implementation plans and monitoring and evaluation plans (samples of at least 2 (two) such relevant documents are to be provided, links are acceptable).
• At least 5 (five) years of experience working in / or with government structures, civil society organizations or international organizations.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is mandatory. Working knowledge of English is an advantage.

8. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

9. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

 Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.

The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment, including office accommodations, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copying.

 Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel in higher class, he/she should do so using their own resources. In cases of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and individual consultant prior to travel, and will be reimbursed.

The ?onsultant is expected to anticipate the travel cost associated with at least 7 trips to the targeted communities as per the assignment.

10. EVALUATION CRITERIA

• Master’s / Specialist degree in Management, Law, Marketing, Economics, Social Science or other related fields – 14 points max.

(Specialist’s/Master’s degree – 9 points; PhD and higher degree – 14 points).

• Proven experience in elaboration of strategies of communities, relevant implementation plans and monitoring and evaluation plans – 14 points max.

(3 years – 10 points; 4 years and more – 14 points).

• Samples of related documents as per elaboration of strategies of communities, relevant implementation plans and monitoring and evaluation plans – 14 points max.

(2 samples – 10 points; 3 samples and more – 14 points).

• Proven working experience in / or with government structures, civil society organizations or international organizations – 14 points max.

(5 years – 9 points; 6 years and more – 14 points).

• Language knowledge – 14 points max.

(Fluency in Ukrainian – 11 points; Fluency in Ukrainian and working knowledge of English – 14 points).

11. EVALUATION METHOD

 Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative 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%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

ATTENTION!

1. UNDP documents templates are available at the following the link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/506vw4976ka77jy/AABF10LJ-JEqb843fiCK7btSa?dl=0

2. Online system does not recognise Russian or Ukrainian language, information you provide in on-line application should be in English

3. Online system allows to upload only 1 (one) file. Please combine all the files in one and then upload