Background

Roma inclusion is both, a national and pan-European challenge and UNDP as international organization faces to be one of the key players of the Roma inclusion process in Europe. The dual layer organizational structure of UNDP combines the network of CO-s to implement country-specific projects, and the Bratislava Regional Centre to provide comprehensive and consistent conceptual framework and support. Being part of UN system makes UNDP and its work impartial and equally trusted by governments, international organizations and the Roma civil society too.

The substantive sources of UNDP are rooted in the strong record of sustainable and realistic approach to Roma inclusion. Namely:

• The first UNDP Roma report, “Avoiding the Dependency Trap” drew attention to the need to address the systemic causes of Roma exclusion and go beyond plain human rights rhetoric;
• The second Roma report promoted a results-focused approach to Roma inclusion pioneering in working on quantitative data and monitoring. The data collection done in 2004 made possible constructing baselines for the Decade of Roma Inclusion initiative.
  

UNDP has broad expertise in actual implementation of projects on the ground with wide range of partners at CO level. This network can be used in the future as knowledge and experience base and an implementation infrastructure of big-scale regional endeavours.

UNDP’s conceptual approach is built around the idea of area-based development and human development context. It consistently defines the issue of Roma inclusion and the proposed solutions not in terms of ethnicity but rather in the context of multiple deprivations faced by different individuals and groups. Those deprivations correlate with group identity but are not primarily driven by that identity (this is why although the majority of Roma are vulnerable, not all Roma are vulnerable). The practical implications of this approach mean that Roma exclusion can be successfully addressed in territorial context, addressing all people living in the most disadvantaged regions. This will most often cover groups with a Roma majority.

UNDP is among the few international players that have the courage to present the challenge of Roma exclusion in its complexity and multidimensionality raising the issue of the complex web of interests involved. Roma exclusion is not just a matter of ignorant racist prejudice and human rights abuse; it’s a complex combination of ignorant racist prejudice and objective outcomes of daily interactions between Roma and non-Roma that reinforce those prejudices and prepare the ground for human rights abuse.

UNDP BRC plans drafting a number of regional projects with individual country components testing practical interventions at community level, addressing various challenges of poverty reduction, social inclusion, and other areas of work through tangible projects implemented with partners at community level. They would also build on existing local-level networks that have been created on the Western Balkans, in the Cserehát project in Hungary and in various projects in Slovakia.

In 2013 UNDP initiated a regional project “Regional support facility for improving stakeholder capacity for progress on Roma inclusion” to provide national governments (central and local), civil society and other stakeholders with the operational support needed to build capacity for Roma inclusion in Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo (as per UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)), Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, Turkey). UNDP sees this objective as critical in terms of these governments’ EU membership preparations.

The initiative has three components: (a) Supporting national stakeholders in operationalizing the national Roma integration strategies, in order to strengthen their implementing infrastructure at central and local levels; (b) Supporting the establishment of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including data collection for results-oriented progress monitoring; and (c) Facilitating the exchange of experience, mutual learning from successes and failures, and mainstreaming working approaches to Roma inclusion at local level. 

“Area-Based Interventions for making the most of EU Fund for Sustainable Housing and Inclusion of disadvantaged Roma in pilot areas in Romania & across the border to Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey” regional initiative builds upon many years of UNDP expertise in the area of poverty reduction and Roma inclusion in the ECIS region, as well as Roma-targeted area-based-development projects at the local level in Cserehat, Hungary (2005-2010) and in Cluj, Romania (2012). The project relies also on the committed involvement on a national level through the UNDP offices in the 4 countries (Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, and Turkey). It is being implemented as part of the wider Regional Support Facility regional project.

The project aligns closely with MtM’s mission to make the most of EU funds for Roma inclusion — by holding as its prime objectives the forging and enhancement of processes and replicable models of social inclusion and desegregation through integrated local development and housing improvement, thus creating an opportunity for Roma communities in critical sites to absorb EU funds for inclusion.

Goals of the project:

The project’s activities aim at:

• Establishing local Social Inclusion Strategies and development initiatives that directly engage the participation of and benefit the most excluded Roma groups;
• Fostering delivery of public services through facilitating partnership of local authorities with civil society partners; 
• Supporting municipal management in desegregation, inclusion and poverty reduction through strengthening of organizational capacity and technical expertise of local and regional development actor;
• Increasing the absorption capacity of the development stakeholders of Roma inclusion;
• Share in the vision of MtM of the critical importance of public reform and management for a more just and equal society.
  

Objectives:

• Ensure the sustainability of the overall “ABD for Inclusion” initiative and its results in Cluj and generate new strategic partnerships and projects in the wider Cluj Metropolitan area;
• Multiply the “ABD for Inclusion” model in Braila and Galati cities and contribute to the establishment of necessary conditions to implementation of the model in Bucharest 2nd and 3rd districts and other interested cities in Romania;
• Contribute to setting up of necessary conditions on national level to localizing the EU 2020 Roma Inclusion strategy in Romania;
• Contribute to set up of conditions for the further scaling up of implementation of the EU Roma Strategy at the local level in Central-Eastern Europe and the Balkan region, especially in Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.
  

Duties and Responsibilities

Definition of the Community Coaching: The benefits of contributing to the 'common good' or, developing 'social capital' are being lost in many communities. Community coaching is a development tool to encouraging communities and the individuals within them to achieve their full potential and accumulate social capital through working together. Community coaches take a holistic view of society and work to bring balance to the economic, environmental, spiritual and political forces that surround it.

The concept of Community Coaching builds on the understanding that:

• Successful local development process need successful communities;
• Successful communities need successful people; and
• Successful people multiply rapidly in communities that nurture the body, mind and spirit of all their citizens.

Community coaches are different from consultants in that they 'coach' rather than 'advise', work locally and are committed to the goals of the local community. Community coaches work to promote:

• Social/local Mobilization;
• Building Development Partnerships
• Strong Community Support Services for all Citizens;
• Community Enterprise Development;

Services provided by the Community Coach may generally include:

• Local Mobilization;
• Generating and contributing to implementation of community action;
• Mentoring and Mediation;
• Community based project generation and development;
• Training and facilitation;
• Strategic futures planning;
• Communication and Networking.
  

The process of local mobilization awakens people’s hidden self-confidence; bring many new local development actions and project ideas to the surface; and help local people realize the importance of creating partnerships. At the same time, it gives hands-on experience in the demanding techniques of project identification and management to people who had never before been exposed to such processes. By involving them in planning, decision-making, and project implementation, it serves to build people’s motivation, self-esteem and sense of empowerment.
The process of local mobilization and community development will not end once the necessary means to achieve the project’s over-arching goals. The Coaches shall be the agents that bring information and know-how to local people on the technicalities of project thinking, planning and implementation. In many instances, this know-how cannot be imparted without reconciling diverging public, private and civil interests, guiding and encouraging people on tracks they have never taken before.

Within the framework of this TOR the responsibilities of the Coach are related to fulfillment of the Objective 2 of the project by performing the following duties:

• Contribute to preparation and implement the agreed Community Coaching strategy to mobilize all local resources in Braila and empower the disadvantaged local Roma communities in the area (Approximately 10 working days);
• Organize and facilitate cyclic roundtables in the local target community with participation of local stakeholders (Approximately 60 working days);
• Ensure the community participation in decisions related to design of the housing projects and inclusion strategy in Braila (Approximately 20 working days);
• Identify, recommend and/or conduct development actions and capacity development/training projects based on the conclusions of the needs assessment and available funding opportunities (Approximately 20 working days)
• Provide mediation for inclusion to local stakeholders in Braila (Approximately 20 working days);
• Build communication channels, partnerships and network within and outside the project stakeholders for sustainable and participatory inclusion process in Braila (Approximately 20 working days);
• Any other activities and assistance which may reasonably be required (Approximately 20 working days).

No travel outside of Braila is expected.

Output and deliverables:

• Installment No. 1 – Minimum 5 mobilized and motivated thematic working groups of local disadvantaged inhabitants set up, electronic contact database prepared - estimated at end of September 2013;
• Installment No. 2 - Strengthened and extended partnerships with local stakeholders, following and ensuring the participation of all relevant local stakeholders, built network of mobilized groups with other project stakeholders in Braila – Estimated at the end of October 2013;
• Installment No. 3 - Ensured timely and accurate dissemination of project related information to the target group and ensured participation of the target group in the different project activities, regularly liaise with the other stakeholders operating in the area including, governmental agencies and NGOs, programmes to ensure timely dissemination of information about the project, and avoid overlapping / duplication in project activities – Submitted a partner map – estimated at the end of November 2013;
• Installment No. 4 – Submitted a Progress Report of Community Coaching Activities – estimated in mid December 2013;
• Installment No. 5 – Prepared participatory based urgency needs action plan in target area - Estimated in end of January 2014;
• Installment No. 6 - Prepared small scale community action plan implemented by the stakeholders in Braila – estimated end of February 2014;
• Installment No. 7 – Contribution provided to development of a full-fledged Inclusion Strategy Concept note – Estimated end of March 2014;
• Installment No. 8 - Implemented social audits to obtain feedback from stakeholders and beneficiaries - Submitted report on the inputs, feedback and achievements – estimated end of April 2014;
• Installment No. 9 – Contribution provided to the preparation of the final report and of knowledge products (monitored and provided periodic reports on the creation of project related short term results)  - estimated in May 2014.

The above-mentioned activities shall be performed under supervision of the Programme’s Project Manager for ABD Interventions on Roma Inclusion and Local Project Coordinator in Braila.

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:

• Excellent communication, mediation and interpersonal skills, capacity of negotiation and ability to handle sensitive situations
• Capacity to manage masses expectations and to build trust; knowledge of ABD will be considered a plus
• Client-service-oriented with pro-active approach
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team under demanding circumstances
• Timeliness and reliability of delivery
• IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques; Proficiency in using computer applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet and e-mail), experience in handling of web based management and reporting system
• Ability to create an original and productive team spirit among all involved individuals and organizations
• Strong analytical skills, ability to mobilize, coordinate and work in a team
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadline

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) from an accredited relevant educational institution in fields related to Social or Economic Sciences.

Experience:

• Minimum two years experience in developmental work in Roma communities or at least five years of social assistance fieldwork; Experience with local development projects or projects involving disadvantaged communities will be considered as a significant plus;
• Sound Knowledge of Braila local institutional setup and relevant network among public local authorities workers;
• Working knowledge of Braila’s Roma communities and their particularities;
• Knowledge of social networking solutions and ability to relate and work with people in disadvantaged communities;
• Experience on working with international organization desirable;
• Knowledge of existing Roma integration strategies both at European and national level;
• Proficiency in using computer applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet and e-mail), experience in handling of web based management and reporting system, good reporting and presentation skills.

Language skills:

• Fluency in Romanian language and working level English is a must.
  

Evaluation of Applicants:

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

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

• Responsive; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical P11 desk reviews 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:

• Criteria A (Two years experience in developmental work in Roma communities or at least five years of social assistance fieldwork; Experience with local development projects or projects involving disadvantaged communities) – max points: 15;
• Criteria B (Sound Knowledge of Braila local institutional setup and relevant network among public local authorities workers) – max points: 15;
• Criteria C (Working knowledge of Braila’s Roma communities and their particularities) – max points: 15;
• Criteria D (Knowledge of social networking solutions and ability to relate and work with people in disadvantaged communities) – max points: 10;
• Criteria E (Knowledge of existing Roma integration strategies both at European and national level) – max points: 10;
• Criteria F (Language and IT Skills) – max points: 5.
  

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

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. 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;
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• Financial Proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs);
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
  

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged local travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

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.