An integral part of the European Union (EU) accession agenda is to promote the inclusion of civil society and further development of participatory democracies in the region. All the Western Balkans (WB) countries face challenges, specifically related to the lack of collaboration between the institutions and civil society. Also, lack of transparency of existing public mechanisms for support of civil society organizations (CSOs), mainly at the local level, is perceived as one of the main obstacles for development and functioning of credible civil society. Local governments in the WB are one of the key funding providers for CSOs, and absence of a conducive financial environment is one of the main challenges civil society is experiencing in the current period. CSOs still largely depend on funding by foreign donors while the government funding mechanisms, which could represent an important alternative support, lack accountability and transparency. 

All the WB countries, and local governments consequently, use similar models for funding of CSOs from public budgets, where common challenges relate to insufficient transparency and/or clear criteria of the selection processes. These uncompleted and often discriminatory models limit the reinforcement of the position and importance of civil society and hamper further development of participatory democracies in the WB Region. 

Within the current Kosovo Government Strategy for Cooperation with the Civil Society 2013 - 2017, the Strategic Objective 3 foresees the building of a system and defines criteria to support financially the CSOs. There is yet no approved legal or policy document that regulates state support for CSOs, or national level mechanism for distribution of public funds to CSOs, and public financing of these civil society organizations is done on an often highly ad-hoc basis.

To address these challenges, the EU-funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the WB (ReLOaD) aims to strengthen partnerships between local governments and civil society by scaling-up a successful model of transparent and project-based funding of CSOs. The funding model offered for replication from BiH will be adapted to each country specifics taking into consideration existing regulatory frameworks and funding practices developed by relevant state/local government institutions. The ReLOaD programme will be implemented in Kosovo, Albania, BiH, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The total budget of the programme is EUR 10 million, out of which the European Union is providing EUR 8.5 million, while the rest of the budget will come from local governments and UNDP co-financing. The Programme duration is 36 months (February 2017 – January 2020).  

Objectives of Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to contribute to increased transparency in funds disbursement to CSOs from public budgets. In this regard, a local consultant will be engaged for developing an evidence-based assessment of existing mechanisms and regulations within the public funding for CSOs in the Kosovo context and provide specific recommendations for further improvement. 

An evidence-based assessment report shall be developed in relation to the existing financing mechanisms and regulations in Kosovo, as a preparation for the introduction and institutionalization of a mechanism for transparent project-based funding for CSOs. The assessment will also serve as a baseline for Kosovo context as well as a stepping stone for preparation of recommendations for improvement and alignment of practices with the principal model utilized in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) that follows EU rules (PRAG) and standards.

Assignment will be conducted in line with UN 8 Point Agenda and the UNDP Gender responsive mandate.

The following tasks will be performed by the local consultant in close cooperation with and under direct supervision of the ReLOaD Project Manager and Sustainable Development Programme Analyst: 

1.    Perform in-depth analysis for each administrative level capturing the overall legal framework for CSOs and funding and practices in Kosovo (at the national level and in municipalities). The Report should consist of (but not limited to): 

• Conduct an overview of strategic, legal and institutional framework for allocation of public funds to CSOs in Kosovo;
• Present practices and identify institutions in regards to the allocation of public funds to CSOs at the national and local level since 2014;
• Develop a questionnaire for all municipalities and relevant ministries to gather information on the existing procedures for funds disbursement for CSOs as well as to identify challenges in distributing funds in a more transparent and project-based approach; 
• Conduct interviews with representatives of at least five institutions and five municipalities in Kosovo in regards to the questionnaire; 
• Analysis of the processes of preparation and launching of the public calls for CSOs (identification of priority areas, method of announcement and duration of the call, consultations with NGOs, i.e. “open days“ within the calls, project based approach);
• Analysis of common practice and processes of CSO project evaluation (composition of the evaluation committee, selection of its members, scoring criteria, transparency of the process, etc.), as well as of reporting and monitoring procedures applied after the projects are awarded to CSOs. 
• Provide comparison with LOD Methodology implemented in BiH and identification of discrepancies with recommendations for improvement of existing practices to become more aligned with principles of LOD Methodology implemented in BiH and thus  be more transparent 

2.    Produce and submit a report:

• Draft a report with the aforementioned assessments that includes recommendations for improvement of existing practices and guidelines on how to practically run the funds disbursement for CSOs in a more transparent manner and more aligned with principles of LOD Methodology implemented in BiH.

Expected Results:

• Review of the existing legal and institutional framework for allocation of public funds to CSOs in Kosovo conducted.

Estimated Duration to Complete

• 3 w/days

Target due dates 

• 22 June 2017

Review and Approvals required

• Project Officer and Programme Analyst

Expected Results:

• Questionnaire for all municipalities and relevant ministries to gather information on the existing procedures for funds disbursement for CSOs developed and approved. Interviews with relevant stakeholders held and data collected. 

Estimated Duration to Complete

• 4 w/days

Target due dates 

• 4 July 2017

Review and Approvals required

• Project Officer and Programme Analyst

Expected Results:

• Brief analysis on the processes for launching the public calls for CSOs, as well as common practices and processes for CSOs project evaluation developed and submitted. Comparison with LOD Methodology implemented in BiH and identification of discrepancies in relation to Kosovo current situation developed.

Estimated Duration to Complete

• 3 w/days

Target due dates 

• 10 July 2017

Review and Approvals required

• Project Officer and Programme Analyst

Expected Results:

• Report containing detailed analysis, comparative analysis with the LOD methodology, findings and recommendations for improvement of existing practices and guidelines on how to practically run the funds disbursement for CSOs in a more transparent manner produced and submitted.

Estimated Duration to Complete

• 4 w/days

Target due dates 

• 14 July 2017

Review and Approvals required

• Project Officer and Programme Analyst

Expected Results:

• Final report incorporating feedback and activities undertaken under this assignment submitted and approved.

Estimated Duration to Complete

• 1 w/days

Target due dates 

• 18 July 2017

Review and Approvals required

• Project Officer and Programme Analyst

Deliverables / Final Products Expected

• Report containing detailed analysis, comparative analysis with the LOD methodology, findings and recommendations for improvement of existing practices and guidelines on how to practically run the funds disbursement for CSOs in a more transparent manner produced and submitted;
• Final report incorporating feedback and activities undertaken under this assignment submitted and approved.

Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments

Lump sum payment schedule:

• First tranche (70%) to be transferred upon successful completion of the deliverables under point 1 (Draft report produced). 
• Second tranche (30%) to be transferred upon successful completion of the deliverables/tasks under point 2 (Final report submitted and validated). 

Required Presentation of Offer: 

The following documents must be submitted:

• P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; (P11 can be downloaded in UNDP web site: http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/operations/jobs
• Technical proposal, a max. 2 page document explaining the approach and the methodology to be utilized for delivering the expected results within the indicated timeframe and if applicable, provide a list of similar profiles prepared during previous work experience. 
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price. The Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.  

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

• Offers will be evaluated utilizing a combined Scoring method – where the technical qualifications, the relevant work experiences and the technical proposal will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the "Apply now" button;
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume;
• System will only allow one attachment. All docs (CV; P11; financial offer; list of similar profiles should be included as one attachment).
• Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competencies

• Demonstrate modern approach to delivery of policy/technical advice, and experience of working with ministries and local self-governance structures;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Good analytical and report writing skills;
• Ability to synthesize research and draw conclusions on the related subject;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to pay attention to details.

Education:

• University degree in Social Sciences, preferably in law, economy, and public administration is required. Advanced university degree would be an asset.  

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience is required. 
• Thorough understanding/knowledge of national and local administrative system in charge of coordination, communication allocation funds to CSOs is required. 
• Proven expertise and experience in policy development and analysis related to CSOs development and funding in Kosovo is required.  
• Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations in regards to civils society sector. 

Language:

• Fluency in English and Albanian required. Knowledge of Serbian language is considered an asset.