Background

Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to contribute to the further increase of transparency in disbursement of public funds to civil society organizations (CSO) in 21 ReLOaD partner local governments (LGs) through capacity building of municipal councillors.

Objective

The main objective of the consultancy is to design and deliver a Training for the Trainers (ToT) programme on advantages of transparent project-based fund disbursement to CSOs. The training programme will be delivered to municipal councillors from 21 ReLOaD partner LGs aiming to strengthen participants` knowledge and understanding on benefits of a project-based fund disbursement from LG budgets.

Background Information

The EU-funded ReLOaD aims to strengthen partnerships between LGs and civil society by scaling-up a successful model of transparent and project-based funding of CSOs. The Western Balkan (WB) countries/territories are facing complex set of similar development challenges. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo[1], Montenegro, and Serbia, invest significant efforts to mainstream the EU accession agenda within their socio-political contexts. An integral part of the EU accession agenda is to promote inclusion of civil society and further development of participatory democracies in the Region. All WB countries/territories face these challenges, specifically related to the lack of collaboration between the government and civil society. This entails strengthening capacities of all relevant stakeholders to engage more productively in such partnerships through the CSO grant awarding scheme contributing to local development and service delivery in selected local communities.

More specifically, BiH has been experiencing challenges in ensuring transparent mechanisms for CSO funding. Namely, the transparency limitations related to the funding mechanisms are direct result of inappropriate financial and legal regulations and their implementation on a state and entity levels.

The ReLOaD programme in BiH partners with 21 LGs, namely: Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Bratunac, Brod, Centar Sarajevo, Gradacac, Jablanica, Kakanj, Maglaj, Modrica, Pale, Rudo, Stari Grad Sarajevo, Sokolac, Teslic, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tuzla, Vitez and Vogošca.

[1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Duties and Responsibilities

As part of its project activities, the entity Associations of Municipalities and Cities (AMC), in partnership with ReLOaD, will deliver trainings to municipal councillors on the benefits and advantages of transparent fund disbursement to CSOs. For this purpose, the Training for the Trainers Programme f will be developed and used by the entity AMCs in training delivery.

The consultancy will consist of the following tasks:

  • Task 1: Desk review of all relevant documents and develop detailed work plan;
  • Task 2: Develop ToT programme package;
  • Task 3:  Deliver the ToT programme.

Task 1: Desk review of all relevant documents and develop detailed work plan:

Under this task, the Consultant will get familiar with the ReLOaD project document and the LOD Methodology that will be provided by the ReLOaD project. The consultant will be also provided with the training programme on LOD methodology for LG representatives that might be considered as a starting point for design of the training programme and as reference material. ReLOaD team will organise a brief introductory meeting with the Consultant to ensure proper understanding of the ToR.
 Following the review of the mentioned materials, the Consultant will prepare a work plan and training design concept, highlighting the main training building blocks and elaborating key messages/focuses of each training building block. The work plan and brief training design concept will be submitted to the ReLOaD project team for review and approval.
The ReLOaD team will organise an additional meeting with the Consultant to discuss the developed training programme design in order to ensure desired outputs.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by February 8, 2018 and the level of effort of the Consultant will not exceed two (2) expert days.

Task 2: Develop ToT programme package:

Within this task the Consultant is expected to design a tailored training programme, based on the results produced under Task 1 and considering the aspects elaborated below.

  • Training programme conceptual outline:

Consultant is expected to develop training programme for municipal councillors, with the main objective to enhance understanding and capacities among municipal councillors within the ReLOaD partner LGs for transparent and project-based funds disbursement for CSOs. The programme will contain key themes and sub-themes to be addressed as well as training tools and methodologies that will be used at the training. Proposed methodologies should be in line with adult education principles, particularly interactive learning to ensure participation by the trainees.
More specifically, the training programme aims at raising awareness among municipal councillors on the importance of transparent and project based funds disbursement as well as the benefits of this model on to the local community in comparison to the models of direct funding of CSOs.

Training programme will, among others, reflect on the following:

  • Role of municipal councilors in funds disbursement to CSOs;
  • Role of CSOs in implementing local development strategies;  
  • Existing mechanism for transparent funds disbursements for CSOs;
  • Different impact of the grants distributed directly and project-based grant distribution in line with strategic priorities
  • Auditing reports of Audit offices for the institutions in FBiH and the Supreme Office for the Republic of Srpska Public Sector Auditing and recommendation for improvement of transparency in CSO funds   disbursement;
  • Availability and amount of International funds for CSOs in BiH in comparison to local funds;
  • EU trends and principles in CSO financing, etc.

The training programme will be developed as 1-day learning event for a group of up to 20 municipal councillors from the same LG.

The comprehensive training package will include (but not limited to):

  • Training programme agenda;
  • Design and development of all supporting materials for the training programme (hand-outs for participants, power point presentations, check-lists and reference materials);
  • Development of the trainer manual for trainers providing instructions on how to deliver each segment of the training. Trainer manual will encompass reference tools and exercises to be used and questions to be raised in discussions by training providers in delivering their own training courses. Trainer manual will ensure equal understanding and minimum quality standards in the follow-up training delivery process. Trainer manual should not exceed 10 pages;
  • Design a pocket-guide for municipal councillors on the topic of public finances and transparent funds disbursement to CSOs, that could be used as practical tool/reminder during everyday work. The pocket guide will be concise, user friendly and as such should highlight the municipal councillor’s specific roles and responsibilities along the processes of CSO funds disbursement. A pocket guide should not exceed 5 pages;
  • Training evaluation form.

The training package will be submitted to the ReLOaD project team and for review and approval.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by February 28, 2018 and the level of effort of the Consultant will not exceed 12 expert days.

Task 3:  Deliver the ToT programme:

Following the training programme approval by the ReLOaD project team, the Consultant will deliver one-day ToT event for the group of maximum 15 potential trainers that will be delivering training to municipality councillors in ReLOaD partner LGs.
The ToT programme will include an interactive training course and as a result of the training, the participants will be equipped with the skills to effectively deliver training program, learn how to best motivate their audience and ensure result-oriented training delivery.
Following feedback and recommendations of the training participants and the ReLOaD project team, the training package will be finalised.
Logistics in relation to organising ToT event will be organized by the ReLOaD and AMC based on the agreed training schedule and in one of LGs in or close to Sarajevo. Training materials for the training event will be printed by the ReLOaD project.
After training delivery, an evaluation will be carried out by the Consultant, covering contents, trainer and methods applied, and evaluation summary will be presented to the ReLOaD project team.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by March 9, 2018 and the level of effort of the Consultant will not exceed 3 expert days.

The entire service will be delivered in the official languages of BiH.

Deliverables and timelines:

The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Task 1: Desk review of all relevant documents and develop detailed work plan:

  • Relevant documents reviewed, and work plan developed - February 8, 2018 (2 expert days);

Task 2: Develop ToT programme package:

  • Comprehensive training programme package developed - February 28, 2018 (12 expert days);

Task 3: Deliver the ToT programme:

  • ToT programme delivered - March 9, 2018 (3 expert days);

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values'
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

  • Shares knowledge and experience.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Strong analytical skills;
  • Advanced writing skills;
  • Proven skills in conducting researches, interviews, and reporting;
  • Conceptual and practical knowledge of policy development, with specific focus on public budgets;
  • Ability to review data, identify and adjust discrepancies;
  • Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations regarding civil society sector;
  • Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required standard;
  • Knowledge and skill to mainstream gender equality in documents;
  • Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
  • Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
  • Strong IT skills;

Leadership and Self-Management:

  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • University degree in public administration, economics, political or social sciences or a related field.

Experience: 

  • Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in local development and local governance, work with municipal/cantonal councils or higher-level parliaments specifically in BiH;
  • At least 7 years of working experience in capacity development and provision of assistance in area of training development and training of trainers in particular;
  • Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize and write concisely and clearly;
  • Proven ability to develop training curriculum, training materials and handouts;
  • Excellent expertise in the area of adult learning, with specific experience in the public sector;
  • Proven presentation skills;
  • Excellent communication and group-facilitation skills.

Language requirements: 

  • Fluency in written and spoken English and official languages of BiH.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants 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 individual consultant 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%

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

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

Note:

  • For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 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.