UNDP Jobs - 82157- National expert on standardisation of provision of

National expert on standardisation of provision of social services to older persons

Location :

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

December 2018 - February 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Maximum 22 expert days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to identify standards for delivering social services to older persons by civil society organisations (CSO).

Objective

The main objective of the consultancy is to develop an analysis for identifying standards and providing concrete recommendations for improvement in the segment of social service provision to older persons. This analysis, and its findings, will be used by UNDP as a starting point for piloting of social service standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Background information

Older persons in BiH face multiple challenges when it comes to ensuring good quality of life. Issues encountered by older persons primarily relate to various health and financial problems, but increasingly to social exclusion too. Hence, the existence of adequate social programs for this target group is of great importance. However, in some cases, support provided by the relevant institutions is not adequate due to the lack of capacities. In these situations, CSOs are stepping in as a provider of social services to older persons by running daily centres or ensuring other services. In order to ensure that the needs of older persons are addressed in professional manner, fundamental set of standards must be set and CSOs offering these social services must be professionalised. Having in mind that the Regional programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD) during its implementation period (January 2017 – January 2020), focuses its efforts on, among others, improvement of local service provision, the issue of standardisation of services provided to older persons will be explored within this consultancy.

ReLOaD is funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As part of the UNDP BiH’s Rural and Regional Development Sector’s portfolio, the ReLOaD project has an overall objective to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration processes. ReLOaD in BiH works with 21 local governments with a specific objective to strengthen partnerships between local governments and civil society and to contribute to greater civic engagement in decision-making and improvement of local service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy will identify standards, if existing, for social service delivery for older persons by CSO and explore possible areas for improvements in this domain. If case that there are no standards existing, the Consultant will be based on conducted research identify minimal standards for CSO in order to improve and/or professionalize services in this domain. Primary focus, although not limited, will be to identify minimal standards for providing social service to older persons in the following three areas:

Running the daily centres for healthy aging,[1]
Providing home assistance,[2]
Provision of capacity building in the area of home/nursing services.

More concretely, the Consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

Task 1: Develop a work plan and conduct a desk review of relevant materials and propose report outline

Under this task, the Consultant will:

propose a detailed work plan outlining the approach and the timeline of duties. Proposal of the field visit should be included in the work plan. The work plan will be submitted to ReLOaD for comments, and upon endorsement of the requested changes, the work plan will be sent to ReLOaD for final approval;
collect and analyse all documents regarding legal and institutional framework related to provision of social services to older persons in all three above mentioned areas. The Consultant will explore existing legal and institutional gaps;
review and get acquainted with the existing regulations and practices in BiH, relevant publications, studies and policies, regarding the existence of standards for provision of social services to older persons;
devote a special attention to already achieved results of several EU-funded projects.[1] It is expected that the Consultant will explore the publications and policies developed under these projects and identify the areas that have not already been covered in detail by these and any other projects;
collect all documents related to the standardisation of social services in other WB countries and territories and identify lessons learned and positive practices that could be applicable in BiH. Special attention should be given to successful cooperation between local governments and CSOs in providing social services to older persons based on standardised approach;
propose report outline that will be commented and approved by ReLOaD.

[1] Such as Improving of the social service provision in SEE through empowerment of national networks project, funded by the Civil Society Facility in the period 2012-2016 and Taking action on social inclusion of older people (IPA/2015/370-287) implemented in cooperation with the Austrian Development Agency and Austrian Red Cross,

.It is envisaged that this task will be finalised by 04th January 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 7 expert days.

Task 2: Develop report and recommendations on establishing minimal standards for social service provision to older persons

Under this task, the Consultant will conduct field visits to relevant institutions/organisations and based on the conducted research will ensure required level of quality of the report. The Consultant will produce assessment, set of recommendations and minimum standards reflecting on each of the areas explored within the Task 1.

When it comes to running the daily centres for healthy aging, the Consultant will:

provide recommendations and detail definition of the minimum standards for establishing a daily center for healthy aging. This should include: infrastructural, human resource and other organizational requirements as well as type of activities to be offered in center. The special attention should be paid on daily scope and duration of activities needed to open daily centers for healthy aging. This activity must not interfere with activities offered by health care system. Recommendations on minimum standards for running up daily centers for healthy aging, including activities and required procedures, should be elaborated in detail and presented in report.

In terms of providing home assistance, the Consultant will:

develop recommendations and detail definition of the minimum standards that need to be acquired by CSO in order to provide home assistance to older persons; capacity and structure of CSOs (e.g. human resources, etc.) as well as all necessary procedures (e.g. required protocols for home assistance delivery for such as approval by beneficiary or her/his guardian for delivering specific social services). As for the recommendations, the Consultant will consider services already provided by the health care system and avoid overlapping with the home assistance services. The recommendations must include specifics on the type of services to be provided by CSO.

As per Provision of capacity building in area of home/nursing services, the Consultant will:

provide recommendations and detail definition of the legal aspects and minimum capacity (in terms of human resources) and experience CSOs must have if /when organizing informal training for education for home/nursing services. A set of standards in terms of minimum requirements for obtaining permits /organizing trainings should be suggested. Mandatory duration (in hours) of theoretical and practical training for educational programs with aim to improve competences, skills and knowledge must be provided.

In addition to that the Consultant will:

capture main issues and challenges which must be considered in relation to provision of the services in the three key areas, as mentioned above;
record good practice examples in the WB countries and territories that can be applicable in BiH context recorded in report;
develop a comprehensive draft report in one of the official languages of BiH containing detailed analysis, findings and recommendations for establishment of the standards on social service provision for older persons;
share a draft version of the report with the ReLOaD project for comments, address the received comments and submit the final report for approval.

The report should be minimum 20 pages and maximum 40 pages.

Consultant is expected to deliver the service as a desk-based exercise and through filed visits. It is estimated that at least two visits to institutions/organisation in Sarajevo and two visits in Banja Luka will be conducted. The Consultant will be required to organize his/her own travel and accommodation arrangements. Travel expanses should be part of financial proposal but as separate part of financial proposal.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered until 28st February 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 15 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs:

The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Task 1: Develop a work plan and conduct desk review of relevant materials and propose report outline - Work plan developed, key relevant materials are reviewed by the Consultant and report outline proposed - 7 expert days, by 04th January 2018, 30%;

Task 2: Develop report and recommendations on establishing minimum standards for social service provision to older persons - Conducted field visits, draft Report produced containing detailed analysis, findings and recommendations regarding improvement of social service provision to older persons. Report draft to be shared with ReLOaD for comments. - 12 expert days, by 25th January 2019, 50%;
Task 2a: Develop report and recommendations on establishing minimal standards for social service provision to older persons
Final report produced including comments and feedback from ReLOaD - 3 expert days, by 25th February 2019, 20%;

[1] Center for healthy aging is a daily center for people of the third age, with the goal to activate them and provide healthy, both mental and physical aging. Center for healthy aging provides the opportunity for elderly people to socialize, participate in various educational and cultural events during the day thus maintain the highest possible level of physical and mental functionality of elderly.

[2] Home (gerontological) assistance includes the services provided to elderly people in their own homes. Some of these services are maintenance of personal hygiene of the elderly people, preparation and serving of food, maintaining hygiene of living space, taking care of and purchasing household goods, taking regular care for people with chronic diseases etc.

[3] Such as Improving of the social service provision in SEE through empowerment of national networks project, funded by the Civil Society Facility in the period 2012-2016 and Taking action on social inclusion of older people (IPA/2015/370-287) implemented in cooperation with the Austrian Development Agency and Austrian Red Cross,

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 favouritism;
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;
Team work: 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 social sciences, public administration, economics, law, political or related field;
Advanced university degree in relevant field will be considered as an asset.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of social service area;
Proven experience in developing research papers preferably in the area of social service;

Languages Requirements:

Excellent writing and oral communication skills in in the official languages in BiH and in English.

Other Requirements:

Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Award Criteria: The consultancy will be awarded to the highest qualified applicant through the combination of technical qualifications and financial offer.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical criteria:

University degree in social sciences, public administration, economics, law, political or related field; Advanced university degree in relevant field will be considered as an asset - Weigh: 15%, Maximum points: 15 (10 points for university degree and additional 5 points for advanced degree);
Experience in the field of social service area and experience in developing research papers preferably in the area of social service - Weight: 30%, Maximum points: 30;
Quality of submitted methodology - Weight: 10%, Maximum points:10;
A writing sample (research paper, analysis, report) developed by the Consultant in the subject relevant and similar to the assessment - Weight: 15%; Maximum points:15;

Financial criteria: Weight: 30%, Maximum points: 30

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:

1. Proposal:

Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work. Proposal of institutions/organisations to be visited should be included in the methodology;

2. Completed and signed the Offeror’s template Confirming Interest and Availability (please follow the link: https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default);

3. Latest personal CV, including past experience from similar projects, and email, telephone and any other contact details for references;

4. Financial proposal – breakdown of the consultancy fee for 22 working days and 4 days of travel expenses;

5. A writing sample (research paper, analysis, report) developed by the Consultant in the subject relevant and similar to the assessment

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.