Background

Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH).
Objective
The consultancy objective is to provide high-quality expert support in the process of design of the SDG Framework in BIH. This activity is part of the SDGs Roll-out Support and Private Sector Engagement Project (SDGs Project), financed by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under overall coordination of the UN Resident Coordinators’ Office in BIH. 

Background Information
The world has set a very ambitious and necessary Agenda for 2030. All 193 UN Member States have committed themselves to solving the world’s biggest challenges formulated in 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a framework for shared action to be implemented by all countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership. Authorities in BiH have agreed to design, with support of the UN/UNDP, an SDG Framework that will define a common position of governments in BIH on the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. This document is envisaged to be endorsed at BIH, FBIH, RS and DB levels. As such, the SDG Framework will also inform subsequent strategic planning processes at the sub-national level rolling out in the second half of 2019.
Under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinators’ Office in BiH extensive work has been conducted so far to inform creation of the SDG Framework in BIH, including consultations with stakeholders which bring forward citizens perspectives in terms of priority areas, vision 2030, development acceleration points and development pathways. This vast analytical work is now being synthesized in a report (situation analysis) that should give an overview of the current state of affairs in BiH organised around the four development pathways, as follows: 

  • Smart Growth represents new type of growth, combining economic development with sustainable management of natural resources and resource-efficiency, while also focusing on research and development and innovation.
  • Human Capital for 21st Century is aimed at building human capital to promote Agenda 2030, with particular focus on quality education and life-long learning, which should provide necessary skills for labour market and smart growth.
  • Inclusive governance aimed at building strong, transparent and accountable institutions and ensuring rule of law. It includes reform of institutions, as well as harnessing digital revolution for better governance, ensuring access to information, and fight against corruption.
  • New social contract is aimed at development for all, with Leaving No One Behind at its heart (including but not limited to the elderly, persons with disabilities, remote rural dwellers, migrants, ethnic minorities, women and children), maintaining social cohesion/inclusion. It includes inclusive provision of services, health insurance and social protection measures.

Once finalized, the Synthesized Analysis will be discussed in detail and validated at a workshop with experts and policy makers. Importantly, the consultations would be used to define focus areas/main indicators under each development pathway.
Based on the Synthesized Analysis and relevant available data, defining of baselines and targets values for the select indicators under each development pathway will be conducted in a consultative manner. A team of external experts/facilitators will be engaged to steer consultations with institutional partners and other relevant stakeholders (one or two experts for each of the four development pathways), while the overall guidance and quality assurance will be ensured by national planning institutions and UN/UNDP. Under these ToR, an Expert/Consultant for Human Capital Development (hereinafter: the Consultant) will be engaged.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Against the previously described background, the Consultant will have the following specific tasks:
Task 1: Provide expert input into the Draft Synthesized Analysis
As a first step, the Consultant will familiarise herself/himself with the analytical work prepared so far in the process of design of the SDG Framework. This includes, among others, the SDGs statistical dashboard for BiH, the complexity analysis, the consultation report and the vision 2030. Particular attention will be given to the Draft Synthesized Analysis prepared by UN/UNDP that presents development potentials, bottlenecks, trends, projections and acceleration points in BiH organised around the four wider development pathways.
Following the review of the materials, the Consultant will be expected to provide feedback and qualitative input into the Draft Synthesized Analysis, as the Report will serve as the key reference document in subsequent planning phases of the process.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered in the period late April – May 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 3 expert days.
Task 2: Support the participatory selection of SDGs indicators and formulation of baselines and targets
Once the Synthesized Analysis is completed, the Consultant will support the UN/UNDP in BiH in facilitating two participatory workshops aimed at enabling the national policy makers select relevant SDGs targets and indicators and set baselines and target values that will serve as the backbone of the SDGs Framework in BiH. This will entail preparation and facilitation of two workshops to be held as follows:

  • 1-and-½ day workshop for validation of the Synthesized Report and selection of targets and indicators for BiH (early May 2019, approx. 200 participants)

The Synthesized Analysis will be discussed in detail and validated at the workshop with experts and policy makers. As part of the team of external experts (minimum 4 thematic consultants), the Consultant will be responsible to facilitate and steer the discussion under the Human Capital for 21st Century development pathway.
Importantly, this first workshop will be used to select focus targets and main indicators for BiH under each development pathway. Feedback received during the workshop and through other types of consultation channels will be integrated into the final version of the Synthesized Analysis.

  • 1-day workshop for setting baselines and target values for the select targets under each development pathways (late May 2019, approx. 200 participants)

Based on the Synthesized Report and relevant available data, as part of the team of external experts, the Consultant is to support defining of baselines and targets values for the selected targets and indicators. This will be done through facilitated main and subgroups discussions with institutional partners/experts for each development pathway. The overall guidance and quality assurance will come from key planning institutions in BIH and UN/UNDP.
In between the two workshops and as part of the team of external experts, the Consultant may be required to conduct additional 1-2 consultations with relevant institutional representatives at various government levels (individual meetings, focus groups or similar) so as to additionally support them for the forthcoming target setting.
Upon completion of the aforementioned tasks, the Consultant is required to prepare his/her input into a summary report reflecting the two workshops and additional consultations and their outcomes as well as recommendations.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered in the period May 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 10 expert days.
The entire service will be delivered in the languages of peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Deliverables/outputs

# Deliverables / outputs # of days per task Due date Percentage

Task 1: Provide input into the Synthesis Report

  • Feedback and qualitative input into the Draft Synthesized Report.  3 3 May 2019 23%

Task 2: Support the participatory selection of SDGs target and indicators and formulation of baselines and targets values

  • Two workshops with national stakeholders supported and co-facilitated;
  • Additional support to target value setting provided to national stakeholders (via individual meetings, focus groups or similar);
  • SDG targets and indicators for BiH selected, baselines and targets values set;
  • Inputs into summary report reflecting the workshops and additional consultations, their outcomes and recommendations prepared and approved by the SDGs Project. 10 31 May 2019 77 %

Competencies

JOB KNOWLEDGE/TECHNICAL EXPERTISE/External authority in own discipline

  • Contributes to knowledge/information that extends the boundaries of knowledge in the discipline
  • Is recognized outside the organization as a world-class authority in their discipline
  • Applies an in-depth knowledge of best practices within the discipline; effectively uses this information to improve work practices within the function and the organization
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of standard Computer Software applications and information technology including electronic communication and seeks to apply it in work tasks

CONCEPTUAL INNOVATION IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE/Creating a climate for conceptual innovation

  • Promotes conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
  • Advocates for resources required for conceptual innovation
  • Promotes strategic direction for capacity building in the provision of technical expertise

INNOVATION AND MARKETING NEW APPROACHES/Creating a culture of innovation

  • Models and innovative thinking and innovative approaches to meeting UNDP’s mandate
  • Creates a climate that encourages innovation and acceptance of change
  • Provides authoritative guidance regarding methods and approaches to meeting UNDP’s objectives
  • Leads change and implements effective change strategy
  • Shapes the organization’s programmatic vision and guides its adaptation into programme priorities

CLIENT ORIENTATION/Advocating for client needs

  • Demonstrates a commitment to the provision of quality service to clients, promoting a mindset of valuing clients
  • Provides client groups with opportunities for active participation/consultation on decisions relevant to their needs
  • evelops strategic partnerships with clients to integrate common interests in support of UNDP’s strategic direction
  • Reviews overall achievement of service level agreements with clients
  • Leverages a network of senior level contacts and decision makers to pursue new approaches

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

  • Advanced university degree in social science or a related field.

Experience

  • More than 7 years of progressive experience in design of development measures and policies in the field of human capital development;
  • Previous experience with conductiong of socio-economic analysis,  identifying trends and challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly with respect to human capital development;
  • Previous experience in conducing analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data;
  • Previous experience in facilitation of public consultative policy development processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and write concisely and clearly;
  • Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives and other stakeholders;
  • Ability to work as a team player in a complex working environment.

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in languages of BIH and excellent command of English.

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:

Documents to Be Included When Submitting the Proposals

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:


Financial Proposal

Lump sum contracts
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. 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 (including travel, per diem, and number of anticipated working days).

Travel;
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. 


Long/Shortlisting Criteria (Rating based on Qualifications)
Criteria Weight  Max. Point

  • Relevant Education 7  % max 10 points (8 points allocated for MSc/MA; + up to 2 points for PhD).
  • Relevant professional experience 14 % max 20 points

Technical Evaluation Criteria
Criteria Weight  Max. Point

  • Rating based on Qualifications 21 % max 30 points
  • Previous experience with conductiong of socio-economic analysis,  identifying trends and challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly with respect to human capital development, 38 % max 40 points
  • Previous experience in facilitation of public consultative policy development processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  •  21 % max 30 points
  • Financial 20 % 

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.