Background

NOTE: Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - https://www.ba.undp.org/content/dam/bosnia_and_herzegovina/docs/Operations/Jobs/Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx - Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.docx - to be sent to e-mail ba.shared.hr@undp.org with Subject: Job ID 92565.

Financed by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project is a 12-year intervention launched in 2016, in the domain of local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Project’s overall goal is defined as follows: Local governments (LGs), assigned with appropriate competences and finances, have improved their democratic governance, apply sound public policy and performance management systems, and provide public services in an inclusive, effective and efficient manner, particularly those related to economic and environmental sectors. The expected concrete improvements the Project will contribute to are clustered in three outcomes, as follows:

• Outcome 1: Supported local governments apply effective development management systems characterized by stronger oversight of the legislative and greater accountability towards the citizens.
• Outcome 2: Citizens and businesses in target localities benefit from good quality services provided by LGs in the economic and environmental sectors.
• Outcome 3: Improved regulatory framework at higher and local government levels.

The Project’s territorial focus is on the North-West part of the country (including Una-Sana Canton and Prijedor region) and the North-East region (the wider Doboj-Tuzla area), covering 18 partner LGs: Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Cazin, Doboj, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Kalesija, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic, Tuzla, Velika Kladuša and Žepce.

The Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the FBiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, the Ministry for Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska (RS), the RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and both entity Associations of Municipalities and Cities (AMCs).

Within its Local Government component, MEG Project is supporting its partner local governments (municipal councils and administrations) to establish sound public policy and Performance Management Systems (PMS) through improved structures, regulatory frameworks, capacities and attitudes by municipal employees and elected officials. This entails reform-type of efforts by municipal leaderships and public employees, towards more effective and citizen-centered municipal governance and service delivery. This consultancy will take place within the Project’s Local Governance component, seeking to achieve significant improvements in the performance of partner LGs across the MEG community, as per mentioned PMS indicators.

The objective of this consultancy is twofold:

• The first objective is to strengthen the planning, reporting and implementation capacities of all LG departments; introduce new innovative approaches; recognize, improve and promote existing good LG practices; match the advanced LGs with the ones still lagging behind; and subsequently enhance municipal overall performance when it comes to successful, transparent and efficient implementation of municipal development strategies.
• The second objective is to provide technical assistance to two partner LGs (Gradiška and Tešanj) in implementation, monitoring and reporting of the newly and partially introduced performance budgets for 2020, as well as expanding to at least one additional area under the LG competence in plans for 2021 budget.

For that purpose, a National Local Governments and Budget and Finance Consultant for the North-East Cluster[1] (the Consultant) will be hired.

[1] Doboj, Gracanica, Gradacac, Kalesija, Prnjavor, Tešanj, Teslic, Tuzla and Žepce.

Duties and Responsibilities

As the basis for his/her work, the Consultant will become familiar with the relevant sections of the latest MEG Project’s Performance Management System (PMS) evaluation reports from 2020, including results, findings, recommendations and means of verification that are relevant to local administration performance. Also, he/she will become familiar with MEG project developed “Methodology for Performance-based Financial Assistance to MEG partner LGs” and the concrete, evidence-based progress made by partner LGs in 2018 and 2019. All these inputs will be provided by the Project team.

Furthermore, the Consultant will, jointly with the Consultant for the North-West Cluster, prepare a common online training, specifically targeting individual performance gaps identified during the PMS Evaluation that will, in consultation with the Project team, be identified as priority ones.

The training will be delivered during a one-day session, organized by the MEG project for LG representatives. It will include presentations, example exercises and exchange of good practices, as well as thematic discussions. The session will be organized online and all logistics will be provided by the Project team.

Moreover, the Consultant will be directly responsible for delivery of additional technical assistance in line with the relevant PMS indicators[1] to 9 targeted partner LGs in the North-East Cluster.  All the technical assistance will be developed in accordance with individual LG action plans and delivered jointly with LG teams. The idea is to further address all issues and gaps identified during the recent PMS evaluation and facilitate sustainability of already achieved relevant results.

Methodological Considerations

The Consultant is expected to firstly perform a desk review of the background documentation, get him/herself acquainted with individual Performance Management Assessment (PMA) evaluation reports, individual LGs’ performance-based financial assistance evaluation results, annual consultancy reports on the individual LG progress, citizen participation activities and annual citizens satisfaction survey’s results. All relevant documentation will be provided by the Project team.

Based on initial findings, conclusions and recommendations, as well as input from the Project team, the Consultant will, jointly with the other Project engaged LG consultant, identify themes for joint thematic sessions to which he/she will contribute significantly during the tenure of his/her assignment in 2020. This will be done by emails, skype or phone communications. Once the themes are agreed upon, the Consultant will design and deliver the thematic training.

Also, the Consultant will be responsible to assist LG employees in the process of development of multiyear individual actions plans for each of the nine LGs and provide technical assistance in fulfilling all objectives from their action plans. Supplementary one-on-one technical assistance to partner LG teams will be mostly organized using skype, email, phone communication, and with the support of the MEG Project team.

When it comes to performance-based budgeting, the Consultant will work with teams already established in Gradiška and Tešanj to facilitate their implementation, monitoring and reporting process in accordance with the existing performance indicators. Additionally, the Consultant will train new team members in preparation and introduction of performance-based budgets for 2021, within new area(s) of LGs’ competence.

More specifically, the Consultant will have the following tasks: 

Task 1: Desk review and Training development and delivery

After the initial desk review of relevant documentation provided by the MEG Project on 2020 PMS evaluation results and in consultation with MEG Project team, the Consultant is expected to prepare materials for conducting one online training session for representatives of all 9 LGs, in order to transfer the knowledge for overcoming gaps identified in the PMS evaluation reports.

The training materials will be developed in electronic form and will comprise of general overview of gaps identified in the latest PMS evaluation reports, proposals for overcoming those gaps and best practices presentations, and will be handed over to LGs after the online session. All training materials need to be approved by MEG Project team prior to the online training session.

During the development and delivery of training, the Consultant will work closely with the Consultant engaged for the North-West cluster.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 15 August 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 4 expert days.

Task 2: Support preparation of LG action plans

After completing the online training session, and based on gaps identified in the PMS evaluation reports, the Consultant will work individually with related staff in each LG, in order to assist them in preparation of individual multiyear (2 years) action plan for their LG. This assistance will be provided online, through emails, phone and skype communication.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 1 September 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 6 expert days.

Task 3: Consultations and midterm report

Throughout the consultancy, and as referenced under the scope of work and methodological considerations, the Consultant is expected to provide consultation services and guidance for fulfillment of 2020 action plans objectives to 9 partner LGs’ teams, through email, telephone and skype communication.

After providing technical assistance, the Consultant will prepare a midterm report, clearly reflecting his/her support and tangible progress made by 9 partner LGs against relevant PMS indicators. The midterm report will also include relevant recommendations for further improvements of LGs’ work, which will need to be addressed until the end of this consultancy.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 15 October 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 5 expert days.

Task 4:  Preparing the final Report

Once the technical assistance and consultations process is completed, the Consultant will prepare a final Report, clearly identifying LGs’ progress against their action plans, relevant PMS indicators and provide appropriate recommendations for potential improvements in both.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 1 December 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 1 expert day.

Task 5: Technical Assistance on Performance-based Budgeting

Throughout the consultancy, the Consultant will provide additional parallel technical assistance to two LGs (Gradiška and Tešanj) in implementation, monitoring and reporting of newly introduced Performance-based Budgeting with Gender Perspective. Assistance will be provided in two to three areas under the LG’s responsibility (i.e. working with CSOs, sports, culture, agriculture, etc.), as agreed through:

1. Organization and delivery of at least three specific online training sessions and/or consultation meetings for each of the two selected LGs,
2. Organization and delivery of at least one online training session for each of the two selected LGs, to facilitate development and introduction of new performance-based budgets for 2021 that will include at least one additional sector to those from the budget for 2020.
3. Facilitation of performance-based budget integration and acceptance process within the LG, and its promotion on official LG web sites.
4. Provision of necessary follow-up and continuous online assistance until the end of this consultancy.

It is envisaged that the task will be delivered by 10 December 2020, and the level of effort will not exceed 16 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs

[1] Reference to PMA reports, to be provided by the Project.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time.
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;

People Skills:

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Results-Orientation:

• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

• Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
• Strong communication skills;
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Sound knowledge of the M&E,
• Strong analytical skills;
• Strong presentation skills;
• Advanced writing skills,
• Strong facilitation and coordination skills;
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
• Initiative and sound judgment.
• General understanding and familiarity with the local administration, environment and strategic development terminology will be considered an asset.  

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in economics, finance, public administration or related field.
• Master’s degree would be considered a definite asset.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressive public administration experience, preferably at LG level.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in budget and financial management at any government level.
• At least 5 years of proven work with LG administration specifically in Bosnia and Herzegovina, preferably in both entities.
• At least 5 years of training development and training delivery experience, preferably at LG level.
• At least 3 years of experience in the assessment and analysis of public documents and regulations.
• Extensive experience in implementation of local development policies, strategies or programs, particularly relevant for the local level.
• Proven experience in facilitation and coaching of Local Government Employees.
• Proven presentation skills.

Languages Requirements:

• Fluency in English and official languages of people of BH.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation

Individual  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 candidate 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%

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

• Proposal:

  • Personal CV: Including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

  • Sample of a training module developed earlier on.

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.