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 97169.

The consultancy will take place within the third phase of the Integrated Local Development Project (ILDP), a joint project of the Government of Switzerland and UNDP. For nearly 10 years, the Project has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to systematize strategic planning and development management at sub-national levels in the country. Since its launch in 2008, the ILDP has been progressively growing, both in terms of scope of work, as well as conceptual approaches applied to advance strategic planning in the BiH.

In addition to harmonizing local development planning in the country, the ILDP paved the way for the newly adopted and emerging development planning and management regulatory frameworks in both entities. As one of the flagship achievements, the Project supported the participatory development of the Law on Development Planning and Management in the FBiH entity and its related by-laws, setting the legal and methodological grounds[1] for the development planning and management system in this entity.

In order to equip all government levels in FBiH with the “know-how” for effective evaluation of strategic documents in FBiH in line with the new legal and methodological frameworks, the ILDP will support the institutional partners in FBiH in designing a Manual on Evaluation of Strategic Documents. As such, the Manual will provide guidance on regulatory and methodological requirements, responsibilities, key process steps, elements and formats, tools and practical examples that are needed for conducting an effective evaluation. Furthermore, the Manual will provide step by step methodological guidance to practitioners, which will be involved in the evaluation process, on how to organize, coordinate and oversee evaluation processes that will be conducted by internal/external evaluators.

Following the design of the Manual, a training program will be designed, and its delivery will be piloted with a selected number of government practitioners from all government levels in FBiH. The training delivery will also include a number of  local consultants with relevant background in conducting evaluations of government policies to strengthen the external training marker. The training program will be handed over to the FBiH Civil Service Agency (FBIH CSA) for institutional replication of the training program to relevant development practitioners/civil servants at all government levels in the FBiH.

For this purpose, under this ToR, the ILDP will engage one national expert that will be responsible for conceptualization and drafting of the Manual and the preparation and pilot delivery of the training program.

[1] Since adoption of the Law on Development Planning and Management in FBiH, and its relevant by-laws, the ILDP supported the institutional partners in FBiH to effectivelly apply the new regulatory framework thrugh capacity building and traning organised through the FBiH Civil Service Agency. This also included support to preparaton of the Manual on Preparation of Strategic documents in FBiH and the Manual on the Mid-Term and Annual Work Planning, Monitoring and Reporting, in line with the new regulatory framework, development strategies and Agenda 2030.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant is expected to design a comprehensive Manual and Training Program on Evaluation of Strategic Document in FBiH, including a pilot delivery of the training program.

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

Task 1 – Design of Manual for Evaluation of Strategic Documents in FBiH

Prior to initiating this task, the Consultant will undertake several preparatory steps.

Firstly, the Consultant is to familiarize him/herself with the newly established development planning and management system in FBiH, including its regulatory, methodological, and institutional frameworks defined in the FBiH Law on Development Planning and Management and corresponding by-laws. The Consultant will particularly focus on the FBiH Government Decree on the Evaluation of Strategic Document in FBiH, from the perspective of methodological and organizational approach, key elements, milestones, and timelines.

Secondly, the Consultant will review an additional set of materials that were used in a number of evaluations of strategic documents in the FBIH in the recent period. These include the ToR and ex-ante evaluation report of the FBIH Development Strategy 2021-2027, including relevant procurement and contractual documents, as well as final evaluation reports of at least two cantons and local government. The initial inputs for the preparatory work will be provided by the ILDP.

Based on the initial preparatory work, the Consultant will develop a brief conceptual outline of the Manual, in line with entry parameters stipulated below, that will be submitted to ILDP for validation.

Conceptual entry parameters for the Manual

The Manual will provide a “know-how” for evaluations of strategic documents processes in the FBiH in line with regulatory requirements from the relevant by-law. More specifically, the Manual will provide guidance with respect to regulatory and methodological requirements, responsibilities, key process steps, elements and formats, tools and practical examples that are needed for conducting an effective evaluation. Furthermore, it will guide development practitioners/civil servants, which are involved in evaluation of strategic documents in FBiH, through practical instructions how to prepare, coordinate, procure, organize, support, and oversee evaluation processes that will be conducted by internal/external evaluators. The Manual will provide guidance how to publish and utilize evaluation results and oversee the implementation of evaluation recommendations.

The primary target group of the Manual are development practitioners/Civil Servant that will be involved in the evaluation process of strategic documents in FBiH from all government levels in FBiH, meaning FBiH and cantonal institutions and local governments. The secondary target group of the Manual are internal/external evaluators that may be engaged in evaluation processes. Considering different target groups that will use the Manual, it should be prepared in a user-friendly and easily understandable manner, with minimal use of the complex technical language. The “know-how” provided within the Manual would follow the building elements, logic, and processes of evaluation of strategic document in FBiH (as prescribed by the by-law), and will be enriched with practical examples, tools and templates.

As such, the Manual will be structured in the following manner:

Title: Manual for Evaluation of Strategic Document in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introduction

1. Purpose of the Manual in the context of sustainable development management and implementation of strategic document in the FBIH
   1. Purpose and methodological scope of the Manual
2. Theoretical, regulatory, and institutional aspects of evaluation of strategic documents in the FBiH
   1. Theoretical, regulatory, and institutional aspects of the evaluation of strategic documents
   2. Evaluation of strategic documents from the perspective of Agenda 2030
3. Key principles, objectives, benefits, and types of evaluation of strategic documents in the FBiH
   1. Key principles, objectives, and benefits of evaluation of strategic documents
   2. Types of evaluations of strategic documents in the FBiH
4. Evaluating of strategic documents in FBiH
   1. Responsibilities for the process of evaluation of strategic documents
   2. Criteria for evaluation of strategic documents
   3. Purpose and approach to ex-ante evaluation
   4. Purpose and approach to mid-term evaluation (evaluation during implementation)
   5. Conducting the evaluation process (e.g., elaborating in the content: evaluation planning, design of ToRs, organization, coordination, and administrative and technical support; data required for evaluation report preparation, publishing of evaluation reports and oversight of implementation of evaluation recommendations).
5. Annexes (references to the relevant regulatory framework, practical examples, templates and tools)

Based on the conceptual outline validated by the ILDP, the Consultant will prepare a draft Manual. References to regulatory framework, practical examples, templates and tools provided in the annexes will be connected to the relevant chapters of the Manual through hyperlinks so as to allow their views as well as practical use  within the respective Manual chapters. The maximum number of pages of the Manual shall not exceed 30 pages (not including annexes). As such, the Manual will be tailored to be applicable to all governance levels in the FBiH.

Drafting of the Manual will be organized in the two steps. Firstly, based on the conceptual outline, the Consultant will prepare the content of the Manual and the first three chapters, which will be shared with the ILDP for review and feedback. After validation of the first input by the ILDP, the Consultant will submit the consolidated draft Manual with the remaining chapters for final validation by the ILDP.

The final draft of the Manual will be submitted to ILDP.

Task 1 is expected to be completed end-March 2021 with estimated level of effort of 10 days.

Task 2 – Design of Training Program for Evaluation of Strategic Documents in FBiH

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

Training program conceptual entry parameters

The purpose of the training program is to equip a critical number of development practitioners/civil servants from all government levels in FBiH, including up to 10 local consultants with relevant professional background in evaluation of government strategies and policies with methodological “know-how” in line with relevant by-law that is required for conducting evaluation of strategic documents in FBiH. The training program will last two (2) consecutive days and will be designed in line with the  methodological approach elaborated under Task 1. As such, the training program will consist of four major training parts:

• The first part will focus on the overview of training contents and methods; theoretical, regulatory, and institutional aspects of evaluation of strategic documents in the FBiH; key principles, objectives, benefits, and types of evaluation of strategic documents in the FBiH.
• The second part will focus on responsibilities for the process of evaluation of strategic documents;  criteria for evaluation of strategic documents; and introduction to main types of evaluation of strategic documents including specific evaluation requirements stemming from Agenda 2030.
• The third part of the program will elaborate the purpose and the approach to ex-ante evaluation and evaluation during implementation.
• The fourth part of the program will elaborate the process of conducting evaluations  (planning, ToRs, organization, coordination, administrative and technical support, evaluation data, preparation of evaluation report and its publishing, oversight of implementation of evaluation recommendations).

In addition to training presentation, the training program (agenda) should include elaboration of relevant examples, group and/or individual exercises and a brief entry/exit knowledge test.

The training program will be submitted to ILDP.

The final (fine-tuned) training package will include (but not limited to): (i) Training module agenda; PowerPoint presentation, Hand-outs for participants and/or reading material; exercises for individual/group work, check lists, brief knowledge test; Training evaluation form; (ii) Brief training manual for trainers (providing brief guidelines along the power point presentation and group exercises sessions, to be used by potential training providers, thus ensuring equal understanding and minimum quality standards in the follow up training delivery process).

Task 2 is expected to be completed by mid-April 2021 with estimated level of effort of 5 days.

Task 3 – Pilot delivery of the Training Program on the Evaluation of Strategic documents in FBiH

Based on the training program designed within Task 2, the Consultant will conduct a pilot delivery of the training for 2 (two) different training groups of up to 25 target participants (where the first group will comprise training participants from the FBiH and cantonal level, while the second group of participants will come from the local government level. Each group will include up to 5 local consultants with evaluation background to equip them with methodological knowledge to serve as future trainers in line with the new regulatory requirements). As envisaged, the training program will last two consecutive days. Training participants from government levels in FBiH will be identified by the ADS FBiH, while the ILDP, in cooperation with the FBIH Development Planning Institute, will identify the local consultants. The invitation for training and the logistic support will be organized by the ADS FBiH.

The training program delivery will encourage active involvement of participants by using participatory training techniques, group exercises/discussion, etc.

Depending on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, training will be delivered either in the form of a webinar or will be organized through on-site locations (Sarajevo).

A questionnaire to enable the participants evaluate the training program will be provided by the ILDP while the Consultant will be required to administer the questionnaire at the end of the training and collect and analyze feedback from training participants, their perceptions and recommendations and include them in a brief report that will be submitted to the ILDP.

The Consultant will be responsible for his/her travel arrangements, while the ILDP and the FBIH CSA will be responsible for overall training logistics. 

Task 3 is to be completed by end of April 2021, with estimated level of effort of 5 days.

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

Deliverables/outputs

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:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in social studies, economy, public administration, or a relevant field.
• Advanced degree will be considered as an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of previous experience in capacity development or delivery of technical assistance to public sector beneficiaries, preferably in the area of strategic planning and programmatic implementation.
• Previous practical experience in evaluating development strategies and/or policies in BIH and in the region
• Previous experience in design of practical manuals or guidelines in the area of evaluation of development strategies.   
• Previous experience in training design and/or delivery of training to public sector beneficiaries in the area of  strategic planning and development management and evaluations.
• Specific knowledge of the standardized development planning methodologies applied in BiH is considered an asset.

Languages Requirements:

•  Fluency in languages of peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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:

• Financial proposal with lumpsum costs for required services (please indicate breakdown of costs including consultancy fee, travel and all other associated costs) - link for document is at begining of advertisment. 
• Most recent CV.

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.