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 98737.

The second phase of the Via Dinarica Project seeks to further economic development opportunities along Via Dinarica trails predominantly in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) but also in the region, by supporting sustainable nature-based tourism development. It is a successor of the phase I of the project entitled Via Dinarica: A Platform for Sustainable Tourism Development and Local Economic Growth, implemented during the period October 2014 - December 2017.
The project advances the Via Dinarica concept as a mechanism connecting cultural, historical, and natural resources, working in partnership with relevant institutions and other stakeholders, and contributing to improved livelihoods and economic growth, particularly for rural communities along the trails in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will be achieved through the following outcomes:
(1) Via Dinarica further affirmed and sustained as a safe internationally recognized tourism brand, and
(2) Via Dinarica as a tourism platform offering economic development opportunities for local communities.
The project is being implemented in the period 2018 - 2021, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of BiH, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in BiH and Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS).
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical assistance (Project Cycle Management (PCM) and complementary training and mentoring), to UNDP Via Dinarica Project’s implementing partner (IP, locally registered civil society organization (CSO)) within the efforts to step up capacity building activities and consequently contribute to its long-term sustainability to fill the role of Via Dinarica Support Centre. The consultancy shall build on the results of previous assignment, whereby participatory work with the leadership, employees, and members of IP in 2020 resulted in preparation of a Strategic development plan, including a marketing plan, a 3-year financial projection, and an updated Capacity Development Plan for IP to fill the role of future Via Dinarica Support Centre. Furthermore, within the efforts to support the establishment of three Via Dinarica information, promotion, and service hubs along the Via Dinarica White Trail, capacity building of the Via Dinarica hubs' staff is intended to improve the quality of tourism services and to contribute to Via Dinarica sustainability. Three locations have been identified for the hubs: 1. Sutjeska National Park, 2. Blidinje Nature Park, and 3. Mountain hut Vrela, Mt. Visocica.
The Consultant is expected to design, prepare, and deliver:
Project Cycle Management (PCM) and complementary training for IP (up to max. 6 persons) and Via Dinarica hubs’ staff (up to max. 6 persons), comprising of:
a) Modular Project Proposal Writing (PPW) training and mentoring sessions to strengthen their fundraising skills,
b) Networking Training to facilitate IP to establish, revitalise or strengthen partnership networks with various actors such as government(s) at all levels in BiH, CSO (civil society organisation), business, local and donor communities within the efforts to diversify their funding sources, and
c) Strategic Leadership Training for IP operational and managerial staff with the purpose of managing their networking with government, CSO, business, local and donor communities and their efforts to secure regular funding base.
In preparation for the training design and delivery the Consultant shall review the materials produced within the second phase of the Via Dinarica Project: appropriate sections of the Via Dinarica project document, Via Dinarica Hubs document, proposed Via Dinarica Coordination Mechanism in BiH report, the Initial Report (Analysis of the Current Capacities of IP), Participatory workshop Report, Strategic Development Plan for IP and accompanying budget projection and Updated Capacity Development and Long-Term sustainability plan.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Task 1 – Review of relevant documentation provided by Via Dinarica project team and design of Project Cycle Management (PCM) and complementary training for IP staff and leadership, and Via Dinarica hubs’ staff.
This task includes review of documentation, primarily appropriate sections of the Via Dinarica project document, Via Dinarica hubs document, proposed Via Dinarica Coordinaton Mechanism in BiH report, the Initial Report (Analysis of the Current Capacities of IP), Participatory workshop Report, Strategic Development Plan for IP and accompanying budget projection and Updated Capacity Development and Long-Term sustainability plan. Based on the documents' review, the consultant is expected to design Project Cycle Management (PCM) and complementary training for IP staff and its leadership, and the Via Dinarica hubs’ staff, as follows:

• a) Modular Project Proposal Writing (PPW) training and mentoring sessions to strengthen their fundraising skills,
• b) Networking Training to facilitate IP to establish, revitalise or strengthen partnership networks with various actors such as government(s) at all levels in BiH, CSO, business, local and donor communities within the efforts to diversify their funding sources, and
• c) Strategic Leadership Training for IP operational and managerial staff with the purpose of managing their networking with government, CSO, business, local and donor communities and their efforts to secure regular funding base.

The training materials will be reviewed by the project team upon submission and approved by Via Dinarica project manager.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 31 May 2021 and the level of effort will not exceed 5 expert days.

Task 2 - Delivery of PCM and complementary training to IP staff and leadership.
Upon approval of training design and materials prepared under the Task 1, the Consultant shall deliver PCM and complementary training to IP staff, and its leadership, and Via Dinarica hubs’ staff. The training sessions may include a combination of a face-to-face and online sessions, subject to current epidemiological situation and related measures imposed by the government. Such decision will be made on a case-by-case basis by the trainer, and IP and Via Dinarica hubs’ staff designated persons jointly. The training topics will include:

• a) Modular Project Proposal Writing (PPW) training and mentoring sessions to strengthen their fundraising skills,
• b) Networking Training to facilitate IP to establish, revitalise or strengthen partnership networks with various actors such as government(s) at all levels in BiH, CSO, business, local and donor communities within the efforts to diversify their funding sources, and to learn and be able to apply the Fundamental Principles of Managing Multi-stakeholder Engagement, and
• c) Strategic Leadership Training for IP operational and managerial staff with the purpose of managing their networking with government, CSO, business, local and donor communities and their efforts to secure regular funding base as well as to initiate establishment of Management Board and its committees – such as task forces, advisory groups, and ad-hoc thematic group(s).

Each training will be followed by a mentoring session, where the Consultant will work with relevant I member(s) to follow up on what has been done and agreed at the training, and to carry out practical exercises (e.g., finalizing draft project proposals, etc.).
While delivering training and mentoring sessions described under this Task, the consultant shall be conducting evaluation regularly (covering contents, trainer and methods applied).
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 28 June 2021 and the level of effort will not exceed 12 expert days.

Task 3 – Reporting.
Upon delivery of the training and mentoring sessions from the Task 2, the Consultant shall prepare a final report that will include, but will not be limited to: number of trainees, attendance sheets, analysis of pre and after training knowledge, lessons learned and recommendations for follow-up actions, training performance evaluation, FAQs, etc. The report will be submitted to UNDP in English language.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 09 July 2021 and the level of effort will not exceed 3 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs

Competencies

a. 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;
• Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives.

b. 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.

c. Results-Orientation:

• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

d. Communication:

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

e. Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Technical expertise in training delivery on project proposal writing, PCM, monitoring and evaluation of projects, networking, and strategic leadership to SCOs ;
• Technical knowledge of project proposal writing, PCM, and monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

• A university degree in law, economics, public policy, public administration, or a related social science field. Master’s degree is not required but will be considered as an asset. Valid trainer certificate from renowned institution in the field of PCM will be considered as an asset.

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant and proven professional experience in delivery of training on PCM, overall management of non-profit organizations, networking, and strategic leadership to CSOs in BiH.
• Technical knowledge of project proposal writing, PCM, and monitoring and evaluation of projects.
• Previous experience in working with UNDP is an asset.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Languages Requirements

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in in the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina and English language.

Other Requirements

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

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:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;
• Personal CV/P11, including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

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.