Background

Purpose

The purpose of the position is to provide expert advice on project preparation within the Memorandum for Provision of Management and Other Support Services signed between UNDP and MCTI.

Objective

To provide necessary expertise and assistance on project preparation in areas of construction, transportation and infrastructure in Serbia for the purpose of result-oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of the Project by applying evidence-based approach.

Background Information

The Project shall support the Ministry of Construction, Transportation and Infrastructure (MCTI) to strengthen administrative capacity and at the same time support the MCTI in their work with other relevant state institutions and state-owned companies to plan for and deliver construction and infrastructure investment projects of strategic importance by further enhancing MCTI`s policy planning, project development and other relevant capacities.

The Project will address increasing capacities of MCTI to deliver large strategic investment projects in construction, transport and infrastructure areas that are managed in well-coordinated, transparent, efficient and quality manner.

In order to assist Ministry to efficiently use the available funds, implement properly and effectively all necessary reforms, continue fulfilling successfully the requirements of the EU accession process, there is a need to establish the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

In order to successfully contribute to the enhancement of MCTI capacities for policy development, an expert in project preparation will be engaged.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Project Preparation Expert will do the following:

• Conduct desk and field research necessary for producing the project pipeline of the ongoing and coming opportunities, and develop a structure and key steps for needs assessment on MCTI project preparation in the area of construction, transportation and infrastructure;
• Provide assistance in developing standardized templates and tools for MCTI project preparation, as well as in developing structure and introductory parts of the project preparation manual tailor-made to the nature and structure of MCTI projects;
• Prepare draft materials, contents and exercises for: 1) one-day basic course and 2) for two-day advanced course on project preparation, fully tailored to the identified needs of MCTI staff;
• Provide organizational and content-wise (preparing examples, material, documents, etc.) assistance to the on-the-job support to MCTI in the preparation of at least two project documents/proposals and/or action documents, and conduct desk and field research necessary for preparing a detailed analytical review with key findings and recommendations for further enhancement of MCTI project preparation capacities based on the on-the-job support;
• Prepare SWOT strategic analysis for the purpose of efficient preparation of at least 2 MCTI projects, and develop the structure, outline and general parts of project feasibility study as a prerequisite for the preparation of at least one complex MCTI project.

DELIVERABLES AND INDICATIVE TIMELINE

Deliverables will have to be quality reviewed and approved/accepted by UNDP Project Manager in consultation with the National Project Director. 

Competencies

• Excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
• Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Capacity to work across the sectors;
• Ability to express ideas clearly;
• Proven ability to develop educational content in high quality through the portfolio of previous work;
• Approach to work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in social sciences, political science, business administration/economics or related.

Work experience:

• 3 years of relevant professional experience in preparing, developing and or implementing projects;
• 3 years of experience in implementing various projects in public and/or private sector;
• Previous involvement in drafting projects based on the logical framework approach in Serbia will be an asset;
• Experience in working with public institutions / ministries / local self-governments.

Knowledge:

• Excellent understanding of Serbia's public sector
• Understanding of major development challenges and trends within the public sector
• Knowledge in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 20th June 2021.

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).  
• Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx. The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields

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 (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). 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 diems, 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.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

Evaluation

Additional Information:

• An Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity. If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, an IC will be issued upon the submission of a consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Prior to submitting their offer, the applicants should get familiar with General Conditions for Individual Contractors which be found at: https://rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/downloads/General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf. Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity. 

• A Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. A template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions can be found at: http://www.rs.undp.org/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc. In the case of engagement of Civil servants under an IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees:

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract: 

(i) A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and 

(ii) The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer

formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC. 

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.  

UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.