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 102036.

Travel will be required to:Centar Sarajevo, Rudo, Vitez.

Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of the EU-UNDP partnership and previously supported initiative – ReLOaD1 implemented from 2017-2020. The programme continues to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration process in the Western Balkans (WB) by empowering civil society and youth to actively take part in decision making and by stimulating an enabling legal and financial environment for civil society. It is implemented in the WB region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, and Serbia. Working across the region, ReLOaD2 will enhance capacities of local governments and civil society organizations (CSO) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and realisation of local priorities in line with development strategies. The project in BiH selected 13 partner local governments (LGs)[1] and will focus on strengthening the partnership between LGs and CSOs. It will incite partner LG to improve public funding for CSO in a transparent and development-oriented manner, recognising local needs and embracing a project-based approach. Also, the project will promote youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and will work on improvement of their economic perspectives in partner localities.

The total budget of the ReLOaD2 for BiH is EUR 3.69 million and project will be implemented from January 2021 until December 2024.

As a part of its activities at the local level, ReLOaD2 in BiH offers capacity development of CSOs that are considering participating in public calls for submission of project proposals that will be jointly announced by the ReLOaD2 project and partner LGs. The purpose of the Consultancy is to improve skills of local CSOs to better address needs of targeted groups in partner LGs through project proposals and in line with local strategic priorities. The objective of the Consultancy is to deliver Project Cycle Management (PCM) training that will further strengthen capacities and skills of CSOs within partner LGs: Centar Sarajevo, Rudo and Vitez.

* For the European Union, this designation is without prejudice to position on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. For UNDP all references to Kosovo shall be understood in the context of the UN Resolution 1244/1999.

[1] Bihac, Centar Sarajevo, Gacko, Gradiška, Grad Istocno Sarajevo, Goražde, Mostar, Novo Sarajevo, Prijedor, Prozor Rama, Rudo, Ugljevik and Vitez.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant is expected to provide PCM Training to CSOs in three partner LGs (Centar Sarajevo, Rudo and Vitez) for an estimated period of up to two expert days per each LG (six days in total for three partner LGs for training delivery), and in addition two expert days for preparation of training materials and final reporting. The Consultancy, that will be organised during the Public Call for funding CSO projects, will focus on three main tasks:

1. Design of PCM training materials for grassroot CSOs in partner LGs;
2. Training delivery;
3. Reporting.

In close cooperation with each partner LG, the Consultant will organise training sessions in each locality.[1] All sessions will be attended by representative of the ReLOaD2 team and/or LG coordinator for cooperation with ReLOaD2 project. In case that minimum number of 15 participants is not reached in any given LG, the training will be rescheduled or cancelled in agreement with the ReLOaD2 team.

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

Task 1: Design of PCM training materials for grassroot CSOs in partner LGs

The Consultant is required to review all relevant documents related to the task, including PCM training curricula for CSOs, the LOD methodology and others. These materials will be provided by ReLOaD2 project and will serve the Consultant for the preparation of training execution. Upon the review, the Consultant will adjust the training package for participants, including all relevant supporting materials (agenda, presentations, handouts, reference materials, evaluation forms, etc.). Aside of technical modifications, the Consultant is required to develop applicable group exercises to be incorporated into existing materials. The training curriculum and relevant materials will be approved by ReLOaD2 project team prior to the training execution.

Design and preparation for the PCM training must be completed in the first week of a public call for CSOs in each partner LG. Estimated level of effort for this task is one expert day and should be completed until October 10, 2021.

Task 2: Delivery of PCM training for grassroot CSOs in partner LGs

The Consultant will deliver PCM training (each lasting two days) for CSOs from the above-mentioned partner LGs. The envisaged number of trainees per training is between 15 and 25. The training delivery should be interactive, encouraging participants to engage, ask questions and discuss. Training should provide participants with the relevant knowledge, skills and values that allow them to design project ideas to the effective implementation of the needs of marginalised and socially excluded groups in line with LG strategy and the gender mainstreaming perspective, during public call for CSOs.

Following the delivery, the Consultant will conduct an evaluation (covering contents, trainer and methods applied). Moreover, pre-training and exit tests will be conducted to evaluate knowledge acquired by training participants. The venue and logistics for the training will be provided by in each LG.

The estimated level of effort for this task is arranged as follows:

· for Municipality Centar Sarajevo - two expert days;

· for Rudo Municipality - two expert days;

· for Vitez Municipality - two expert days.

Although dates and locations are set as precisely as possible, these dates/periods are for provision purpose only and they may be subject to change depending on the ReLOaD2 workplan schedule. Selected Consultant would be consulted additionally regarding exact dates and locations.  

Estimated level of effort for this task is six expert days in total per three partner LGs (two expert days per each LG) and should be completed until October 31, 2021.

Task 3: Reporting

Upon the completion of the training delivery, the Consultant will prepare a final report for all trainings delivered, that will include, but will not be limited to training goals and results achieved, number of trainees, analysis of pre-and post-training knowledge, lessons learned and recommendations, training performance evaluation, record of frequently asked questions, etc. All data presented should be gender segregated. The draft report should be submitted to ReLOaD2 project team in English and one of the official languages of BiH (MS Word electronic version). The final version of the report must take in consideration all comments provided by ReLOaD2 project. 

It is envisaged that the level of effort for this task will not exceed one expert day and should be completed until November 10, 2021.

Deliverables/outputs

[1] Due to epidemiological situation in the country, there is possibility that training will be organized online. In order to respond to such probability, the Consultant will prepare and adapt content of the training and practical exercises to both modalities of implementation - in-person and online. Final decision on a modality of implementation will depend on the epidemiological and health situation in that moment.

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 favoritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

• Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Results-Orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
• Communication: Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match target audiences.
• Teamwork: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in public administration, economics, law, social-sciences or related field.
• Advanced degree will be considered as an asset.

Experience:

• At least 5 years work experience in the field of local development planning and project management (PCM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Previous experience in provision of technical assistance and training to public institutions and Local Governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina in development management is required; 
• Previous experience in capacity development of Civil Society Organizations in the area of local governance, local development, public participation and public scrutiny is required;
• Excellent communication and group-facilitation skills.

Languages Requirements:

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in official languages in BiH;
• Fluency in English.

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:

• Personal CV/P11, including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references;
• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work of designing and delivering an innovative PCM training and knowledge sharing approach for CSO representatives and what tools will be used in the training delivery in order to ensure interesting knowledge sharing process.

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.