Background

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support in the implementation of the EU Council Decision 2019/2111 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition

Objective

To contract an expert to support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for countering illicit arms trafficking and possession for Criminal Police Services of Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background information

The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) is a joint initiative of the UNDP and the Regional Cooperation Council. As such, it is an integral part of UNDP’s work in the Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (ECIS) region and has, since 2002, worked primarily to strengthen the capacities of national and regional stakeholders to control and reduce the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and thus contribute to enhanced stability, security and development in South Eastern and Eastern Europe.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to international peace and security by combatting the threat posed by the widespread accumulation and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in and from SEE. At the same time, it enhances regional stability by working within the framework of the RCC and in partnership with other relevant initiatives. The project is directly contributing to the implementation of the EU Security Strategy, the EU SALW Strategy, EU Strategy Against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons & Their Ammunition , the Arms Trade Treaty, the UN Programme of Action, the International Tracing Instrument, UN Firearms Protocol, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and will specifically enhance regional cooperation in combating the threat posed by the spread of SALW and their ammunition.

SEESAC is currently implementing the EU Council Decision 2019/2111 that envisages provision of support to capacity building of the regional authorities to perform both preventive and repressive activities necessary to successfully identify, thwart and counter the trafficking of firearms, ammunition and explosives from and through their jurisdiction. Project results directly contribute to the implementation of the South East Europe Regional Implementation Plan Combatting the Proliferations and Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024, as well as to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peaceful and just societies, in particular targets 16.1 (Significantly reduce all forms of violence and death rate everywhere) and 16.4 (significantly reduce illicit arms flows). 

*  References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999). 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

Under the overall direction of the SEESAC Project Manager and direct supervision of SEESAC SALW Project Specialist, the Consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• To participate and provide input in dedicated workshops (one 4-day workshop per each of 6 Western Balkan jurisdictions[1]), contributing to the development/revision of SOPs for countering illicit arms trafficking for Criminal Police Services Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina from the aspect of online investigations and cyber security. The workshops will be organized by Criminal Police, in coordination with SEESAC, bringing together representatives of all pertinent departments from central, regional and local level to amend the existing SOPs (if available) or draft new SOPs based on the findings of the Needs Assessments. Workshops will be held in the period from 25 September to 25 November 2022. The exact dates of the workshops will be agreed upon by SEESAC in communication with national authorities of related jurisdictions.

Deliverables

The following deliverables will be required from the Consultant:

All deliverables will have to be in English language and quality reviewed, approved and accepted by the SEESAC Project Manager and SEESAC SALW Project Specialist. Payment will be made upon acceptance of deliverables. 

[1] Due to the complex internal structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the workshop in this jurisdiction is envisaged to last for 5-days.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• 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.

Functional competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of SALW control issues;
• Good research and analytic skills;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the public sector;
• Ability to express ideas clearly, to work independently and in teams;
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• BA in law, political, or social sciences or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in criminal investigations in the field of SALW control;
• Proven experience in conducting analysis and reporting;
• Experience in working with governments in the Western Balkans
• Experience in conducting online investigations

Language skills

• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is required.

Application Procedure

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later 13 September 2022.

Applications 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: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/confirmation.docx .The Offeror’s Letter should include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs. Offeror’s Letter must also include the methodology concept containing a preliminary plan of work (no more than two pages). More specifically the Offeror’ Letter needs to have breakdown of costs in Annex 2, Table A: Breakdown of costs & Table B) Breakdown of costs by deliverables) and must include travel costs, per diems, and number of anticipated working days.

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.

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.

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

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

1. Lowest price and technically compliant offer

When using this method, the award of a contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as both:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) offering the lowest price/cost

“responsive/compliant/acceptable” can be defined as fully meeting the TOR provided.

2. Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant 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%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.  If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/General_Conditions_for_Individual_Contracts.pdf 
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/PSU_Individual%20Contract_Model%20Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement.docx

In the case of engagement of Civil servants under 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.