UNDP Jobs - 82968- Technical Specialist – Urban and Rural Entrepreneu

Technical Specialist – Urban and Rural Entrepreneurship

Location :

Home based consultancy with at least 4 travel missions to Tbilisi and Abkhazia, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Jan-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

up to 97 working days including up to 80 travel days during February 2019- January 2020

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP implemented projects - “Horizons. Strengthening Community Resilience in Abkhazia” (Horizons), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the “Joint EU-UNDP Programme on Rural Development” (ENPARD III Abkhazia), funded by the European Union (EU) - seek an experienced international consultant for the implementation of activities in support of entrepreneurship in rural and urban areas of Abkhazia.

In line with the respective annual work plans and project documents, the projects aim to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and private sector competitiveness across seven districts of Abkhazia in a complementary manner: the ENPARD III project supports small-scale agricultural development and the diversification of the rural economy, thus improving the livelihoods and access to basic services in rural areas across Abkhazia; whereas the Horizons project promotes social and economic resilience of local communities, especially youth, through improved access to high quality health and education services in Abkhazia, including business development skills and technical and vocational education.

The projects, funded by the EU and USAID respectively, are implemented jointly with other UN Agencies and partner with international NGOs and local entities. The projects promote an inclusive, integrated, gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable approach to urban and rural development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The “Technical Specialist – Urban and Rural Entrepreneurship” will collaborate with both Abkhazia-based projects in coordination with and supported by the project teams. The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of CPR Team Leader of UNDP and with direct guidance from the Project Managers and in close coordination with the project teams of Horizons and ENPARD. UNDP will support with local transportation and arrangement of meetings in Sukhumi and target districts.

The incumbent will provide strategic support to the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), established under the ENPARD III Abkhazia project, and to the Business Education Centres (BECs) set up under the Horizons project. In both cases the Technical Specialist will conduct a capacity needs assessment and a cost-benefit analysis for the CARD and BECs, and will help formulate a growth-oriented sustainability strategy for both entities in order to generate maximum benefits for target groups: rural farmers, micro and small entrepreneurs, local stakeholders, Local Action Groups (established under ENPARD), and youth-led social enterprises in urban areas. The analyses, to be carried out in close consultation with the stakeholders, will entail an identification of potential business consultancy service lines based on local labour market realities, development of one-stop referral services for potential clients, various financing schemes in collaboration with the local private sector, and development of risk mitigation actions.

In addition to the tasks outlined above, in collaboration with the ENPARD Project Manager, the consultant will

Ensure that the CARD develops an organizational management strategy and becomes fully functional adhering to clear objectives, work plans, and relevant targets;
Provide strategic planning assistance to local communities, including the residents of rural communities and SMEs, to enhance the livelihoods of rural residents.

In addition to these tasks above, in collaboration with the Horizons Project Manager, the consultant will:

Ensure that the BECs develop organizational management strategies and become fully functional adhering to clear objectives, work plans, and relevant targets;
Provide strategic technical assistance to BECs and target groups to promote business education, youth-led social enterprises and other businesses in urban areas;
Provide strategic technical assistance in support of vocational education and training.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Ensure that the CARD develops an organizational management strategy and becomes fully functional adhering to clear objectives, work plans, and relevant targets:

In coordination with the ENPARD Project Manager and ENPARD Project team develop and present a comprehensive growth-oriented strategy for the CARD and propose clear benchmarks and criteria for success, as well as internal capacity development objectives which would enable the CARD to achieve its overall strategic mission and vision;
Develop an action plan to execute the strategy accompanied by an annual work plan with relevant targets, timelines, and performance indicators, to be revised on a quarterly basis;
Design a partnership plan for a meaningful and collaborative engagement with local partners and beneficiaries.

Provide strategic planning assistance to local communities, including residents of rural communities, and SMEs to enhance livelihoods of rural residents:

In collaboration with the CARD staff, conduct a baseline assessment of the current projects and programs in the sector, taking into account perceptions of local rural stakeholders through information meetings and focus group discussions with community representatives and partners in target districts;
Based on the above consultations, collaborate with the CARD experts in developing service lines for beneficiaries (farmers, entrepreneurs etc.) including training sessions for local farmers on improving skills in strategic development, management, marketing and distribution, including value chain management (within the CARD operation);
Provide, as required, substantive and technical advice on agricultural production and distribution challenges for Abkhazia, taking into account formal and informal trade dynamics and local labour market realities.

Ensure that the BECs develop organizational management strategies and become fully functional adhering to clear objectives, work plans and targets:

Develop a strategy and action plan for the BECs accompanied by annual work plans with relevant targets, timelines, and performance indicators;
Design a partnership plan for a meaningful and collaborative engagement with local partners and beneficiaries.

Provide strategic technical assistance to the BECs in order to promote youth-led social enterprises in Abkhazia;

Organize on-the-job orientation trainings for BEC staff and related target groups;
Provide advisory support to BEC staff to help generate a pool of ideas for youth-led social enterprises, as well as other business ideas, and conduct trainings for potential clients;
Develop Standard Operating Procedures for providing grants for innovation projects through Horizons.

Provide strategic technical assistance in support of vocational education and training;

Conduct a needs assessment in potential VET colleges for providing the necessary equipment and support;
Support the provision of trainings for VET teachers in teaching methodologies.

Missions: The Consultant is expected to complete assigned deliverables through traveling to Tbilisi and Abkhazia 4 times (up to 80 travel days) within the period of 1 February– 31 January 2020.

Total number of working days: In total, up to 97 w/days for the duration of 1 February – 31 January 2020, out of which up to 17 w/days are envisaged for home-based work prior to the mission trips to Abkhazia and after completing of the mission trips; and from total up to 80 travel days for the mission to Tbilisi and Abkhazia.

Deliverables and timelines:

Consultation with UNDP staff in Sukhumi to understand the development context and challenges; discussion of the scope of work and envisaged outputs: 1 day (home based);
Field visit to Abkhazia (with a stop-over in Tbilisi for various meetings and pending clearance of access to Abkhazia): 30 days (16 days ENPARD mission + 14 days Horizons mission) in February-March 2019 (including 2 travel days and 4 days for stop-over in Tbilisi); Logistical support to travel to Sukhumi will be provided by UNDP (expected February 2019):
- Conduct a needs assessment for the CARD and BECs, focused on organizational capacity needs, cost-benefit analysis for business development services, etc.
- Collect data and information for the CARD 2019-2021 strategy, for the BEC strategy and action plan, and SOP for grant for innovation projects.
- Assess equipment and other needs in potential partner VET colleges;
Finalize the drafting of the CARD strategy, BECs development and implementation plan and the needs assessment for potential partner VET colleges: 7 days (home based)
Field visit to Abkhazia with a stop-over in Tbilisi for various meetings and pending clearance of access to Abkhazia): 28 working days (8 days ENPARD mission and 20 days Horizons mission; including 2 travel days and 4 days for stop-over in Tbilisi) in Q2 2019
- Provide hands-on technical and analytical support to CARD staff and at least 1 training session (on costing, developing business service lines, and value chain management) to project beneficiaries; and
- Provide on-the-job and orientation training to BECs staff and related target groups and development of SOPs for grant for innovation projects; and
- Based on a needs assessment conducted for VET colleges, develop at least one targeted capacity building training for VET teachers.
Compilation of summary visit report (ENPARD + Horizons): 7 days (home based)
Field visit to Abkhazia with a stop-over in Tbilisi for various meetings and pending clearance of access to Abkhazia: 22 days (14 days ENPARD mission: 7 days in Q3 and 7 days in Q4; 8 days Horizons mission: 4 days in Q3 and 4 days in Q4) in Q3 and Q4 2019 for two missions (including 2 travel days and 4 days for stopover in Tbilisi per mission):
- Provide technical and analytical support to CARD staff and at least 2 training sessions to project beneficiaries.
Compilation of the summary ENPARD visit report: 2 days overall (home based) 1 day after each visit in Q3, and Q4 2019

Accordingly, the financial proposal should be submitted for up to 97 days of fee-paid expert work. All envisaged travel costs (ticket and living allowance fees) must be included in the financial proposal as well.

Payment Modality

The consultant shall be paid lump sum in installments (according to deliverables stated in ToRs) after the satisfactory completion of each task as certified by UNDP.

Upon receipt of an initial situation analysis and the needs assessment reports for the CARD (ENPARD III) and BECs (Horizons): 10% of total consultancy fee
Upon receipt of a draft strategy for the CARD (2019-2021); costed CARD services menu; and partnership/engagement plan with local partners and beneficiaries: 20% of total consultancy fee
Upon receipt of a development strategy for the BECs; the needs assessment report for VET colleges to provide the necessary equipment and support services: 20% of consultancy fee
Upon receipt of the ENPARD post-visit summary report: 10% of total consultancy fee
Upon receipt of the SOPs for the BEC grants, and successful completion of the relevant trainings for the VET teachers: 20% of total consultancy fee
Upon receipt of the post-visit summary report for the ENPARD project (2 reports overall in each Q3 and Q4): 10% of total consultancy fee after each quarterly visit Q3 and Q4 2019
Upon receipt of the post-visit summary report for the Horizons project (2 reports overall in each Q3 and Q4): 10% of total consultancy fee after each quarterly visit Q3 and Q4 2019

Travel costs will be paid per conducted mission and deliverable as specified above. Additional travel related costs will be paid by the UNDP projects.

Competencies

Core competencies

Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Act as a team player and facilitate team work;
Ability to manage conflicts at workplace and with partners/stakeholders;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional competencies

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities;
Able to think quickly, assess a situation and make a sound decision;
Ability to prepare and follow a delivery schedule;
Ability to follow standard safety procedures and regulations;
Strong oral communication and written skills;
Willingness, enthusiasm and ability to meet the assigned tasks on time.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

A Master’s Degree in Economics, Management, Business Administration or related discipline. A Bachelor’s Degree may be accepted provided that the applicant can demonstrate at least 7 years of relevant work experience in the field of international development (minimum requirement: 5 points; higher degree - additional 3 points).

Experience

At least 4 years of relevant working experience in the international development field, preferably focused on rural/urban development, SME development; experience and expertise in conducting economic and capacity needs assessments, cost-benefit analyses and business development experience in conflict/post-conflict context would be a strong asset (minimum requirement: 4 years - 14 points; experience and expertise in conducting economic and capacity needs assessments, cost-benefit analyses and business development experience in conflict/post-conflict context - additional 4 points);
Demonstrable managerial and team building capacities (minimum one similar experience – 9 points; more than one – additional 5 points)
UN working experience will be an asset

Language Requirements:

Russian – professional/fluent oral and writing skills in Russian;
English – professional/fluent oral and writing skills in English.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on Cumulative scoring analysis, against combination of technical and financial criteria. Technical evaluation stage encompasses desk review of offers and interviews. Offerors not meeting any of minimum technical qualification requirements will be automatically excluded from the list of offerors for further technical evaluation. In addition, offerors not meeting Language requirements will as well be disqualified. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria (desk review and interview) equals to 70 points (70%) and for financial criteria 30 (30%). Offerors who meet language requirements and pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores as a result of desk review (i.e. 40 x 70% = 28 points) will be considered as short-listed Offerors, and will be invited to the interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview), i.e. obtain minimum 49 points will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z), where; p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated; y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal; µ = price of the lowest priced proposal; z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Financial Proposal:

Short-listed Offerors will be requested to provide financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (with indication of specific sub-components of the payment, including daily fee, travel costs, living allowance etc.), and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include a breakdown of all cost components required to perform the deliverables identified in TOR.