Background

The consultancy is planned within the Economic Governance for Growth (EGG) Project (2018-2021). The Project is primarily funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Norway and co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). As part of the UNDP BiH’s Rural and Regional Development Sector’s portfolio, the EGG Project has an overall objective to boost economic development in BiH and create employment opportunities in promising industrial sectors while also enhancing the business enabling environment. Project activities include support to start-up development in advanced technological sectors and harmonizing formal education with the needs of a future-facing economy.
This consultancy will take place within the Project’s governance component and will support the implementation of a more effective, efficient and accountable approach to financial management by the Cantonal Ministry of Finance. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultancy will provide expert inputs and guidance to the Project Team in the process of introducing an ICT Solution for effective public finance management to meet the needs of the Ministry of Finance of Canton Sarajevo. Aiming to improve the overall administrative efficiency of the ministry, the Project will design and introduce a tailor-made ICT solution using an external service provider. The system is expected to result in improved operational capacities and shortened response times for system users (all public agencies within the cantonal budget system). Another expected result of the ICT solution will be enhanced operational transparency.

The role of the Consultant will be to provide support in the design and preparation of the terms of reference for the external service provider, assist in the selection process to identify the most qualified vendor and provide quality assurance of deliverables as contracted.

In this context, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

  1. Analysis of the existing ICT infrastructure within the Ministry of Finance and the Government as a whole;
  2. Develop technical specifications for the tender documentation;
  3. Assist the Project Team in selecting service provider;
  4. Provide monitoring and quality assurance.

Task 1: Analysis of the existing ICT infrastructure
The Consultant is expected to collect and review documentation from the Ministry of Finance, outlining all relevant information with regards to their ICT capacities. The Consultant will also review in person the current hardware and software set-up, and provide an analysis of human resources needed for the introduction of planned ICT Solution for public finance management. The Consultant will also interview relevant staff in order to determine future system features and characteristics in line with available project resources.
As a result of this task, the Consultant will produce a report with the following elements:

  • Situation analysis;
  • Specific work plan;
  • Recommendations for development of the ICT solution;
  • Specific input for the preparation of technical documentation required for project implementation.

Furthermore, the Consultant will present the report to the EGG Project Team, providing necessary justification, collecting recommendations and incorporating them into the final version of the report.

Task 2: Develop technical specifications for the tender documentation
The Consultant will aid the Project Team in the process of developing a detailed set of technical and operational requirements that will be tendered in order to identify a qualified service provider.  Accordingly, the Consultant will contribute to creation of specific terms of reference for the selection of service provider.

Task 3: Assist the Project Team in selecting service provider
The Consultant will develop a detailed assessment framework to assist the Project Team in selecting the service provider, determining the substantial responsiveness to the terms of reference. The basic criteria to be used in selection process will be related to compliance with the assignment objective, security considerations, complementarities with existing structures and processes, and system integrity.

Task 4: Project monitoring and quality assurance
The Consultant is expected to provide services of project monitoring and quality assurance in accordance with the terms of reference for the service provider. In that regard, the Consultant will closely coordinate related activities with the Project Team, providing reports in a timely manner. Once the ICT solution is delivered, the Consultant is expected to examine the final product for operational and technical compliance with the project specifications. This will entail a series of functional and integrity tests. The Consultant will then be required to submit a report to the project team assessing the ICT compliance with all relevant requirements.
 

Deliverables/outputs
The Project Team will closely oversee service provision, working in continuous coordination with the Consultant.
The service deliverables, including papers and all relevant materials, will be available for future use within the EGG Project and by the relevant stakeholders, as well as by UNDP and other projects in the field of local governance. The entire service will be delivered in official languages of BiH.
The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:
# Deliverables / outputs # of days per task Due date Percentage

Task 1: Analysis of the existing ICT infrastructure within the partner ministry

  • Analysis conducted;
  • Report prepared. 10 expert days  By end of July 2019 35%

Task 2: Develop technical specifications for the tender documentation

  • Terms of reference for the selection of service provider prepared. 5 expert days By beginning of August 2019 15%

Task 3: Assist the Project Team in selecting service provider

  • Service provider selected. 5 expert days By end of October 2019 15%

Task 4: Project monitoring and quality assurance

  • Monitoring and quality assurance activities implemented. 10 expert days By end of December 2019 35%

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 favouritism;
  • 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;
  • Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team;
  • Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs and matching them to appropriate solutions.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

  • University degree in information technology, computer science, data management or related field, or relevant experience in the field;
  • 5 years of relevant experience in ICT, IS and software development;
  • Proven record of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the area of introducing new ICT solutions, database management and data analysis;
  • Electronic communications expertise and experience;
  • Extensive content management expertise and experience;
  • Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and write concisely and clearly.

Languages Requirements

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

Other Requirements

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

Award Criteria: The consultancy will be awarded to the highest qualified applicant through the combination of technical qualifications and financial offer.

Qualification Requirements
Criteria Weight  Max. Point

  • University information technology, computer science, data management or related field, or relevant experience in the field; 50% 50
  • Previous experience in similar assignments 50% 50

Total 100% 100
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 90 points would be considered for Technical Evaluation

Technical Evaluation
Criteria Weight  Max. Point

  • Qualification Score 10% 10;
  • 5 years of relevant experience in ICT, IS and software development; 45% 45;
  • Electronic communications expertise and experience; 35% 35;
  • Extensive content management expertise and experience. 10% 10

Total 100% 100
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the Final Evaluation

Evalutaion

Individual consultants 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 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%

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

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.