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 93057.

The European Union Support to Agriculture Competitiveness and Rural Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU4Agri) is a 4-year project (2020-2023) primarily funded by the European Union (EU) under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Worth EUR 20 million, the project is implemented jointly by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Czech Development Agency (CzDA). In line with the Strategic Plan for Rural Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2018-2021) – Framework Document, the project objective is to increase the competitiveness of agricultural production and rural jobs and services. In this context, the project will focus on raising investments in the agri-food sector and increasing the knowledge and skill levels of agricultural producers and other participants in the value chain through the expanded provision of advisory services, as well as on improving economic opportunities in rural areas. The project will also enhance the policy environment through a coherent and complementary set of activities, including strengthening of institutional capacities and services, as well as improvements in policy and regulatory frameworks.

Accordingly, the project expected results are as follows:

1. Higher levels of production of safe and quality food based on introduced innovative practices, while preserving the natural resources and the countryside, are sustained; and
2. Policy actions are implemented in EU aligned manner, based on sector services and systems improved.

The food system, from production to consumption and waste, has a significant impact on the environment, health, and food safety. Thus, the purpose of this consultancy is to assist the project team to take these important considerations into account and inbuild them in the envisaged agriculture support schemes. In this context, the Consultant is to consider the sustainability concepts and requirements for a greener agriculture, which refers to ensuring the food availability and contributing to the quality of rural livelihoods, while efficiently protecting and managing natural resources and improving resilience and equity throughout the food supply chain. Further, the Consultant is to refer to EU practices, experiences, and strategies, including the European Green Deal and the Western Balkans Green Agenda that among other promote sustainable agriculture and set directions for carbon-neutral agri-practices. 

Duties and Responsibilities

As part of this assignment, the Consultant is expected to perform the below tasks:

1. Conducting desk review and training for the project team  
2. Providing technical assistance for greening agriculture support schemes deployed by the project
3. Preparing case studies on good greening and sustainable practices in the agri-food sector

The expected timeframe for the assignment delivery is August to December 2020, with the estimated level of effort of 20 expert days. The entire service will be delivered in English.

Task 1: Conducting desk review and training for the project team  

The Consultant is expected to become familiar with all the documents that are relevant for the context in which the project is implemented on one side and the wider sustainable food systems and green economy considerations on the other. These documents include, but are not limited to, the project document and previously developed support schemes, list of planned support schemes with an indicative timeline, relevant sector-related strategic documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Green Deal (including the Farm to Fork Strategy) and the accompanying Western Balkans Green Agenda, relevant support schemes in the field of agriculture, environmental protection and rural development in the EU and/or accession countries, etc.

The Consultant will develop and conduct an online one-day training for the project team to introduce them to the main concepts, policies, priorities, and methodologies related to the sustainable agriculture and foods systems. The training programme is to be hands on, with focus on policy delivery tools and measures that enable translating of these important considerations into practice. The training schedule/concept is to be shared with UNDP for approval.

Based on the desk review and in consultations with the project team, the Consultant will identify at least 3  most relevant project interventions / support schemes to foster sustainable agriculture and food systems, also agreeing on the main building blocks of public calls / guidelines for applicants that need to integrate sustainability and green economy considerations (e.g. expected results, selection criteria, eligible activities, eligible costs, evaluation approach, etc.).

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 15 September 2020, with the level of effort not exceeding 5 expert days.

Task 2: Providing technical assistance for greening agriculture support schemes deployed by the project

Based on the work done under Task 1, the Consultant will review drafts of public calls and provide inputs towards greening of 3 selected support measures. In doing so, the Consultant is expected to consider the context, circumstances and opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as good practices from the EU and requirements in terms of sustainability of agriculture in key trade partner countries.

Greening of support measures is meant to incite and enable beneficiary agri-food operators to rethink their business models and make them more sustainable, including by optimizing business processes and production lines towards less environmental impact, promoting responsible consumption and production, investing in resource efficiency, production and use of renewable energy sources, reducing waste, introducing regenerative and circular approaches, etc. 

Depending on the selected support schemes, the Consultant’s engagement under this task could happen either based on fully drafted public calls or alternatively against the main building blocks of public calls as they are developed by the project team and inter-institutional working groups. Inputs by the Consultant will be discussed with the inter-institutional working groups bringing together main institutional partners in the agri-food and rural development sector. The meetings of the inter-institutional working groups will be organized by UNDP.

As part of this task, the Consultant will also prepare brief guidelines for the project team (and inter-institutional working groups) to enable integration of sustainability and green economy considerations in the upcoming agriculture support schemes.   

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered not later than 18 December 2020, with the level of effort not exceeding 9 expert days.

Task 3: Preparing case studies on good greening and sustainable practices in the agri-food sector

Building on Task 2, the Consultant will prepare a short overview of case studies / good greening practices in the agri-food sector in the EU and/or (potential) candidate countries. These are to be presented as an illustration of successful greening interventions and serve as an inspiration for agri-food producers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The overview is to include at least 5 case studies with focus on different interventions (e.g. food waste reduction, resource efficiency, renewable energy etc.) and sub-sectors (e.g. dairy, meat, fruits etc.). The case studies should not be longer than 2 pages each. 

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 18 December 2020, with the level of effort not exceeding 6 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
• Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives.

People Skills:

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Results-Orientation:

• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

• Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Strong communication skills;
• Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner. 

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Strong analytical skills;
• Expertise and knowledge in the field of development, economics, agriculture and sustainability; 
• Strong expertise and knowledge on design and implementation of private sector engagement schemes related to sustainability;
• General expertise on the EU frameworks and strategies; 
• General expertise and knowledge on gender issues and constraints;
• Initiative and sound judgment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in economics, development cooperation, agriculture and rural development, sustainability, or other relevant fields.
• At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in the field of economics, agriculture and rural development.
• Proven previous successful experience in designing and implementation of at least two (2) private sector engagement measures (e.g. grant schemes) fostering sustainable food supply/green economy in agriculture or similar.
• Proven knowledge of green technologies, resource and energy management practices and sustainability in agri-food sector.
• Proven knowledge of the economic and environmental protection legislations in BIH as well as of the EU related frameworks and strategies is a strong asset.
• Previous experience in working with UNDP or EU is an asset.

Languages Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English language is required.
• Knowledge of one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an asset.

Other Requirements:

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

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:

Proposal:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
• Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work; or sample of previous document/strategy/paper done by the consultant. 

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.