Historique

UNDP is helping countries to advance inclusive and integrated crisis management by supporting governments around the globe to maintain core functions and to plan, coordinate, communicate and finance their responses to COVID-19. UNDP has defined a structured approach and strategy for high-impact programmatic interventions to support both national and sub-national governments to prepare, respond and recover from COVID-19. Regional and local authorities in Ukraine are facing significant challenges in assessing the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 and developing crisis response and recovery measures to support the regions to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 spread in 2020-2021.

Possible areas of interventions include supporting entrepreneurship; industrial development; increasing exports of domestic goods and services; and working with international financial institutions to support the economic development of the regions. UNDP Ukraine has performed a country-wide COVID-19 socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) in close cooperation with other UN agencies in 2020. The assessment focused on the impact of the pandemic on SMEs as well as households with a specific focus on vulnerabilities in the context of the crisis. During the end of May beginning of June 2020 surveys of about 1,000 SMEs and about 1,000 households representing all regions of Ukraine were conducted. The findings of the assessment informed the policy recommendations and will be used in the further development of programmatic interventions aimed to support the Government’s response to the crisis and sustainable post-crisis recovery.

As a follow-up to this activity, within the current action, UNDP will support more in-depth and region-specific socio-economic impact assessments, to ensure a more comprehensive and deeper look at the sub-national level. The findings from the regional assessments will inform the development of regional and local measures in response to the crisis and support post-crisis recovery in the target oblasts.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast  (Prykarpattia) has a geographically strategic position with proximity to the European Union and bordering the Carpathian region. Ivano-Frankivsk city is recognized as one of the three top cities in Ukraine in terms of investment attractiveness and transparency of procedures. At the same time, the oblast is facing several challenges related to the high-level labour out-migration, level of unemployment (especially – in the highlands), lack of access to social services and related facilities, underdeveloped small-scale agricultural production; low level of environmental protection and outdated methods of waste management.

The project corresponds to the oblast's key development priorities: i)  competitive economy based on smart specialization (development of tourist and recreational sphere; rural territory development, especially - in the highlands); ii) development of the infrastructure of the region; iii) creating comfortable and safe living conditions in the Ivano-Frankivsk region  (improving the quality of medical, educational services and the development of sports in communities; environmental safety assurance.

UNDP’s interventions in support of the local socio-economic recovery in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast will help authorities identify and target COVID-19 pandemic-related local challenges through specific gender-responsive recovery measures. Based on the lessons learnt from similar interventions implemented in Kherson oblast, the project will apply a bottom-up approach and inclusive dialogue among key stakeholders and beneficiaries to identify, design, plan and implement the specific actions in response to the needs of the most vulnerable. To ensure the continuity and sustainability of the results, the project will make certain that recovery measures are integrated in the relevant regional and local planning and programmatic documents.

The Governor’s office and the Working Group, established at oblast level will be provided with needs-based advice and access to the best national and international practices, including solutions piloted by UNDP in other regions of Ukraine. Support will focus on the development of the Action Plan for addressing the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic development of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, Anti-crisis measures for 2021, as well as the Regional Strategy Implementation Plan for 2021-2023 and sectoral programmes approved at oblast level. The project will ensure that the process is participatory and inclusive, and suggested measures are gender-responsive and leave no one behind.

The project will build upon the positive experience of the pilot interventions in Kherson oblast. Local authorities of both oblasts will set up an interactive dialogue and experience exchange and start forming a mentoring network for other oblasts country-wide.

It will seek synergies with the ongoing UNDP’s project in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast “Disaster Risk Reduction” aimed at strengthening capacities of the local authorities and vulnerable communities to natural disasters and extreme weather events, deteriorating living conditions and health as a result of disasters in the context of decentralization reform.

The project is implemented under the Inclusive Development, Recovery and Peacebuilding Portfolio, while local implementation and oversight will be ensured by the regional coordinator in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.

For this purpose, the Project is seeking a qualified National Advisor who will support the Project team by providing high-quality advisory support to Ivano-Frankivsk oblast state administration and members of the abovementioned regional Working Groups. This includes support to ongoing process of response and recovery planning, monitoring and resource mobilization, as well as advisory support to establishing and sustaining effective coordination of international technical assistance provided to the region.

Devoirs et responsabilités

2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the assignment is to provide comprehensive support to public administration management of COVID-19 recovery planning and implementation of response and recovery measures, as well as strengthening the communities’ resilience in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, including effective coordination of joint efforts, in particular, technical assistance provided to the region and further resource mobilization.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the Regional Development Programme Manager, the National Advisor will be responsible for the following tasks:

• provide advisory support (develop recommendations, review documents and provide comments) to the regional Working Group on developing, implementation and monitoring of the regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Action Plan with the ongoing cyclic processes of planning, monitoring and implementation with specific focus on gender-responsiveness and protection of vulnerable groups;
• provide advisory support to the oblast-level and regional authorities on possible integration of measures (projects) included in the regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Action Plan to other strategic planning/programming documents, such as Implementation Plan for the oblast’s development strategy, relevant oblast-level sectoral programmes and/or local programmes and plans;
• review the existing international technical assistance coordination mechanism at oblast level and provide recommendations for its improvement;
• provide support to capacity building  for regional and local authorities and other relevant regional institution by organising and conducting a capacity building workshop on different aspects of COVID-19 response and recovery planning and implementation; the programme of workshops should cover the topics of programme/project development, resource mobilization and partnership building to support the further efforts for resource mobilization and effective implementation of local recovery and development initiatives; 
• explore opportunities for UNDP to extend its presence in the region and support its recovery and sustainable development.

The Consultant will closely coordinate with Community Development Associate (regional coordinator) in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast for communication with local partners and organizing missions. Missions to Kherson and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts (if needed) will be organized and supported by the Project and travel costs will be covered by the Project (hotel and tickets). Local transportation within Kherson and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts - will be also arranged by the Project.

4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

Consultant will be responsible to deliver the following outputs:

5. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in two tranches according to the following payment schedule:

• 30% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 1 and approval of the Interim Report #1.
• 30% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 2 and approval of the Interim Report #2.
• 40% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 3 and approval of the Final Report.

The payments will be processed upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations whereupon the National Advisor signs the certification of acceptance.

6. REQUIREMENTS FOR MONITORING/REPORTING

The National Advisor will work under general leadership and direct supervision of the Regional Development Programme Manager. He/she will receive necessary guidance, clarification that may be needed for this task. He/she will duly inform the Supervisor of any problems, issues or delays arising during implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

The National Advisor will regularly participate in the Project’s staff meetings and will share his/her work progress. In addition, the National Advisor will submit reports to the Project: intermediate report upon completion of deliveries 1 and 2 and a consolidated Final Report at the end of the assignment. The Final report should include the achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for further actions.

UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports, documents, communications should be published or distributed to third parties without prior approval of UNDP.

Compétences

7. FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Strong communication, time management and organization skills.
• Must be self-motivated, demonstrate grace under pressure and possess the ability to work well independently as well as within a team.

8. BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Ability to be flexible and respond to changes to text as part of the review and feedback process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people at the Project.
• Participate effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others.
• Focus on impact and results for the client.

Qualifications et expériences requises

9. EXPERIENCE AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS 

Education: University MA degree in Economics, International Relations, in Management, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration or other relevant area.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience at national or international level in public administration, law, international relations, social sciences, or civil society organizations;
• Experience in the providing advisory and/or capacity building support to national or sub-national governmental authorities;
• Proven experience in preparing recommendations for development interventions, including writing project proposals, executive summaries, analytical reports;
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required, good working level of Russian will be an asset.

10. EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES

The following criteria will be rated as indicated below:

Educational background – 10 points max

• 10 pts – PhD degree or equivalent in political science, public administration, law, international relations, social sciences or related field;
• 8 pts – Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, public administration, law, international relations, social sciences or related field;

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience at national or international level in public administration, law, international relations, social sciences, or civil society organisations – 15 points max

• 15 pts – the candidate has extensive previous experience (10 years and more);
• 10 pts – the candidate has strong (less than 10 years) previous experience;

Experience in the providing advisory and/or capacity building support to national or sub-national governmental authorities – 20 points max

• 20 pts – the candidate has extensive previous experience (3 years and more);
• 17 pts – the candidate has limited (less than 3 years) previous experience;

Samples of recommendations for development interventions, including project proposals, executive summaries, analytical reports – 20 points max

• 10 points – 1 sample;
• 15 points – 2 sample;
• 20 points – 3 samples or more.

Language Skills – 5 points max

• 5 pts – Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian;
• 4 pts – Fluency in English and Ukrainian.

Maximum available technical score - 70 points.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

11. EVALUATION METHOD

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative 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 meeting the minimum requirements and obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. The maximum points obtainable for the technical evaluation is 70.

12. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS 

Applicants shall submit the following documents: 

Required 

• Letter of interest, explaining why they are the most suitable for the work including relevant experience.
• Personal CV, including information about experience in similar projects/assignments and contact details for referees;
• At least two examples of relevant substantive writing and edited analytical reports, recommendations, project progress or final reports (in English);
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (includes financial proposal with fees and all other expenses foreseen for the delivery of the assignment).

13. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL 

Lump sum contract 

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 instalments 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 number of anticipated working days). 

Travel costs

Missions to Kherson and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts (if needed) will be organized and supported by the Project and travel costs will be covered by the Project (hotel and tickets). Local transportation within Kherson and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts - will be also arranged by the Project.