Historique

The “Strengthening Community Resilience in Kherson region - phase II” project (hereinafter – the Project) is implemented by the UNDP and funded by the UK Government. The Project is implemented in partnership with regional and local authorities of Kherson oblast. The Project aims at strengthening the community resilience and promoting citizens’ trust towards authorities by building respective capacities to provide high quality public services and creating enabling conditions for socio-economic development.

At the outcome level, the project will contribute to achieving the following strategic objectives: (a) to build the resilience of communities in Kherson oblast in the face of multi-factor crises and (b) to improve the level of trust in local, regional and national authorities and strengthen social cohesion among the citizens of Ukraine, including those living in Crimea by maintaining and sustaining cross-border connections. The results that align with these overarching ambitions will be attained through a set of interventions targeting the regional administration, local communities and authorities, focusing on strengthening capacity in responding to COVID-19 as well as enhancing the access of the most vulnerable women, men, girls and boys to quality public services and public service delivery. The project’s target groups include the population of Kherson oblast and other regions of Ukraine, including Crimea; local authorities of Kherson oblast. the total number of final beneficiaries: at least 75,000 women and men (not less than 50% women).

The Project is implemented through the following interrelated activities:

Activity 1. Support to public administration management of COVID-19 recovery planning and response.  The project is supporting the currently ongoing process of crisis response and recovery (planning, implementation and monitoring). Support is focused on the implementation and timely review of the Action Plan for addressing the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic development of Kherson oblast.

Activity 2. Capacity building for regional and local authorities. The project will implement a capacity building programme that encompasses various online and offline training activities (seminars, workshops, etc.) tailored for local community leaders, including the heads of territorial communities, deputies of local councils, representatives of relevant departments of regional administrations and staff responsible for public services provision as planning and implementation of COVID-19 socio-economic response and recovery.

Activity 3. Support to local initiatives in prioritized areas. In close collaboration with the regional and local stakeholders, the project will identify at least ten local initiatives aimed at improving the public services provision and/or addressing the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local communities. This includes local micro-projects aimed at: (a) improving the access to healthcare, educational and administrative services in Kherson oblast and Ukrainian citizens living in Crimea (e.g. mobile solutions for administrative services provision, digitalization and remote access to services, etc.); (b) creating new economic opportunities for the local population through support to the development of tourism- and social entrepreneurship initiatives.

Activity 4. Awareness raising, monitoring and assessment of community resilience. Increasing awareness of the project´s benefits for the population will be a key target of the communication activities. A communications plan will be developed, including key performance indicators to enable tracking and follow-up on reach and coverage.

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 implementation and timely review of the Action Plan for addressing the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic development of Kherson 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.

In 2020 a Regional Development Agency “European Integration Office in Kherson region”, which has recently incorporated the Project Reform Office of Kherson region, was launched by the Kherson Oblast State Administration. The mission of this institution is to support socio-economic development of the region, infrastructure development, expand business contacts, and also to explore additional resources for the development of communities, so that people would feel tangible benefits associated with Ukraine's course of European integration. Cooperation with this institution would be beneficial for UNDP.

Also, the Kherson Oblast State Administration is currently working on establishing of a Development Partners Coordination Council (DPCC) in Kherson Oblast to mobilize international partners, which are ready to provide support to the region. The DPCC is an advisory body formed to coordinate work of the implementation of international technical assistance projects in Kherson regions, including but not limited to the programs and projects implemented by UNDP, USAID, GIZ, and other international organizations. UNDP is taking part in formation of this advisory body.

The project will also support the oblast authorities in their effort aimed at better coordination of international technical assistance (in particular, by helping to operationalize the DPCC), mobilising additional resources for the implementation of response and recovery measures from alternative sources (including the State Fund for Regional Development, donor funding, etc.), as well as in increasing the transparency of spending of the public funds allocated for such measures.

For this purpose, the Project is seeking a qualified National Advisor who will support the Project team by providing high-quality advisory support to Kherson 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 Kherson 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 monitoring the implementation 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;
• review the existing international technical assistance coordination mechanism at oblast level and provide recommendations for its improvement;
• provide advisory support (develop recommendations) to the Kherson Oblast State Administration on matters related to effective coordination of technical assistance provided to the region by international community, in particular, support operationalizing the recently established Development Partners Coordination Council (DPCC) in Kherson Oblast;
• provide support to capacity building  for regional and local authorities and other relevant regional institution by organising and conducting a series of 8 (online) capacity building workshops on different aspects of COVID-19 response and recovery planning and implementation; the programme of workshops should cover the topics of impact assessment, solutions identification, programme/project development (with specific focus on gender-sensitivity and inclusivity), project cycle  management, 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 Kherson 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:

• 25% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 1 and approval of the Interim Report #1.
• 25% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 2 and approval of the Interim Report #2.
• 25% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 3 and approval of the Interim Report #3.
• 25% of the contract amount upon successful completion of the Deliverable 4 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, 2 and 3 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 with a multilateral or international organization/foundation working in the area of international technical assistance;
• 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 (from 5 to 9 years) previous experience;

At least 1 year of 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);
• 15 pts – the candidate has limited (from 1 to 3 years) previous experience;

At least 1 year of experience with a multilateral or international organization/foundation working in the area of international technical assistance – 20 points max

• 20 pts – the candidate has extensive previous experience (10 years and more);
• 17 pts – the candidate has strong (from 4 to 9 years) previous experience;
• 12 pts – the candidate limited (from 1 to 3 years) previous experience.

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.