Antecedentes

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with offices in 180 countries. Globally, the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion each year.  
The UNDP office in Skopje employs a team of 65 and currently manages a portfolio of projects in environmental protection, good governance and social inclusion worth USD 15 million per year.
UNDP is currently seeking an experienced Local Expert to carry out an assessment of the existing funding mechanisms for disbursement of public funds to CSOs in 5-7 selected municipalities as part of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD).
An integral part of the EU accession agenda is to promote the inclusion of civil society and further development of participatory democracies in the region. Local governments in the Western Balkan (WB) are one of the key funding providers for CSOs and the absence of a conducive financial environment is one of the main challenges civil society is experiencing in the current period. Throughout the region, local governments use similar models for funding of CSOs from public budgets, where common challenges relate to insufficient transparency and/or clear criteria of the selection processes. These incomplete and often discriminatory models limit the positioning and importance of civil society and hamper further development of participatory democracies in the WB Region.
To address these challenges, the EU-funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD) aims to strengthen the partnerships between local governments and civil society by scaling-up a successful model of transparent and project-based funding of CSOs. The funding model offered for replication from BiH will be adapted to each country specifics taking into consideration existing regulatory frameworks and funding practices developed by relevant state/local government institutions. The ReLOaD programme will be implemented in Albania, BiH, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo (this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Montenegro, and Serbia. The total budget of the programme is EUR 10 million and the Programme duration is 36 months, from February 2017 to January 2020.
Objectives of the assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to perform an evidence-based assessment of the existing financing mechanisms and regulations for disbursement of public funds to CSOs in selected 5-7 ReLOaD partner municipalities scattered across the country and based on the findings provide recommendations for aligning those practices and procedures with the Methodology for allocation of funds to CSOs (LOD Methodology ) (Each part of the process of execution of transparent public funding mechanism for CSOs is elaborated within the Methodology for Allocation of Funds to Civil Society Organizations (LOD Methodology) which is used as a key model for replication in the WB. The mechanism/model will be tailored and adjusted in each country always taking into consideration existing legislative framework and local practices. For the full practical guide see the link: http://www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/library/poverty/lod-methodology-for-allocation-of-funds-tocivil-society-organiz.html ).

Deberes y responsabilidades

The local Consultant will perform the following tasks in close cooperation and under direct supervision of the UNDP Project Officer and general guidance of the UNDP Programme Analyst:
1. Performing in-depth analysis of the existing systems for disbursement of municipal funds to CSOs in each of the partner municipalities, including revision of the municipal budget lines foreseen for these purposes.
For each of the selected partner municipalities, the analysis should provide overview of (but is not limited to):

• General assessment and reviewing of the legislative framework on national level that affects work of Local Governments in relation to CSO funding. This is covered through Assessment of existing in-country mechanisms already conducted by the UNDP CO Macedonia and selected consultant will need to get familiar with this document as well as with mentioned LOD Methodology as a preparation for this assignment.
• Legal acts and strategic documents on municipal level for allocation of public funds to CSOs. The consultant is expected to perform a desk review of all available information, documents and legal acts related to the disbursement of municipal funds allocated for CSOs in each partner municipality;
• Practices for allocation of public funds to CSOs. This should include the period from at least last three budgetary years (2014, 2015 and 2016), with quantifiable data presented to differentiate modality on how the funds are allocated (i.e. public call, directly, decision of Mayor, etc..). For this purpose, the Consultant will conduct in-person interviews with the relevant representatives of each of the selected partner municipalities;
• Differences between the existing funding systems and the LOD Methodology, focusing on challenges and steps regarding full transition to unified mechanisms (LOD methodology). This needs to be presented in such a manner to present differences in each segment of LOD methodology comparing to current practice in each partner municipality followed by necessary steps to align the practice with LOD Methodology;
• Recommend tailor-made, concrete and precise measures for each municipality for harmonizing the current practices with the LOD Methodology, fully respecting the FYR Macedonia’s legal and strategic documents. The Consultant will get familiar with the key project documents, LOD Methodology, the Assessment on existing mechanisms for disbursement of public funds to CSOs in FYR Macedonia and other relevant documents;
• Provide detailed procedural steps on how municipalities can embed the LOD Methodology into relevant legal acts (Act on Methodology for Transparent CSO Project Funding) and systems for distribution of funds to CSOs, ensuring the compliance with the current relevant FYR Macedonia laws.

2. Producing and presenting the report
Based on the findings from Task 1 the Consultant will:

• Develop a comprehensive report in English language containing detailed analysis, with quantified data for each municipality, findings and recommendations for each partner municipality regarding the legislative adoption and practical implementation of the LOD Methodology;
• The report will encompass a general analytical segment, a presentation of practices and procedures in each municipality and a work plan on how municipalities can embed the LOD Methodology into relevant practice indicating anticipated steps but fully respecting the existing relevant legal framework. The Consultant will capture the main issues and challenges that need to be considered in the adoption of the new methodology for funds disbursement. To that end, human and institutional resources needed for the implementation will be identified.

Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:

1. Prepare an assessment methodology (including questionnaire) and detailed work plan with time-table of activities and submit it to UNDP for approval, latest by 6 December 2017;
2. Prepare interview questions for the research and submit it for approval to UNDP, latest by 8 December 2017;
3. Submit a draft report containing detailed analysis, findings and recommendations by 25 December 2017. The UNDP office will provide feedback within 10 days;
4. Submit a final report (including a 2-page executive summary) on all activities undertaken under this assignment, highlighting main findings and proposed recommendations, by 20 January 2017.
5. Deliver a presentation of the findings of the assessment to the Project Team.

Duration of assignment

Tentatively, the assignment should be completed in the period from December 2017 to January 2018. The exact start of the assignment will be agreed with the selected contractor upon finalization of the procurement process. The overall duration of the tasks covered by this ToR has been estimated to not exceed 20 days, including desk-work and field work for conducting interview meetings.

Travel

The Consultant is expected to work from home and conduct interview meetings in the partner municipalities/clusters, pursuant to the work plan for this assignment. The Consultant is responsible to make the travel arrangements. Prior to the commencement of the mission, the Consultant will also prepare a plan of action that will be approved by the project. The estimated travel costs for the field missions to the partners municipalities should be included in the lump sum figure.

Reporting

Throughout the assignment, the Consultant shall regularly report on the progress of the tasks to the ReLOaD Project Officer. The detailed work plan with methodology and time-table of activities will be agreed with the selected contractor, upon finalization of the procurement process. The interview questions should be submitted to the UNDP Project Officer for review before the interviews/meetings.

Payment schedule

The payment of the Consultant on this project will be done in three installments:

• First payment (20%) after submitting deliverables 1 and 2;
• Second payment (50%) after delivering of the draft report;
• Third payment (30%) after approval of the final report and delivery of the presentations.

Competencias

• Strong research, analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver consultancy products within deadlines;
• Ability to synthesize research and draw conclusions on the related subject;
• Writes clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences;
• Experience of working with ministries and local self-governance structures;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• A university degree in in Law, Economics, Public Administration and Social Sciences. Advanced university degree would be an asset.

Experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant working experience including analysis of public funding and administrative rules and regulations regarding civil society sector.

Languages:

• Excellent language proficiency in both written and oral Macedonian and English. Knowledge of Albanian and other languages spoken in the country will be an asset.

Other required qualifications

• Thorough understanding/knowledge of national and local administrative system for coordination, communication and allocation of funds to CSOs;
• Proven expertise and experience in policy development and analysis related to CSOs development and funding in the country;
• At least 2 similar assessments carried out in the field of public funds and funding mechanisms;
• Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows).

Application Procedure
Step 1

1. Click on the "Apply now" button
2. Input your information in the appropriate sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume, and motivation (cover letter). You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box.
3. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload other required documents listed in the step 2.

Step 2
Interested individual consultants must submit the documents/information listed below to demonstrate their qualifications. The system will allow only one attachment. Therefore, please upload all required documents as one file.

1.  A short summary (up to 800 words maximum) of their expertise relevant to this assignment, the reasons why they consider themselves the best candidate for this assignment;
2. CV;
3.  Reference list of relevant work/projects and position held and contact details of the clients;
4.  All-inclusive*financial offer – specifying a total lump sum in MKD for the deliverables specified in the TOR.

In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of the offers, the financial offer shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount:

•  number of working days per task;
• daily fee in MKD;
• Travel costs.

*The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant are already factored in the financial proposal.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested documents/information.

Evaluation of Offers

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated against below criteria and deemed the most favourable:
Technical Evaluation (70% of total evaluation – maximum 70 points):

Only candidates who will obtain at least 49 points and will score at least 70% of the maximum points obtainable for the technical criteria (1-7) will be considered for financial evaluation.
 
Financial Evaluation (30% of total evaluation – maximum 30 points):
The offer with the lowest price will receive the maximum of 30 points. Other offers with higher prices will receive their respective scores according the following formula:
   Lowest Bid
               ------------------- x 30
                Proposed Bid
The contract will be awarded to the candidate that will obtain the highest aggregate score based on the technical and financial evaluation.