Antecedentes

The consultancy is planned within the Economic Governance for Growth (EGG) project (2018-2021), 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 works to improve economic development opportunities in BiH and generate employment in promising industrial sectors. Key project deliverables include creating a governance framework conducive to economic development, improving the current public finance management system, support to start-up generation in advanced technological area and strengthening the capacities of the education system to respond to modern economy labour force needs. Pursuing an integrated approach to generating economic growth opportunities in target localities, the EGG project envisages the following activities:

• Support fast-growing, export-oriented industries via tailor-made assistance to emerging and mature entrepreneurs;
• Nurture entrepreneurs of the future via STEM academies and “fab labs” across the project area, coupled with piloting entrepreneurship curricula in secondary schools;
• Upgrade entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem capabilities and facilitate regional networking and partnership opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs and their enablers;
• Upgrade economic infrastructure and increase effectiveness/size of government-to-business incentive programs through better public expenditure management.

The purpose of the consultancy is to contribute to improved programmatic delivery as well as financial management by cantonal governments through facilitating the implementation of recommendations arising from a recently administered comprehensive spending review. The spending review has thus far been completed in two cantons, Sarajevo and Posavina, with working structures formed to spearhead the implementation of resulting recommendations. In order to support the work of these two bodies, the Project is seeking to recruit a senior local consultant to help guide and inform the process while also monitoring and reporting on the implementation of key recommendations.
 

Deberes y responsabilidades

The consultancy will follow on the heels of comprehensive spending review processes carried out in Sarajevo and Posavina Cantons by a team of senior consultants. Aimed to support the process, cantonal governments have established working groups composed by representatives of selected ministries/sectors. The findings of the review process, focusing largely on financial and asset management practices, have been translated into a practical action plan that working groups and respective ministries are expected to adhere to over the coming 12 months. The Consultant will be provided with the original review report and action plan.

Accordingly, the Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

1. Assist the Working Group in updating the spending review document;
2. Conduct quarterly monitoring progress reviews;
3. Reporting. 

Task 1 – Assist the Working Group in updating the spending review document
This activity implies 4 days of a field work in selected cantonal governments. Under this task, The Consultant is expected to provide the following services:

• Consult the Working Group members and collect feedback on spending review document;
• Revise and update the spending review document in line with the Working Group suggestions;
• Develop a monitoring tool for the implementation of recommendations stemming from spending review.

The time foreseen for this task is 8 days.

Task 2 – Conduct quarterly monitoring progress reviews
Under this task, the Consultant will conduct at least one quarterly monitoring progress review per canton, meeting with members of the Working Group tasked with implementation of the action plan. The review will follow a pre-designated monitoring tool format where the Consultant is expected to go through all of the commitments undertaken by the local government and assess progress. The Consultant is also expected to provide any assistance needed by the working group in translating the action plan into practical measures. The Consultant will also take note of any technical assistance needs stated by the working group that cannot be met in the course of the monitoring review or performed by the monitoring consultant for communication to the project team.
Following each monitoring review, the Consultant is expected to provide a brief report to the project team on progress and issues recorded during the visit.  This activity implies at least 15 days of a field work in selected cantonal governments.
The time foreseen for this task is 30 days.

Task 3 – Deliver final report
At the end of the assignment, the Consultant is expected to draft an analytical report in the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing all relevant information on  progress achieved as well as any systemic issues encountered. The report will also contain recommendations as to the next stages in the implementation process, as appropriate.  The report should be prepared in a comprehensive way, divided in relevant sections and including both narrative and numeric elaborations.
The time foreseen for this task is 4 days.

Deliverables/outputs
The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Competencias

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.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Academic Qualifications/Education

• Advanced university degree in economics, public finance, public administration or other related field;

Experience

• 10 years of relevant experience in the field of financial policy planning, financial management, local development, strategic development or sustainability management;
• Previous experience in performing similar tasks;
• Proven ability to undertake professional research using both quantitative and qualitative methods;
• Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and write concisely and clearly;
• Proven communication, facilitation and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders.

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

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

Technical Evaluation

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

Evaluation

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:

1. Financial proposal
2. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

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.