Background

The Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of the EU-UNDP partnership and previously supported initiative – ReLOaD1 implemented in the four-year period 2017 - 2020.

ReLOaD2 continues to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration process in the Western Balkans by empowering civil society and youth to actively take part in decision making and by stimulating an enabling legal and financial environment for civil society. The programme is implemented in the following IPA beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia, Kosovo?, Montenegro and Serbia.

Working across the region, ReLOaD2 will enhance capacities of local governments and civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and realisation of local priorities in line with development strategies.

ReLOaD2 in Montenegro, through competitive process, selected 5 partner clusters of local governments (15 local governments)  and will focus on institutionalization of interaction between local governments and CSOs. It will incite partner local governments to use public funding for CSOs in a transparent and development-oriented manner, recognising local needs and embracing a project-based approach. Also, the Action will promote youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and will work on improvement of their economic perspectives in partner localities.

The total budget of the ReLOaD2 is EUR 12.63 million, while Montenegrin component is EUR 1.84 million. The Project duration is 48 months (2021 – 2024). Project implementation period started  on January 1, 2021.  

Based on the findings of the Training Needs Assessment (TNA)  conducted among partner local governments, one of the areas recognised for advancement was public relations and presentation of results. The aim of this activity  is to capacitate local government staff, dealing with NGOs and youth, to better communicate strategic results within their communiites.  

Consequently, for the purposes of delivering training on public relations and presentation of project results, UNDP seeks to engage 2 local consultants.

Under the supervision of Project Manager, the Consultants are expected to jointly prepare and  implement the training on public relations and communicating  project results  for the representatives of partner local self-governments. 

A two-day training will be organized in December 2021. The location will be determined later – however, it is planned to select venue in one of the Montenegro coastal municipalities. 

Training   group will consist of up to thirty (30) participants (officials from 15 partner local governments that are working with NGOs and youth). 

The training is intended for the officials working with NGOs and official in charge for youth policy on local level who need basic knowledge and skills on public relations and presentation of project results to the public. It should prepare them for strategic communication with different target audiences and successful public appearance for various promotional events/meetings in their communities (including a smaller segment related to public appearance on TV or radio). Also, it will help them gain knowledge about media relations, identifying target audiences, setting communication goals and defining/forming messages, as well as how to successfully convey messages to their target audiences (citizens, youth, media, donors, etc.) via different media channels (including social networks). The selected consultants will be responsible to recognize and address general shortcomings in the public speaking and to propose some concrete ways for overcoming of these.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:  

The objective of the assignment is to design and deliver a basic two days’ training on the topic of public relations and presentation of project results for up to thirty (30) participants (2 officials per each of 15 local governments in charge of working with NGOs and youth).The training will be held at the Montenegrin seaside, exact location will be determined later, in December 2021.

The consultancy will consist of the following tasks:

Task 1: Design one two-day training plan (one consultancy day)

Training plan should contain detailed agenda, practical examples and working group tasks on the topic of public relations and presentation of project results. The training should be tailored and designed to promote innovative solutions, digital solutions and gender mainsteaming as well as to incorporate elements that will help participants to recognise and avoid  fake news, hate speech and any kind of discrimination. At the same time, the training must include, among other aspects, examples and exercises on how to create effective media coverages press releases, newsletters, etc. and how to use media channels (including social networks).

Task 2: Delivery of the basic two-day training on public relations and communicating project results (two consultancy days)

Based on the training plan, the consultants will deliver a basic two-day training for up to thirty (30) participants – 2 officials in charge of working with NGOs and youth from each partner local government (15 local governments).  Also, if situation with COVID 19 pandemic would not allow organization of training i in-person, it will be organized in an on-line format.

Task 3: Producing the final report (one consultacy day)

The final report must comprehensively encompass the main conclusions and clearly present recognised main shortcomings in communicating project results for all participants while proposing concrete ways for overcoming of these. It must also, among other elements, include: training goals and results achieved, number of trainees, analysis of prior and post knowledge, lessons learned and recommendations and training performance evaluation. The report should be in English.

Deliverables and Timeline

The two engaged consultants are expected to work as a team, home-based and in selected training venue, Montenegro, during the period 20 November – 20 December, 2021.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) in Monenegro, the consultants are expected to deliver the following results:

Time Duration and Travel

Each of the consultants will be engaged for the total of four (4) consultancy days during the period 20 November – 20 December 2021, pursuant to the agreed plan with UNDP. The travel expenses (transport and accommodation of the team of trainers) shall be covered by the each of the consultants and, therefore, must be included in the financial offer for the provision of the training services.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Educatin:

• Expertise in social sciences, particularly in communications, public relations, marketing, etc;

Experience: 

• Proven expertise and experience in communicating results to the general public (previous experience in public relations and presenting project results);
• Proven experience in training on public relations;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, demonstrated ability to facilitate trainings;
• Experience in the work with the national and local authorities would be considered as an advantage; 

Language:

• Fluency in Montenegrin language.

Other:

• Proven ability to think strategically, express ideas clearly and concisely, work both independently and in a team, demonstrate self-confidence combined with sensitivity to gender and different cultures and traditions; 

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. 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: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) 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% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by November 7, 2021 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV or P11 that can be downloaded at https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".