Background

Build upon the results of the two preceding STAR projects, in September 2020, UNDP Albania launched a new phase of multi-donor initiative in support to the advancement of decentralization and local government reform, STAR3 – Sustaining and Advancing Local Governance Reform.

The overall aim of the STAR3 is to strengthen local government effectiveness and efficiency through enhancing the supporting framework, consolidating systems, standards and organizational capacities in place, expanding and sustaining service delivery innovation and best practices, and institutionalizing local government accountability to women and men for enhanced participatory governance. 

Being a multi-donor project and a direct support to Ministry of Interior as the central institution responsible for advancement of local governance reforms, the project was considered as the most appropriate modality to support the drafting process of the new cross-cutting Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance given also the experience accumulated from the project during the three phases of assistance implemented in support to Local Governments.

A formal request of the Ministry of Interior, approved from the project partners, enabled the initiation of the assistance for the drafting process of the new National Cross-cutting Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance. The assistance encompasses support with expertise and know how during a well-designed process which aims at ensuring adequately informed decision-making engaging a wide range of stakeholders at local and national level.

The present moderator will facilitate the technical working groups and related consultation processes of specific strategic directions. Also, the moderator is expected to contribute to the process of identification gaps, measures and their prioritization, as well as coordinate the relevant expertise. An experts are required to contribute to the following strategic directions:

• Local economic and inclusive development

Duties and Responsibilities

The Moderators of Strategic Directions Workshops will work under the supervision of the STAR3 Project Manager and in support to the Director of ASLG as the chair of technical group for the drafting process of the strategy. The main duties and expected results will include the following:

• Carry out desk review on the relevant literature of the relevant strategic direction. 
• Contributing to the preparation of brainstorming and validation meetings, along with the respective methodology.
• Contributing to technical working groups (brainstorming and validation meetings) through technical expertise on facilitating the process of gaps identification, measures identification and their prioritization of the relevant strategic directions.
• Facilitate/moderate the brainstorming and validation meetings for the drafting of the new National Cross-Cutting Strategy for Decentralisation and Local Governance.
• Summary of the identified gaps, measures and their prioritization of the relevant strategic direction.

Competencies

The Expert is expected to provide the following deliverables:

The deliverable of this Consultancy should be the provision of a research Paper, providing a summary of the main conclusions of the relevant strategic direction workshops and consultation processes, with gaps and measures identification, as well as prioritization of measures.   

Required Skills and Experience

The Consultant must possess or satisfy the following criteria:

Core competencies and values:

• Demonstrate integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrate professional competence and be efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies

• Ability to work on tight deadlines;
• Ability to apply good judgment in the context of the assignment given as well as to plan work and manage priorities
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills;
• Be very good in report writing.

The preferred educational background and minimum required qualifications for the interested candidates, include the following.

Education/Academic Qualification:

• An advanced university degree in pubic administration, law, management, social sciences or related discipline

Work Experience:

• At least 10 years experience working in a public or private sector in areas related to law enforcement, management, or operations
• Experience in interpreting legislation into practical application
• Having knowledge and understanding of concepts and culture relevant to public administration
• Familiar with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources

Language requirements:

Good communication (spoken and written) skills in English, including ability to draft reports and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.

UNDP shall make payments to the Consultant after acceptance by UNDP/STAR3 of the deliverables, and in accordance with the following schedule of payments:

Application Procedure 

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 

The application should contain: 

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability & Detailed Financial Proposal - please fill in the attached form. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)
• Example: (kindly refer to the example below when filling out the Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability

[INCORRECT] An all-inclusive daily fee of [state amount in words and in numbers indicating currency]

[CORRECT] (Select Here and elaborate) [X] A total lump sum of [state amount in words and in numbers, indicating exact currency], payable in the manner described in the Terms of Reference.

• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)

• Financial Proposal in ALL(Albanian Lek)*- Specify a Total Lump Sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser) Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). 

• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 

• Beneficiary contact details (next of kin)
  • Beneficiary's Contact Person's Name:
  • Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms):
  • Address:
  • Telephone:
  • Email:

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application. 

How to Submit the Application: 

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below: 

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs). 
• In the P11 Form make sure to include Email Addresses of the Persons who are willing to provide References on your experience in working with them.
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded. 
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement). 
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;” 
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above). 

• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system. 

Due to large number of applications, we receive, we can inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.