Background
The high unemployment rate is arguably Kosovo's paramount socio-economic problem with both immediate and long-term consequences. This rate is about twice higher than in the other countries in the region. According to the latest Labour Force Survey results published in June 2017, the unemployment rate in Kosovo is standing at 27.5%, and 52.4% for young people. The LFS results indicated that Kosovo’s labour force participation rate is the lowest in the Western Balkans (38.7%). Unemployment in Kosovo has several key distinctive dimensions: it principally affects youth, women, as well as those with limited education and no previous work experience, including people with disabilities and non-majority communities.
Despite the continuous growth of the GDP, at about a rate of 3-4% each year, the economy is not able to generate enough employment for the large number of the unemployed people in Kosovo. As per the data from the Tax Administration of Kosovo, the private sector could provide employment for around 317,000 during 2016, while the Labour Force Survey accounts for around 126,100 persons unemployed and seeking for a job, in the context of 28% employment to population rate. In this context, the Kosovo institutions are expected to strategically plan on how to support the private sector in generating employment for a larger portion of the population.
On the other hand, the large number of persons who are not seeking employment, especially among young people and women, is worrying and the economic development of the country depends on the impact of productivity in the economy.
Taking into consideration various policies implemented in EU countries after the effect on youth employment of the economic crises, Kosovo should design medium and long term policies which ensure strategic, efficient, effective and sustainable solutions on supporting employment generation. The government of Kosovo is currently going through a change process, and it is expected that by the end of July 2017, there will be a new government and a new composition of the parliament. This is the best momentum to support the new government to prepare a consolidated plan on how to tackle unemployment through establishment of an employment/guarantee fund which would be utilized to finance active labour market policies implemented by the Kosovo institutions.
UNDP, through the ALMP2 project has been involved in supporting the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) since 2005 in designing and implementing various active labour market policies such as on-the-job training, wage subsidy, self-employment, internships and public works. The MLSW has been equipped with tools, such as the legislative framework, operational guidelines and knowledge on how to implement such measures. And the same time, the MLSW has become the leading institution on implementing such measures. However, the financing of these measures is mainly dependant on foreign donors, which have been active in Kosovo during the past decade. With the shrinking of foreign support, the Kosovo government is seeking sustainable alternatives on how to keep these measures alive.
In this context, the ALMP2 project is seeking to hire a macroeconomist to draft a snapshot of the current situation of the macro-economic trends and the budgetary and financial system in Kosovo. This snapshot, then, will feed into the development of the overall feasibility study on the model(s) for establishing a sustainable employment or guarantee fund for financing active labour market policies in Kosovo, developed by an international expert.
Objectives of Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to draft a snapshot of the current situation of the macro-economic trends and the budgetary and financial system in Kosovo, which will feed into a feasibility study for the possibility of establishing an employment/guarantee fund in Kosovo.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the ALMP Project Manager and the Sustainable Development Programme Analyst, the local consultant is expected to:
1. Conduct a desk research and interviews with the relevant stakeholders, including central and local level institutions, research institutes and NGOs, academic institutions, private sector, etc. on the current situation of the macro-economic trends and the budgetary and financial system in Kosovo.
2. Produce the snapshot, including, but not limited to:
a. General overview of the overall macroeconomic policy framework and objective based on strategic documents of Kosovo;
b. Recent economic developments in Kosovo and their impact on the employment generation, with deeper analysis on the type of professions and sectors involved;
c. An analysis on the medium term macroeconomic scenarios in Kosovo, based on existing literature and government documents;
d. An analysis of the fiscal framework of Kosovo and the forecasts;
e. The current budgetary processes in Kosovo, including the process of developing the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework;
f. The current financing mechanisms for employment generation programme, including information about the responsible institutions, application legal framework, type of programmes, and source of financing.
This snapshot will feed into the overall paper prepared by the international consultant. This paper will create the basis for the conference to be organized during November 2017.
3. Coordinate the organization of a national conference on establishing the Employment/Guarantee Fund.
Deliverables / Final Products Expected
- A snapshot on the current situation of the macro-economic trends and the budgetary and financial system in Kosovo submitted.
- A brief summary of the discussions of the working group during the conference is submitted.
Expected Results:
- The outline of the snapshot submitted. This outline should include the sections and the description of the content of each section. The outline should be agreed upon with UNDP.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 4 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 20th of July 2017
Review and Approvals Required
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- The draft snapshot on the current situation of the macro-economic trends and the budgetary and financial system in Kosovo submitted.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 15 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 7th of August 2017
Review and Approvals Required
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- The final snapshot submitted. The consultant is expected to review and address all the comments provided by UNDP, as well as accommodate any additional requests for data from the lead international consultant who will be preparing the feasibility study.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 3 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 11th of August 2017
Review and Approvals Required
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- The final conference is coordinated and the one of the working groups is moderated. After the conference, a brief summary of the discussions in the working group is submitted.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 3 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 30th of November 2017
Review and Approvals Required
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments
Remuneration - Lump Sum Amount
The Contract is based on lump sum remuneration and shall be processed subject to deliverables as per the schedule listed below:
- Deliverable 1: Upon submission of the snapshot (80%)
- Deliverable 2: Upon finalization of the conference and submission of the summary report (20%)
Required Presentation of Offer:
The following documents must be submitted:
- P11 or CV, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three professional references (P11 can be downloaded in UNDP web site: http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/operations/jobs/)
- Financial proposal: The consultant is expected to provide a lump sum amount/financial proposal. Please note that the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
- Technical proposal, a max. 2-page document briefly explaining the approach and method to be utilized for delivering the expected results within the indicated timeframe
Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
- Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications (50%) and technical proposal (20%) will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.
Application Instructions:
- Click on the "Apply now" button;
- Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
- 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 your Resume;
- System will only allow one attachment. All docs (CV; P11; financial offer; list of similar profiles should be included as one attachment).
- Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Actively promotes gender equality in all project activities;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Functional competencies
- Strong presentation skills;
- Good analytical and report writing skills;
- Good communication skills;
- Good mentoring skills, ability to transfer knowledge;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Responds positively to critical feedback.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in International Development, Economics, Social Sciences, or other related fields is required.
Experience:
- At least 6 years of proven experience in macro-economic trends in Kosovo required;
- Proven experience in analysis of budgetary processes and fiscal policies in Kosovo is required;
- Previous experience in providing technical assistance to government institutions is an asset.
Language requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of spoken and written Albanian and English is required.
- Knowledge of Serbian is considered an asset.