UNDP Jobs - 75399- Local Consultant for Negotiating Chapter 8 (Compet

Local Consultant for Negotiating Chapter 8 (Competition)

Location :

Podgorica, MONTENEGRO

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

18-Dec-2017

Application Deadline :

27-Nov-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

December 2017 - September 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

22 months

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Ministry of European Affairs (MEA) represents a central coordinating institution for the process of the accession to the EU including accession negotiations and management and programming of IPA funds, as well as strategic planning when it comes to the public policies.

Staff assigned to the new MEA have responsibility for and experience to date in anchoring negotiations with the EU not only in establishing the preconditions for opening the remaining negotiating chapters, but the requirements for continuous alignment of the national legislation with the EU acquis and establishing benchmarks and key criteria for the closure of the negotiation chapters.

The task related to coordination of activities in negotiations are mainly coordinated by the Directorate for EU Accession. The Directorate is in charge for managing the accession process in part related to regular implementation of the Stabilization and Association Process (SAA), coordination and monitoring the work of joint bodies established under the SAA. The Directorate coordinates the accession process, cooperation between the public authorities with the EU institutions, its members states, potential and candidate countries.

The activities related to preparation of documents of Negotiating Group, working groups in certain chapters are also coordinated from this part of the Ministry. The Directorate monitors and analysis the main EU policies. Given the current phase of negotiating process, the dynamics of negotiations and continuous need to meet the EU standards across the board, the Ministry needs to further strengthen its capacities especially in areas that are very complex and wide. This clearly shows the need for establishing and developing clear internal procedures, legal acts and instructions.

The project “Strengthening capacities of the Ministry of European Affairs” is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the MEA. The project started on October 1, 2017 and it will be implemented over the next two years. The general objective of this action is to assist, advise and support EU accession negotiations through strengthening the capacities of the MEA in responding to the demands of the new phases of accession.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

The objective of the assignment is to strengthen capacities of the Ministry of European Affairs and its Directorate General for EU Accession through engagement of the local consultant.

Job content:

The local consultant should support the Directorate for EU Accession in terms of contributing to coordination and contacting the relevant public bodies and relevant EU institutions with aim of managing the given tasks, analysing documents, participate in drafting of reports and other strategic documents, as well as providing support to other emerging needs for the specific chapter. The consultant will also be engaged in facilitating the activities emerging from the commitments assumed by the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in the given area.

Since Montenegro is approaching the completion of opening benchmarks in this chapter and we expect for the conditions for the opening of this area to be met by the end of the year, specific support addressing the negotiation chapter: 8 - Competition policy will imply cooperation with the key stakeholders with a view of completing the closing benchmarks when set, participation in preparation of relevant negotiating documents in this area, as well as support to other emerging needs for this specific chapter.

Participation and communication with relevant authorities and negotiating structure in preparation and analysis of strategic documents;
Ensure support focused on coordination activities with the relevant institutions with a view of completion the closing benchmarks in this chapter once it is opened. This activity will most likely imply coordination of legislative, institutional and administrative preconditions for closing of this chapter;
As appropriate, support in organizing trainings for civil servants from relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies on topics in the fields under negotiation chapter 8 - Competition;
Support in organizing expert missions, preparation of horizontal meetings, as well as support in development of relevant analyses under the Competition area;
Support in following the work of the SAA implementation and the work of relevant bodies in the area pertaining the area of Competition;
Support in preparation of relevant reports on implementation of strategic documents in this area and also participation in drafting the reports in this specific area for the EC and in the country;
Provide support in the implementation of all activities planned in the project „Strengthening capacities of the Ministry of European Affairs“, and ensure transparent and excellent communication with direct project partners and other stakeholders;
Prepare monthly reports on implemented activities;
Perform other relevant tasks upon request of the UNDP Project Manager and the Director General for EU Accession of the Ministry of European Affairs.

The expected results: It is expected from the consultant to coordinate and deliver above mentioned tasks, in order to strengthen capacities of the Ministry of European Affairs and the Directorate for EU Accession and support the implementation of the project „Strengthening capacities of the Ministry of European Affairs “.

Timing and reporting: The local consultant will work under direct supervision of UNDP Project Manager, Director General for EU Accession and the Head of Department for economic and financial affairs and sectoral policies. He/she will be obligated to provide monthly reports on their deliverables during the assignment. The local consultant will be engaged in the period from December 2017 until September 2019. The consultant will be placed at the premises of the Ministry of European Affairs and work during the working hours of the Ministry.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP/MEA;
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;
Excellent communication skills, facility in working with teams and capacity to compose clear and readable narrative reports;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills;
Excellent organizational and time management skills;
Knowledge Management and Learning;
Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to Results Management, including collecting of documentation, data entering, preparation of revisions, filling, provision of information;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems;
Responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Excellent inter-personal and communication skills;
Ability to work independently and in a team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree, preferably in social sciences.

Experience:

Minimum two years of working experience in the relevant field;
Previous experience related to the negotiation process or specifically to the Negotiating Chapter 8 would be considered as an asset;
Experience in desk research, as well as analysis of strategic planning documents or policy planning papers is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in Montenegrin language;
Excellent command of spoken and written English language.

Other:

Computer literacy.

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 inidividual 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 27, 2017 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain a duly completed Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from http://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/operations/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".