Background

In 2015, UNDP launched the implementation of the Strengthening the Role of Local Communities/Mjesne zajednice in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project, which is financed jointly by the Government of Switzerland and the Government of Sweden. The project goal is to improve quality of life of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) through improving local infrastructure and services, increasing democratic accountability and social inclusion. The chosen means to achieve this goal is through encouraging community-led local development and revitalising of mjesne zajednice (MZs) as the places where government comes closest to the people and as grass-roots organisations that serve communities, with the possibility for real participation and joint action.

The Project's implementing strategy is to support and drive forward change from bottom-up by engaging citizens and communities and giving them a voice in local governance processes, and by revitalising MZs as spaces where citizens come together to interact and involve, to identify and solve problems, to transmit their concerns to the local government and participate in the ways it makes its plans, spends their money and takes decisions that affect people’s lives. In doing so, the Project places MZs and their communities at the centre of its work, while also relying on a broad range of relevant stakeholders to sustain and expand Project results and increase democratic accountability. The Project works with 24 LGs and 136 MZs country-wide. The key Project stakeholders are the following LGs: Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Brcko distrikt, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Ilijaš, Jablanica, Kljuc, Kotor Varoš, Laktaši, Ljubinje, Ljubuški, Nevesinje, Olovo, Pale FBiH, Petrovo, Rudo, Sanski Most, Stari Grad Sarajevo, Tešanj, Visoko, Zenica, Žepce, as well as their respective local communities that are part of the project.

Focus of this Terms of Reference is on the Project Outcome 3, which is related to providing support to the governments in B&H in development of a new regulatory framework for functional MZs that enables more inclusive, gender-sensitive and accountable local governance in BiH. Goal is for the project to support creation of a legal basis for a more effective functioning of all the MZs in the country. In that light, the project has developed comprehensive studies on new vision of the MZs and legal analysis of the MZ status in BiH, which supports the aim of the third outcome which is to create a new legal structure that fits with the vision across all tiers of the government in B&H, and to create an environment where MZs can become effective and democratic channels for citizens to participate in their own governance.

In addition, the project will coordinate activities with Associations of Cities and Municipalities of FBiH and RS, as well as with all of the line ministries responsible for local self-governance, including as the FBiH Ministry of Justice and the RS Ministry of Administration and Local Self-Governance, as well as relevant administrative units in Brcko District of BiH.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to the enhancement of local communities’/mjesne zajednice (MZ) practical skills and capacity to understand and effectively use ICTs for engaging citizens in public life, civic dialogue and mobilising actions at the grass-root level. For this purpose, National Consultant/s for Delivery of a Training Programme on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Citizen Participation in Public Life and Enhancement of Civic Dialogue (hereinafter Consultants) will be engaged.

Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of the consultancy is to deliver a practical and interactive 2-day training on the use of ICTs for engaging citizens in local public life and enhancement of civic dialogue, thus equipping representatives from MZs with knowledge and tools on this subject matter.

Duties and Responsibilities

This training programme will equip participants with practical hands on ICT and social media skills and knowledge for governance and local development. At the end of the training, participants will become familiar with using basic ICT tools, techniques and skills for personal development and the use of some of the ICTs to more effectively connect, engage and interact with citizens, including the most excluded ones.
This consultancy will offer practical knowledge to representatives of MZs within partner local governments (Olovo, Zenica, Ilijas, Pale FBiH, Rudo, Visoko, Nevesinje, Ljubinje, Ljubuški, Jablanica, Banja Luka), specifically – representatives from MZs as well as local government staff responsible for interaction with MZ.

The Consultants are expected to deliver a 2-day practical training programme for target participants, which aims to present the wide set of ICT tools at disposal to MZs and local governments and citizens for mutual communication. The training programme will also provide practical guidance and examples on how to build a culture of trust and constructive dialogue in an online world, and how to use ICTs as a tool for outreaching, engaging and motivating citizens to take part in public life in the most effective and engaging manner. Ultimately, the training programme will also enable sharing success stories from other localities, through guest practitioners. 

To that end, the Consultants will deliver a 2-day interactive training program, combining theoretical knowledge with rich exercising and role-play opportunities for participants. The training will utilize existing examples, as well as offer a caseload of best examples from global practice while discussing their potential application to the local context. 

More specifically, the Consultant/s will undertake:

Task: Delivery a 2-day training program, with supporting materials and presentations

In general, the training is encompassing the following building blocks:

Entry-point self-assessment by participants: the evaluation form will allow for assessing the knowledge on the subject matter prior to the training program by each participant individually.

• Citizen engagement: what it is and why it matters: this block examines the theoretical underpinnings of citizen engagement and participation in decision-making, and how it can lead to better development results, community actions or better services. The Training will provide basic definitions and history of citizen engagement, as well as related concepts such as transparency, accountability, responsiveness and inclusiveness.
• Formulating and conveying messages and information to the citizens and specific target groups (practical exercise based on role-play simulation): this block will enable practical work on shaping up messages to engage/invite citizens to take part in various public actions, mobilise wide participation in decision-making through existing ICTs (social media and web platforms or systems that could be easily integrated into LG websites or introduced at MZ level) by ensuring that constructive feedback on quality of service delivery provided by citizens is reflected upon and taken into consideration by the local governments and local communities.
• E-governance: this block will provide basic information on the e-governance notion and offer overview of the possibilities it brings for meaningful and constructive citizen participation in public life and decision-making by introducing online collection of citizen inputs, case tracking tools, downloadable forms for various services, budget tracking tools, e-complaints, user feedback, etc.
• ICTs and citizen participation: this block will present how recent advances in ICT can be used to enhance citizen engagement from a governance and equality perspectives, and review some of the most compelling new developments, examples and case-studies in this area, including social media and discuss their possible application to the local context.
• ICTs as means to empower social networking mobilise action  and civic dialogue among citizens: this block will provide theoretical overview, as well as practical examples of bottom-up ICT-based solutions for citizen engagement (i.e. online petitioning tools, online civic initiatives), suggest effective approaches on how to lobby for participation by people – especially focused on the most vulnerable and socially excluded community members, initiate meaningful dialogue and constructive solution-based interaction with their governments.
• Overview and practical use of a simple set of ICT tools to initiate and lead civic dialogue: (website, social media, software solutions, mobile phone applications, websites, etc.) – practical guidance, exercises.

Exit self-assessment by participants: the evaluation form will allow for assessing the knowledge acquired after the training program by each participant individually.

Ultimately, the Consultants will compile the key knowledge elements and good examples, hints, tips and practical recommendations into a simple handout material (up to 10 pages), which can serve as a take-away tool for participants. The training programme will be designed in the languages of people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the 2-day training programme to 4 training groups (up to 30 participants in each group) in 4 localities. Therefore, the selected consultant will deliver the training to 4 training groups in 4 localities, as specified below:

Training group             Location                 Participants from local governments
1                                       Ilijaš                      Olovo, Zenica, Ilijaš
2                                   Sarajevo                   Pale FBiH, Rudo, Visoko
3                                     Mostar                    Nevesinje, Ljubinje, Ljubuški, Jablanica
4                                  Banja Luka                 Banja Luka

All logistical and organisational work prior to and during the training will be done by the Project team.

Following the training delivery, the Consultant will prepare a final report (using standardised format provided by Project Team) on the training delivery, to include: total number of participants per training; main observations; analysis of the “before” and “after” knowledge gained by the participants (based on the self-assessments).

It is envisaged that the level of effort will not exceed 12 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs:

• A 2-day training program adjusted, including supporting materials and presentations, 2 days, 15 May 2018, 16.67%;
• A 2-day training to 4 training groups delivered as per the ToR and a brief analytical report from each training is submitted, 8 days, 15 May- 20 June 2018, 66.67%;
• Preparation of the final report, 2 days, 30 June 2018,16.67%.

Competencies

Core values:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competences:

• 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: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different 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.
• Strong analytical and reporting  abilities; Excellent organizational and  facilitation skills; Excellent public presentation and moderation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in computer science, social sciences, communications or similar;
• Master’s degree would be considered an asset.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of extensive experience in capacity development or delivery of training.

Languages Requirements:

• Fluency in languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (excellent writing, editing and communication skills).
• Fluency in English is an asset.

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:

• Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from http://www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/operations/jobs.html);
• Financial proposal which will separately specify professional fee, indicating number of anticipated working days, travel costs (air-ticket or use of private vehicle), living allowance, and all other applicable costs.
• Sample of handout material developed by candidate for previous training.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 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.

Criteria Points / Relevant Education:

• University BA degree in computer science, social sciences, communications or similar -  Max 20 points (10 points allocated for BA/BSc degree; + 5 points for MSc/MA; + up to 5 points for PhD);
• Relevant professional experience - 5 years of extensive experience in capacity development in delivery of trainings particularly for larger citizen groups, NGOs and local governments - Max 60 points;
• Previous experience with UNDP - 5 points'
• Language - Provided document is grammatically correct and written clearly - Max 15 points.