Background

Important note :

Applicants who have previously applied  and have submitted all the required documents  listed in the “application procedure section”, need not re-apply . If the previous submission was not complete , the applicant who have previously applied can re-apply but they need to ensure the submission of all the required documents listed in “application procedure section”.

Local governments in Albania have been subject to considerable Technical Assistance (TA) in the past decade, encompassing the full range of needs from administrative and institutional building, service delivery improvement, local finances and good governance. Within the limits of specific TAs, such assistance has been varied, geographically limited and despite the development of several good models, tools or practices, most often, such experiences have not been scaled up, continued or absorbed as applicable standards. To this adds the unsystematic and partial TAs offered from different development partners and schemes through a multitude of programmes and projects that propose original, yet not integrated, solutions to local challenges, which often target the same groups of local stakeholders.

Moreover, the 2015 Administrative and Territorial Reform, which brought to life 61 new and larger municipalities, has created some new challenges for the LGUs. One of the challenges of the new administrative division is the transfer of six new functions to the local government in 2016 in accordance with the Law 139/2015 on Local Self-Governance, including staffing of preschool and secondary education, forest and pasture management, rural roads management, secondary irrigation and drainage infrastructure management, social services management and fire protection and rescue. The transfer has not been smooth, and it is still ongoing for some functions. The main challenge remains the completion of the legal framework for the full transfer. In parallel, low levels of local institutional capacities to deal with the delegated new functions and lack of a proper planning for managing those functions effectively are yet to be addressed.

STAR2 builds on the national commitment to reform and strengthen local governance and public administration in general, enhance the efficiency and transparency of public institutions for an effective response to public expectations and fight against corruption, make citizens central to service delivery transformation and modernization, and create a climate of trust, cooperation and democratic decision-making for a healthy and sustainable development.  STAR2 has 3 main specific objectives, namely:

I.             Strengthening institutional and administrative capacities of LGUs;

II.            Increased local service delivery, efficiency, quality, coverage, accessibility and inclusiveness for men and women;

III.           Enhanced local democracy through fostering citizen -oriented governance and participatory decision – making, leveraging the roles of women as actors of change.

In accordance to Law 139/2015 “On Local Self – Governance”, six new functions have been transferred to the local government and specifically: staffing of pre-school and secondary education, forest and pasture management, rural roads management, secondary irrigation and drainage infrastructure management, social services management and fire protection and rescue. STAR 2 project recognizes that ’municipalities are struggling to restructure service provision in accordance with the new responsibilities they have over the territory and within the financial limitations. They should find ways to ensure a better coverage, improve citizens’ access to services, and contain and estimate necessary financial resources for the implementation. It is essential to link these efforts to effectiveness, that is moving away from the traditional emphasis on managing inputs (budgets and staff) and processes (rules and structures) if the aim is to seek for a service that is provided with efficiency, effectiveness and is responsive to the needs of all women and men wherever they live within the LGU territory”. 

STAR2 aims to improve the delivery and management of services, inducing new competences, through the implementation of the following 3 activities:

1.            Improve the way services are planned, organized, managed and delivered

2.            Address challenges and capacity building for a full takeover of new delegated functions

3.            Assist in re-organization of selected services in terms of efficiency and standards

To address activities 1, 2 and 3, the project has announced a Request for Proposal, asking interested bidders to carry out a comprehensive assessment on main challenges and problem patterns municipalities are facing with public service delivery in 61 municipalities, and introduce options for service reorganization with the aim of improving the provision of public services at the local level. 5 bidders have already participated in the tender, and their applications are under evaluation.

In view of the above, STAR2 is seeking to identify a National Expert on Local Public Services whose work will mainly focus on the overall coordination and supervision of this assignment, ensuring proper implementation of the work plan and quality assurance of the products.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert on Local Service Delivery will report to and work under the supervision of STAR2 Project Management Team, to assist in activities related to the implementation and monitoring of the public service delivery assessment and reorganization of selected services.

The Expert on Local Service Delivery will also be responsible for facilitating and supporting the liaison between the Project and national institutions/agencies, line ministries relevant for the Public Service Delivery activity, as well as ensuring communication and synergies with relevant ongoing programmes of assistance in the same area. In delivering those duties, the Expert’s specific tasks will, non-exhaustively, include the following:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day coordination of activities related to the Public Service Delivery, in cooperation with the implementing service provider and STAR2 project management team
• Synergize with the PMT, through understanding and providing advice and inputs to the project activity 1 (Improve the way services are planned, organized, managed and delivered) and 3 (Re-organization of services in terms of efficiency and standards) so as to help build cohesion among project interventions.
• Guide and facilitate the team work at both central and local levels while ensuring that processes, and plans are well and systematically captured
• Ensure that the monitoring system and the control tools are in place and functional 
• Provide Quality Assurance to the implementation of the assignment as per the requirements stipulated in the ToRs.
• Submit required analytical progress or technical reports as required
• Ensure quality control of all deliverables under the assignment
• Ensure maintenance of an updated information in the project webpage and make sure all relevant project deliverables, studies, reports are timely made available to the public
• Assure that all contractual obligations are adhered to and ensure that implementation meets project targets
• Undertake other activities as directed by STAR2 Project Management Team

Institutional arrangements

The Consultant will work under the close supervision of STAR 2 Project Management Team. For contract matters, the consultant will coordinate with Project Coordination Unit/UNDP. In terms of support, UNDP and its STAR2 Project Management Unit will facilitate the Consultant’s meetings with relevant stakeholders. 

Duration of the assignment and schedule of payments

The assignment will consist of max 150 working days, within the period of March – December 2019, at the end of which the Consultant should have submitted the required deliverables. 

UNDP shall effect payments to the Consultant after acceptance by UNDP of the deliverables (with a prior clearance from the PMT), and in accordance with the following schedule of payments corresponding to the achievement of the indicated milestones and deliverables

Indicative activity timeline and schedule of Payments

Competencies

Core Values

• Demonstrating/safeguarding UN core values on accountability, integrity, transparency, mutual respect, professionalism, and results orientation
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
• Displays cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability

 Core competencies

• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Able to identify priorities and plan/organize efficiently in line with agreed approach/framework
• Demonstrates self-initiative and responsibility in carrying out tasks
• Demonstrates the ability to act as a team player and facilitate team work in a multicultural environment
• Shows readiness to self-development, sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others

 Functional Competencies

• Ability to facilitate carrying out of analytical work and presentation of consolidated conclusions/recommendations
• Ability to generate creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Strong technical and practical knowledge in issues related to local governance and its multi-level assessment for effectiveness and responsiveness
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with government and local government officials, civic leaders, business people and international donors.
• Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write in a clear and concise manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills and objectivity

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Degree in public administration, law, economics, development studies or other relevant fields.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years progressively, responsible and relevant professional working experience in the area of service delivery at local level, more specifically in:
• Designing and organizing public services, based on strategies, development policies and needs;
• Proposing strategic plans to ensure the improvement and development of services at local level;
• Engaging in assessment activities in view of public service provision; 
• Proposing recommendations for improving public services by evaluating various options of partnerships;
• Proven track record in provision of technical assistance in the area of reforms in public services at local level, institutional development, analyses of service delivery framework, standards definition and/or criteria setting related to service provision at local level;
• Prior experience as executive in public services would be an asset; 

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken Albanian and English;

Evaluation Procedure

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer:

Is deemed technically responsive / compliant / acceptable (only technically responsive applications / candidates will be considered for the financial evaluation)

And has obtained the highest combined technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

Criteria A:            Professional experience in the required areas – max points: 35

Criteria B:            Educational background – max points: 10

Criteria C:            Adequacy of brief proposed methodology – max points: 25

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...  www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
• Latest personal CV, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
• Financial Proposal in ALL - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek
  http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc
  (The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable -qualitative and quantitative- deliverables . Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount-including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION 

How to Submit the Application:

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

• Merge your CV or P11, 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.

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.

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