The Western Balkan (WB) region is facing complex set of similar development challenges. These countries/territories, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo[1], Montenegro, and Serbia, invest significant efforts to mainstream the EU accession agenda within their socio-political contexts. An integral part of the EU accession agenda is to promote the inclusion of civil society and further development of participatory democracies in the region. All the Western Balkan countries/territories, and local governments consequently, use similar models for funding of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from public budgets, where common challenges relate to insufficient transparency and/or clear criteria of the selection processes. These uncompleted and often discriminatory models limit the reinforcement of the position and importance of civil society and hamper further development of participatory democracies in the WB Region.

To address these challenges, the EU-funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the WB (ReLOaD) aims to strengthen partnerships between local governments and civil society by scaling-up a successful model of transparent and project-based funding of CSOs. In Albania, 30 projects are implemented by CSOs as result of the First public call for CSOs, launched by 12 ReLOaD partner municipalities. The Second public calls for CSOs will be launched during January 2019. In this regard, UNDP in Albania is seeking four experienced Local Experts to deliver Project Cycle Management (PCM) trainings and mentoring to CSOs (CSOs) in 12 ReLOaD partner municipalities: Shkodra, Lezha, Elbasan, Durres, Permet, Korça, Librazhd, Tropoja, Tirana, Roskovec, Dibra and Prrenjas.

The Consultants will perform the tasks in close cooperation and under direct supervision of the UNDP Project Officer. The following tasks for each of four consultants are foreseen:

1.      Revising PCM training curricula

The consultants will use the training curriculum developed for the PCM trainings delivered to CSOs in each municipality during the First public call for civil society organisations. S/he will revise and adjust the training package for participants that is already prepared as part of the first PCM trainings, including all relevant supporting materials (agenda, presentations, hand-outs, before and after training tests, group exercises, exercises for individual work, reference materials, evaluation forms, etc.). The training curriculum will also include lessons learned and most common irregularities identified in project proposals submitted during the public calls organised in each municipality as part of the ReLOaD project. In addition to the theoretical part, the trainings will include reviewing real project proposals, case studies and group exercises to illustrate relevant topics and provide hands-on examples. Also, the main inconsistencies identified in the project proposals submitted as part of the previous public calls within the ReLOaD project will be discussed. Before and after the training tests will be conducted to evaluate knowledge acquired by training participants.

The targeted audience are CSO members. The trainings will be prepared and delivered from the perspective of CSOs being a project applicant. The training curriculum will take into consideration the level of experience of the participants, enabling them to fully apply learned skills. The training will be gender sensitive.

The time foreseen for this task is 1 working day.

2.      Preparing of work plan and delivering of trainings

A work plan for delivery of the trainings will be prepared. The training programme and relevant materials will be presented to the project team and used only upon its approval. The training materials will be printed out by UNDP. Following the training delivery, the consultant will conduct a training evaluation (covering contents, trainer and methods applied) and present it to the project team. One training will last three days and will be delivered by two consultants. CSOs from 12 partner municipalities will be gathered in 10 groups. Each of the consultant in collaboration with another colleague will deliver three days trainings for five groups of CSOs from partner municipalities.  

The time foreseen for this task is 15 days of effective training delivery for each consultant.

3.      Mentoring

The consultant will provide mentoring to all interested CSOs, after completion of the PCM training, with purpose to provide additional guidance and support during preparation of their project proposals. The mentoring will be provided through time-limited sessions with smaller groups of CSOs. The number of CSOs in a group and the length of the mentoring sessions will depend on the number of CSOs interested to use this opportunity and will be agreed in each municipality separately. The consultant will conduct the mentoring satisfaction survey after completion of the mentoring sessions.

The time foreseen for this task is 12 days of mentoring (4-days to provide mentoring of CSOs in three partner municipalities)  Reporting

Upon the completion of the trainings and the mentoring sessions (each consultant will deliver trainings for CSOs in five municipalities and will provide four days of mentoring for the CSOs in three municipalities)  , the consultant will prepare a final report that will include, but will not be limited to: results achieved, number of trainees, number of CSOs that were mentored and or mentoring sessions organized, analysis of before and after training knowledge, lessons learned and recommendations, training performance evaluation, mentoring performance evaluation, FAQs sheet, etc. All data presented should be segregated by gender. The draft report should be submitted to the project team, in English language (in MS Word electronic version).

The time foreseen for this task is 2 days.

Deliverables and timelines

Each of the consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

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

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Proven skills related to designing and delivering of training/mentoring sessions.
• Ability to identify beneficiaries’ needs, and to match them with appropriate solutions.
• Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required standard.
• Knowledge and skill to mainstream gender equality in trainings.
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.
• Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations in public administration and civil society sector.
• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.
• Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
• Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate.
• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence.
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Strong IT skills.
• Proven excellence in report writing.
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Education:

Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economy or a related social science field.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant and proven professional experience in project cycle management. Experience in EU funded project will be considered an asset. 

At least 3 years of relevant and proven professional experience in working with civil society and/or local governments

Experience in usage of MS Office (MS word, Excel, and PP, etc.).

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Albanian languages.

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

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