Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been active and present in eastern Ukraine for the past decade, prior to the conflict, with a focus on community development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on addressing the specific conflict-related development challenges built on this earlier engagement, established partnerships, and started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP). The UN RPP is a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with a number of partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA). The RPP was designed to respond to, and mitigate, the causes and effects of the conflict in the east of Ukraine. It is an integral component of the UNDP Country Programme and is therefore fully aligned with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF).

In October 2018, four UN agencies (UNDP, UN Women, FAO and the UNFPA) have countersigned a new joint project document, funded by the EU. The overall objective of the project is to restore effective governance, support economic recovery and promote reconciliation in the crisis-affected communities of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in Ukraine, thereby enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of local governments in the government-controlled areas of the regions. It will contribute to peacebuilding and prevent further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine through effective and accountable decentralization, gender-responsive recovery planning and equal access to services, as well as enhanced economic recovery and development.

Component ??? of RPP “Community Security and Social Cohesion” aims to reach some of its goals through small grants and mini-initiatives fund establishment. This includes implementation support of the projects strengthening community security and social cohesion through testing innovative legal aid, access to justice, conflict resolution and peacebuilding mechanisms at local level.

RPP recognizes importance of mediation and non-conflict problem solving skills for promoting social cohesion in Eastern Ukraine and aims to involve a competent expert to promote mediation practices in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main objectives of the assignment 

The overall objectives of this assignment are: 

• Support cofacilitation of Community Security and Social Cohesion Working Groups (CSWG) sessions in UN RPP target communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts;
• Contribute to development and extension of Geoinformation system for monitoring social conflicts in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts through capacity building events in UN RPP target communities;
• Conduct dialogue processes as a part of private sector engagement for community development project and Humanitarian Development Nexus in at least 5 communities of Donetsk oblast (Novhorodske, Mariinka, Krasnohorivka, Sartana, Avdiivka);
• Contribute to promotion and formalization of non-conflict dialogue practices in the selected communities.

Description of Responsibilities/Scope of work

The Individual Consultant for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, under the supervision of the Social Cohesion Associate, will be responsible for:

I.     Supporting cofacilitation of Community Security and Social Cohesion Working Groups (CSWG) in UN RPP target communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts:

• Identify at least 5 communities in Donetsk and 5 communities in Luhansk oblasts among UN RPP target communities to support cofacilitation of CSWGs;
• Conduct at least 1 half-day cofacilitation session with CSWG focal points in the selected communities;
• Conduct at least one 3-day training for about 20 participants in Svyatohirsk to address the lessons learned;
• Prepare reports on each cofacilitation session and indicate strengths, weaknesses and required skills for the CSWG focal points.

II.     Contributing to development and extension of Geoinformation system for monitoring social conflicts in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts through capacity building events in UN RPP target communities:

• Contribute to identification of potential intermediaries to create a list of candidates for further trainings and capacity development in communities and conflict analysts in UN RPP target communities through meetings with local stakeholders (at least 15 meetings conducted in UN RPP target communities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts);
• Conduct regional capacity building trainings for the selected candidates (at least two 3-days trainings conducted in each oblast);
• Participate in other relevant activities, as agreed prior with the Supervisor.

III.       Conducting dialogue processes as a part of private sector engagement for community development project and Humanitarian Development Nexus in at least 5 communities of Donetsk oblast (Novhorodske, Mariinka, Krasnohorivka, Sartana, Avdiivka):

• Participate in prior meetings with local stakeholders in each community, at least one meeting in each community.
• Draft plans of mediation activities for each community and agree them with Supervisor.
• Conduct at least 10 mediation sessions in the communities with local stakeholders according to the approved plan.

IV.       Contributing to promotion and formalization of non-conflict dialogue practices in the selected communities:

• Select at least 4 communities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts among UN RPP target communities to pilot the initiative.
• Conduct preliminary meetings with local stakeholders to assess the situation in communities and draft action plans.
• Conduct dialogues in the selected communities upon the agreed actions plans, at least 2 dialogues in each community.
• Develop drafts of clauses and contribute to inclusion of dispute resolution mechanisms through dialogue into community statutes.

Deliverables

The timeframe is spanning about 10 months, from February 2020 to December 2020. The requested services will be provided according to the agreed workplan and paid as per the daily rate agreed upon prior to the contract issuance and signature.

Proposed payment schedule

UNDP will pay the negotiated amount based on daily fee and actual number of working days in a month. Payments must be supported by a duly completed time sheet.

The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations where upon the Programme Coordinator signs the certification of acceptance.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Consultant will work under supervision and directly report to the Social Cohesion Associate on a monthly basis through meetings\calls\mails. In this report, the Consultant should clearly and concisely identify the work that has been carried out during this period, list major accomplishments, and difficulties/problems encountered during the process. The report should also indicate whether the result was achieved or whether there is a delay in the implementation of the planned activities. In the case of a delay, the reasons and advised solutions should be clearly stated.

Electronic versions of reports and duly completed timesheets should be prepared and submitted for clearance and approval by the Social Cohesion Associate at the end of each month. The final version of the comprehensive report, with UNDP comments taken into consideration, should be submitted to UNDP by 5th of December 2020.

1. Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

1. Financial Proposal

 Contract based on daily fee.

The financial proposal shall specify the daily fee. Payments are made to the Consultant based on the number of days worked.

The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment.

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel in a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation criteria

• Educational background – 7 points max

{5 pts. – Master’s/Specialist’s Degree; 7 pts. – PhD or equivalent};

• Minimum 3 years of proved relevant work experience in civil society sector, with a focus on community development, mediation and conflict resolution – 15 points max

{11 pts. – 3-4 years of relevant experience; 15 pts. – more than 4 years};

• Experience in conducting trainings on mediation and facilitation tools, at least 5 full training courses conducted – 20 points max

{16 pts. – 5 full training courses conducted; 20 pts. – more than 5 full training courses conducted};

• At least two certificates in conflict resolution/mediation/facilitation from a recognized institution/expert – 15 points max

{12 pts. – 2 certificates in conflict resolution/mediation/facilitation; 15 pts. – more than 2 certificates in conflict resolution/mediation/facilitation};

• Experience with the UN or other international organizations – 3 points max

{2 pts. – participation in 1 project implemented by UN or other international organization; 3 pts. – participation in more than 2 projects implemented by UN or other international organization};

• Experience with introduction of dispute resolution mechanisms through dialogue in community statutes – 5 points max

{3 pts. – dispute resolution mechanisms through dialogue implemented in 1 community; 5 pts. – dispute resolution mechanisms through dialogue implemented in more than 1 community};

• Language Skills – 5 points max

{5 pts – Ukrainian and Russian}.

Maximum available technical score - 70 points.

Evaluation method:

 Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative 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%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

Competencies

• Excellent communication and organization skills;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Excellent computer skills (including, MS Word);
• Ability to set priorities, meet specific objectives, use political judgment and knowledge;
• Good interpersonal skills, diligence, open mindedness, and dedication;
• Excellent team and networking skills;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

1. At least Master’s degree or equivalent in Humanities or relevant fields;
2. Minimum 3 years of proved relevant work experience in civil society sector, with a focus on community development, mediation and conflict resolution;
3. Experience in conducting trainings on mediation and facilitation tools, at least 5 full training courses conducted;
4. At least two certificates in conflict resolution/mediation/facilitation from a recognized national/international institution or expert;
5. Previous experience with the UN or other international organizations would be a strong asset;
6. Experience with introduction of dispute resolution mechanisms through dialogue in community statutes would be a strong asset;
7. Professional fluency in Russian and Ukrainian, both written and oral is essential.