Background

Purpose

To provide expert advisory services for exploring new programmatic offers under the project Returning Point – Program for Circular Migration.

Objective

To support the Government of Serbia in implementing project activities in the designated project Returning Point – Program for Circular Migration.

Background

The UNDP CO in Serbia recognized the importance and need for supporting a new program promoting circular migration in Serbia. UNDP already undertook initial activities through UNDP Accelerator Lab in the field of circular migration and Serbian diaspora, while accounting for immediate and urgent needs for diaspora engagement considering the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea is to create a platform that will be in contact with our diaspora in a novel way came after the first annual diaspora conference “Talent meetup 1.0” that happened in December of 2018, which was followed by discussions between the Serbian Prime Minister and numerous diaspora organizations. One year later, it was agreed that the Prime Minister’s Office will support the collaboration of three organizations: the Serbian City Club, Serbian Entrepreneurs and Science Technology Park Belgrade, in developing a program for promoting circular migration called “Returning Point”. UNDP will work on the development of the pilots and prototypes of the program. This incubation support for initiative will also allow UNDP to demonstrate its SDG integrator role. The present post will work on the development of the project and implementation of emerging initiatives through this program.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

In the previous period of the project implementation, the Returning Point Project Team, UNDP Accelerator Lab and SDG Integration Center responded to the immediate implementation of diaspora-related program activities regarding the COVID-19. It also developed and tested various initiatives: from launching a section to Returning point website devoted to employment opportunities for people from abroad together with Poslovi Infostud, starting viber community as a public forum for discussion for diaspora, to making three guidelines for repatriates using design thinking methodology.

Activities envisaged in the next period are those around exploring the new programmatic offer of the Returning Point. Those programmatic offers are related to the exploration of the diaspora investment opportunities. In 2019, investments from diaspora accounted for only 3%, or $150 million, of the total remittances from diaspora. To potentially raise the share and the total value of investments, it would be valuable to understand what the tools at disposal are, in accordance with the applicable legislation in Serbia. The second programmatic offer is around fast-track procedure for granting foreign citizens, of Serbian origin, permanent residency in Serbia (Carta Serbica). This program was previously modelled in Poland, and plan is to focus and see whether this initiative can be replicated in Serbia.

The Expert for Circular Migration shall provide support and inputs in the process of exploring and developing envisaged activities. During the assignment, the Expert shall closely cooperate with UNDP Accelerator Lab and SDG Integration Center and shall monitor and report on the implementation of the activities.

Expert inputs in terms of a) programmatic concept and b) Terms of References necessary for implementing the envisaged concepts, are needed for the following initiatives:

1. Strategic framework for diaspora investment model.
2. The development of the Carta Serbica model for attracting individuals of Serbian origin
3. Inputs for the establishment of the Returning Point independent organization to carry out the mission for promoting circular migration.
4. Production of regular “Returning Point” podcasts.

The Expert for Circular Migration will maintain a brief log, monitoring and documenting the implementation of the foreseen activities, along with statistical data indicating impact of the Returning Point project (3-5 pages, monthly).

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

* The timelines may be slightly adjusted once the contract is signed with the consultant in order to align with actual project implementation.

All deliverables will have to be quality reviewed and approved or accepted by the UNDP Programme Officer – SDG Integration.

Competencies

• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills in Serbian and English;
• Good analyticalskills;
• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and present findings clearly;
• Sound knowledge of the legal and institutional framework in the Republic of Serbia;
• Ability to work under very tight deadlines;
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work;
• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• BA in social and human sciences, MSc would be an asset .

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in the area of creation of a content and campaigns for diaspora/digital nomads/returnees;
• Experience in organizations complex projects/processes/events that included extensive communication, coordination and facilitation between different stakeholders (preferably including Serbian diaspora);
• Excellent understanding of Serbia’s socio-economic situation;
• Experience in partnership building at international, national, regional level.

Languages and other competences:

• Fluency in Serbian and English ;
• Full computer literacy in the use of MS Office package.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than Sunday , 9th May 2021.

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).  
• Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx . The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Financial Proposal:

• Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). 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).

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

Evaluation

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 in terms of relevant experience and academic background, 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%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity. General Conditions could be found at the link: https://rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/downloads/General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc 

In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract:

(i)       A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and;

(ii)     The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.   
• UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status, and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.