Background

The Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of the EU-UNDP partnership and previously supported initiative – ReLOaD1 implemented in the four-year period 2017 - 2020.

ReLOaD2 continues to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration process in the Western Balkans by empowering civil society and youth to actively take part in decision making and by stimulating an enabling legal and financial environment for civil society. The programme will be implemented in the following IPA beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia, Kosovo?, Montenegro, and Serbia. 

Working across the region, ReLOaD2 will enhance capacities of local governments and civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and realisation of local priorities in line with development strategies.

ReLOaD2 in Kosovo will through competitive process select 7 new partner local governments and will focus on institutionalization of interaction between local governments and CSOs. It will incite partner local governments to use public funding for CSOs in a transparent and development-oriented manner, recognising local needs and embracing a project-based approach. Also, the Action will promote youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and will work on improvement of their economic perspectives in partner localities.

In accordance with the main project objectives is the national Strategy for Cooperation with Civil Society 2019-2023 that has identified among major areas, the relevance of the civil sector participation in policy making, increasing accountability and transparency in public financing of CSOs. Furthermore, with the implementation of the Regulation MF – NR – 04/2017 on Criteria, Standards and Procedures on public Funding of NGOs, project aims to ensure municipal support for CSOs is in place and provides the Manual for distribution of public funds to CSOs which shall reflect also the recommendations from the LOD  methodology. Nevertheless, there is still lack of application and capacity from municipalities and CSOs to properly implement such mechanism. 

The project in Kosovo will partner with 7 new municipalities that will be selected in a competitive process. These municipalities will receive technical assistance and training to implement such transparent model of financing of CSOs. Municipalities continue to count on partnerships and additional external funding opportunities to implement their strategic priorities. Simultaneously, municipalities shall ensure efficient utilization of their own budgets as well as provision of municipal funds to CSOs in a transparent, competitive and project-based approach. 

In this regard, a Junior Local Trainer will be engaged to provide trainings and enhance the capacities of municipal administration through Project Cycle Management (PCM) for efficient grant awarding. Specific focus shall be placed on problem identification, design of effective grant scheme, as well as crucial aspects of PCM, including grant implementation, monitoring and evaluation. 

As an initial step, the engaged consultant shall prepare the training curricula based on the feedback and inputs from municipal officials received during capacity assessment sessions in each partner municipality. As such, the provision of trainings shall be conducted based on the developed curricula with extensive focus on critical PCM modules. Assignment will be conducted in line with UN 8 Point Agenda and the UNDP Gender responsive mandate.

 

Objectives of Assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to strengthen capacities of partner municipalities under the project to implement transparent and project-based disbursement of public funds to CSOs in line with the Regulation MF – NR – 04/2017 and its manual, LOD methodology and in line with best PCM practices and responding to their capacity gaps.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following tasks will be performed by the Junior Trainer in close cooperation with and under direct supervision of the ReLOaD2 Project Manager and Programme Analyst for the Sustainable Growth and Climate Resilience. The Junior Trainer will support the Senior Trainer during the entire process.

 

1. Provide technical support in developing training curricula for PCM and the Methodology for allocation of public funds to CSOs that consists of the following five two-days training modules. The number of trainees for each training module should be in line with COVID 19 preventing measures.   The foreseen modules are the following: 

Module 1: Project Planning 

Module 2: Logical Framework Analysis

Module 3: Preparation of Project Proposal

Module 4: Monitoring and Evaluation of CSOs projects

Module 5: Principles and procedures of transparent disbursement of public funding to CSOs project (practical application of the Methodology for allocation of public funds to CSOs -considering both MF – NR – 04/2017 and LOD Methodology). 

  • Provide inputs in conducting a pre-training and exit-tests with respective municipal officials to evaluate the knowledge acquired by the trainings; 
  • Assist in producing trainings packs for each participant, including relevant supporting materials (presentations, hands-out, pre-and-after trainings tests, group experiences, exercises for individual work, reference materials, evaluation forms etc.); 

 

Note: The trainings shall be prepared and delivered in a form that the municipality is a funding authority, rather than a project applicant. Training materials developed will be printed out by UNDP.

 

1. Provide technical support in drafting a work plan and in provision of trainings:

  • Asist in preparing a work plan for the provision of trainings in accordance with the modules and respective curricula; 
  • Support the delivery of trainings as per the requested modules. The trainings will be module-based and conducted for combined groups of representatives of all 7 partner municipalities.

 

The Junior Local Trainer will be required to organize his/her own travel and accommodation arrangements to training venue that will be determined by the project team.

 

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

  • Technical assistance in preparing curricula for the partner municipalities performed, based on the feedback and inputs of capacity assessments conducted (1 working day)
  • Support in preparation of the training materials with concrete samples of projects, case studies, and group exercises to illustrate the relevant topics and provide hands-on examples ensured (1 working day)

Technical support in preparing work plan and trainings to municipal officials conducted on the following modules: 

 

Module 1: Project Planning (2 working days) 

 

 

Module 2: Logical Framework Analysis (2 working days) 

 

Module 3: Preparation of Project Proposal (2 working days) 

 

Module 4: Monitoring and Evaluation of CSOs projects (2 working days) 

 

Module 5: Principles and procedures of transparent disbursement of public funding to CSOs project (practical application of the Methodology for allocation of public funds to CSOs considering both MF – NR – 04/2017 and LOD Methodology) (2 working days) 

 

Deliverables Expected

The deliverables of the Junior Trainer are to support the Senior Trainer during the entire assignment in achieving following products:

  • 1) Training materials for PCM and the Methodology for allocation of public funds to CSOs that consists of the five two-days training for 5 modules prepared.
  • 2) Work plan and trainings to municipal officials submitted and conducted on the 5 respective modules.

 

Remuneration - Lump Sum Amount

The Contract is based on lump sum remuneration and shall be processed 100% upon successful completion and validation of all the deliverables.

 

Required Presentation of Offer: 

The following documents must be submitted:

 

  • Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
  • Personal CV and P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Offeror and at least three (3) professional references;
  • Sample methodology on the approach to the assignment; 
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
  • Financial proposal, that indicates professional daily fee including total amount for whole duration of the assignment.
  • Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport 

 

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies

  • 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 standards;
  • Good analytical and report writing skills;
  • Ability to synthesize research and draw conclusions on the related subject;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Knowledge and skill to mainstream gender equality in trainings;
  • Excellent and team-building skills
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
  • Ability to pay attention to details

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • University degree in public policy, public administration, or a related social science field is required. 
  • Master’s degree and valid trainer certificate in the field of PCM would be considered as an asset.

Experience:

  • At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in delivering trainings in PCM is required. 
  • Very good understanding/knowledge in PCM, in project proposal preparation, monitoring and evaluation of projects is required. 
  • Relevant experience in training central and local level institutions as well as CSOs is considered as an asset.  

Languages:

  • Fluency in spoken and written Albanian and English is required. Knowledge of Serbian is a strong asset.


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