Back 23_National Coordinator on Strategic Planning

Background

1. BACKGROUND

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015.

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 discussed above built on this earlier engagement and established partnerships and started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme or UNRPP. The UNRPP is a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the government of Ukraine and in cooperation with partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, and UNFPA).

The UNRPP was designed to respond to and mitigate the causes and effects of the conflict. It is based on findings of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPA) and is aligned to the State Target Programme for Recovery, as well as to the two oblast development strategies up to 2020. The RPP involves three pillars for action: 1) restoration of infrastructure and economic recovery; 2) support to local governance and related capacity building; and 3) social resilience and peacebuilding. It is an integral component of the UNDP Country Programme and is therefore fully aligned with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF) It is closely interlinked with the Democratic Governance and Reform Programme, operating nationally and in all of Ukraine’s regions, and is consistent with the SDGs, in particular SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong institutions).

As an area-based programme specifically developed for the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine, the RPP addresses the key stabilization, peacebuilding, economic and governance priority needs in eastern Ukraine following the start of the conflict. It takes into account the opportunities that have arisen from the Minsk Protocol of September 2014 and the renewal of its cease-fire provisions (the latest cease-fire having been agreed in March 2018) and is also fully adjusted to the humanitarian-development nexus.

The Programme’s interventions are grouped under the following key Programme components, which reflect the region’s priority needs:

Component 1: Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure

Component 2: Local Governance and Decentralization Reform

Component 3: Community Security and Social Cohesion (CSSC).

The Programme, which operates on the basis of a pooled funding arrangement, follows a multi-sectoral programme-based approach and is implemented using an area-based methodology. With the current project, it is a unifying interventions framework for 10 projects funded by 13 international partners and is worth about $80 million (2019-2022).

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

This endeavour will be achieved through the pursuit of the following specific objectives:

One of the priorities of the project in that regard is to support the process of development strategic planning by communities, whereas communities shape their future and determine the stages of its achievement. It involves identifying available resources and related favorable development factors. This process involves the elaboration of strategic documents, which play an important role in the development of the communities not only seeking to attract new private sector investments, but also to develop their infrastructure, create conditions for efficient land use and work towards addressing environmental problems.

2. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

UNDP is looking to contract a consultant to organize and coordinate the work of National Experts on Strategic Planning. Together, they will perform the following tasks: elaborate the Development Strategies for target communities (further simply referred to as Strategy), develop the Implementation Plans of the mentioned Strategies (IPDS), as well as the evaluation and monitoring systems. The National Coordinator should also coordinate the adaptation of the Strategies to the sustainable development goals in close cooperation with local administrations, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders.

The consultant will also elaborate and finalize the practical guide on “Effective tools for participative elaboration, implementation and monitoring of local development strategies. Best practices from the communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts”, which will be suitable for the representatives of local self-government bodies and working groups on strategic documents` development.

Duties and Responsibilities

3. DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant is expected to perform according to the framework below but can also suggest additional methodology. The framework is as follows:

Elaborate all necessary reports, including those highlighting the outcomes of the activities within the project. The number and framework of the reports will be agreed upon with the UNDP.

4. DELIVERABLES

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Task description

Due date

1

Deliverable 1 includes:

• Methodology on strategic planning processes in communities is elaborated and approved by UNDP (at least 5 pages);
• Logical framework on communities` strategic planning and economic development formation, with consideration of gender-based aspects and approaches that are aimed at ensuring human rights and environmental safety, as well as with the reflection of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, is designed, discussed and agreed upon with National Experts on Strategic Planning;
• Methodology recommendations on organizational issues for National Experts on Strategic Planning are elaborated and approved by the UNDP (at least 5 pages);
• The launch meeting of the Working Group of Experts is organized and conducted together with the UNDP and UN Women;
• Work schedule with specific activities, expected results and implementation indicators is developed and approved by the UNDP;
• A short version of the Donetsk Oblast Development Strategy 2027 is prepared and agreed with the Department of Economy of Donetsk Regional State Administration and UNDP;
• Inception Report is provided, including photos and media publications, clearly explaining the accomplished tasks and listing the participants of meetings and hearings.

8 weeks from the start of the contract

2

Deliverable 2 includes:

• Expert assessment of the six methodologies of the strategy designing process, together with the IPDS, prepared by the National Experts on Strategic Planning;
• Participated in Working Groups on Strategies Development (WGSD) in six target communities;
• Expert analysis of the six assessments of the socio-economic situation of the territory, elaborated on by the National Experts;
• The second meeting of the Working Group of Experts regarding the results of the preparatory stage and strategic analysis in the six target communities is organized and conducted together with UNDP specialist(s);
• Conclusions and recommendations on the results of the participation in the Working Group of Experts are prepared and submitted to UNDP;
• Structure and contents of the manual on “Effective tools for participative elaboration, implementation and monitoring of local development strategies. Best practices from the communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts” are designed and agreed upon with UNDP’s Social-Economic Development Specialist;
• First Interim Report is provided, including photos and media publications, clearly explaining the accomplished tasks and listing the participants of meetings and hearings.

18 weeks from the start of the contract

3

Deliverable 3 includes:

• The third meeting of the Working Group of Experts on the results and stage of strategic modeling is organized and conducted together with UNDP’s Social-Economic Development Specialist. A report of the meeting is provided;
• Expert assessment of the six strategies is provided;
• Expert assessment of the six IPDSs is provided;
• Conclusions and recommendations on the results of the participation in the Working Group of Experts are prepared and submitted to UNDP;
• Second Interim Report is provided, including photos and media publications, clearly explaining the accomplished tasks and listing the participants of meetings and hearings.

26 weeks from the start of the contract

4

Deliverable 4 includes:

• Final meeting of the Working Group of Experts on strategic planning is prepared and conducted;
• Conclusions and recommendations on the results of the participation in the Working Group of Experts are prepared and submitted to UNDP;
• Participated in Working Groups on Strategies Development (WGSD) in six target communities;
• Conclusions and recommendations on the results of the participation in the Working Group of Experts are prepared and submitted to UNDP;
• At least 36 individual consultations with the National Experts on Strategic Planning in the spheres of strategic planning, social and economic development, and attracting investment for the communities are provided;
• Register Log with the list of consultations, signed by all the National Experts on Strategic Planning, is provided;
• Third Interim Report is provided, including photos and media publications, clearly explaining the accomplished tasks and listing the participants of meetings and hearings.

38 weeks from the start of the contract

5

Deliverable 5 includes:

• Manual on “Effective tools for participative elaboration, implementation and monitoring of local development strategies. Best practices from the communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts” is prepared and ready for printing (at least 40 A4 pages);
• Final Report provided and approved by UNDP’s designated supervisor, clearly explaining the accomplished tasks, including a list of meeting and hearings’ participants, photos, and media publications.

43 weeks from the start of the contract

5. MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENT

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator and direct supervision of the UNDP Social-Economic Development Specialist. The consultant will directly report to the UNDP Social-Economic Development Specialist on a weekly basis and will also report to the Programme Coordinator on a weekly basis, mostly through meetings.

The consultant will regularly participate in project meetings (in person or via Skype) and will share his/her work progress. Moreover, the consultant must provide one Inception Report, three Interim Reports and 1 Final Report, in accordance with the terms covered in this ToR. Interim Reports should include work progress, as well as issues to be addressed, while the Final Report should include achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for further actions. All reports should be submitted in Ukrainian.

6. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in five tranches according to the following payment schedule:

• the first payment upon submission and approval of the Inception Report (20%);
• the second payment upon submission and approval of the 1st Interim Report (20%);
• the third payment upon submission and approval of the 2nd Interim Report (20%);
• the fourth payment upon submission and approval of the 3rd Interim Report (30%);
• the fifth payment upon submission and approval of the Final Report (10%).

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

Competencies

7. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree/Specialist in Management, Law, Marketing, Economics, Social Science or other related fields.
• At least five years of proven experience in research, evaluation and development of manuals, in particular in the elaboration of at least ten socio-economic development strategies, and/or economic development plans.
• At least five years of experience working in or with government structures, civil society organizations or international organizations in the economic field.
• Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian.

Competencies of the consultant:

Ethics & Values:

• Demonstrating and promoting the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organizational Awareness:

• Ability to lead formulation, design, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, RBM and reporting;
• Developing and empowering people/coaching and mentoring;
• Self-development, initiative-taking.

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitating and encouraging open and effective communication with the team;
• Delivering verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easy-to-understand manner;
• Informed and transparent decision-making;
• Accepting responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Treats all people fairly.

Required Skills and Experience

8. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

Required

Personal CV including information about experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees

Financial proposal using the UNDP template

9. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

 Lump sum contract

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 on 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.

The Expert will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with the undertaking of this assignment, including office accommodations, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copying.

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 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. 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.

10. EVALUATION OF Applicants

• Master’s Degree/Specialist in Management, Law, Marketing, Economics, Social Science or other related fields – Pass/Fail.
• At least 5 years of proven experience in research, evaluation and development of manuals, in particular in the of elaboration of such documents as: socio-economic development strategies and economic development plans – Pass/Fail.
• At least 5 years of experience working in or with government structures, civil society organizations or international organization in the economic field – Pass/Fail.

• Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian – Pass/Fail.

11. EVALUATION METHOD:

Lowest price and technically compliant offer.

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

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable (fully meeting the TOR provided)

b) offering the lowest price/cost.