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 Decentralisation 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 decentralisation, 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 design the Development Strategy for Stanytsya Luhanska Amalgamated Community (Prospective) (further – Strategy). The consultant will also elaborate the Implementation Plan of the mentioned Strategy (IPDS), as well as the evaluation and monitoring system. The consultant should also adapt the Strategy to the sustainable development goals in close cooperation with local administration, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders.
It is envisaged that the consultant will perform its duties according to the following framework:
For better cooperation with the National Experts on Strategic Planning, covering other target communities, where the Development Strategies will be elaborated, a Working Group (WG) of Experts will be established by the UNDP and will be coordinated by the National Coordinator on Strategic Planning. The main purpose of the WG of Experts is to provide an effective exchange of the experiences of the target communities under the UN RPP Component 2 “Local Governance and Decentralisation Reform”.
3. DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant is expected to perform according to the suggested scope of the work framework, however, the consultant may suggest his own methodology. The framework is as follows:
1. Preparatory activities
The consultant will take part in the WG of Experts, which will be initiated, organized and conducted by the UNDP in order to discuss a common algorithm of actions/activities and expected/obtained results.
The consultant will develop and agree with the UNDP on detailed methodology of the strategy designing process of Stanytsya Luhanska Amalgamated Community (Prospective) together with the IPDS, while taking into account gender-based aspects and approaches aimed at ensuring human rights and environmental safety. Additionally, the consultant will develop an expert work schedule with specific activities, expected results and success indicators.
It is also expected that the consultant will provide all necessary support to the local authorities in the official launching and approval of the project`s activities in the community (i.e. the preparation of all necessary documents, letters, provision of technical support, etc.).
The consultant will provide support to the basic communication activities (questionnaires, booklets, announcements etc.), as well as information campaigns in the community (via media, the Internet, booklets, and announcements). All communication activities should be agreed upon with the UNDP.
2. Assessment of the socio-economic situation of the territory
The consultant will perform a desk research and several rounds of interviews with key stakeholders to understand the current profile of the territory and draft a long list of potential improvement ideas.
The following activities will be performed during this stage:
3. Conducting strategy sessions/workshops with stakeholders to arrive at a commonly accepted strategy.
During the third stage of the project the consultant will create and coordinate together with the UNDP’s Working Group on Strategy Development (WGSD) in the community, which will consist of all relevant stakeholders.
At least twelve meetings of the working group will be conducted to:
Minutes of the WGSD meetings, including a descriptive report of the events and list of the participants, will be submitted by the National Expert on Strategic Planning to the National Coordinator on Strategic Planning and UNDP.
4. Finalizing activities
The Strategy will be compiled and presented to the community at public hearings. It is expected that the consultant will provide all necessary support to local administration in conducting the aforementioned public hearings. The consultant will organize the collection of the feedback. After the feedback will be collected, needed changes (if any) will be implemented in the document.
Additionally, the consultant will develop and provide the UNDP with written guidance for the Strategy’s implementation/monitoring and provide technical and methodological advice and recommendations in the initiating and institutionalization of appropriate strategy implementation and monitoring structures (at least 5 pages).
The consultant is expected to provide all necessary support to the local authorities in approval of the documents according to the relevant legislation.
5. Elaboration of the short version of the Strategy.
Expert is expected to elaborate the short version of the Strategy for printing and submit it to UNDP for approval. The National Expert should also prepare the success story case of the participative Strategy`s elaboration and submit it to the National Coordinator on Strategic Planning and to UNDP (at least 10 A4 pages of Calibri font 10).
At the end of assignment, the consultant shall prepare a final report with clear description of fulfilled tasks and achieved results, including recommendations on the next steps for further support and development of Stanytsya Luhanska Amalgamated Community (Prospective) to achieve sustainable development. The report must be reviewed and approved by the UNDP’s designated supervisor.
4. DELIVERABLES
#
Task description
Due date
#1
Deliverable 1 includes:
Initial desk research performed, which includes:
Based on the desk research, the analytical report on the social-economic situation of the community prepared (at least 10 A4 pages of Calibri font 10), as well as an overview of the existing local development programs and plans (at least 5 A4 pages of Calibri font 10).
6 weeks from the start of the contract
#2
Deliverable 2 includes:
16 weeks from the start of the contract
#3
Deliverable 3 includes:
25 weeks from the start of the contract
#4
Deliverable 4 includes:
36 weeks from the start of the contract
#5
Deliverable 5 includes:
38 weeks from the start of the contract
5. monitoring/REPORTING requirements
The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator and direct supervision of the UNDP Social-Economic Development Specialist. The consultant, through weekly meetings, will report directly to both the UNDP Social-Economic Development Specialist and Programme Coordinator.
The consultant will regularly participate in Project meetings (by Skype) and will share his/her work progress. Moreover, the consultant must provide one Inception Report, three Interim Reports and one Final report - in accordance to the schedule covered in this ToR. Interim Reports will include work progress, as well as issues to be addressed, while the Final Report will include the achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for further actions. All reports should be submitted in Ukrainian.
6. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in five tranches according to the following payment schedule:
The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of the contract’s obligations, whereupon the Programme Coordinator signs the certification of acceptance.
7. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Competencies of the consultant:
Ethics & Values:
Organizational Awareness:
Working in Teams:
Communicating Information and Ideas:
Corporate Competencies:
8. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS
Applicants shall submit the following documents:
Required
Personal CV including information on experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees.
Financial proposal using the UNDP’s template.
Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
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 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.
The consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking 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 in higher class, he/she should do so using their own resources. In cases 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
11. EVALUATION METHOD:
Lowest price and technically compliant offer.
The contract shall be awarded to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as both:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable (fully meeting the TOR’s requirements)
b) offering the lowest price/cost.
This vacancy is archived.