Back National Municipal Council Consultant for 18 MEG Partner Local Governments

Background

NOTE: Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - https://www.ba.undp.org/content/dam/bosnia_and_herzegovina/docs/Operations/Jobs/Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx - Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.docx - to be sent to e-mail ba.shared.hr@undp.org with Subject: Job ID 92313.

Financed by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project is a 12-year intervention launched in 2016, in the domain of local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Project’s overall goal is defined as follows: Local governments (LGs), assigned with appropriate competences and finances, have improved their democratic governance, apply sound public policy and performance management systems, and provide public services in an inclusive, effective and efficient manner, particularly those related to economic and environmental sectors. The expected concrete improvements the Project will contribute to are clustered in three outcomes, as follows:

• Outcome 1: Supported local governments apply effective development management systems characterized by stronger oversight of the legislative and greater accountability towards the citizens.
• Outcome 2: Citizens and businesses in target localities benefit from good quality services provided by LGs in the economic and environmental sectors.
• Outcome 3: Improved regulatory framework at higher and local government levels.

The Project’s territorial focus is on the North-West part of the country (including Una-Sana Canton and Prijedor region) and the North-East region (the wider Doboj-Tuzla area), covering 18 partner LGs: Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Cazin, Doboj, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Kalesija, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic, Tuzla, Velika Kladuša and Žepce.

The Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the FBiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, the Ministry for Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska (RS), the RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and both entity Associations of Municipalities and Cities (AMCs).

Within its Local Government component, MEG Project is supporting its partner local governments (municipal councils and administrations) to establish sound public policy and Performance Management Systems (PMS) through improved structures, regulatory frameworks, capacities and attitudes by municipal employees and elected officials. This entails reform-type of efforts by municipal leaderships and public employees, towards more effective and citizen-centred municipal governance and service delivery. This consultancy will take place within the Project’s Local Governance component, seeking to achieve significant improvements in the performance of partner LGs across the MEG community as per PMS indicators.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the planning, reporting and implementation capacities of all involved LG departments; introduce new innovative approaches; recognize, improve and promote existing good LG practices; match the LGs with advanced approaches to the ones still lagging behind and subsequently enhance municipal overall performance when it comes to successful, transparent and efficient implementation of municipal development strategies. To this end, a National Municipal Council Consultant for 18 MEG partner local governments (hereafter: the Consultant) will be contracted.

Duties and Responsibilities

As the basis for his/her work, the Consultant will become familiar with the relevant sections of the latest MEG Performance Management System (PMS) evaluation reports from 2020 i.e. results, findings, recommendations and means of verification that are relevant to local administration performance. Also, he/she will become familiar with MEG project developed “Methodology for Performance-based Financial Assistance to MEG partner LGs” and the concrete, evidence-based progress made by partner LGs in 2018 and 2019. All these inputs will be provided by the Project team.

Furthermore, after the familiarization with relevant documentation, the Consultant will prepare an online training specifically targeting individual performance gaps identified during the PMS Evaluation that will, in consultation with the Project team, be identified as priority ones.

This online training will be delivered through a one-day session for LG representatives and municipal councilors. This session shall include presentations, example exercises and exchange of good practices, as well as thematic discussions. The sessions will be organized online and all logistics will be provided by the MEG Project team.

Moreover, the Consultant will be directly responsible for delivering additional technical assistance to Municipal Councils (MCs) of 18 targeted partner LGs in the North-East and North-West Clusters[1], in line with relevant PMS indicators[2].  All technical assistance will be designed and delivered in accordance with the action plans developed in 2019. The idea is to further address all issues and gaps identified during the recent PMS evaluation and facilitate sustainability of already achieved relevant results.

Methodological Considerations

The Consultant is expected to firstly perform a desk review of the background documentation, get him/herself acquainted with individual Performance Management Assessment (PMA) Reports, individual LGs’ performance-based financial assistance evaluation results, annual consultancy reports on individual LG progress and performance of LGs and citizen participation activities, etc. All relevant documentation will be provided by the MEG Project team.

Based on initial findings, conclusions and recommendations, as well as input from the Project team, the Consultant will identify themes for joint thematic sessions to which he/she will contribute significantly during the tenure of his/her assignment. This will be done by emails, skype or phone communications.

Once the themes are agreed upon, the Consultant will design and deliver the thematic training, specifically prepared to provide perspective on the work progress and performance of municipal councilors as well as LG employees.

Also, the Consultant will be responsible to assist established MC teams and LG employees in the process of development of their individual multiyear actions plans and provide technical assistance in order to have the objectives from their action plans fulfilled.

Supplementary one-on-one technical assistance to partner MC teams will be mostly organised online (using skype, email, phone communication) and with the support of the MEG Project team.

Also, the Consultant will be responsible for identification and collection of the best practices and will suggest matching appropriate “advanced” LGs (MCs) to serve as mentors to lagging LGs (MCs).

Task 1: Desk review and Training delivery

After the initial desk review of relevant documentation provided by the MEG Project on 2020 PMS evaluation results and in consultation with MEG Project team, the Consultant will prepare and conduct a joint online training session for partner LGs in order to transfer the knowledge for overcoming gaps identified in individual PMS evaluation reports.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 7 August 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 3 expert days.

Task 2: Creation of LG action plans and Midterm report

Once the online training session has been conducted, and based on gaps identified in the PMS evaluation reports, the Consultant will assist the MC teams and LG employees in preparation of individual action plans for each partner LG. While these action plans will be multiyear, the Consultant will assist/guide partner LGs in implementation of 2020 activities only.

In addition, the Consultant will prepare a midterm report, clearly describing the results of online training session and the progress made on preparation of individual action plans.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 15 September 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 12 expert days.

Task 3: Limited technical assistance and consultations

Throughout the consultancy, and as referenced under the scope of work and methodological considerations, the Consultant is expected to provide limited technical assistance to 18 partner MC teams, through email, telephone and skype communication, and guide the MC teams and LG employees through the process of implementation of their action plans.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 15 October 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 10 expert days.

Task 4:  Preparing the final Report

Once the technical assistance and consultations process is over, the Consultant will prepare a final Report clearly identifying LGs (MC teams’) progress against their action plan implementation, relevant PMS indicators and provide relevant recommendations for potential improvements in both.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 1 December 2020 and the level of effort will not exceed 1 expert day.

Deliverables/outputs

#

Deliverables / Outputs

# of Days per Task

Due Date

Percentage

 1.

Task 1: Desk review and Training Delivery
• Finalized desk review and consultation process with the MEG Project team.
• Developed materials for online training in line with the findings of the desk-review and endorsed by the MEG Project team.
• Delivered online training for representatives of 18 partner LGs.

3

7 August 2020

11.54

 2.

Task 2: Creation of LG action plans and Midterm report
• Assisted in development of 18 individual LG multiyear action plans, based on gaps identified in the PMS evaluation reports. Action plans accepted by partner LGs.
• Provided consultations to LG teams in addressing their remaining recognized gaps.
• Prepared and submitted one midterm report, clearly identifying conclusions of online training, LGs’ progress against their individual action plans, relevant PMS indicators and provided recommendations for improvements. The midterm report is accepted by the Project team.

12

15 September 2020

46.15

 3.

Task 3: Limited technical assistance and consultations
• Provided limited technical assistance to 18 partner MC teams, through email, telephone and skype communication.

10

15 October 2020

38.46

 4. 

Task 4: Preparing the final Report
• Prepared a final Report, clearly identifying LGs progress against action plan, and relevant PMS indicators and provided relevant recommendations for improvements. The final Report is accepted by the Project team.

1

1 December 2020

3.85

[1]  Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Cazin, Doboj, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Kalesija, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic, Tuzla, Velika Kladuša and Žepce.

[2] Reference to Performance Management Assessment Reports to be provided by the Project.

Competencies

a. Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time.
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;

b. People Skills:

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

c. Results-Orientation:

• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

d. Communication:

• Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
• Strong communication skills;
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

e. Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Sound knowledge of the M&E,
• Strong analytical skills;
• Strong presentation skills;
• Advanced writing skills,
• Strong facilitation and coordination skills;
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
• Initiative and sound judgment.
•   General understanding and familiarity with the local administration, environment and strategic development terminology will be considered an asset.  

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in public administration, economics, development policy, law or related field.
• Master’s degree would be considered an asset.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressive public administration experience, preferably at LG level.
• At least 3 years of training development and training delivery experience, preferably for municipal councillors or members of parliament.
• At least 3 years of experience in the assessment and analysis of public documents and regulations.
• Extensive experience in implementation of local development policies, strategies or programs, particularly relevant for the local level.
• Proven experience in facilitation and coaching of municipal councillors.
• Proven presentation skills.

Languages Requirements:

• Fluency in English and official languages of the people of BH.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Criteria:

Points

Relevant Education

max 10 points (6 points relevant BSc/BA, +up to 2 points for relevant MSc/MA; + up to 2 points for relevant PhD)

Relevant professional experience

max 15 points 

Knowledge of English and languages of BiH people

max 5 points

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria:

Points

Work experience with public administration, preferably at LG level (at minimum 5 years)

25%

Training development and training delivery experience, preferably at local level for municipal councils, or for parliaments (at minimum 3 years)

20%

Proven experience in the assessment and analysis of public documents and regulations (at least 3 years)

10%

Extensive experience in implementation of local development policies, strategies or programs, particularly relevant for the local level

10%

Proven experience in facilitation and coaching of municipal councillors

5%

Financial proposal

30%

Evaluation

Individual  will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, 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%

Interested candidated must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Proposal:
  • Sample of a training module developed earlier on.

• Sample of a training module developed earlier on.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.