Consultant to support the Ministry of Sports and Youth in the development of the Strategy for the Development of Sport 2023-2027 and Action plan 2023-2024

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, results

Background and Context: Sport is any physical activity – participative, casual, organized or competitive, either rule-bound or unstructured – that includes a form of active play, active recreation, or game. Sport is not restricted to nationally recognized activities, such as those with professional leagues, and equally includes indigenous games and sports. Since the year 2000, UNICEF has advocated for the role of sport, recreation and play in child development from early childhood to adolescence. During the initial stages of UNICEF’s involvement in the Sports for Development field, multiple potential benefits of sport were verified by research including better health; reduced stress and depression; improved confidence and self-esteem; improved learning and academic performance; reduced likelihood of smoking and illicit drug use; and reduced crime. Sport is a powerful tool for involving all children – including the most marginalized and vulnerable – in group activities from an early age. UNICEF research shows that participation in sport improves children’s educational attainment and skills development including empowerment, leadership and self-esteem – contributing to their overall well-being and future prospects. In 2012. the Government of Montenegro adopted the National Programme for the Development of Sport 2012-2016 as well as action plans for its implementation. In 2016, the Government established the Ministry of Sports – an institution with the goal of being consistently committed to improving the situation in the field of sports through normative, institutional and financial activities carried out in various segments of the sports field. One of its first activities was the Report on the Implementation of the National Programme for the Development of Sport. The current Law on Sport was adopted by the Parliament in 2018, and later amended in November 2021. Additionally, with the Law on Sport in 2018, the Ministry developed the Strategy for the Development of Sport 2018-2021. The Strategy defined the goals and priorities of sports development and determined the organizational, administrative and other measures for their realization. The strategy contained, in particular: analysis of the situation in the field of sports; the basic principles on which the development of sports in Montenegro is based; the goals of sports development, as well as the bearers of the realization of those goals; the content and scope of activities for the realization of the set sports and development goals; and the Strategy implementation plan. Since the current Strategy ended in 2021, a number of activities were taken in preparation of the development of a new strategy, including the analysis of the implementation of previous strategy, evaluation of the previous strategy, reporting on the previous strategy, consultations with decision makers, and other key stakeholders etc. All of these steps are necessary and preclude the development of the Strategy for the Development of Sports 2023-2027 which needs to provide the basic principles on which the development of sports in Montenegro will be based in the future period. The Strategy is a cornerstone document, from which Annual Work Plans will be produced that will guide the development of sports in Montenegro over the course of the next 5 years. Within the scope of this consultancy the consultant is expected to work jointly with the Ministry of Sports and their experts, as well as the UNICEF office, in developing a new Strategy for the Development of Sports.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this assignment is to support the strategy design and drafting process according to the Government’ methodology on strategic planning and developing strategic documents and support the Ministry in data and knowledge gathering, focus on strategic planning, adherence to national and international policy standards and criteria, and developing a coherent and evidence-based strategy document – the Strategy for the Development of Sports 2023-2027. More specifically, the objectives of the consultancy are as follows: • In cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and UNICEF, develop a plan of the steps and activities necessary for the design and development of the Strategy for the Development of Sports 2023-2027. • Produce baseline analysis related to the situation of sports development in Montenegro, including the overview of relevant national and international promising practices, emerging issues and directions, strategic and legal guidelines and provisions related to policy development and implementation. The evaluation of the previous Strategy as well as the implementation report should provide a solid basis. • Support the Ministry of Sports and Youth in strategy design and drafting process, by facilitating the strategic planning process, ensuring that the governmental strategic planning methodology is applied • Support facilitation of intersectoral exchange and coordination during the strategy development process, including advice on addressing intersectoral issues through the Strategy as well as data collection and desk research related to the situation of sport policy, • Provide quality draft of the strategy document, based on and including all components of the governmental strategic planning methodology The primary beneficiary of this assignment will be the Ministry of Sports and Youth and other relevant Ministries, national and local bodies with responsibilities in the domain of sport policy development and implementation. Secondary users will be the UNICEF Montenegro CO. The final deliverables of the assignment will include • An action plan containing the steps and activities necessary for the Strategy design • Baseline analysis related to the situation of sports development in Montenegro • Reports / guidelines / inputs from any working groups and / or intersectoral teams supporting the development of the Strategy. • A quality draft of the Strategy document and its action plan. The main objective is to create a high-quality document that will guide and contribute to advancing the development of sports both on a competitive and recreational level over the course of the next five years. The document will include a focus on the developmental role of sports for children and young people by providing support to relevant stakeholders in successful creation and implementation of sport policy in Montenegro, making sure that vulnerable groups, such as children and youth with disabilities, are not left behind when it comes to the developmental component of sports. In that regard, the consultant is expected to complete tasks further defined in the section below - “Work Assignment Overview”. Deliverables should be produced in Montenegrin. UNICEF Country Offices will organize translation and interpretation in English if deemed necessary by stakeholders involved in process.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Timeline:

In cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and UNICEF, develop a plan of the steps and activities necessary for the design and development of the Strategy for the Development of Sports 2023-2027 and Action Plan 2023-2024

Action plan prepared and presented

by September 11th

Produce a baseline analysis related to the situation of sports development in Montenegro, including the evaluation and report of the previous Strategy, overview of relevant national and international promising practices, emerging issues and directions, strategic and legal guidelines and provisions related to policy development and implementation.

Baseline analysis prepared and presented

by October 2nd

Support the Ministry of Sports and Youth in strategy design process, by facilitating the strategic planning process, ensuring that the governmental strategic planning methodology is applied. The process can include facilitation of intersectoral exchange and coordination during the strategy development process, facilitating working groups tasked with strategy design, as well as advice on addressing intersectoral issues through the new Strategy

Report on guidelines and inputs from any working groups and / or intersectoral teams supporting the development of the Strategy.

by October 24th

Provide a quality draft of the strategy document. Conduct at least one presentation of the draft strategy in the scope of the meetings and events / consultation processes.

The Strategy should be developed in accordance with the the Government Methodology for Preparing Strategical Documents

Final Report delivered

by November 1st

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Master’s degree in Sports, Social Sciences, Education or a similar field.
• A PhD would be considered an asset.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in sports, education, government policy and development. • At least 5 years of experience in research, development, monitoring and analysis in the areas of sports policy and sports development or related government policy and strategies. • Familiarity with the context of Montenegro in particular with sports policy, sports environment and related legislation is a strong asset. • Previous work experience with UN/UNICEF or other international organizations will be considered as an advantage.
• Fluency in Montenegrin and English is required. Other: • Excellent writing and presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills. • Capacity to research, evaluate and synthesize information. • Ability to present data in an engaging and effective manner. • Ability to work with different stakeholders. • Demonstrates tact and a high sense of responsibility and discretion. • Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Payments: The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Mandatory e-learning: Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract. 1. Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF 2. Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (PSEAA) 3. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants must complete course on General Information Security Awareness Course.

In addition to above, any consultant who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract: 1. Fraud Awareness. 2. General Information Security Awareness Course (only for consultants with a UNICEF email address). The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org). Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.

Selection methodology: All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria: A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 70 1. Technical Criteria – please select: 1 Interview - 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points • Education: 20 • Previous experience: 20 • Technical questions at interview: 30 Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation. B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal - Maximum points: 30 The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal as a separate document, consisting of all-inclusive professional fee for the services to be provided. Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.