Focal Point for Gegharkunik Regional Centre

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

Sustainable Communities” Project focuses on reducing the asymmetries of territorial development of Armenia targeting sustainable development and economic integration of bordering areas in Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions. The project will reach out to the vulnerable groups of 34 bordering settlements with a total population of 41981in two regions through reducing socioeconomic vulnerabilities and facilitating involvement of low-income population in income-generating and production activities, as well as providing access to improved livelihood as a result of rehabilitated community infrastructure.

The Project aims at promoting participatory development in target areas facilitating engagement of local population in decision-making at local level and need-based design of local development agenda. The Project pursues the following objectives:

• Objective 1: To foster local participation in development planning and monitoring for bottom-up community development.
• Objective 2: To increase economic activity in the settlements through efficient local production and processing.
• Objective 3: To innovate for improved local production and management.

The Project builds its efforts on the best of already tried and tested models, particularly taking to the next level the mechanisms and models designed and piloted within the scope of Russia-funded “Integrated Support to Rural Development: Building Resilient communities” Project.

The intervention logic hinges on strong partnership and synergised efforts between UNDP and WFP, when the combined expertise and comparative advantages of two agencies will contribute to increased local production and income raise for the most vulnerable groups which will boost economic security in the localities and take to poverty reduction in the target communities. The underpinning principles of the project are participation, inclusive growth, local development.

The Regional Focal Point will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and the overall supervision of socio-economic Portfolio Manager in close cooperation with the project teams and the counterpart institutions/organizations. The incumbent will work at Gegharkunik Regional Center (Gavar city).

Duties and Responsibilities

The regional Focal Point will uphold the following responsibilities:

• Support the development, planning implementation, recourse mobilization and the overall coordination of project activities;
• Manage project implementation and monitor regional activities;
• Conduct visits to construction sites, monitor and report the construction process;
• Establish a network of volunteers who will support in researching and identifying the existing issues as well as the most urgent needs of the communities;
• Participate in the design and execution of macro and micro development plans of the region;
• Support the recruitment and organization of project’s required staff in place and monitor the functions of the regional staff;
• Help the project team in conducting the necessary research to identify the vision of local stakeholders;
• Act as a focal point to maintain the communication between the settlements and the project’s core team, ensure effective networking and information sharing among the counterparts including community leaders and representatives of Local self-governments.
• Develop, strengthen and ensure efficient and productive environment, working relationship and synergies with potential counterparts;
• Provide other support and assistance as required in the field.

Expected main deliverables:

• Identified and Developed successful sustainability model for Gegharkunik region;
• Identified and mapped the local vision of stakeholders, partners as well as beneficiaries for community development;
• Collected and analyzed data; interpreted data of the results using statistical techniques and drafted reports on findings;
• Recruited staff and coordinated staff for smooth operation of the Center;
• Effectively used the collected data regarding the development strategies of the region and the investigated grounds for new projects which will foster communities’ sustainability;
• Monitored and supervised the implementing projects in the region including construction sites, promotion outcomes (social and Mass Media), make sure the signs are in place for the new developed products and sites.
• Developed list of recommendations for further development of the Center to be self-financed and sustainable entity.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural background and set good rapport with population in rural area;
• Ability to deliver and reach the planned targets without undermining proper operational processes;
• Creativity, flexibility and an innovative approach to problem solving;
• Proven ability to work within the set-up timeframes on multiple activities and tasks concurrently;
• Good computer literacy, knowledge of MS office software and web-based applications, ability to work with office equipment

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Business administration, Development studies and/or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of working experience in a related field;
• Familiarity with the communities, settlements as well as regional resources (Gegharkunik Marz) is an asset.

Language Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of Armenian, working knowledge of English, knowledge of Russian is preferred

INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal.The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

• Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
• CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).