International Local Development Planning Expert

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Friday 14 Oct 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

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

Background

Over a period of four years (2019-2022), UNDP has successfully carried out the Sida-funded “Building Municipal Capacity for Projects Implementation” Project (hereinafter BMCPI or the Project) which was set to address some of the most pressing issues faced by the local government institutions in their efforts to improve the living conditions for their citizens.

To address the underlying causes behind the sub-optimal performance of the country’s local self-government system and development performance, the previous Project design comprised three separate, yet interrelated lines of intervention. These included:

  • The Municipal Development Index (MDI) – an objective system for tracking the performance and overall development progress of municipalities based on a series of parameters and indicators
  • A comprehensive Functional Analysis (FA) of the country’s local self-government system at more general or systemic level, and through piloting of the approach among selected municipalities and regional centers, and
  • The Technical Documentation Fund (TDF) which has been introduced to showcase a model financial instrument for preparation of comprehensive technical documentation for the highest priority infrastructure development projects in a local context.

By building upon the achievements of its first phase, the Project has recently entered its second phase (2022-2026) that aims at:

  • Strengthening capacities of national institutions to provide and institutionalize adequate tools for targeting regional and local development policies and initiatives (primarily MDI)
  • Strengthening local level capacities to identify, select and prepare more complex development projects (through TDF)
  • Introducing and integrate the elements of European Green deal and global environmental challenges into local development planning; and
  • Empowering civil society organizations, media, and citizens to participate in local development planning.

One of the Project’s key objectives is to catalyze an up-to-date unified integrated local development planning system that will encompass the elements of the European Green Deal and the most pressing environmental challenges[1]. The planning capacities would be enhanced in way to consider the negative implications of these global challenges on and the corresponding development opportunities for women and vulnerable groups[2]. The Project will seek to include these elements in the in the decision-making targeting local development priorities, in particular in designing and developing business, social and environmental infrastructure.

The expected results of this work will be reflected in the methodologies applied under the TDF to ensure prioritization of (infrastructure/development) projects that will address the above challenges.

These TORs describe the objectives, the scope and expected results of an international consultancy aiming at updating the existing local development planning methodology in line with the objectives the European Green Deal and the global response to the main environmental challenges[3]. Enhanced stakeholder participation (models, and approaches) needs to be an integral part of the updated planning methodology. The international expert will be supported by a local expert with complementary qualifications, and in line with the requirements of the assignment.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall assignment includes a combination of consultancy work, educational/training and awareness raising activities targeting local self-government representatives, the civil society, and other stakeholders at local/municipal level. The core of the assignment is the necessary updating the existing UNDP Methodology on inclusive and integrated local development planning in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and an improved sensitivity on the gender and social inclusion dimension of local development.

Moreover, it involves design and implementation of training programmes on the ‘improved’ local development planning that will bring about the necessary national-level expertise that will be instrumental in the future updating of the existing local development plans.

Besides this, the expert will take part in awareness raising and networking events aimed at reaching out to diverse stakeholders about the objectives, and the expected benefits of the green transition, inter-municipal and regional cooperation, preparing gender sensitive projects and addressing the needs of the vulnerable groups.

[1] For example, disaster risk reduction, more efficient use of resources, pollution reduction and biodiversity conservation and restoration.

[2] The project activities related to local development planning will be focused on vulnerability in broader terms than climate change alone, especially given the fact that vulnerability and exposure arise also from non-climatic factors and from multidimensional inequalities often produced by uneven development processes. Special emphasis will be placed on the economically disadvantaged, people with disabilities, the elderly, ethnic minorities, children etc.

[3] The existing (baseline) methodology that needs to be updated has been developed by UNDP as part of the EU-funded Improving Municipal Governance project and by building upon the experiences of the UN Women’s “Promoting Gender Responsive Policies and Budgets” project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the BMCPI Project Manager, and the overall guidance of the Head of the Democratic Governance Unit, supported by a local expert, as well as in close cooperation with the key Project stakeholders, the international expert will be responsible for the following key tasks:

Task 1: Update the UNDP Methodology on inclusive and integrated local development planning

  • Study carefully existing relevant documentation (NOTE: to be provided to the selected expert by the Project), including but not limited to:

  • BMCPI Project Document/Program Framework

  • Existing methodology for preparation of inclusive and integrated local development plans
  • Sample existing local developments plans prepared/used by municipalities

  • Analyze the existing Methodology and identify the gaps and the entry points for integration of the new requirements (e.g., green transition/key environmental challenges, gender, social including, and stakeholder participation)

  • Provide the draft updated Methodology
  • Finalize the Methodology based on relevant input provided by UNDP and the key stakeholders (e.g., Ministry of Local Self-Government, regional centers, municipalities, ZELS)

Estimated input (expert-days)[1]*: 8 days*

Task 2. Engage in conceptualization and implementation of educational, outreach and networking events in all eight (8) planning regions

  • Conceptualize the event(s), by defining (learning) objectives, work approaches, stakeholder participation
  • Prepare the necessary training and other material (e.g., presentations, fact sheets, other handouts)
  • Provide trainings/presentations on the topics of interest in all 8 planning regions[2], such as:

  • Green transition / EU Green Deal – EU policies and plans, examples, experiences and expected benefits

  • Inter-municipal and regional cooperation in the context of green transition
  • Preparation of gender sensitive and social inclusion projects in the context of green transition
  • Funding sources

  • Prepare a report from the events summarizing the results/stakeholder feedback, also providing recommendations on possible follow-up activities

Estimated input (expert-days): 10 days

Task 3: Develop and deliver training programme on integrated local development planning, including review and quality assurance of municipal local development plans

  • Based on the updated Methodology, conceptualize, and design a comprehensive training program for preparation/update of local development plans
  • Prepare the necessary training materials for the training
  • Deliver the training to a selected groups of stakeholders (e.g., municipal staff, CSOs, experts). Training topics should emphasize gender equality aspects, gender responsive budgeting)
  • Summarize the results of the training, including an assessment of the newly acquired local knowledge and skills for preparation of integrated local development plans
  • Provide flexible on-demand support to municipalities working on the plans based on the new methodology (e.g., in terms of consultations, guidance, either directly or through the local expert)
  • Review draft plans prepared by municipalities, and provide feedback toward their completion[3] to ensure alignment with the new methodology
  • Prepare a final report summarizing results, and lessons learnt from the training and the plan preparation process and provide recommendation on approaches for updating the local development plans in the country in the future.

Estimated input (expert-days): 17 days

Task 4: Support organizing study visit for a small delegation (8-10 people) to a selected EU country from the region

  • Suggest institutions to be visited based on the delegation’s learning objectives
  • Support the preparation of the agenda (including through communication with host institutions, if required)
  • Advice on any possibly required administrative or protocol-related procedures required for the study visit
  • Support the study visit as per the previously developed agenda and the specific needs of the delegation (e.g., taking part in the meetings, providing limited interpretation support)
  • Prepare report from the study visit summarizing results and possible follow-up activities.

Estimated input (expert-days): 10 days

DELIVERABLES

Deliverable

Tentative timeline****[4]****

1.

Methodology and work-plan

15 November 2022

2.

Working material for the educational, outreach, and networking events

  • Concept paper & agenda
  • Training material

15 December 2022

3.

Report from the educational, outreach, and networking events

15 February 2023

4.

Upgrade local development planning methodology

15 February 2023

5.

Final local development planning methodology

15 April 2023

6.

Training programme on local development planning

15 March 2023

7.

Report from the trainings on the local development planning and the review/preparation of the local development plans

15 April 2023

8.

Report from the study visit

15 April 2023

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Tentatively the payment for the services will be made in the following manner:

Instalments (% of contract amount)

Deliverables

Tentative timeline (in days upon signing of contract)

30%

  • Methodology and work-plan
  • Working material for the educational, outreach, and networking events

15 December 2022

40%

  • Draft local development planning methodology
  • Report from the educational, outreach, and networking events

15 February 2023

30%

  • Training programme on local development planning
  • Report from the trainings on the local development planning / preparation of local development plans
  • Final local development planning methodology
  • Report from the study visit

15 April 2023

Note: The payment schedule may be adjusted in consultation with the selected experts prior to signing of contract.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Tentatively, all the tasks are planned to be completed in the period October 2022 – April 2023 (six months). The assignment start date and duration may be adjusted if deemed necessary in consultation with the selected expert.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The expert shall report to the BMCPI Project Manager. The detailed workplan with methodology and timetable of activities will be proposed by the selected expert in the inception process of the assignment.

TRAVEL

The consultant is expected to work from home and visit the country for 2 missions. During these missions the expert is expected to spend at least 15 days in the country in total. All estimated mission related costs travel, accommodation, subsistence costs) need to be included in the expert’s financial offer (lump-sum) as a separate line for each travel in financial offer.

[1] The workload estimates per Task are for orientation purposes only. The actual input will need to be adjusted in line with the work requirements.

[2] 1-2 regional events per day will be organized by the Project as logistically possible. The consultant will need to exercise flexibility in her/his availability for these events.

[3] 80 plans need to be reviewed by the expert.

[4] The tentative timeline will be adjusted in consultation with the selected expert prior to signing of contract.

Competencies

  • Shows strong analytical skills
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent facilitation skills
  • Demonstrates excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver consultancy products within deadlines
  • Ability to synthesize research and draw conclusions on the related subject
  • Writes clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences
  • Experience of working with ministries and local self-governance structures

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Minimum University Degree in Public or Business Administration, Local Development, Political Sciences, Economics, Engineering, Urban/Regional Planning or another relevant field is required. Advanced university degree is considered an asset.

Experience

  • At least 10 years of relevant practical experience in local strategic development planning, municipal and regional development, local governance policy research and analysis, and decentralization projects,
  • At least 5 years of experience in local development, and institutional strengthening at local level in an EU pre-accession/EU context,
  • A record of at least 3 similar assignments carried out in the field of strategic local development planning (e.g., projects/assignments/consultancies on local development, preparation of development plans, inter-municipal/regional cooperation, EU Green Deal, green transition),
  • Knowledge of environmental issues / green agenda /green deal / green transition issues is considered an asset,
  • Knowledge of the local development context, and local government issues in North Macedonia is considered an asset.

Languages

  • Excellent language proficiency in both written and oral English. Knowledge of local languages is considered an asset

Application Procedure

Step 1

  1. Click on the "Apply now" button
  2. Input your information in the appropriate sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume, and motivation (cover letter). You can type in or paste your short Resume into the last box.
  3. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload other required documents listed in the step 2.

Step 2

  1. Interested individual consultants must submit the documents/information listed below to demonstrate their qualifications. The system will allow only one attachment. Therefore, please upload all required documents as one file.
  2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experiences from similar projects and contact details of the clients
  3. Reference list of relevant work/projects, position held and contact details of the clients. Please clearly indicate at least 3 similar assignments carried out in the field of strategic local development planning
  4. All-inclusive* financial offer – specifying a total lump sum in USD for the deliverables specified in the TOR including number of working days per deliverable.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and implies that all expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (professional fee, mission costs, communication, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant are already factored in the financial proposal.

Failing to submit any of these documents may result in disqualification of the application.

Please note that shortlisted candidates might be interviewed.

EVALUATION OF OFFERS

No

Technical criteria

Points obtainable

Max. 70

1.

Minimum University Degree in Public or Business Administration, Local Development, Political Sciences, Economics, Engineering, Urban/Regional Planning or another relevant field is required. Advanced university degree is considered an asset.

Max 10 points

  • University degree

8

  • Advanced university degree

10

2.

At least 10 years of relevant practical experience in local strategic development planning, municipal and regional development, local governance policy research and analysis, and decentralization projects,

Max 10 points

  • At least 10 years of relevant practical experience

6

  • 10-15 years of relevant practical experience

8

  • > 15 years of relevant practical experience

10

3.

At least 5 years of experience in local development, and institutional strengthening at local level in an EU pre-accession/EU context,

Max 15 points

  • At least 10 years of relevant practical experience

10

  • 10-15 years of relevant practical experience

12

  • > 15 years of relevant practical experience

15

4.

A record of at least 3 similar assignments carried out in the field of strategic local development planning (e.g., projects/assignments/consultancies on local development, preparation of development plans, inter-municipal/regional cooperation, EU Green Deal, green transition)

Max 15 points

  • At least 3 similar assignments

10

  • 4-5 similar assignments

12

  • > 5 similar assignments

15

5.

Knowledge of environmental issues / green agenda / green deal / green transition issues is considered an asset

10 points

6.

Knowledge of the local development context, and local government issues in North Macedonia is considered an asset

5 points

7.

Knowledge of the local languages is considered an asset

5 points

Only candidates who will obtain at least 49 points and will score at least 70% of the maximum points obtainable for the technical criteria (1-7) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation (30% of total evaluation – maximum 30 points):

The offer with the lowest price will receive the maximum of 30 points. Other offers with higher prices will receive their respective scores according to the following formula:

Lowest Bid

------------------- x 30

Proposed Bid

The contract will be awarded to the candidate that will obtain the highest aggregate score based on the technical and financial evaluation.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org