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Financial offer in a form of completed and 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 106881.

Competitiveness and Innovation: Local Development Strategies – EU4Business project aims to foster economic growth and job creation through support for competitiveness and innovation in export-oriented sectors (such as wood-processing, metal, textile, plastics or ICT), as well as in agriculture, food production, tourism and rural development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). The project is a four-year initiative (2018-2022) funded primarily by the European Union (EU) under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) II and jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

UNDP is responsible for the implementation of project activities in the field of agriculture, food production and rural development, including support measures totalling nearly BAM 6 million to support investments in primary agricultural production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, as well as implementation of rural development strategies.

Beside implementation of grant support measures in agri-food sector, the project provides capacity building to institutional partners in design, management and monitoring & evaluation of grant support measures. Three grant support measures have been developed and implemented and have been accompanied with the relevant capacity building package. Capacity building in monitoring and evaluation was also provided to the institutional partners, mainly focusing on the project support measures monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Therefore, the planned assignment will focus primarily on monitoring and evaluation of rural strategic development programme as it was identified as an area in agriculture and rural development policy making and implementation processes with the greatest need to further expand this knowledge. The selected Expert will review the existing M&E Framework Guidelines, in its draft developed by the Project in the early stage. A comprehensive revision of the document is expected as an output. Once finalized, the framework will be shared with the institutional partners, coupled with the specialized M&E training.

Within the training content, the existing BiH Rural Development Strategic Documents will be used to support the delivery of scenario-based learning methods. As most of the institutional partners are involved and have experience in programming and implementation of agriculture and rural development plans / strategies of significant budgets, the project intends to tailor this assignment to further support the institutional partners through a highly efficient and practical approach in design, management, monitoring, and evaluation of grant support measures in agri-food and rural development sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Methodological approach

The planned training content should cover monitoring and evaluation framework in accordance with relevant available documents, strategic papers and ongoing programming and support measures implementation. To propose a suitable and comprehensive approach the Expert should consult the Technical Handbook on the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 that suite rural development strategic plan. Below are suggested topics to be covered but are subject to further improvement: 1. The Goal and Objectives of Monitoring and Evaluation and its Importance for Rural Development Policy Making 2. Monitoring and Evaluation framework including the intervention logic of the rural development strategic plan and its key priorities for interventions. 3. Identification of the beneficiaries of the Rural Development Strategic Plan. 4. Monitoring of the Rural Development Strategy and the Action Plan including monitoring approach and principles, types and levels of indicators, monitoring plan for indicators

4.1. Identification of relevant indicators, accompanied with the relevant means of verification
4.2. Data source, data collection methods, data collection frequency, responsible entity) and its structure for data collection and reporting.
4.3. Setting Baselines and Targets.
4.4. Quality Assurance of data must meet validity, reliability, timidity, accuracy, and completeness etc.
4.5. Developing formats for the Semi-annual, Annual and Final Reports of the Rural Development Strategic plan and Action Plan for monitoring information communication.

5. Evaluation Plan of the Rural Development strategic plan and Action Plan for its realization that might include:

5.1. Evaluation Goal and Objectives; questions and activities.
5.2. Organization of independent evaluation.
5.3. Communication of collected monitoring data and lessons learnt to wider rural population.

6. Responsible bodies and structures for Monitoring and Evaluation.

Scope of work Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and support of the project key staff the Expert will undertake following tasks:

Revise the existing M&E Framework Guidelines and provide inputs and comments for the final text.
Design the modular training programme of at least 2 interlinked modules in development of monitoring and evaluation framework for Rural Development Strategic Plan/Strategy for agriculture and rural development.
Deliver the training programme to target beneficiaries, officials representing institutional partners of the EU4Business project.

Task 1: Revise the existing M&E Framework Guidelines and provide inputs and comments for the final text. In addition to the technical assistance provided to the institutional partners related to the EU best practices of monitoring and evaluation, UNDP has prepared guidelines for Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework which was envisioned to be used as a tool to assure quality and efficient implementation of rural development support measures. The M&E framework is envisioned to track the effects of the grants/investments on the financial performance of the grant beneficiaries. In addition, it provides an input to measuring the impact of capacity building programme and technical assistance activities on partners institutions and other stakeholders including GFF beneficiaries. M&E framework offers the actual insight into the whole project and its contribution to the rural development and employment in rural sector of BiH, thus enabling environment for vibrant agri-food sector. Once finalized, the framework will be shared with institutional partners, coupled with the specialized M&E training, focused on monitoring and evaluation of RD strategies in line with the EU best practices. Therefore, at the initial phase of the project the Expert will be provided with draft Guidelines to deliver his/her additional comments, recommendations for improvement and other specific expertise in respect to existing content and the text of the document. It is expected to have an overall review and ways of improvement for the final version, as well as potential upgrade and way forward for future reference of all M&E Framework users. UNDP will provide insight in the steps of developing the M&E Framework and all other necessary background information. All comments and suggestions provided will be thoroughly discussed by the project team members. The estimated level of effort for this task is at 10 expert/days.

Task 2: Design the modular training programme of 2 interlinked modules in development of monitoring and evaluation framework for Rural Development Strategic Plan/Strategy for agriculture and rural development. Under Task 2, the Expert will design an outline of the training curriculum and training plan presenting the purpose, learning objectives, content and methodology to be used, training agenda, and training outcome to be used in training evaluation process. The outline will be submitted for approval to the EU4Business Project Team, and upon its consent the Expert will design fully-fledged programme and materials.

Developed training materials will consist of an agenda, PowerPoint presentations, compilation of relevant readings, list of references, exercises, tools, examples and a training evaluation form. All training materials are to be prepared in the official languages of BIH. The entire training package should be based on the relevant examples preferably from the existing BiH strategic plan for Rural Development in BiH. The service provider is encouraged to carry out initial assessment of training participants’ understanding on the topic, which would allow for the training programme tailoring and finetuning. The training will be delivered only upon UNDP’s approval of programme and materials.

The estimated level of effort for this task is at 2 expert/days.

Task 3: Delivery of the training programme to targeted participants

The Expert will agree with the EU4Busines Project on the schedule of training delivery and modality of training delivery taking into account the overall training duration, number and structure of training modules, and the availability of training participants. EU4Business Project strongly supports the offers containing an innovative approach in training delivery in an online environment using contemporary tools and modalities, in the case traditional learning methods cannot be applied due to COVID 19 pandemic measures and restrictions.

Individual training modules/events should not be more than 2 days long. The Expert should also ensure that training participants have enough time between each training module/event for their regular professional duties as well as for completing some smaller training-related assignments. Training delivery should follow the adults’ learning principles, and trainees’ interaction should be encouraged during the entire training. Relevant case studies shall be provided in order to equip the participants with practical knowledge they can apply in their day-to-day activities. An entry and exit tests (as part of each training module/event), as well as training evaluation will be conducted in order to measure the level of new knowledge acquired, as well as to obtain feedback by participants on the training delivery quality. The training will be delivered in the official languages of BIH.

At the end of the training programme, the Expert should submit a brief training participants knowledge assessment report including the initial results from the initial assessment of training participants’ understanding on the topic (under Task 2) as well as entry and exit tests conducted for each training module (under Task3).

The EU4Business Project Team will select training participants, coordinate the training events and share the respective materials.

The estimated level of effort for this task is at 6 expert/days.

Deliverables/outputs The Expert is responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverables / outputs

# of days per task

Due date

Percentage

Task 1. Revise the existing M&E Framework Guidelines and provide inputs and comments for the final text.

Delivered comprehensive review with comments and recommendation for revision of Guidelines.

10 expert days

15 June 2022

30%

Task 2. Preparation of training programme in development of M&E Framework for Rural Development Strategic Plan/Strategy for agriculture and rural development.

Completed and approved training programme including training materials, exercises, case studies and participant knowledge evaluation forms.

2 expert days

17 June

2022

30%

Task 3. Delivery of training programme to participants:

Delivered training programme to at least 12 participants form project partner institutions (programming group members, operating group members).

Submitted training report including evaluation participant knowledge and quality of training workshops

6 expert days

30 June 2022

40%

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
Results-Orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
Communication: Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match target audiences.
Teamwork: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

Advance degree in economics, economic development, agro-economics and rural development or University degree with minimum of 5 years of proven experience in preparation and delivery of training in evaluation and monitoring.

Experience

Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects, programmes and strategies in agriculture and rural development programme.
Minimum 5 years of professional experience in development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for projects, programmes and strategies in agriculture and rural; development.
Proven experience at least 5 years in preparation and delivery of training in evaluation and monitoring

Languages Requirements

Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina. English language proficiency will be considered an asset.

Other Requirements

Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Criteria:

Points

Advance degree in economics, economic development, agro-economy and rural development and related disciplines with proven experience in development of monitoring and evaluation framework for rural development programmes

max 50 points

Relevant professional experience

max 50 points

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria:

Points

Rating based on Qualifications

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the relevant field of economics, economic development, agricultural economics and rural development and with proven experience in development of monitoring and evaluation framework for rural development programmes of relevant policies/documents/or other specific criteria

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:

Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Personal CV/P11, including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

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.

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