Public Finance and Policy Consultant

Background

Purpose

Purpose of this Consultancy is to contribute to the increase and sustainability of transparency in disbursement of public funds to civil society organizations (CSOs) in 21 ReLOaD partner local governments (LGs)*.  

* The assessment will be undertaken for the benefit of the following 21 LGs:

•  Group 1: LGs that have been selected through Direct call and that have participated in one of the project phases of the Reinforcement of Local Democracy - LOD project: Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Jablanica, Maglaj, Stari Grad Sarajevo, Teslic, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje and Tuzla.
• Group 2: LGs that have been selected through Public call and that did not participate in LOD project: Bratunac, Brod, Centar Sarajevo, Gradacac, Kakanj, Modrica, Pale, Rudo, Sokolac, Vitez and Vogošca.

Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to identify gaps and provide recommendations for improvements of the existing rules and guidelines of the partner LGs for disbursement of public funds to CSOs, with focus on a project-based approach. As a result, a set of recommendations will be produced in order to align the existing practices with the mechanisms for disbursement of public funds to CSOs (LOD methodology).

Background Information

The EU-funded ReLOaD aims to strengthen partnerships between LGs and civil society by scaling-up a successful model of transparent and project-based funding of CSOs. The Western Balkan (WB) countries/territories are facing complex set of similar development challenges. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo* (* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.), Montenegro, and Serbia, invest significant efforts to mainstream the EU accession agenda within their socio-political contexts. An integral part of the EU accession agenda is to promote inclusion of civil society and further development of participatory democracies in the Region. All WB countries/territories face these challenges, specifically related to the lack of collaboration between the government and civil society.More specifically, BiH has been experiencing challenges in ensuring transparent mechanisms for CSO funding. Namely, the transparency limitations related to the funding mechanisms are direct result of inappropriate financial and legal regulations and their implementation on a state and entity levels.Therefore, it is needed to encompass existing mechanisms for further mainstreaming of the LOD methodology in funds disbursement in selected partner LGs. Thus, this consultancy will provide recommendation on required steps and measures to increase the transparency of CSO funding in each partner LG.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultancy will consist of the following tasks:

Task 1: Desk review of all relevant documents and developing of questionnaire and detailed work-plan;

Task 2: In-depth analysis on CSO funds disbursement in each of the 21 ReLOaD partner LGs capturing the overall perspective and legal framework for financing CSO;

Task 3:  Reporting.

Task 1: Desk review of all relevant documents and developing of questionnaire and detailed work-plan

Under this task, the Consultant will:

• Get familiar with ReLOaD project document, LOD Methodology and other relevant documents and analysis that will be provided by the ReLOaD project. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 1 expert day;
• Collect and assess all relevant government’s policies and operational procedures regarding funds disbursement to CSOs that are applicable on LG level. Consultant will pay a special attention to procedures and regulations for financing war veterans associations and sport associations/clubs and explore the possibilities to adjust financing mechanism of those CSO categories through competitive process and transparent public call. Different regulations and legal context within Republika Srpska (RS) and Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina (FBiH) should be taken in considerations too. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 2 expert days;
• Collect execution of budgets for 2015, 2016, budgets for 2017 and draft budget (if available) for 2018 for all partner LGs and analyse them with special focus on the budget lines foreseen for CSOs (614300 in FBiH and 415200 in RS and others). The focus of the analysis will be all funds awarded to CSOs regardless of the distribution model (by public call, directly or for the CSOs of special interest). The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 2 expert days;
• Collect reports from Audit Office for the Institutions of the FBiH and the Supreme Office for the Republic of Srpska Public Sector Auditing if available for partner LGs for last 3 years and analyse them in respect to CSO fund disbursement. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 1 expert day;
• Develop the questionnaire and interview questions to be used during the research (must be approved by the ReLOaD project prior to dissemination). The focus of the questionnaire and interviews will be on discussing procedures for funds disbursement for CSOs in place in specific LG as well as identifying challenges and opportunities in distributing funds in more transparent and project based approach. The questionnaire will contain necessary questions regarding the amount of the funds distributed to CSOs, breakdown of the funds (in BAM and in percentage) distributed by a public call for CSOs or directly, funds distributed to sport associations/clubs, war veteran associations and other CSOs for last 3 years (2015-2017). Possible good practice examples in CSO fund disbursement should be also recorded. The questionnaire and the interview questions will discern between partner LGs from the Group 1 and Group 2 and in order to assess the improvements obtained by the Group 1. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 1.5 expert days;
• Following the documentation review the Consultant will propose a detailed work plan outlining the approach and the timeline of the process in each LG. The work plan will be submitted to ReLOaD for approval. Following approval, the Consultant will in coordination with ReLOaD project team, schedule initial meetings with target LGs and inform ReLOaD accordingly. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 0.5 expert day.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 13th December 2017 and the level of effort of the Consultant will not exceed 8 expert days.

Task 2: In-depth analysis on CSO funds disbursement in each of the 21 ReLOaD partner LGs capturing the overall perspective and legal framework for financing CSO

Under this task the Consultant is expected to steer, guide and facilitate the entire process, which will result in draft analyses for each of the target LGs. This includes but is not limited to following tasks:

• Conduct interviews with representatives of at least 10 of partner LGs (6 will be selected from the Group 1 of partner LGs while the remaining 4 will be selected from the Group 2). Selection of partner LGs for the interviews will be conducted in close cooperation with ReLOaD project team, taking into consideration the geographical coverage of the selected LGs, their development level as well as the other relevant aspects. Other interviews will be conducted by email or fax correspondence. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 12 expert days;
• Desk review, questionnaires, and interviews will be source to recommend tailor-made, concrete and precise measures for each LG geared towards harmonizing the existing systems with the LOD methodology;
• The Consultant will especially take into consideration the mandatory treasury operations and financial management system that all institutions need to comply with as well as long term effects of the action, in view of country’s accession path to the EU. Also, potential differences between applied approaches in funds disbursement for different CSOs categories (sport associations/clubs, war veteran associations, development CSO etc.) should be taken into consideration.

The Consultant will be required to organize his/her own travel and accommodation arrangements to different LGs in which the interviews will be carried out.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 19th January 2018 and the level of effort of the Consultant will not exceed 12 expert days.

Task 3:  Reporting

Under this task, the Consultant will ensure required level of quality of the report namely:

• Develop a comprehensive report in one of the official languages of BiH containing detailed analysis, findings and recommendations for improvement in each partner LG. Report will include also guidelines to each partner LG on how to practically run the funds disbursement for CSO in more transparent manner as a part of their regular operational procedures. The Consultant will in report capture main issues and challenges which need to be considered related to implementation of the LOD methodology and increase of the percentage of funds distributed through public call using the LOD methodology. Good practice examples in LGs using transparent fund disbursement to CSO will be recorded. The Consultant will capture elaborated suggestions on how LGs can improve implementation of the LOD methodology within their individual systems for distribution of funds to CSOs, ensuring the compliance with the current relevant BiH legislative. The Consultant will provide concrete recommendations towards applying LOD methodology on sports associations/clubs and war veteran organisation taking in consideration exiting legal framework for funds disbursement to those two CSO categories. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 30 expert days;
• Share the draft version of the report with the ReLOaD project team for comments and address the received comments. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 4 expert days;
• Present the findings of the assessment to the ReLOaD project team along with the submission of a final report. The estimated level of effort for this subtask is 1 expert day.

The basic structure of the report will include the following elements:

• Executive summary; 
• Background information;
• Explanation of the methodological approach;
• Findings of the assessment for each partner LG;
• Conclusions and recommendations;
• Annexes (list of reviewed documents, list of interviewees etc.);

The report should not exceed 80 pages (excluding annexes).

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 30th March 2018 and the level of effort of the Consultant will not exceed 35 expert days.

Deliverables and timelines

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Task 1: Desk review of all relevant documents and developing of questionnaire and detailed work-plan:

• All relevant documents collected and reviewed, questionnaire and detailed work-plan developed - December 13, 2017; 8 expert days;

Task 2: In-depth analysis on CSO funds disbursement in each of the 21 ReLOaD partner LGs capturing the overall perspective and legal framework for financing CSO:

• Analysis of the existing systems for disbursement of LG funds to CSOs in all partner LGs conducted (including field trips and interviews – at least 50% of target LGs in person) - January 19, 2018; 12 expert days;

Task 3: Reporting:

• Produced and presented report containing detailed analysis, findings and recommendations with regard to the legislative framework and practical implementation of the LOD methodology in each partner LGs - March 30, 2018; 35 expert days;

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Strong analytical skills;
• Advanced writing skills;
• Proven skills in conducting researches, interviews, and reporting;
• Conceptual and practical knowledge of policy development, with specific focus on public budgets;
• Ability to review data, identify and adjust discrepancies;
• Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations regarding civil society sector;
• Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required standard;
• Knowledge and skill to mainstream gender equality in documents;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints;
• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
• Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
• Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Strong IT skills.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Bachelor degree in law, public policy, public finance and administration or a related social science field;
• Master degree will be considered as an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience;
• Experience working on policy development and analysis preferably dealing with governments and institutions, civil society and budgetary system;
• Proven experience and expertise in public finance;
• Proven skills and experience in preparation of concise and analytical reports.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in written and spoken English and official languages of BiH.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

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

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

• Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from http://www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/operations/jobs.html);
• Financial proposal which will separately specify professional fee, indicating number of anticipated working days, travel costs (air-ticket or use of private vehicle), living allowance, and all other applicable costs.

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

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 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.