National Consultant for Design of the Diaspora Register and Data Collection Training for 16 partner local governments (LGs)

Background

PurposeThe purpose of this consultancy is to further improve capacities of partner LGs to effectively communicate with their diaspora members.

ObjectiveThe main objective of the consultancy is to support 16 partner LGs  to collect data on diaspora from their locality in order to enhance the existing local diaspora registers as well as to improve profiling of and communication with diaspora.

Background Information‘’Mainstreaming the concept on Migration and Development into Relevant Policies, Plans and Actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH): Diaspora for Development (D4D)” (2016-2020) is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BIH, the Government of Switzerland, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Organization for Migration (IOM). Official estimates show that the total number of people originating from BIH in the world (including their offspring) is approximately 2 million. Most of them retain a strong emotional, financial, and familial connection with BIH. They are also well integrated and better off than other migrant communities in their host countries, with potential and willingness to contribute to development of their homeland. However, the interaction with them is sporadic and unstructured. Hence, the valuable intellectual capital and other potential contribution of diaspora, which can help addressing country challenges or promoting BIH globally, remains largely untapped. The Project has a goal to increase socio-economic opportunities and perspectives for women and men in BIH, and to improve their livelihoods through increased diaspora engagement. The overall goal of the D4D Project will be attained through achieving three specific outcomes:

• BIH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and BIH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with government institutions at different levels, use and further develop their instruments to actively connect, exchange, and engage with diaspora members and organizations.
• Local governments align their development strategies to the diaspora policy framework at higher government levels, provide more and better services to diaspora members, and encourage community initiatives to attract diaspora know-how and investment.
• Diaspora partners transfer know-how and skills and make joint investments with private sector actors in BIH, thus creating new jobs.

This consultancy will take place within the Project’s second component focused on institutionalizing cooperation between diaspora and LGs in BIH, with a final goal of contributing to local development of the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

During the period May – September 2017, the D4D Project conducted an online survey in 16 partner LGs assessing the existing practices, capacities and needs for cooperation with diaspora in relation to the local development. Following the LGs response to the survey, a comprehensive report, including 16 summary reports (one per each LG) with analytics, priority timeframes and overall recommendations was prepared. The report indicates the LGs’ need for project support in the process of collecting data on their diaspora and in design of an advanced solution for systematic diaspora register.

In light of the above the Consultant will undertake the following main tasks:

Task 1: Conduct desk review of the existing local diaspora registers and provide suggestions for improvement

Under this task, the Consultant will:

• Familiarize him/herself with all relevant key documents provided and/or indicated by the D4D team;
• Review the existing local diaspora registers developed by 10 partner LGs during the pilot phase of the project;
• Identify possibilities to enhance the existing registers, including new methods of data collection and potential sources of relevant data from diaspora;
• Propose the final layout of the diaspora register which should consist of the core components common for all 16 LGs, and eventually additional, tailor-made, content for specific LGs based on their demands (the final layout will be submitted for approval to UNDP).
• It is envisaged that this task will be performed in November-December 2017, while the level of effort will not exceed 6 expert days.

Task 2: Provide training and limited technical assistance to the LGs on diaspora data collection and analysisUnder this task, the Consultant will:

• Prepare training curricula and materials for the training to the LGs, focusing on the best ways to collect relevant data from diaspora as well as to raise awareness of diaspora to engage with local communities (the curricula and materials will be submitted for approval to UNDP);
• Conduct a one-day training for 16 partner LGs, divided in 4 groups, each consisting of 4 geographically close 4 LGs;
• Provide follow-up limited technical assistance to each LG to gather initial set of data, monitoring the process of data collection and providing suggestions for improvement, as well as advising on developing an action plan for continuous data gathering process by the LGs;
• Provide additional consultations and support (phone, electronic and/or in person as needed) in regard to collection, quality assurance and verification of data, as well as data analysis.

It is envisaged that this task will be performed in December 2017 - January 2018, while the level of this effort will not exceed 24 expert days (approximately 1.5 days per LG).

Task 3: Final reportingUnder this task, the Consultant will:

• Write a brief draft, up to 5 pages, and final report on the overall assignment, including conducted field visits and workshops/consultations with findings and recommendations for further improvement. The final version of the report will be approved by UNDP.

It is envisaged that this task will be performed in January 2018, while the level of this effort will not exceed 2 expert days.

Deliverables and timelineThe Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:Deliverables (outputs) TimelineTask 1: Conduct desk review of the existing local diaspora registers and provide suggestions for improvements

• Desk review completed.
• Possibilities for improvement identified.
• New layout of the diaspora registers prepared and approved by UNDP. Nov - Dec 2017, (6 expert days)

Task 2: Provide training and limited technical assistance to the LGs on diaspora data collection and analysis

• Consultations conducted with the 16 partner LGs.
• Training curricula and materials developed and approved by UNDP.
• Training conducted and assistance in data gathering provided the LGs, including additional consultations.  Nov - Dec 2017, (24 expert days)

Task 3: Final reporting

• Final report prepared, submitted to and approved by UNDP. By 19 Jan 2018, (2 expert days)

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
• Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives.

People Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behaviour;
• Respects individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Partnering and Networking:

• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously;
• Results-Orientation;
• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

• Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Strong communication skills;
• Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Strong analytical skills;
• Demonstrates knowledge on diaspora issues and activities with an emphasis on local communities;
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
• Initiative and sound judgment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• University degree in economics, political sciences and other relevant social sciences.

Experience: 

• At least 5 years of professional experience in development work, preferably with LGs, including support in terms of data management;
• At least 3 years of professional experience in providing technical assistance, preferably to LGs;
• Familiarity with key public documents, strategies, trends and practices related to diaspora is considered an asset;
• Completed training(s) in the realm of diaspora engagement/migration and development is considered an asset;
• Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and write concisely and clearly.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in the official languages of BIH and English.

Other: 

• Excellent computer skills and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

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%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for technical criteria assessment would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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.