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Regional Coordinator, Tirana Region

Tirana

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Tirana
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

The local government system in Albania is going through series of structural and institutional reforms. These changes began at end of 2013 with the launch of the administrative and territorial reform and led to the reduction/consolidation of the local governments from 373 to 61. Several policy developments of key relevance to strengthening the local government institution and local governance in general have followed suit in the last couple of years. Among those, of direct relevance are the Decentralization and Local Governance Strategy and the Law on Local Government as well as the Public Administration Reform Strategy.

The new Crosscutting Strategy on Decentralization and Local Governance 2015-2020 fits the new context of local government organization and has the ambition to create an efficient system of local self-government where the latter is empowered and able to provide quality services and manage the territorial development sustainably. The Strategy reiterates the aim for the consolidation of local human resources and their skills: “empowering the local administration [through] the establishment of a non-bureaucratized, professional and transparent public administration … able to respond to the expectation of the business and the community for public services [and the development of] a special “performance monitoring system” for the LGUs … to guarantee the accountability of the public administration and ensure efficient delivery of services at the local level”.

In a further articulation of the above strategic objectives, the new Law on the Organization and Functioning of Local Government introduces several novelties regarding the definition of local government functions, decentralization of new competencies to the local level, the roles and competencies of the elected and executive levels in the new municipal structures, including the administrative units, new requirements on service provision and the necessity to apply service standards, a new concept of determining the level of local finances and obligations for enhancing local democracy and good governance through improved transparency, accountability and participation.

Likewise, the Public Administration Reform states as part of its aims the “development of public administration, which provides high-quality services for citizens and businesses in a transparent, effective, and efficient way…”. The recently approved National Strategy for Integration and Development (2015-2020) commits to developing a “public administration … in accordance with the European Administrative Space … to provide high quality services to citizens and businesses in a transparent, effective and efficient way, through the use of modern technologies and innovative services … through impartial and professional civil employees as part of efficient structures”. Also, the NSDI commits to substantially advance the administrative and fiscal decentralization agendas for empowering local governments to foster sustainable local development with a high institutional integrity that enjoy public trust, [and] guarantee quality services.

This is the context within which the present STAR2 project is developed as a collaborative effort of international partners, under national leadership, to support the implementation of the reforms at the local level and thus assist in the further consolidation of the local governance system.

STAR2 consists in a pooled donor funding (Italy/Italian Cooperation, Sweden/Sida, Switzerland/SDC, UNDP, and US/USAID),  subsequently co-funded by the Government of Albania, to support the development and implementation of the administrative and territorial reform. The project is implemented by UNDP in accordance with UNDP’s project management framework, under the leadership of the Minister of Interior (MOI), during the period November 2013 – July 2016.

Similar to its predecessor, the present STAR2 project constitutes the due process and fund management support to the MOI provided by the international community in Albania (European Union, Italy/Italian Cooperation, Sweden/Sida, Switzerland/SDC, UNDP, and US/USAID), with additional co-financing from the government of Albania. The MOI is the leading national institution with a direct oversight on policies for local governance reforms.

The project will provide assistance at two levels: at the local level for systematic and inclusive capacity building for all local government administrations, and for organization of public service delivery systems for a more integrated, innovative, transparent, and accountable ways to the benefit of men, women and marginalized;  and, operational and organizational support to the Minister of State institution to enable leadership and coordination of this assistance.

The present STAR2 project is developed in continuity of the results of its predecessor STAR as well as in complementarity with the assistance of various partners for strengthening the institutional and administrative capacities at local level. In full account of these considerations, STAR2 project will have a national coverage and benefit all 61 LGUs, with its assistance designed to unfold along three main components:

  1. Strengthening institutional and administrative capacities of LGUs

  2. Improving service delivery at LGUs level

  3. Increasing good governance through citizen oriented and meaningful participatory decision-making.

Similar to the predecessor STAR project, the present STAR2 project employs a dual project management structure: a Project Management Team (PMT), working closely with the MOI and extending its capacities to guide and implement the assistance across the LGUs, and a Project Support Unit (PSU), established at UNDP, to ensure the project is implemented in compliance with UNDP’s project management rules and regulations and provide day-to-day support and quality assurance.

Given that almost all actvities relate to capacity building of local administrations and other non-public local stakeholders, the project relyes to a large extent on the field presence. Hence, STAR 2 project has established a field presence in each and every region, which will allow for more focused support and communication.

In this context, UNDP Albania is seeking to engage qualified candidates for the position of Regional  Coordinator for Tirana Region. The candidate must have sound experience in project coordination at local level and be knowledgeable/familiar with the area of local governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties and expected results of the regional coordinator  will include the following:

  • To support and facilitate field work with special attention to properly implementation of identified activities

  • To collect, analyze and report to the MoI, Team Leaders and other cross cutting experts (Environment and gender) of all relevant data and information required for the purpose of the project implementation;

  • To coordinate organisation of public consultations, meetings, workshops with all local stakeholders and communities through reaching the broad public in the territory. The role of regional coordinators is critical in mobilizing support as well as ensuring bi-directional communication and feedback between central level officials and experts and the local authorities and affected communities.

More in detail, the RC will:

  • Visit all local government units within the assigned qark to establish contacts and necessary networks

  • Support the team leaders in implementing their plans at local level

  • Organize and facilitate structured public consultations, meetings, workshops with various local interest groups

  • Moderate conflict/resistance to project implementaion and negotiate solutions in coordination with the Field Presence Coordinator and liaison with the central level;

  • Communicate findings of different kinds of surveys and consultations to central and local authorities;

  • Prepare official/progress reports and other documentation as required by the MoI and Project Management Team

  • Document consultation/participatory processes through various media and written records

  • Develop together with other professionals at the PMT a necessary information database structure end ensure PFPs, build and update this database to the benefit of various project activities and decision making.

  • Other operational duties as required.

The coordinator has to deliver a descriptive report every three months, describing in detail all the activities he/she has supported, assisted or coordinated; in more spcecifics:

  • Coordinate the activities with the organizations responsible to implement the SOP and municipal decisions in their respective LGUs in conducting the focus group discussions and final workshops; Submission of quarterly report regarding the tasks performed

  • Assist conducting of the training and capacity building sessions organized in their respective LGUs in the framework of archiving or other assignments; Collect and analyze gender and environmental data for their respective LGUs and share them with PMT; Submission of quarterly report regarding the tasks performed;

  • Assist conducting of the training and capacity building sessions organized in their respective LGUs; Support STAR PMT in establishing regular communication with LGUs part of the territory that falls under their coverage and serve as liaison between the PMT, contracted company and respective municipalities for the implementation of OSSH; Submission of quarterly report regarding the tasks performed;

  • Support STAR PMT in establishing regular communication with LGUs part of the territory that falls under their coverage and serve as liaison between the PMT, contracted company and respective municipalities for the implementation of OSSH, Archives, Webpages and Transparency Plans; Submission of quarterly report regarding the tasks performed

Competencies

Core Values

  • Demonstrating/safeguarding UN core values on accountability, integrity, transparency, mutual respect, professionalism, and results orientation

  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results

  • Displays cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability

Core competencies

  • Facilitates and encourages open and professional communication, communicating effectively

  • Able to identify priorities and plan/organize efficiently in line with agreed approach/framework/work plan

  • Demonstrates self-initiative and responsibility in carrying out tasks

  • Demonstrates the ability to act as a team player and facilitate team work in a multicultural environment

  • Shows readiness to self-development, and sharing knowledge

Functional Competencies

  • Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate

  • Ability to work well with multiple stakeholders

  • Interpersonal skills, coaching, and follow-up

  • Familiarity with and extensive ability to network with key stakeholders

  • Ability to deliver under tight deadlines

  • Proficient with standard computer applications

  • Commitment to UNDP’s development objectives in the country.

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic Qualification:

  • Graduate studies preferable in public policy, public administration, law, development, human rights or other relevant discipline, or relevant work experience (see below)

Work experience:

  • At least 3 years of experience in dealing with local authorities, local governance, capacity building of local stakeholders, local development or similar

  • Proven familiarity with the specific region for which the application is made, in terms of local administration, local counselors, traditional cooperation, social and interest groups etc;

  • Good knowledge of key government/nongovernment institutions as well as international ones active in the specific region

  • In-depth understanding of country economic, political social, institutional and technical issues as they relate to decentralization and local administration.

Language requirement:

  • Excellent communication and report-writing skills in Albanian and good knowledge of English

Evaluation of applicants

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above. UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

Criteria  A: Compliant educational background– max points: 10

Criteria  B: Professional experience in the required area - max points: 35

Criteria C: Good knowledge and familiarity with local context for the region that has applied for in terms of key local institutions, local government structures, groups of interest, international organizations: max points: 25

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30

Application Procedure

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...http://www.un.org.al/doc/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Letter%20to%20UNDP.docx
  • Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download here.
  • Financial Proposal in ALL* - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek  for the tasks specified in this announcement.  The attached template may be used - http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).
  • Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application.

How to Submit the Application:

How submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

  • Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);

  • Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial ProposalLetter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability  and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;

  • Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement); 

  • Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”

  • Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);

  • You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

  • Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women and individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence

 
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
This vacancy is now closed.
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