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Consultant for Delivery of a Training Programme on the Role of Local Governments in Fostering Business Enabling Environment in Banja Luka, Celinac, Gradiška, Modrica and Novi Grad

Anderson

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Anderson
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Environment
    • Democratic Governance
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Governance and Peacebuilding
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Public, Private Partnership
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to contribute to strengthening local governments` capacity to play a driving role in improving business environment at the local level by applying multiple approaches and solutions combining legal, regulatory, administrative, financial, as well as policy aspects.

Objective

The main objective of this consultancy is to encourage local governments – namely Banja Luka, Celinac, Gradiška, Modrica and Novi Grad to undertake pro-active business-enabling environment measures and lay foundations for a joint identification of policies and partnerships that are likely to contribute to private sector growth and accelerate local development processes. Specifically, the consultancy entails delivery of a tailored training programme on the Role of Local Governments in Fostering Business Enabling Environment. In this regard, one (1) local consultant (hereinafter the Consultant) will be engaged.

Background Information

The consultancy is planned within the Local Integrated Development (LID) Project (2016 – 2018). The project is primarily funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). As part of the UNDP BiH’s Rural and Regional Development Sector’s portfolio, the LID Project has an overall objective to raise the standards of living, and improve social cohesion in BiH through inclusive sustainable socio-economic development. LID interventions are streamlined along two main pillars: governance, and economic development and job creation. LID will work with 21 selected local governments, grouped together in 4 geographic clusters in the areas primarily affected by floods and areas with a large percentage of returnees/internally displaced persons. The main beneficiaries of the project are 21 local governments, 30 MSMEs and 300 rural households, 50 civil society organizations and grass-root citizens’ groups in target communities, 5,000 members of socially excluded and vulnerable groups, and 3 relevant higher government level institutions. The main partners are the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees and the two entity governments.

Duties and Responsibilities

The pressure for rapid economic development to improve life of citizens is increasing and the need to identify new possibilities to generate local development and employment growth is both urgent and compelling. However, in the complex political, administrative and financial situation in BiH, for majority of local governments this task is a serious challenge. In such situations, local governments seek pathways for local economic development through promotion of those local production factors and resources that offer comparative advantages over the other locations, and as such attract investments. However, for business entrepreneurs the quality of business operating environment is another pre-condition for investments. In developed countries the activities for improvement of the business enabling environment include variety of policy, legal, financial measures and mechanisms, which are systematically pursued in a consultative manner and partnership with private and other relevant partners. Considering its important role, local governments need to utilise systematic approach to analyse, monitor and improve local business enabling environment and in order to achieve that, they need to form well-organised and qualified development teams capable of effectively responding to the economic development needs of the locality.

Therefore, the LID project will deliver interactive and practice-based training programme for local governments, capturing best experiences, recent trends and solutions to creating enabling business environment at the local level.

The Consultant is expected to deliver the Training Programme on the Role of Local Governments in Fostering Business Enabling Environment, based on the existing training programme developed under UNDP-implemented Municipal Training System Project.

This will entail the following tasks:

  • Research and analysis of good practices, recent trends, solutions and relevant legal framework in fostering business enabling environment;
  • Adjustment of the existing training programme;
  •  Delivery of training;
  • Reporting.

The entire service will be delivered in the official languages in BiH.

The expected timeframe for the service is March-May 2018.

Target Groups of the Service

The main target group of the service will be relevant local government practitioners (senior economic development experts/Heads of Departments, senior staff from finances and budget departments, members of local development management teams, etc.).

  • Task 1 – Research and analysis of good practices, recent trends, solutions and relevant legal framework in fostering business enabling environment

Under this task, the Consultant is expected to identify and review existing manuals and reports related to fostering business enabling environment produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina, other Western Balkan countries, or if relevant – some European Union (EU) Member States. The purpose of this review is for the Consultant to get familiar with the already existing materials which could give an indication of most relevant solutions, recent trends and good practices in this particular field. In addition to this, the Consultant will be expected to review the relevant legal framework.

In order to adequately identify the most pressing issues which pose challenges in front of local governments in terms of fostering business enabling environment, as well as to tailor the training objectives and the specific training topics to selected LGs, the Consultant will prepare a detailed questionnaire and implement relevant survey among targeted LGs. After the analysis of questionnaires received from LGs, the Consultant will carry out a focus-group discussion with LGs practitioners. Participants in the focus-group meeting will be selected in close cooperation with the UNDP team and LGs. The focus group will be organised in Banja Luka, to be as close to the targeted local governments as possible. Logistics in relation to organising focus group will be taken over by UNDP BiH.

As a deliverable under Task 1, the Consultant will provide a written report, containing: i) brief overview of the relevant legislation; ii) summary of the identified key issues and challenges for local governments, as well as best practices; and iii) based on these, a proposal outline of the objectives and structure of the training programme. 

The time foreseen for this task is 8 days.

  • Task 2 –Adjustment of the training package for the delivery of the tailored training programme on the role of local governments in fostering business enabling environment

After the adoption of the written report submitted within the Task 1, the Consultant will adjust the existing training package with a focus on the Trainer’s notes, presentation, exercises and supporting training reference material. Following the review of training materials, the Consultant will prepare the training work plan.

The comprehensive training package, including presentations, Trainers’ Notes, as well as relevant materials for participants will be shared with the Consultant by the UNDP BiH. The reviewed and adjusted training programme and materials will be approved by UNDP BiH.

The time foreseen for this task is 2 days.

  • Task 3 – Delivery of the Training Programme on the Role of Local Governments in Fostering Business Enabling Environment

The training programme is designed as a 2-day learning event for practitioners. It is to be delivered to a training group for up to 20 participants, targeting local government practitioners from 6 partner local governments. Learning methodology should be interactive, encouraging participants to join discussions freely and to work in groups and form partnerships. The methodology should also enable practical work during training, combined with brief (e.g. five minutes) questionnaire test of entry/acquired knowledge at the beginning and end of the training to motivate for proactive participants engagement through and after the training.

The Consultant will prepare and compile a comprehensive training pack for the participants, including all relevant supporting materials (agenda, presentations, handouts, group exercises, reference materials, evaluation forms, etc.).

The training event will be organised in Banja Luka, to be as close to the targeted local governments as possible.

Training programme`s technical parameters

The Consultant will be provided with the training package, including the Training agenda, presentations and Trainers’ Notes and relevant materials for participants as well as help from designated LG Field Officers during the training. Training materials will be printed out and ensured for the training programme by the UNDP BiH.

Logistics in relation to organising training events will be taken over by UNDP BiH, based on the Consultant’s work plan and the agreed schedule.

After training delivery, an evaluation will be carried out by the Consultant, covering contents and methods applied, and presented to UNDP BiH.

Task 2 requires an estimate of up to 2 days.

  • Task 4 - Reporting

Upon the completion of the training delivery, the Consultant will prepare a final report that will include, but will not be limited to: training goals and results achieved, number of trainees, analysis of pre-and after training knowledge, lessons learned and recommendations, training performance evaluation, FAQs sheet, etc. All data presented should be segregated by gender. The draft report should be submitted to the LID Project Team, in English language (MS Word electronic version), and the final version must take in consideration all its comments.

The time foreseen for this task is 2 days.

Deliverables and timeliness

The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

  • Written report capturing the aspects as identified in Task 1 (in languages of BiH peoples) - End of March 2018 (8 days);
  • Adjusted training programme on the Role of Local Governments in Fostering Business Enabling Environment - Beginning of April 2018 (2 days);
  • 2-days training delivered to local government practitioners - Mid April - May 2018 (2 days);
  • Final report on training delivery submitted - End of May 2018 (2 day).

Competencies

Core values:

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core 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: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
  • Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team;
  • Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • University degree in economics or a relevant field.

Experience: 

  • Minimum 7 years of experience in capacity development assistance to local governments in local economic development, including business enabling environment;
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in delivery of training assistance to local governments and/or other socio-economic stakeholders, including in the area of local economic development, public-private partnerships, etc.;
  • Excellent training, facilitation and coaching skills in the languages of BiH peoples (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian);
  • Previous training experience at the local level, while practical experience with local governments is considered an asset.
  • Excellent communication skills.

Language requirements: 

  • Fluency in English and in the official languages in BiH.

Other: 

  • Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) 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:

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.

Technical criteria:

  • Minimum 7 years of experience in capacity development assistance to local governments in local economic development, including business enabling environment - Max points: 30;
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in delivery of training assistance to local governments and/or other socio-economic stakeholders, including in the area of local economic development, public-private partnerships, etc.- Max points: 20;
  • Excellent training, facilitation and coaching skills in the languages of BiH peoples (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian)  - Max points: 20;

  Financial criteria: Weight: 30%, Max points: 30; 

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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