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Local Business Planning Consultant

Anderson

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Anderson
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Public, Private Partnership
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Purpose

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to contribute to the establishment of a viable vocational training centre in Gradacac to address the shortage of skilled labour in key industries in the north-east Bosnia region.

Objective

The specific objective of this assignment is to assist the training centre management in developing a viable and comprehensive three year business plan, together with operational plan. The primary purpose of the business plan will be to quantify the required donor and investor funding necessary for the training centre start-up phase and its further development. It will also provide guidelines for the effective management of the centre.

Background Information

The proposed assignment will be part of the “Support for The Establishment of Vocational Training Centre in Northern Bosnia” project. The aim of the project is to address the shortage of skilled labour in key industries in the north-east Bosnia region, thus addressing one of the main reasons for high unemployment and low productivity. By establishing a vocational training centre in the town of Gradacac the supply of adequate labour force will be addressed in three manufacturing industries with a high potential for growth, namely: metal and automotive manufacturing; wood processing and textile manufacturing. The centre will provide tailored training for workers in both basic and advanced production techniques. In the short run, this will make existing jobs more secure and mitigate the challenges associated with the need for new employees. In the long run, it will enable knowledge and technology transfers from abroad, increasing productivity and creating new high-value added jobs. The project relies on partnerships between the private and public sector to ensure long-term sustainability of the training centre. Moreover, the partnership will insist upon public-private dialogue to build more coherent and specific workforce development initiatives.

The target region of the project (North-Eastern Bosnia) encompasses Tuzla canton, Posavina canton, District Brcko and municipalities Modrica, Šamac, Derventa, Doboj, Doboj Jug, Tešanj and Teslic. Despite not being geographically congruent, these locations constitute a region based on common and integrated industrial activities concentrated in three manufacturing sectors: textile industry, wood-processing industry, and metal and automotive industry. The main objective of this project is to contribute to the creation of an enabling environment conducive to private sector growth, competitiveness, and to promote investment and employment by investing in skills and knowledge relevant to key sectors and industries of the target region. 

The project is being implemented through four activities:

  • Activity 1 – Scoping Visit;
  • Activity 2 – Training Centre Establishment;
  • Activity 3 - Technical support to the training Centre;
  • Activity 4 - Delivery of Vocational training programme in selected industries.

Under the third activity, “Technical assistance to the training centre”, the provision of technical assistance to the training centre management in preparation of business plan is foreseen.  The business plan will be used as a tool for mobilizing resources from donors and investors as well as planning instruments to manage the training centre in an efficient manner. By accounting for different scenarios, the management can better understand training centre business operations and plan specific choices of actions needed to improve them. The business plan can provide details on alternative future scenarios and set specific objectives along with resources required to achieve these goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will perform the following specific tasks:

Task 1 – Preparation of work plan and methodology

  • Prepare a workplan and methodology, following initial consultations with the project team, with detailed description of all the steps in conducting the assignment.

It is envisaged that the level of effort under Task 1 will not exceed 1 working day (The expert days specified are only indicative and will not be used for the purpose of payments. Payments will be made on the basis of a lump sum by outputs). .

Task 2 – Market assessment and analysis

  • The consultant is expected to conduct a market assessment of required vocational training and non-educational/technical services in targeted industries in North Bosnia including: metal/automotive; wood-processing; and textile. The consultant will collect primary data by reviewing various reports and publications produced by statistics agencies, international and national organizations and use the findings of the labour demand survey conducted by UNDP in North Bosnia which will serve the consultant as a source of information to quantify the size of the market in terms of required quantity of labour and type of required qualifications consequently feed in development of marketing strategy which is integral part of this business plan. The secondary data, specifically those related to operating costs incurred by trainings and other services such as electricity, raw material, machines maintenance and depreciation, personal and other related costs, will be collected through interviews of at least 10 representatives and stakeholders of key industries in the region. The list of stakeholders and enterprises will be provided by UNDP in the beginning of the assignment. Upon completion of data collection the consultant is expected to perform the following analysis including: market analysis (including potential clients), required vocational training in targeted industries, non-educational/ technical services, training and education providers in the market and pricing of the offered services, identification of product type such as open enrolment courses, company-tailored courses, professional training and retraining courses, stakeholders analysis, and quantifying required investments for the start-up and  further development of training centre and identification  of potential partners and sources of funding such as line ministries, donors etc.

It is envisaged that the level of effort under Task 2 will not exceed 15 expert days, out of which at least 5 days are to be used for field visits.

Task 3 – Preparation of business plan

Based on the above data compilation and analysis the consultant will prepare a comprehensive three-year business plan together with detailed operational plan. The business plan should comprise, but not necessarily be limited to the following parts:

  •  Detailed market research and analysis: includes methodology used, assessment of potential clients, analysis of training needs, analysis of non -educational services, training and services product types, marketing strategy including: target markets, training programmes and services pricing, and promotion and advertising
  •  Stakeholders’ analysis including potential support and sponsorship organizations, potential partners and partnership strategy and guidelines for its implementation
  • Operational plan which consists of mission, vision and objectives, background information on the training, management plan including long term and short-term positions, training centre organizational chart, and technical capacity
  • Financial plan and financial projection entails marketing expenses, operational; expenses, revenues and expenses and different scenarios of training centre operations. The financial plan and projections portion of the business plan must include a detailed budget which outlines the projected startup costs and expenses along with revenue expectations. The numbers used to build financial projections must be built on sound, realistic estimates. This portion of the plan allows training center management gain an understanding of the amount of capital needed to get the training center up and running.

The consultant is expected to submit draft business plan to UNDP for comments which s/he will incorporate in the final plan and submit it to UNDP for final approval. 

It is envisaged that the level of effort under Task 3 will not exceed 15 expert days.

The consultant will be responsible for all the logistic related to the assignment.

The consultant is expected to spend tentatively at least 10 days in the filed including North Bosnia project area of responsibilities

Deliverables and timelines

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

  • Methodology and work plan completed - 13 March, 2018;
  • Assessment and analysis completed - 2 April, 2018;
  • Prepared business plan - 18 April, 2018.

Competencies

Professionalism:

  • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 
  • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; 
  • Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
  • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Planning and Organizing:

  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments;
  • Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; uses time efficiently;
  • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Client Orientation:

  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
  • Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
  • Monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
  • Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • Advanced university degree in economics, finance, or related disciplines.

Experience: 

  • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience related to economic development;
  • At least 5 years of professional experience related to conducting market assessments and business plans development;
  • Ability to write and present in a clear and concise manner;
  • Good organizational, time management and facilitation skills.

Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Fluency in English.

Other: 

Proficiency in computer applications such as MS Word, Excel etc.

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:

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.
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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