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National Individual Consultant on Civil Society Organizations Research for Donetsk oblast, Government Controlled Area

Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Political Affairs
    • Democratic Governance
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Scientist and Researcher
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

I. CONTEXT

Objective

The Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) addresses priority needs in eastern Ukraine following the conflict that erupted in the spring of 2014. The Programme’s overall objective of the action is to contribute to peace, economic revitalization and reconciliation in Eastern Ukraine through social and economic recovery, with special focus on Government Controlled Areas (GCAs) of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

According to the programme’s vision, planned activities should, among other, empower women and men to participate in decision-making and enjoy human rights, gender equality, effective, transparent and non-discriminatory public services to enhance social cohesion and reconciliation through implementing of civic initiatives.

Background

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the Government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015.

UNDP has been active and present in eastern Ukraine for the past decade, prior to the conflict, with a focus on community development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on addressing the specific conflict-related development challenges discussed above built on this earlier engagement and established partnerships and started in 2015 through the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP), a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with a number of partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA).

The RPP was designed to respond to and mitigate the causes and effects of the conflict. It is based on findings of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPA) and is aligned to the State Target Programme for Recovery as well as to the two oblast development strategies up to 2020. The RPP involves three pillars for action: 1) restoration of infrastructure and economic recovery; 2) support to local governance and related capacity building; and 3) social resilience and peacebuilding. It is an integral component of the UNDP Country Programme and is therefore fully aligned with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF) It is closely interlinked with the Democratic Governance and Reform Programme, operating nationally and in all of Ukraine’s regions and is consistent with the SDGs, in particular SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong institutions).

As an area-based programme specifically developed for the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine, the RPP addresses the key stabilization, peacebuilding, economic and governance priority needs in eastern Ukraine following the start of the conflict. It takes into account the opportunities that have arisen from the Minsk Protocol of September 2014 and the renewal of its cease-fire provisions (the latest cease-fire having been agreed in March 2018) and is also fully adjusted to the humanitarian-development nexus.

The Programme’s interventions are grouped under the following key Programme components, which reflect the region’s priority needs:

Component 1: Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure

Component 2: Local Governance and Decentralization Reform

Component 3: Community Security and Social Cohesion.

The Programme, which operates on the basis of a pooled funding arrangement, follows a multi-sectoral programme-based approach and is implemented using an area-based methodology. With the current project, it is a unifying interventions framework for 16 projects funded by 10 international partners.

In October 2018, four UN agencies (UNDP, UN Women, FAO and the UNFPA) have countersigned a new joint project document, funded by the European Union. The overall objective of the project is to restore effective governance and promote reconciliation in crisis-affected communities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine thereby enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of local governments in the government-controlled areas of the regions. It will contribute to peace-building and the prevention of further conflict in Ukraine through effective and accountable decentralization, gender-responsive recovery planning and equal access to services, as well as enhanced community security and social cohesion.

This endeavor will be achieved through pursuit of the following specific objectives:

1.          Improved regional and local government capacity in recovery planning and service delivery, that is gender-responsive, participatory and in line with decentralization and local government reform agenda.

2.          Enhanced community security for people in conflict-affected areas, with a focus on IDPs and host communities. 

3.          Social cohesion restored and strengthened between local authorities and communities, including IDPs.

4.          Enhanced capacity of gender equality advocates and women affected by conflict to demand accountability and transparency on local decision-making and spending 

As one of the most important strategies for strengthening the participation of men and women in decision making in target hromadas is supporting local non-governmental organizations (NGO). Regardless the fact that NGOs are relatively new component of Ukrainian civil society, their role in community-based development is very important because they are intricately connected to external actors and potentially capable of participating in policy processes. Increasing the role of NGOs in regional policy making and protecting rights of vulnerable groups should make the enjoyment of human rights tangible and relevant for the individual. The effective cooperation with public sector and local authorities should reduce tensions within and between communities, and as such should diminish the risk of further conflicts, thus reinforce personal and community security. In turn, this should reinforce the protection of human rights and generate further trust in the state in a kind of virtuous circle.

While the influence of civil-society organizations on the political sphere arguably represents one aspect of Europeanisation, the political role NGOs can play in Eastern Ukraine still cannot reveal its full potential. The main obstacles faced by NGOs are low organizational capacities, the low level of education and public activity, inability to build sustainable partnerships and the lack of motivation. Successful integration of local civil society organization in policy making requires actions towards strengthening their organizational potential, which in turn requires developing of comprehensive CSOs profile of the region that represents their overall organizational development index and indicates the structure of their needs and capacities to create the foundation of UNDP intervention and indicate the baseline for the further assessment of its efficiency.

To develop and implement the research of the civil society sector of RPP target communities, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of the National Individual Consultant on Civil Society Organizations Research.

Duties and Responsibilities

II. MAIN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The main goal the current assignment is to provide structured analytical review of non-governmental organizations, registered and acting in those localities of Donetsk oblast where UNDP plans activities on social cohesion and community security (namely Dobropillia, Sartana, Krasnohorivka, Velyka Novosilka, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Slovyansk, Svitlodarsk, Siversk, Soledar, Novhorodske, Volnovakha, Manhush, Vuhledar, Druzhkivka), including:

1: Development of the methodology (including the questionnaire) for NGO sector screening (overall assessment of all registered public organizations activity level, areas of priority actions carried out by NGOs during the last year and current educational / training needs) including data collecting, scoring and rating methodology.

2: Development of the methodology (including the questionnaire) for complex analytical assessment of organizational capacity (in its strategical, financial, cooperation, advocacy and human resource aspects) of selected organizations, including data collecting, scoring and rating methodology.  

3: Conducting and aggregation of results of (a) NGO screening and (b) Complex analytical assessment of organizational capacity and needs of selected civil society organizations that are implementing (regardless the source of budgeting) activities on strengthening community security and social cohesion

4: Preparing the analytical reviews summarizing the results of (a) Donetsk oblast non-governmental organizations screening and (b) Complex assessment of at least 20 selected organizations in 15 target communities with findings received, overall rating and recommendations on strengthening of organizational capacities of local civil society organizations and improvement of their partnership potential. 

III. SCOPE OF WORK AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Within the period from February 2019 to  April 2019, the Consultant should implement the following activities approved by the UNDP:

  1. Development of the methodology (including the questionnaire) for NGO sector screening (overall assessment of all registered public organizations activity level, areas of priority actions carried out by NGOs during the last year and current educational / training needs) including data collecting, scoring and rating methodology
    1. The screening questionnaire should cover general information on organization including but not limited to areas of priority action, projects activities conducted during the last year (including information on donors), amount of funds leveraged, political involvement. The methodology should be approved by and transferred to UNDP for further use.
    2. In coordination with Community Mobilization team, collect information on all CSOs and/or initiative groups registered in target hromadas.

Estimated implementation period: 2 weeks from the beginning of the assignment.

2. Development of the methodology for complex analytical assessment of organizational capacity, educational / training needs, including the questionnaire, data collecting, scoring and rating methodology:

  1. to define a number of respondents needed for getting most accurate results of this research based on particular number of population, its gender and age composition in each target hromada;
  2. Drafting of the questioner should include but not limited to the following information array:
  • General registration data on CSOs divided by sub regions, including directions of activities and main beneficiaries
  • Structured data on CSO organizational development level, including strategic and tactical planning, internal organizational procedures, volunteers engagement, fundraising, and budgeting policy
  • Data on the level of partnership building, including information on cooperation with other NGOs, local/regional authorities, international organizations, business structures, local media;
  • Information on NGO’s program activities and the level of project management system, reporting procedures, ethics and integrity policy;
  • Information on vulnerable groups rights protection, advocacy and media activities;
  • Information on NGO’s current organizational, educational and informational needs. 

Estimated implementation period: 2 weeks from the beginning of the assignment.

3.  Conducting and aggregation of results of (a) GO screening and (b) Complex analytical assessment of organizational capacity and needs of selected civil society organizations that are implementing (regardless the source of budgeting) activities on strengthening community security and social cohesion

  1. Aggregated results of public organizations screening should be prepared by the end of the first month of the assignment and transferred to UNDP.
  2. Public organizations for in-depth assessment should be selected in coordination with Project’s community mobilizers and target hromadas focal points. The methodology of data collecting should provide the possibility for on-line and off-line form filling.
  3. The overall rating of public organizations based on the criteria mentioned in paragraph 2.2.

Estimated implementation period: 8 weeks from prior task completion

4. Preparing the analytical review.

  1. Summarizing the results of complex assessment of selected organizations with (a) findings received, (b) overall rating based on the criteria mentioned in paragraph 2.2.and (c) recommendations on strengthening of organizational capacities of local civil society organizations and improvement of their partnership potential
  2. On the basis of data collected, designing the analytical reports including text and drawing components with findings made and recommendations on improvement

Estimated implementation period: 2 weeks from prior task completion

IV.  DELIVERABLES

#

Deliverables

Anticipated date of completion

1.

Development of regional public organizations screening methodology

up to 2 weeks from contract starting day

2.

Development of the methodology (including the questionnaire) for complex analytical assessment of organizational capacity of selected organizations.

3.

Conducting and aggregation of results NGO screening and Complex analytical assessment of organizational capacity and needs of selected civil society organizations

Preparing the analytical reviews summarizing the results of (a) Donetsk oblast non-governmental organizations screening and (b) Complex assessment of selected organizations with findings received, overall rating and recommendations on strengthening of organizational capacities of local civil society organizations and improvement of their partnership potential. 

up to 3 months from contract starting day

V. MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of Community Security and Social Cohesion Component Lead of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme.

The Consultant should adhere to the system of monitoring, evaluation and quality control implemented by the UNDP and provide the necessary information, reports and statistics according to the preset schedule or as soon as possible (within a reasonable time).For all work completed Consultant shall submit to UNDP a technical sociological report and analytical report on recommendations, which include a brief description of the work performed and results.

All reports and studies UNDP shall be transmitted electronically (Formats of: * .docx, * .xlsx, * .pptx,  * .pdf) on electronic source or in the form of electronic communication with the attached final product, which is also accompanied by an official letter in paper version of the Consultant about the data transmission of products to the UNDP. The studies/research should be written in Ukrainian.

VI. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE 

UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in two tranches. First tranche (50%) will be paid upon Deliverables 1 and 2 completion. Second tranche (50 %) will be paid upon completion of Deliverable 3.

Both installments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of corresponding contractual obligations whereupon the Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist signs the certification of acceptance.

Competencies

VII. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

  1. Master’s degree or equivalent in sociology, international relations, political science or a related field; completed Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant working experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree;
  2. Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience including practical experience in the field of sociological study and research is required; 
  3. Experience in community-based development or related area and/or experience with civil society institutions
  4. Familiarity or previous experience in public organizations training and development would be a strong asset;
  5. Previous experience with a multilateral or international technical assistance would be an asset;
  6. Professional fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, both written and oral.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies and using different social research techniques
  • Solid analytical and presentation skills;
  • Strong ability to lead and facilitate complex discussions and arrive at conclusions.

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong understanding of civil society organizational development issues and related subjects;
  • Ability to organize and interpret data and present findings in both oral and written form;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Ability to meet deadlines in a timely fashion;
  • Strong research and analysis abilities;
  • Ability to translate strategic thinking and innovative ideas into practical operational recommendations.

Required Skills and Experience

VIII. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

Personal CV or UNDP P11 form, including information about previous experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees.

2 examples of the methodologies and survey reports developed/prepared by the candidate (please note, examples will be requested for provision on later stage of evaluation, by direct email to each candidate).

Financial proposal

A brief prospective methodology description of on how they will approach and complete the assignment

IX. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

 Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).  

The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment.

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs should be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

X. EVALUATION CRITERIA

 UNDP will use a two-stage procedure for evaluating applications with an evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposals are compared. The technical part will be evaluated on the basis of its relevance to the Terms of Reference. The following criteria will be rated as indicated below:

  1. Master’s degree or equivalent in sociology, international relations, political science or a related field; completed Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant working experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree ­­- 15 points max: Master’s degree – 13 points, PhD or similar – 15 points ;
  2. Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience including practical experience in the field of sociological research  - 25 points max:  3 years – 17 points, 4 years - 20 points, 5 years and more – 25 points .
  3. Minimum 3 years of experience in community based development or related area and/or experience with civil society institutions - 20 points max:  3 years -13 points, 4 years – 15 points, 5 years – 20 points .
  4. Familiarity or previous experience in public organizations training and development – 2 points max: No experience – 0 points; Proven experience in the field - 2 points.
  5. Previous experience with a multilateral or international technical assistance - 2 points max:  No experience - 0 points, Proven corresponding experience - 2 points.
  6. Professional fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, both written and oral - 6 points max: Fluency in Ukrainian or Russian – 0 points; Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian – 6 points.

XI. EVALUATION METHOD

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative 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 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
This vacancy is now closed.
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