National, individual consultant provide support in implementation of Dialogue for the Future (DFF) and Regional Youth Cooperation Office for Western Balkans (RYCO) projects

UNICEF Montenegro is seeking for national an individual consultant for support of implementation of Dialogue for the Future (DFF) and Regional Youth Cooperation Office for Western Balkans (RYCO) projects.

1. BACKGROUND

Based on a request from the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Presidency, the "Dialogue for the Future (DFF)" joint initiative established a set of peacebuilding standards, networks and tools around the country during 2014-2019, creating a space for cross-cutting dialogue, reconciliation and building of trust. Following the DFF Programme outcomes, the BiH Presidency requested the UN Secretary-General for a subsequent round of DFF interventions in BiH, while also expanding to the Sub-Region (BiH, Montenegro, Serbia). Regional programme Fostering dialogue and social cohesion in and between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Montenegro and Serbia (Dialogue for the Future) will be jointly implemented by UNICEF, UNDP and UNESCO over the course of 18 months and will involve national partners and UN in BiH, Montenegro and Serbia. UNICEF Montenegro's activities will be focusing on amplifying the voice of youth and adolescents, providing spaces for dialogue and continued interaction between different groups at the local and national levels, building their skills and trying to help them realize that solving problems affecting them all requires working together and building on the strengths of diversity.

At the same time, the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, through the UN family in Albania, will be entering into a partnership with RYCO (Regional Youth Cooperation Office for Western Balkans). The UN - notably UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA - will use their offices across the Western Balkans six to expand the reach and capacities of RYCO and its partners. The project will be implemented across the Western Balkans for a period of 18 months, with multiple activities focusing on youth and adolescents in the region.

Due to this, continuous coordination between UNICEF and RYCO is needed in Montenegro both in order to avoid overlap between these two initiatives, but also to capitalise on potential synergies between project activities. This includes prospective baseline/endline studies, skills-building activities, grant programmes etc. Furthermore, support to RYCO activities in which UNICEF had previous experience will provide quality assurance and allow for initiatives from both projects to better complement one another.

4. ACTIVITIES AND TASKS
The following tasks need to be accomplished:

• Provide assistance to UNICEF Adolescent Development Officer and RYCO LBO Head and support daily coordination of project activities from the DFF and RYCO/UN Albania projects;
• Keep track and prepare reports (if required) of activities in both projects including, but not limited to, locations, timelines, intervention types and audiences and provide guidance where necessary; Support implementation of RYCO’s programme and administrative activities, focusing particularly on the effective management of grant schemes;
• Get acquainted with different regulatory and reporting requirements of the various projects
• Keep up to date with project activities and developments;
• Monitor the implementation of supported grants and projects as required;
• On a regular base meet with relevant project partners, and be available to provide technical assistance, expert advice, feedback with regard to different aspects of project implementation;
• Provide assistance in the preparation of monthly and/or annual and periodic reports to both the UNICEF supervisor and RYCO Head Office for programmatic, financial and administrative aspects of the project activities. They also organize the archiving of financial, administrative and programme documentation in line with described procedures;
• Reflect the expertise and services provided, as well as advancements and challenges observed into monthly progress reports;

5. KEY DELIVAREBLES AND TIMEFRAME

The consultant will be engaged for 10 months within the period from September 9^th, 2019 until July 9^th, 2020.

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Montenegro Adolescent Development Officer, and in close cooperation with RYCO staff, the consultant will undertake the following:

• Provide mapping of all DFF and RYCO/UN Albania project activities and indicate potential issues / opportunities for cooperation (by December 2019);
• Provide grant management support for active and new projects (ongoing);
• Provide monthly reports on activities to UNICEF supervisor (ongoing, each month);
• Prepare a final report on activities completed / lessons learned at the end of the contract (July 2020).

6. MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION

Management: The Contractor will be supervised by the UNICEF Adolescent Development Officer.

Organization: National, individual consultancy is required for this consultancy. The consultancy assignment is office based.

Schedule: This assignment will commence by 9^th September 2019 and end on 9^th July 2020.

Payment schedule: Payment will be on a monthly schedule, upon submission of monthly progress report and invoice. The report should be submitted to UNICEF supervisor and cover reflection of the expertise and services provided, as well as advancements and challenges observed.

UNICEF recourse in the case of unsatisfactory performance: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

7. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher education.
• Degree in Economics, Political Science or Law would be considered as an asset.

 Experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant working experience;
• Previous experience in office administration responsibilities and procedures, project cycle management, financial and administrative management would be an asset;
• Experience in working with UN/UNICEF or other international organizations will be considered as an advantage;

Language:

• Proficient command of English and Montenegrin is required

Other:

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience and ability to work in intercultural environments.
• Ability to simultaneously work on multiple projects / tasks.
• Time management skills and the ability to prioritize work.
• A creative mind with an ability to suggest improvements.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

8. APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• To apply for a vacant position, please submit CV and P-11 form;
• The candidates are requested to submit a financial offer as a separate document consisting of breakdown of the applicable costs for the whole period. 

9. SELECTION METHOD

The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:

A) Technical evaluation - Maximum points:  70

Technical evaluation will be conducted based on a interview with the shortlisted candidates;

B) Financial proposal (Budget) - Maximum points: 30

• Technical proposal evaluation.   Proposals passing   the minimum   technical    pass score (49 points-70% of the maximum points obtainable for technical proposal) will continue    into the Financial proposal evaluation.
• Financial proposal evaluation.  The lowest price proposal will   be awarded the full score.
• Recommendation.   The recommendation   for award   of contract   will   be based on best combination   of technical and financial score.

10. REMARKS:

1. Upon conducting the recruitment process, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses prior to signature of contract.  All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.

• Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority
• Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Before commencement of any travel, the Consultant will be required to complete the following course on behalf of UNICEF. 

• BSAFE security training       

The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link:  UNICEF Mandatory Training/Learning Courses .

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process;