Consultant for development of business plan and capacity development plan for a partner NGO

Background

NOTE: Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - http://www.ba.undp.org/content/dam/bosnia_and_herzegovina/docs/Operations/Jobs/Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.docx - to be sent to e-mail ba.shared.hr@undp.org with Subject: Job ID 90120.

The second phase of the Via Dinarica Project seeks to further economic development opportunities along Via Dinarica trails predominantly in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) but also in the region, by supporting sustainable nature-based tourism development. It is a successor of the phase I of the project entitled Via Dinarica: A Platform for Sustainable Tourism Development and Local Economic Growth, implemented during the period October 2014 - December 2017.

The project intends to advance the Via Dinarica concept as a mechanism connecting cultural, historical, and natural resources, working in partnership with relevant institutions and other stakeholders, and contributing to improved livelihoods and economic growth, particularly for rural communities along the trails in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will be achieved through the following outcomes:

(1) Via Dinarica further affirmed and sustained as a safe internationally recognized tourism brand, and(2) Via Dinarica as a tourism platform offering economic development opportunities for local communities.

The project is being implemented during the period 2018 - 2021, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of BiH, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in BiH and Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS).

Terra Dinarica, a non-governmental organization whose aim is to promote and protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Dinaric Alps, with focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, is also important actor for Via Dinarica development. This is an organization that focuses its work explicitly on the sustainable development of the Via Dinarica concept in the country, with outreach to the region. Terra Dinarica has been a partner in the implementation of the previous phase I of the Via Dinarica project and currently in the implementation of the phase II of the Via Dinarica project. This partnership in particular is related to the following project activities: assessment, inventory, mapping and identification of the main Via Dinarica trails; GPS and physical marking of the White, Green and Blue Trails; placement of accompanying signalization; assessment of tourism potentials along the trails; maintenance and upgrade of Via Dinarica web page and Outdooractive web platform , social media channels, such as: Facebook, Instagram, etc.; and promotion of Via Dinarica both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and internationally.

The purpose of this consultancy is to carry out the assessment of Terra Dinarica’s current capacities to fully undertake this task, as well as to develop a business model for its long-term sustainability, including appropriate capacity development plan.

The main objective of this consultancy is to contribute to further development and long-term sustainability of Via Dinarica initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities

Task 1: Desk Review and the Analysis of the Current CapacitiesIn order to be able to fully grasp the current capacities of Terra Dinarica the Consultant will perform the desk review of all relevant documents and assessments, including but not being limited to:

• Via Dinarica project Document,
• Terra Dinarica’s administrative, financial and operational procedures, documents related to their implementation and financial planning and management modalities,
• Reports of HACT Micro Assessment of Terra Dinarica,
• Documents produced within the overall assessment of Via Dinarica Coordination Mechanism,
• Relevant project documents with special focus on the role of Terra Dinarica as a potential Via Dinarica Support Centre.

Upon the desk review, the Consultant will conduct a one-day visit to the offices of Terra Dinarica to review relevant documents, meet with the employees of the organization and discuss the findings of the desk review with the team. The Consultant will also meet with the management bodies of the organization (President, Vice-President and Assembly members) composed of the Via Dinarica stakeholders/partners gathered around Terra Dinarica in their endeavors to support development of Via Dinarica initiative.

On the basis of the desk review and the consultations with Terra Dinarica, the Consultant will become fully aware of the management structure and the organizational capacities of Terra Dinarica, including the policies and procedures applied in their daily work. Furthermore, the Consultant will assess the human and material capacities of the organization and analyze the alignment of financial and budget management with applicable procedures. While conducting the assessment, the Consultant will particularly regard the following elements:(i) Terra Dinarica’s operational rules and procedures;(ii) Fund-raising capacities and funding sustainability plans and opportunities;(iii) Opportunities to expand the membership base according to the valid internal regulations as the means to finance the organization's operations.

In terms of logistics, UNDP will prepare and organize the visit to Terra Dinarica.The Consultant will prepare the Initial report, containing key findings based on the data collected through desk review and the consultations with Terra Dinarica.Number of days envisaged under this task: 4.

Task 2: Workshop

Based on the findings of the Task 1 the Consultant will deliver a one-day workshop to present the findings to the leadership/management bodies and employees of Terra Dinarica as well as UNDP Via Dinarica team. The presentation will be clear and thematically divided into findings for each of the analysis categories listed under Task 1 with specific focus on the concrete findings, recommendations and measures to boost current capacities and ensure long-term sustainability.During the workshop, the Consultant will define clear guidelines and conclusions regarding the cooperation model between UNDP Via Dinarica team and Terra Dinarica, and the future expectations of the NGO Terra Dinarica as a Via Dinarica Support Center.In terms of logistics UNDP will, together with NGO Terra Dinarica, prepare the workshop.The Consultant will prepare the report with a final recommendation of tasks and functions that Terra Dinarica needs to carry out in order to be able to perform the role of the Via Dinarica Support Center.Number of days envisaged under this task: 1.

Task 3: Develop a Business plan Based on the inputs from Tasks 1 and 2, the Consultant will create a plan that will contain operational and financial measures that should enable the long-term sustainable functioning and efficiency of the organization in all segments of work. Particularly, the plan should provide for the establishment of Via Dinarica Support Center within the NGO Terra Dinarica as a part of the Via Dinarica Coordination Mechanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Within the Business plan, the Consultant will:(i) Define operational plan (business model for the functioning of the organization);(ii) Define marketing plan;(iii) Define financial plan, including income generation activities and cash flow projection 2020 -2023;(iv) Redefine the existing capacity development plan of the organization (available as an Annex to the Responsible Party Agreement - RPA - signed between UNDP and Terra Dinarica).

Number of days envisaged under this task: 5.

Deliverables/outputs

#	Deliverables / outputs	No of days per task	Due date	Percentage
1	Initial report with all the information collected during the implementation of Task 1 will be prepared and submitted to UNDP.	4 days	20 March 2020	40%
2	A one-day workshop designed on the basis of the assessment conducted within the Task 1, will be delivered, in a form of presentation and interactive discussions with the management and employees of NGO Terra Dinarica and UNDP Via Dinarica team. The Report on findings and related proposal and recommendations will be prepared and submitted to UNDP.	1 day	30 March 2020	10%
3	Based on the information collected during the Tasks 1 and 2, the Consultant will prepare a Business plan for sustainable functioning of NGO Terra Dinarica. This plan must be approved by the Via Dinarica Project team.	5 days	20 April 2020	50%
	TOTAL	10 days		100%

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
• Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives.

 People Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior;
• Respects individual/cultural /gender differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Partnering and Networking:

• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously.

Results-Orientation:

• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• In-depth knowledge of business and development issues;
• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of communications issues and production of various communications products;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up to date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finances, public administration, business studies, EU studies or related field.

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in business planning, capacity development or delivery of technical assistance to private, public and/or NGO sector in programming and budgeting;
• Sound knowledge of the NGO sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills;
• Previous experience in tourism is an asset.

Languages Requirements

• Excellent presentation writing, editing, and oral communication skills in the official languages of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Proficiency in English language.

Other Requirements

• Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource;
• Familiarity with UN system and the UNDP rules, procedures and regulations would be advantage.

Long/Shortlisting Criteria

Criteria	Points
Relevant Education (Bachelor’s degree in business planning, economics, marketing, EU studies or related field)	Max 10 points (8 points allocated for MSc/MA, - up to 2 points for PhD)
Relevant professional experience (At least 4 years)	Max 10 points

 

Criteria	Weight	Max. Points
Rating based on Shortlisting Criteria	20%	20
At least 7 years of experience in business planning, capacity development or delivery of technical assistance to private, public and/or NGO sector in programming and budgeting;	15%	15
Sound knowledge of the NGO sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina;	10%	10
Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills	10%	10
Relevance and quality of submitted methodology;	15%	15
Financial (30%)	30%	30
TOTAL	100%	100

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When 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%

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work,

2. Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 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.