Trainer of Trainers for Facilitating Citizens Fora in MZs

Background

NOTE: Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and availability - https://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 99416.

Communities/Mjesne zajednice in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project, Phase 2 jointly financed by the Government of Switzerland and the Government of Sweden. The overall goal of the second Project phase is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina through empowered, gender responsive local communities (MZs) that facilitate active citizen engagement in public life, stand for people-centered performance of local governments and catalyze democratic transformation at the local level. The Project's implementing strategy is empowerment of local communities, with changes envisaged at system level (improvement of the local government (LG) regulatory framework, rulebooks and practices, emerging policy and regulatory changes at the higher level) and behavioural change (change in attitude, perceptions within communities; change in traditional gender roles and stereotyping, critical thinking community representatives, pro-active engagement in local public life, use of technologies for socially constructive purposes, restoration of trust in government and hope that change is positive). A combination of these transformations is a pre-requisite for durable changes once MZs become agents of local change. In doing so, the Project places MZs and their communities at the centre of its work, while also relying on a broad range of relevant stakeholders to sustain and expand Project results and increase democratic accountability.

The key Project stakeholders are the following 41 LGs: Banja Luka, Bihac, Bijeljina, Brcko distrikt, Breza, Centar Sarajevo, Citluk, Doboj, Goražde, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Ilijaš, Jablanica, Kljuc, Kotor Varoš, Laktaši, Ljubinje, Ljubuški, Maglaj, Modrica, Mrkonjic Grad, Nevesinje, Olovo, Pale FBiH, Petrovo, Rogatica, Rudo, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic, Trebinje, Trnovo, Višegrad, Visoko, Vitez, Vlasenica, Vogošca, Zavidovici, Zenica, Žepce.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to design and deliver the Comprehensive Training Programme on how to facilitate citizens fora (forum gradana) in Local Communities (MZs), equipping representatives from LGs/MZs with knowledge and tools on this subject matter.

Objective of the Consultancy

The main objective of the consultancy will be to deliver training of trainers to MZs/LGs representatives within 41 partner LGs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The service should enable trainees to be able to moderate/facilitate MZ forums, as well as to be able to provide transfer of knowledge to other MZ representatives in their LGs.

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy contributes to achieving the second project outcome which foresees the MZs’  participation in the decision-making processes at the LG level, with aim to detect problems and priorities within their communities and to raise them with relevant instances, primarily LGs.

In this context, the scope of work for this consultancy will target MZ representatives that will be enabled to support facilitation during forums and to skilfully guide the process from detection of problems to proposing the solutions. Furthermore, the trainees should be enabled to transfer received knowledge to other representatives of MZs (MZ councils) and even outside their communities. This will become a significant segment in the process of planning priorities on MZ level in LGs. 

During the first project phase, the Project developed tailor made, training curricula for ToT training, including the Guidelines for organisation of on-line forums during the pandemic crisis in 2020, and the trainings were delivered to selected MZs within partner LGs. In the second project phase the training will be delivered to a couple of representatives from 199 MZs in 41 partner LGs, in addition to a LG coordinators for MZ project for each of 41 LG (up to 439 trainees in total). 18 of these 41 LGs are newly selected, while 23 have already participated in the first project phase and although some of them received the training, there have been staff changes which caused a need to repeat the training for relevant MZ and LG representatives. 

In light of the above as well as current situation with the pandemic and restrictions in place, the Consultant will have to adjust the training programme in order to meet the increased number of training recipients, to reduce the number of days foreseen for the delivery of training (from 2 days to 1 day per training), and to adjust training material so that it is focused on the practical implementation of citizen fora.

It is very important to deliver the training with the same methodological approach to succeed same level of knowledge among representatives of newly selected councils of MZs. Also, the Consultant will create training schedule in a way to be able to organise training session on-line, if required due to epidemiological situation and as alternative to in person training. 

More specifically, the Consultant/s will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Review existing training material and propose adjustments:

The Consultant will review the existing comprehensive training programme developed during the first project phase and complement it with practical examples and work on the implementation of citizen fora. Concretely, the Consultant will carefully review the report and handbook produced during the first project phase, become familiar with challenges and lessons learned, and adjust the training curricula so that it can be delivered in 1 day instead of 2 days, without losing on its substance, but becoming more instructive in terms of concrete examples and preparing for real life situations. The reviewed training material and proposed delivery plan will be approved by UNDP.

Estimated level of effort for this task is 2 consultancy days.

Task 2: Provide TOT on facilitation skills to selected representatives of MZs closely working with LGs:

As part of this task the Consultant will:

• Deliver 21 ToT trainings on facilitation skills for LG and MZ representatives in 41 LGs throughout BiH (one full day session for a group of 2, or exceptionally, 3 neighbouring LGs). Groups of trainees will be formed based on proximity of locations with maximum of up to 23 participants per each training. The number of participants might be alternated up to small extent. Trainings should take place during June-July 2021. Provide all required training materials.
• Conduct post training assessment of the acquired skills to ensure that the trained MZ and LG facilitators are fully equipped to carry out similar facilitation processes independently in MZs, as well as to transfer knowledge to members of MZ councils and if required other MZ representatives in their LGs. 

Expected level of effort for this task is up to 21 consultancy days.

Task 3: Prepare report from delivered trainings in line with format provided by UNDP/MZ project

Upon conclusion of all tasks, selected consultant will be obliged to prepare a comprehensive report on complete engagement with practical recommendations for project.

Expected level of effort for this task is up to 3 days.

The Consultant is responsible to provide ToT on Facilitation skills to selected MZ and LG representatives.

All logistical and organisational work prior to and during the training will be done by the MZ Project.

Following the training delivery, the Consultant will prepare a final report (using standardised format provided by Project Team) on the training delivery, to include total number of participants per training; main observations, analyse on pre/post-tests, as well as overall participants evaluation of the training. It is envisaged that the level of overall effort will not exceed 26 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs

#	Deliverables / Outputs	# of Days per Task	Due Date	Percentage
1.	Task 1: Training agenda and materials adjusted and approved by UNDP, training delivery plan adopted by UNDP.	2	By the beginning of June 2021	8%
2.	Task 2: 21 ToT trainings on facilitation skills to selected representatives of MZ/LGs delivered.	21	June-July 2021	81%
3.	Task 3: Final report delivered and approved by UNDP.	3	By the end of July 2021	11%

 

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 competences:

• 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;
• Teamwork: 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.
• Strong analytical and reporting abilities; Excellent organizational and facilitation skills; Excellent public presentation and moderation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• University degree in public administration, economics, law, political sciences, social sciences or related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in delivering trainings and trainings of trainers (ToT) in skills of facilitation, moderation, etc. in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Previous concrete work at MZ level in the country is considered a unique asset;
• Proven skills and previous experience in facilitation of public consultative policy development processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, engaging a diverse set of public, non-governmental and civic participants;
• Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
• Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize and write concisely and clearly
• Facilitators’ certificate will be considered as asset.
• Excellent expertise in the area of adult learning.
• Excellent communication and group-facilitation skills.

Languages Requirements:

• Fluency in languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (excellent writing, editing and communication skills). Fluency in English is an asset.

Other Requirements:

• Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Criteria:	Points
University degree in public administration, economics, law, political sciences, social sciences, or related field.	max 50 points
Relevant experience in delivering trainings and trainings of trainers (ToT) in skills of facilitation, moderation, etc. in Bosnia and Herzegovina;	max 50 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 80 points would be considered for Technical Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria:	Points
Qualification Score	30%
Previous concrete work at MZ level in the country is considered a unique asset. Previous delivery of the similar training and knowledge on forum facilitation is considered a unique asset. Proven skills and previous experience in facilitation of public consultative policy development processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, engaging a diverse set of public, non-governmental and civic participants. Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders. Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize and write concisely and clearly.	50%
Facilitators’ certificate will be considered as an asset.                                                   Proven expertise in the area of adult learning.	20%

Evaluation

Individual  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 candidate 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 candidated must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Methodology for the implementation of ToT training sessions with topics to be covered and approach of work (preferably in English);

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.