Consultant to support the Ministry of Sports and Youth in the evaluation of the Strategy for the Development of Sport 2018-2021

UNICEF Montenegro is looking for Consultant to support the Ministry of Sports and Youth in the evaluation of the Strategy for the Development of Sport 2018-2021

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background and Context:
Sport is any physical activity – participative, casual, organized or competitive, either rule-bound or unstructured – that includes a form of active play, active recreation, or game. Sport is not restricted to nationally recognized activities, such as those with professional leagues, and equally includes indigenous games and sports. Since the year 2000, UNICEF has advocated for the role of sport, recreation and play in child development from early childhood to adolescence. During the initial stages of UNICEF’s involvement in the Sports for Development field, multiple potential benefits of sport were verified by research including better health; reduced stress and depression; improved confidence and self-esteem; improved learning and academic performance; reduced likelihood of smoking and illicit drug use; and reduced crime.
Sport is a powerful tool for involving all children – including the most marginalized and vulnerable – in group activities from an early age. UNICEF research shows that participation in sport improves children’s educational attainment and skills development including empowerment, leadership and self-esteem – contributing to their overall well-being and future prospects.
In 2012. the Government of Montenegro adopted the National Programme for the Development of Sport 2012-2016 as well as action plans for its implementation. In 2016, the Government established the Ministry of Sports – an institution with the goal of being consistently committed to improving the situation in the field of sports through normative, institutional and financial activities carried out in various segments of the sports field. One of its first activities was the Report on the Implementation of the National Programme for the Development of Sport.
The current Law on Sport was adopted by the Parliament in 2018, and later amended in November 2021. Additionally, with the Law on Sport in 2018, the Ministry developed the Strategy for the Development of Sport 2018-2021. The Strategy defines the goals and priorities of sports development and determines the organizational, administrative and other measures for their realization. The strategy contains, in particular: analysis of the situation in the field of sports; the basic principles on which the development of sports in Montenegro is based; the goals of sports development, as well as the bearers of the realization of those goals; the content and scope of activities for the realization of the set sports and development goals; and the Strategy implementation plan.
Since the current Strategy ended in 2021, a number of activities need to be taken in preparation of the development of a new strategy, including the analysis of the implementation of previous strategy, consultations with decision makers, and other key stakeholders etc.
With the Strategy expiration at the end of 2021, the Ministry of Sports and Youth agreed with UNICEF to conduct an analysis of implementation of the strategy for the period of 2018-2021 with the aim of providing a systematic insight into the implementation process and the achieved results and make recommendations for the planned development of the new Strategy.
Within the scope of this consultancy the national expert is expected to work jointly with the UNICEF office who will provide support in conducting the analysis and producing the final report that will be used by the Ministry of Sports in the process of developing a new Strategy.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of this assignment is to provide an independent analysis of the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Sports 2018-2021, with an aim to set a baseline for the development of a new Strategy. The analysis will assess the effectiveness of the implemented strategy measures taking into account the current country context and recent changes in the organization and work of institutions relevant for the implementation of the Strategy. The analysis and its findings will also be used to provide information and insights for the development of the new Strategy for Sports in Montenegro and annual work plans of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and related bodies both on national and local level in both areas of policy and sports development.

More specifically, the objectives of the analysis will be to assess:
• Progress made toward the achievement of the expected results and performance indicators defined in the current Strategy;
• Relevance of the strategy measures in the evolving context of changing socio-economic developments and realities in Montenegro;
• Effectiveness of the strategy in achieving the specific goals in the domain of sports development;
• Successful implementation of the cross- sectoral component of the Strategy and cross-sectoral enforcement of the new Strategy;
• Progress made by ministries and other state bodies in institutional capacities and resources to maintain results over time;
• Potential adjustments to the strategic measures and directions for the next strategic cycle.
The primary beneficiary of this assignment will be the Ministry of Sports and Youth and other relevant Ministries, national and local bodies with responsibilities in the domain of sport policy development and implementation. Secondary users will be the UNICEF Montenegro CO.
The findings on the implementation of the Strategy and forward-looking analysis with recommendations will include an evaluative framework to be used as a basis for the next strategy, which should include a Theory of Change, Monitoring & Evaluation framework and stakeholder analysis. This framework should be developed in a participatory and user-centered manner taking into account the insights deriving from the stakeholder analysis.
The analysis will also generate new ideas on how to strengthen the sport policy implementation in the context of recent socio-economic developments.
The main objective is to contribute to advancing the development of sport both on a competitive and recreational level, including a focus on the developmental role of sports for children and young people by providing support to relevant stakeholders in successful creation and implementation of sport policy in Montenegro.

In that regard, the consultant is expected to complete tasks further defined in the section below - “Work Assignment Overview”. Deliverables should be produced in Montenegrin. UNICEF Country Offices will organize translation and interpretation in English if deemed necessary by stakeholders involved in process.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports, Social Sciences, Education or a similar field. An advanced degree would be considered an asset.

Experience:

•           A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in sports, education, government policy and development.

•           At least 3 years of experience in research, development, monitoring and analysis in the areas of sports policy and sports development or related government policy and strategies.

•           Familiarity with the context of Montenegro in particular with sports policy, sports environment and related legislation.

•           Previous work experience with UN/UNICEF or other international organizations will be considered as an advantage.

Language:

•           Fluency in Montenegrin and English is required.

Other:

•           Public policy evaluator license is a very strong asset.

•           Excellent writing and presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills. 

•           Capacity to research, evaluate and synthesize information.

•           Ability to present data in an engaging and effective manner.

•           Ability to work with different stakeholders.

•           Demonstrates tact and a high sense of responsibility and discretion.

•           Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards.

•           Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

PLEASE NOTE: The applicants for the advertised position should provide written proof that it had previously not been involved in providing support to the relevant national body in producing the Strategy for Development of Sports 2018-2021, in order to comply with standards and maintain independent and unbiased assessment and delivery of the task.

The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices.  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. 

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

1. Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF

2. Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (PSEAA)

3. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants must complete course on General Information Security Awareness Course.

In addition to above, any consultant  who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract:

1. Fraud Awareness.

2. General Information Security Awareness Course (only for consultants with a UNICEF email address).  The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org).

Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:

 A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points:   70

1.   Technical Criteria – please select:

 Interview - 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points

•    Education: 20

•    Previous experience: 20

•    Technical questions at interview: 30

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation.

B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal - Maximum points:   30

The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal as a separate document, consisting of all-inclusive  professional fee for the services to be provided.  Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

• For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

Job applicants can disclose their disability and accommodation needs in the application form, which will be seen by the recruiter. If you are a candidate that has been shortlisted for a position at UNICEF and you need accommodation during the hiring process (namely, for a written test or a job interview) and you have not disclosed it in the applicant form, make sure you raise it with the recruiter once you are invited to an assessment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy  will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants  Consultants  are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.