National Consultant for NDS 2021 – Good Governance (Participation, Institutions and Political Voice)

Background

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with offices in 180 countries. Globally, the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion each year. The UNDP office in Skopje employs a team of over 70 and currently manages a portfolio of projects in social inclusion, environmental protection and good governance worth USD 15 million per year.

In early 2021 the national institutions in North Macedonia started the preparations to formulate 2021-2041 National Development Strategy (hereinafter: NDS), supported by a project implemented by the UNDP in coordination with UN Resident Coordination Office (RCO) North Macedonia. UK GGF funding was secured to prepare a methodology for the process, the background baseline data and assessment of strategic documents and processes, proposals for the institutional structure to manage and implement the project, as well as the communications and engagement strategy. All these products and processes were finalized in the first phase of the NDS process completed by the end of July 2021.

The Phase II marks the actual process of formulating the NDS, supported by a governance structure in charge of monitoring of the implementation, embedding the NDS priorities within the national strategic plans and the future planning documents, and leveraging the EU accession reforms and Agenda2030 for sustainable development. The objective of the Project is to support the key national stakeholders to formulate and potentially roll-out the North Macedonia National Development Strategy for the period 2021-2041 and embed an inclusive system for implementation and monitoring of the NDS within the national administrative framework.

National institutions, as the stakeholders in the NDS process, will be the principal beneficiary of the expert support engaged for the analysis of the baseline data in each of the NDS thematic areas and the final outline of the NDS that integrates inputs from the stakeholders.  Baseline data needs to be prepared and presented in such a way that enables the wider public to understand the current situation and the consequences of not taking action. Data collection is not just a one-time activity at the beginning of the process, but an ongoing process to ensure timely, accurate and comparable information in support of the vision and the strategic goals agreed within the NDS. During these processes, close coordination will be maintained with the main institutions responsible for the NDS, including the data holders, as well as wider public (including civil society, business sector, academia, general public including vulnerable and marginalized groups).

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant should mainstream good governance (participation, institutions and political voice) as cross cutting issue in 16 thematic baselines for development of the NDS 2021-41

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall coordination of the Team Leader (Leading National Consultant), and in cooperation with the team of national experts and relevant national institutions the consultant will:

Get familiarized with the methodology for developing the NDS prepared in the first phase of this project
Conduct desk review of all relevant documentation in the cross cutting respective thematic area –  good governance (participation, institutions and political voice)
Mainstream good governance aspects (participation, institutions and political voice) into NDS thematic baselines
1. Get familiarized with the methodology for developing the NDS prepared in the first phase of this project by:

Conducting a desk review of all relevant documentation and materials prepared in the first phase of the process (Methodological approach and institutional structure, mapping of strategies and stakeholders etc.)
Participating in the trainings on the methodological approach designed for the process of preparation of the NDS 2021 – 2041.
2. Conduct desk review of all relevant documentation in the cross-cutting area –good governance (participation, institutions and political voice) by:

Reviewing relevant strategies, multiannual and annual programmes and plans with valid duration to map the strategic goals, key measures and activities that may have distinctive impact on the future NDS.
3. Mainstream good governance aspects (participation, institutions and political voice)  into NDS thematic baselines by:

Reflect good governance aspects (participation, institutions and political voice)  in each NDS thematic baseline (16 thematic baselines  in total).

Cross-checking key findings and recommendations with the wider group of stakeholders (quadruple helix structure) before finalizing the thematic inputs.

Note: During this assignment, the consultant will ensure to apply:

Evidence-based approach, the highest standard of work and timely deliverables at every stage of this assignment.
Clarity of objectives and process during different types of consultations, including countercheck of all facts and figures;
The work will be considered final only after it is approved by the UNDP.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES:

The consultancy is expected to deliver the following outputs:

Deliverables
% of full contract amount
Tentative date
1. Thematic inputs, defined baseline data and identified data gaps
40 %
10.02.2022
2. Mainstream good governance aspects (participation, institutions and political voice)  into NDS thematic baselines.
60 %
25.03.2022

Payment schedule

The payment will be done on lump-sum basis, upon successful completion of deliverables in three instalments:

First payment: 40 % of the total amount after successful submission of deliverable 1;
Second and final payment: 60% of the total amount after successful submission of deliverables 2.

Institutional arrangements

The consultants will be coordinated and supported by a Team Leader (leading national consultant) working under direct supervision by the Project Manager, under the overall guidance of the Programme Officer/Head of Democratic Governance Unit and in a team of experts. They will be in regular communication with the Team Leader and the coordinator through e-mail and will provide regular progress reports on weekly basis. All communication and documents will need to be prepared in Macedonian language. The final narrative report will need to be prepared in English language. All prepared materials will be property of UNDP.

In course of performing his/her job, the consultants will need to work with the established project structure for the NDS development process. The UNDP office will assist with scheduling the meetings.

Duration of the assignment

The duration of the Consultant’ is estimated 25 working days in the period January 2022 to March 2022. 

Duty station and travel

The duty station will be home based with travel in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia and planning regions. All expenses related to travel of the consultant should be included in her/his offer.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, teamwork ability.
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.
Good time management, meeting deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: MA degree or higher in sectors relevant to the project (e.g., social science, law, business, economics, or similar sector appropriate to this position).

Experience:

Minimum two years’ experience in preparation of strategic, programming and planning documents as well as analytical studies in the relevant sector;
Minimum of one analysis/baseline/planning document in the relevant sector in the past five years;          
Demonstrated experience in working with government institutions is an asset
Language skills:

Excellent language proficiency in both written and oral English.