International Expert for Leading the Development of Draft Circular Economy Strategy with Action Plan for 2023-2024

Background

Circular economy advocates keeping products, components and materials at their highest utilities and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles. Also, those resources need to be kept in the system for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them while in use and then recovering and transforming products and materials to a new product at the end of their service life. The economic rationale for moving towards a circular economy is strong, as it increases the resilience of value chains and secures supply stability. Now a high-traction topic among policy-makers, business leaders and thinkers across the economy, circular economy thinking has begun to drive the development of circular business models in a variety of industries and in local governments.

The first analysis regarding the circular economy in Montenegro was done in 2014 by the UNDP (United Nation Development Program) in the document: Resource efficiency and sustainable human development. An analysis of national policies concludes that the concept of a circular economy is far from being implemented in Montenegro, and that the efficient use of resources has not been directly integrated into Montenegrin policies and regulations. However, there are some positive developments: issues such as stimulation of innovations and productivity, mitigation of the impacts of economic growth, sustainable management of natural resources and governance improvements are integrated into National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS).

The National Strategy for Sustainable Development by 2030, which fully transposed the UN Agenda 2030, recognized the importance of the transition to the circular economy. One of the main goals of this Strategic document is to “improve waste management applying the circular economy-based approaches” as a number one priority.

To support the transition to a more circular economy in Montenegro, contributing thus to reducing pressure on the environment, enhancing security of supply of raw materials, increasing competitiveness, innovation and growth, and creation of jobs, an active participant of all relevant stakeholders in the country, the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro in the partnership with the United Nations Development Programme office in Montenegro, developed the national Circular Economy Roadmap.

Within the project, we aim to design a Circular Economy Strategy that builds a clear vision, defines goals, align targets and priorities, allocates funds and can help to overcome the fragmentation of existing and future initiatives beyond political cycles. The Strategy will include the Action Plan for 2023-2024.

A successful transformation to a circular economy could help Montenegro to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement targets, the ambitions of the European Green Deal. In accordance with Montenegrin Government`s Development Plans, economic recovery will be based on new postulates of innovations, digitalization and green economy.

When drafting the strategy, the requirements of the Decree on the manner and procedure of drafting, harmonizing and monitoring the implementation of strategic documents (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No. 54/18), as well as the accompanying Methodologies for policy development, drafting and monitoring the implementation of strategic documents must be taken into account.

In addition, special attention must be paid to the relationship between the strategic document and the current strategic framework in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the assignment

The International Technical Expert (further in the text – ITE) will provide an overall counselling and direction to the national institutions recognized as main stakeholders and beneficiaries and established working group for fostering green transition that will work on the Circular Economy strategy development with the focus on Action Plan for 2023-2024.

The ITE is responsible for:

Development of the concept of the strategy creation process & orchestration of stakeholders involved in the process, fostering system thinking to ensure policy coherence across different sectors such as waste, water, energy and transport, to maximise synergies and ensure a coherent set of incentives.
Providing consultations during the process of Strategy development, related to key milestones.
Drafting, elaboration and upgrading of the action plan and indicators.
Review and editing of the final document.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of UNDP Montenegro and Ministry of Economic Development ITE will provide around 20 days of home-based support, which aim to bring international technical assistance to the project.

Expert will have the full support of the key ministries, institutions and agencies involved in the various aspects of economy and economic development. Also, holding a planning meeting early on would allow government and established working group to agree on the process and determine how inputs will be collected and coordinated towards development of the Circular Economy Strategy with the Action Plan.

Circular Economy Strategy with the Action Plan for 2023-2024 should be written in the Montenegrin language.

Time duration and travel:

The duration of the total assignment is expected to be for 20 working days within the period of 25 May – 30 November 2022. No travel is envisaged.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.
Excellent social, communication skills and writing skills.
Ability to critically analyze issues, find root-causes and suggest optimum solutions.
Proven ability to work in a complex environment with a lot of different stakeholders within a specific political context;
Demonstrated leadership ability and technical ability to communicate complex ideas verbally and in writing.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Master’s/ Specialist degree in Economics, Marketing, Law or other relevant fields. A PhD degree will be an added advantage.

Experience:

At least 10 years of professional experience related to business development consulting.
Minimum 5 years of a demonstrated experience in a field related to circular economy is mandatory.
Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in a field of policy development.
Similar projects delivered in at least 3 countries.
Proven knowledge and expertise in the field of CE – contribution to the internationally relevant opinions/ papers/ articles.
Demonstrate understanding and capability to orchestrate different stakeholders in the process of circular transition.
Demonstrate experience using different knowledge management and sharing platforms such as webinars, conducting workshops, etc.
Proven experience in working with Governments, businesses, international organizations, NGOs. Previous experience in Montenegro would be an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English and Montenegrin is mandatory.

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. 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: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) 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% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
Financial criteria weight - 30%.