Moderator/facilitator of local governance working group of Local Rural Economic Development

Background

Build upon the results of the two preceding STAR projects, in September 2020, UNDP Albania launched a new phase of multi-donor initiative in support to the advancement of decentralization and local government reform, STAR3 – Sustaining and Advancing Local Governance Reform.

The overall aim of the STAR3 is to strengthen local government effectiveness and efficiency through enhancing the supporting framework, consolidating systems, standards and organizational capacities in place, expanding and sustaining service delivery innovation and best practices, and institutionalizing local government accountability to women and men for enhanced participatory governance.

Being a multi-donor project and a direct support to Ministry of Interior as the central institution responsible for advancement of local governance reforms, the project was considered as the most appropriate modality to support the drafting process of the new cross-cutting Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance given also the experience accumulated from the project during the three phases of assistance implemented in support to Local Governments.

A formal request of the Ministry of Interior, approved from the project partners, enabled the initiation of the assistance for the drafting process of the new National Cross-cutting Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance. The assistance encompasses support with expertise and know how during a well-designed process which aims at ensuring adequately informed decision-making engaging a wide range of stakeholders at local and national level.

The present moderator will facilitate the technical working groups and related consultation processes of “Local rural economic development” strategic direction. In addition, the moderator is expected to contribute to the process of identification gaps, measures and their prioritization, as well as coordinate the relevant expertise with regard to the “Local rural economic development” strategic direction.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Moderators of Strategic Directions Workshops will work under the supervision of the STAR3 Project Manager and in support to the Director of ASLG as the chair of technical group for the drafting process of the strategy. The main duties and expected results will include the following:

Carry out desk review on the relevant literature of the relevant strategic direction (Local rural economic development).
Contributing to the preparation of brainstorming and validation meetings, along with the respective methodology.
Contributing to technical working groups (brainstorming and validation meetings) through technical expertise on facilitating the process of gaps identification, measures identification and their prioritization of the Local Rural economic development strategic direction.
Facilitate/moderate the brainstorming and validation meetings for the drafting of the new National Cross-Cutting Strategy for Decentralisation and Local Governance.
Summary of the identified gaps, measures and their prioritization of the abovementioned strategic direction

The Expert is expected to provide the following deliverables:

Deliverables

Description

Percentage for Instalment

Deliverable 1

Report on the contribution for the preparation of brainstorming and consultation technical working groups/workshops.

30%

Deliverable 2

Report on the contribution for the moderating/facilitating the technical working groups meeting.

40%

Deliverable 3

Research Paper providing a summary of the identified gaps, measures and their prioritization of the relevant strategic direction from the whole process of brainstorming and consultation working groups.

30%

The deliverable of this Consultancy should be the provision of a research Paper, providing a summary of the main conclusions of the relevant strategic direction workshops and consultation processes, with gaps and measures identification, as well as prioritization of measures.

Schedule of payments

UNDP shall make payments to the Consultant after acceptance by UNDP/STAR3 of the deliverables, and in accordance with the following schedule of payments:

Deliverables

Timeline

Percentage per instalment

Deliverable 1

End of Month 1

30%

Deliverable 2

End of Month 2

40%

Deliverable 3

End of contract

30%

Competencies

The Consultant must possess or satisfy the following criteria:

Core competencies and values:

Demonstrate integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Demonstrate professional competence and be efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies

Ability to work on tight deadlines;
Ability to apply good judgment in the context of the assignment given as well as to plan work and manage priorities
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills;
Be very good in report writing.

Required Skills and Experience

The preferred educational background and minimum required qualifications for the interested candidates, include the following.

Education/Academic Qualification:

An advanced university degree in public administration, management, social sciences or related discipline

Work Experience:

At least 10 years experience working in a public, non profit, or private sector in areas related to local and rural development
Experience in interpreting legislation into practical application with regard to the specific strategic direction
Having knowledge and understanding of concepts and culture relevant to public administration
Familiar with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources

Language requirements:

Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills in English, including ability to draft reports and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.

Evaluation Procedure

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer:

• Is deemed technically responsive / compliant / acceptable (only technically responsive applications / candidates will be considered for the financial evaluation)

• And has obtained the highest combined technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

Criteria A: At least 10 years’ experience working in a public, non profit, or private sector in areas related to local and rural development; max points: 30

Criteria B Experience in interpreting legislation into practical application with regard to the specific strategic direction; Having knowledge and understanding of concepts and culture relevant to public administration; Familiar with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources - max points: 30

Criteria B: An advanced university degree in public administration, management, social sciences or related discipline and excellent communication (spoken and written) skills in English, including ability to draft reports and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style - max points: 20

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30