National Consultant for Participatory Mid-Term Project Review

Strengthening of the Role of Local Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a project jointly financed by the Government of Switzerland and Sweden and implemented by United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The overall goal of the second Project phase is to improve quality of life of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina through empowered, gender responsive local communities (mjesne zajednice - 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 through making changes at both system level (improvement of the local government regulatory framework, rulebooks and practices etc.) and behavioral level (change in peoples’ attitudes and perceptions within communities, traditional gender roles and stereotyping etc.).

Key Project partners are 41[1] LGs and 199 local communities / MZs). The Project focuses on developing capacities of the MZ staff through trainings (facilitation of citizen engagement, project proposal writing, computer literacy etc.), establishing community hubs as places of active citizen engagement and implementing local community projects identified by citizens. The Project is also taking actions at the policy/regulatory level, towards creating a more enabling environment for community development and citizen engagement.

The Project, in its second phase that was initiated in 2020 and the third year of implementation, plans a mid-term participatory review as mandatory part of its monitoring and evaluation framework. Overall objective of the mid-term review is to ensure an impartial review of the Project's progress and achievements, obtain feedback from beneficiaries and key partners, and capture main findings and recommendations.

Hence, the purpose of this consultancy is to ensure a productive assessment process and structured discussions with participating stakeholders, as well as to develop a high-quality mid-term review report.

[1] 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant is expected to gather and review information, as well as make a fair assessment of the Project progress, achievements, relevance, effective approach and sustainability by looking at the following main questions:

Is the Project progressing as per the set targets and time plan? Have the results and outputs so far been achieved as planned? Are there any unintended effects?
Is the Project assistance relevant to the needs of beneficiaries and result-oriented? Are Project results quality and sustainable?
To what extent has the Project created ownership of all stakeholders over the processes instigated so far?
Are there innovative solutions the Project applied?
Did the project ensure synergies with other interventions in the domain, or partnerships with relevant players to maximise results?
Are there any bottlenecks that slow down or hamper its successful implementation? If yes, how can these be addressed and removed?
Are Project results sustainable? Will the outputs lead to benefits beyond the Project lifespan?
What are recommendations to maximise the ILDP`s performance and/or adjust its activities so as to ensure its quality performance and reaching of the set targets?
Is the gender equality principle embedded into the Project`s work?
Is the social inclusion principle rooted within the Project approaches?

Concretely, the assignment will be divided into 3 principle tasks, as follows:

Task 1 – Desk review

Following the initial meeting with the Project, the Consultant will conduct a detailed review of relevant project documentation, including (but not limited to): project document; annual work plans; progress/annual reports; as well as analysis, assessments, conceptual products and similar documents developed within the Project. The Consultant is expected to meet senior representatives from the Embassies of Switzerland and Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and from UNDP/Project for an initial briefing.

This task will take place in early December 2022 and will not exceed 3 expert days.

Task 2 – Participatory stock-taking (questionnaire and workshops)

In order to ensure objective feedback from the Project's beneficiaries and partners, the Consultant will firstly design a simple questionnaire as a tool for collecting feedback from main project partners (Project Board members, other donors and projects working in the domain, etc.) and beneficiaries (local governments – leaderships and administration; utilities; non-governmental organisations, etc.). The questionnaire will be structured around the main questions listed above in the Scope of Work section. Draft questionanire will be shared with the Project Team for comments and approval. The Consultant will prepare a list of stakeholders to whom the questionnaire will be delivered, and the Project will provide the recepients' contact information. The questionnaire will be shared with all key Project partners so as to ensure their feedback and opinion. Results and findings of the questionnaire will be integral part of the mid-term Project review report. No field trips are envisaged for the Consultant within the process of distribution and collection of the questionnare. Once the feedback from the respondents have been received, the Consultant will review, analyse them and prepare a brief analysis of collected feedback.
Moreover, the Consultant will prepare and facilitate two (2) 1-day workshops for main stakeholders (one in Sarajevo and one in Banjaluka), for a structured discussion and joint reflections on the Project's progress, success, and bottlenecks. Based on the general directions provided by the Project, the Consultant is expected to prepare: (i) agenda and methodology of work; (ii) list of questions for group/facilitated discussions and (iii) list of participants to be invited (up to 25 per workshop). These will be shared with UNDP for approval. The overall logistical preparation, invitation of participants and technical organisation of the events will be undertaken by the Project.

This task will take place in January 2023 and will not exceed / expert days.

Task 3 – Preparation of a succinct report capturing all findings and recommendations of the process

Within this task, the Consultant is expected to prepare a concise and structured report (in English language), which captures all the findings, recommendations and key reflections from: (i) the Consultant’s independent review regarding status, timeliness and quality of the Project; (ii) feedback from the questionnaires; (ii) findings and recommendations from the participatory Project partners’ workshops. The report should include, but should not be limited to, all of the elements listed as main questions for the mid-term review, hereabove at the beginning of “Scope of Work“ section. The report should obligatory contain Executive Summary, where both the process and key findings will be summarised, and Lessons Learned section. The Consultant will share the draft Table of Contents with the Project Team for approval, and once the draft mid-term review report has been completed, it will be shared with the Project Team for comments and recommendations that will be included in the final version of the report. The report should not be longer than 20 pages.

This task will take place in the first week of February 2023 and will not exceed 5 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs

#

Deliverables / Outputs

# of Days per Task

Due Date

Percentage

1.

Task 1 – Desk review:
A review of all relevant Project materials conducted by the Consultant
Introductory meetings with the Embassies of Switzerland and Sweden including UNDP/Project conducted.

3

December 2022

20%

2.

Task 2 - Participatory stock-taking:
A questionnaire covering the scope of the mid-term review designed by the Consultant, approved by the Project and disseminated to target stakeholders.
A brief analysis of collected feedback prepared and submitted to the Project.
The workshops’ agenda, list of participants and list of questions prepared by the Consultant and approved by the Project.
Two workshops successfully facilitated by the Consultant and concrete findings and recommendations captured at the end of the event.

7

January 2023

46.7%

3.

Task 3: Preparation of a succinct report capturing all findings and recommendations of the process
A succinct report (20 pages) summarising in a structured manner the results, findings and recommendations from the mid-term Project review (desk review, questionnaires and the workshop) prepared in English language and submitted to the Project.

5

February 2023

33.3%

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, social sciences or relevant field.

Experience

At least 5 years of extensive working experience in facilitation/moderation of participatory process, preferably in the public sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Proven knowledge in the domain of local governance and local development, with specific knowledge of the strategic planning framework and situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Excellent facilitation and communication skills;
Ability to write concisely and clearly.
Previous experience with UNDP or international UN Agencies is an asset.

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.

Award Criteria: The consultancy will be awarded to the highest qualified applicant through the combination of technical qualifications and financial offer.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Criteria:

Points

Relevant Education

Max 45 points

At least 5 years of extensive working experience in facilitation/moderation of participatory process, preferably in the public sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Max 45 points

Prior work experience with UNDP/UN Agencies

Max 10 points

Qualifying threshold

70 points

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria:

Points

Rating based on Qualifications

50%

Submitted methodology

50%

Qualifying threshold (in%)

70%

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, and

b) 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%