Experts needed for a Study on lessons learnt from Budget Support in view of the imminent use of financing not linked to cost (FNLC) in EU's DG-NEAR external action

Study on lessons learnt from Budget Support in view of the imminent use of financing not linked to cost (FNLC) in EU's DG-NEAR external action

The general objective of this study is to provide the relevant Commission services with an independent assessment of NEAR’s budget support as a financial modality, in view of the extended use of financing not linked to cost/performance-based budgeting in NEAR’s External action.

The specific objectives for this study are to identify lessons learnt (both positive and negative), best practices and recommendations, in particular as regards:

• the impact of this modality on administrative capacities of public institutions (including in relation to monitoring and reporting) and the link with actual results (and their sustainability);
• the administrative costs for DG NEAR, in terms of expertise and processes;
• the factors that facilitate or hamper the effectiveness of budget support to contribute to EU policy objectives, especially when compared to other modalities;
• the role of policy dialogue during design and throughout implementation;
• the use of resilience contracts as a support to recovery in times of crises (COVID 19, wars, natural catastrophes).

The results of the study will feed the ground i) for defining greater synergy effects of budget support and other forms of financing not linked to cost/performance-based budgeting with the EU's political and reform objectives, as well as (ii) for the overall programming, monitoring, reporting and implementation of NEAR’s external action.

The indicative start date is December 2, 2024 and the period of implementation of the specific contract will be 333 days from this date. Indicative end date: October 31 2025.

Normal place of posting of the specific assignment: home based. 

Requirements:

• Working experience in relation to:  
  • EU neighbourhood policy and strategy and assistance; 
  • EU enlargement policy and strategy and assistance;
  • EU external policy actions. 
• Knowledge of the EU institutional framework;
• Knowledge of Budget support and financing not linked to cost (Performance based budgeting);  
• Strong and proven analytical skills;
• Excellent writing and editing skills. 
• Experience working in the EU's Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods and the Western Balkans.
• Experience in the area of evaluation and/or research, with solid experience in rigorous evaluation methods and techniques.
• Experience in the area of budget support, statistics and indicators, specifically in the following:
  • Budget Support: Support to eligibility assessments, Support to design of operations including variable tranches,Support to payment verification, Evaluation of budget support operations
  • Statistic and Indicators: Assessment of data collection, processing, quality control, analysis and dissemination; Reforms and capacity building; Production of macroeconomic and sector-specific indicators, at national or regional/local levels, links with SDGs.
• Successfully completed studies/assessments of public reforms in EU Member States and/or EU partner countries.
• Experience in facilitating focus groups.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send us your updated CV to eu-fwc-siea@vjwinternational.com by Wednesday, 6 November 2024.