United Nations Development Programme Programul Natiunilor Unite pentru Dezvoltare INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT PROCUREMENT NOTICE Date: 13.06.2011 Country: Republic of Moldova Description of the assignment: Assistant/Secretary to the Parity Commission on Decentralization Project name: Joint Integrated Local Development Programme Period of assignment/services (if applicable): 1 year Proposal should be submitted at the following address UNDP Office, 131, 31 August 1989 Street, MD-2012, Chisinau, Moldova or by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org no later than June 27, 2011. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the e-mail constantin.elisei@undp.org. JILDP project will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. 1. BACKGROUND UNDP and UN Women in partnership with the Government of Moldova (State Chancellery) are implementing the Joint Integrated Local Development Programme (JILDP). The JILDP was designed to improve the policy framework, as well as to support the administrative systems and procedures focused on efficient transfer of competencies to Local Public Administrations (LPAs), decentralization and promotion of LPAs role in decision making. It also helps in building the capacity of LPAs to plan, implement and monitor their strategic plans and improve local public service delivery, involving civil society and community efforts and participation. Given the overall development context, related to the impact of the political and economic crisis, and considering the priorities of the Coalition for European Integration, new Government Programme, as well as the National Development Strategy, Decentralization, Sustainable Local Development and Democratic Local Governance represent key issues to be addressed in order to respond to existing country priorities and development challenges. There are four types of issues to be addressed through the proposed Programme: The current policy framework does not respond to the need of local public authorities and does not provide sufficient clarity on their role, authority and responsibilities. Moreover, the legal framework regarding the local public finances is not approved and there is no clarity on the advancement of fiscal decentralisation. The specific needs of women and men, girls and boys, as well as the elderly, persons with disabilities, ethnic and other minorities (and Roma in particular), persons living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable persons and groups, individuals or groups, are
not necessarily taken into account in national policies related to local sustainable local development and good local governance; Weak and underdeveloped capacity of LPA to address development challenges and to fulfil their responsibilities in front of citizens. Transparency and participation of CSOs and citizens, especially women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and others in local decision making is limited. The association of LPA are highly politicised and weak in order to advocate for greater authority and resources for LPAs to better serve citizens needs. Management of services and utilities, which is one of the key responsibilities of LPA is week. Moreover, the most vulnerable communities and groups of population (elderly, disabled, women at risk, persons with disabilities, ethnic and other minorities in particular Roma, and others) do not have access to basic public services, such as access to water, clean environment, and social services. The quality of services provided locally is low. Most deprived persons and communities in Moldova do not have enough capacities to access resources and participate in local development programmes, and mechanisms to ensure accountability, transparency, non-discrimination and participation are in many places missing or not functioning effectively. The deprived thus face compound forces of exclusion and may have extreme difficulties in accessing essential goods and/or services. Considering the difficult operating climate of rural communities, provision of services and relevant support to most vulnerable, more often, is lacking or is of a poor quality, due to scarce resources and limited capacity of the local authorities. Human rights-based approach, including gender mainstreaming, is very rarely applied or taken into account. Communities in the Transnistrian region face a special development context given the unclear political status of the region. In addition to that, the communities from the security zone are struggling with additional barriers, including different violation of human rights from Transnistrian authorities (eg. freedom of movement). Key components of the programme: Policy Advisory and Advocacy Component: Program will strengthen the capacity of the key ministries and partners (the Parliamentary Commission on Decentralization, State Chancellery, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor, Social protection and family, Ministry of Construction and Regional Development among others) in elaborating policies, legislation & implementation mechanisms taking into account human rights and gender equality dimensions to advance the administrative and fiscal decentralization reform that shall accelerate human rights and gender responsive development at the regional and local level. Broad participation and engagement will be the core for the design and implementation of the reform. Local Self-Governance and Participation Component: The capacity of the districts and municipalities to plan, budget, implement, monitor and evaluate local development as well as to manage efficiently service delivery in the targeted areas, as well as the capacity to provide services will be assessed and strengthened through applying human rights and gender equality approach.. Capacities of Associations of Local Authorities will be enhanced to advocate for better decentralization and local development policies. Community Empowerment Component: The JILDP will encourage and facilitate active participation of community members, especially women, youth, elderly and disabled, as the primary recipients of all local development initiatives, in the local development processes and decision-making. The Joint Programme will support local communities to have better access to improved services. Transnistria and Security zone Component: The JILDP will be expanded to the Transnistria Region and will work more thoroughly in the security zone. It will cover all 5 districts of the region and the areas from the security zone which are based on the left bank of Nistru River but are under Moldovan Government control. 20 communities from the Transnistria region will be supported and 9 from the security zone. The Programme will be implemented and will advocate for using Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) and Gender equality mainstreaming (GE) which calls for greater participation, accountability, transparency and non-discrimination in all national and local development processes.
2. SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Division for Decentralisation Policies of the State Chancellery, in close cooperation with the Parity Commission members and its Working Groups, as well as JILDP team towards efficient implementation of programme tasks The Assistant s duties include, but are not limited to: a. Provide substantive support for the activity of the Parity Commission by working with documents and papers relevant to its activity under guidance of supervisors and upon their request b. Provide secretarial services in order to ensure efficient business process of the Parity Commission activity, specifically: Drafting agenda, minutes and briefing notes Organization of paper flow (circulation, clearance etc), Organization of meetings; Documents archiving, Logistic support for the sessions; c. Provide inputs in organization of public debates, forums with the participation of national/regional/local government/authorities, civil society and private sector with a view to tackle issues related to the decentralization reform d. Communicate efficiently with the governmental public servants, JILDP programme team and partner agencies (UNIFEM, SIDA etc.) in order to ensure cooperation and synergy towards achievement of planned results. e. Cooperate efficiently with the communications consultant towards ensuring quality information on the activity of the Parity Commission for the regular updating of the content on the web site on decentralization; f. Other related responsibilities as required. 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS I. Academic Qualifications: University degree in Public Administration/ International Relations/ Mass Media Communications or related fields. II. Years of experience: At least 2 years of working experience in public administration or NGOs sector; Knowledge and understanding of development issues and relevant work experience; Experience in office management, communications or PR work; Experience in working with international organizations is an asset; Knowledge of the government institutions and civil society agencies. III. Competencies: Professionalism: Understanding of the functions and organization of the work; demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given, shows pride in work and in achievement; demonstrates professional competence; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems and challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others and respond appropriately; asks questions o clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tones and style to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning & Organizing: develops clear goals that are consistent with the objectives; identify priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; monitors and adjust actions when necessary; Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignment; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcoming and of the subordinates, where applicable. Achieving Results: manages time to ensure work is completed to deadlines and targets Prioritizes to ensure important deadlines are met; Manages obstacles to getting work done Team work: regularly assists others in their work; has supportive and cooperative relationships with other colleagues in the team; complements the work of other team members. Commitment to continuous learning: learns new things and keeps knowledge and skills up to date; volunteers for training and development; explains new methods of work to colleagues and voluntarily shares useful information Oral and written proficiency in Romanian and English; Knowledge of Russian would be an advantage. 4. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 1. Financial proposal 2. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references 5. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL The financial proposal shall specify a total amount per month. Payments are based upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. 6. EVALUATION Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: Minimum Qualification Requirements: 1. University degree in Public Administration/ International Relations/ Mass Media Communications or related fields. 2. At least 2 years of working experience in public administration or NGOs sector. Based on these minimum qualification requirements a short-list of candidates will be established, subject to the two-stage evaluation procedure
Evaluation procedure: A two-stage procedure will be used in evaluating the candidates: A) Technical evaluation (max 350 points) 70% B) Financial evaluation (max 150 points) % Technical evaluation will be represented though desk review of applications and further interview and written test of short-listed candidates. A) Technical Evaluation: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR). Criteria 1 University degree in Public Administration/ International Relations/ Mass Media Communications or related fields (university degree pts) 2 3 years of experience in office management, communications or PR work (3-4 years -20 pts, >4 years pts) 3 2 years previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO (2-3 years -20 pts, >3 years pts) Maximum points 4 Previous experience with UNDP 10 5 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in interpretation/ translation with a national/international organization (3-4 years -20 pts, 5 years - pts, >5 years 40 pts) 6 Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages (basic 20 pts, advanced pts) 7 Interview (40 demonstrated technical knowledge and experience; 40 fluency in oral English; 15 communication/interpersonal skills; 15 initiative; 10 creativity/ resourcefulness) 40 120 8 Fluency in written English and Romanian - written test 60 Maximum total technical scoring: 350 B) Financial evaluation: In the Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 245 points), will be compared. The cumulative analysis scheme will be applied with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes. Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be % out of a total score of 500 points. The Individual Contract (IC) will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest cumulative score. The following formula will be applied in calculating the cumulative score: S = Fmin / F * 150 S score received on financial evaluation; Fmin the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;
F financial offer under consideration. Note: Aggregated financial offer will be considered ( aggregated financial offer is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of the task, including fee, per diem, travel, etc). Winning candidate The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring). ANNEX ANNEX 1- TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR) ANNEX 2- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS http://undp.md/employment/undp_general_conditions_of_contract_ic.pdf