Request for proposals International Team Leader, Phase 1 of EU-financed project on Administrative Service Centres SKL International is looking for an international Team Leader for implementation of Ukraine Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development programme, Component 2, phase 1. The position shall be a consultancy contract for a period of 12-15 months. About SKL International SKL International is a subsidiary to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), representing all 290 municipalities and 20 county councils in Sweden. We are a leading consultancy company supporting local democracy and good governance in developing and transition countries. Our expertise covers areas such as capacity building on municipal management and service delivery; local and regional development; decentralisation policies; support to local government associations; and European Integration. Geographically, SKL International s projects cover countries in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Africa and Asia. Description of the assignment Sida is in the process of signing an agreement with EU on support to a decentralisation project in Ukraine called Ukraine Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development programme (U-LEAD). The programme has two components. Component 1 will be managed by GIZ (the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation) and component 2 by Sida. The EU funding for component 2 is 30.5 million Euro over four years. Component 1, led by GIZ, aims to enhance the capacity of key actors at central, regional and local levels to implement the Ukrainian Government s regional policy and decentralisation reforms. Component 2 of the U-LEAD programme is mainly focused on creating and improving administrative service centres (ASCs) and raising awareness of citizens on local selfgovernance. The objective is to improve delivery of local administrative services for the benefit of the citizens. Sida is planning to implement Component 2 in two phases. The first phase (the first year of the project) will be a preparatory year that establishes the basis for the project. It will pilot the design, set up and management of ASCs and promote the necessary policy reforms. The project will also support communication and public participation in relation to service delivery, as well as cooperation between municipalities. It is anticipated that SALAR will manage the first phase, with SKL International implementing the project on SALAR s behalf. Phase 1 of U-LEAD component 2 will consist of four main areas of work:
Contributing to enabling environment for ASCs including support to relevant legal and policy reforms, e-governance solutions, baseline studies; Developing support packages and approaches to the establishment of ASCs that will be implemented during Phase 2 including refurbishment, equipment, institutional aspects, needs assessment, training and IT solutions Piloting support packages and approaches in 24 selected communities Supporting the design of Phase 2 including procurement The second phase, year two to four, will roll out the support packages to large number of communities in Ukraine. This will include creating new ASCs, including in capable amalgamated communities and towns, as well as modernizing the existing ASCs in small and medium-size towns. Moreover, separate models for administrative service delivery may be elaborated and tested for different needs, for example for rural communities. In anticipation of the project, SKL International is seeking an International Team Leader to lead the team in Ukraine during the implementation of phase 1. Organisational set up The International Team Leader will lead and coordinate project delivery in Ukraine including oversight and management of other experts. The team in Ukraine will include approximately five long-term consultants covering policy expertise, project coordination and financial management. The long-term consultants will directly report to the Team Leader. In addition, there will be a number of short term experts at a regional and central level. The Team Leader will report to the Project Manager in Stockholm, and also communicate with support staff in Stockholm. Reporting The Team Leader will communicate with the Project Team in Stockholm through telephone, e-mail, skype or otherwise as deemed necessary. Communication and reporting to the Project Team in Stockholm and the Swedish Embassy/Sida in Kiev shall occur in accordance with the Agreement between Sida and SALAR as well as with other agreements. The role of the Team Leader The Team Leader is the most senior team member in Ukraine and leads and mentors other team members in Ukraine. She or he shall oversee the overall project implementation in Ukraine and ensure it is delivered according to established work plans on time, to budget and to a high degree of quality and effectiveness. The Team Leader shall monitor and manage risks and work collaboratively to solve issues that may arise during implementation. The Team Leader will also represent the project in dialogue with Ukrainian stakeholders and shall build positive and productive relationships and networks.
For this position, SKL International is searching for an experienced, professional, selfmotivated person who can work effectively in dynamic environments and manage risks effectively. Applicants should be experienced in managing projects of similar scope and size in similar contexts. The position requires integrity, innovation, problem-solving skills, professionalism, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to lead others. The following is a preliminary outline of tasks that will be the responsibility of the Team Leader: Management Lead the project team of long- and short term consultants in Ukraine Ensure that project activities are managed effectively, are delivered on time and within budget, and manage any issues impacting on their delivery Oversight and quality assurance of all project activities in Ukraine Contribute to development of annual work plans and develop monthly work plans to be approved by the Project Manager Monitor budgets and financial expenditure and ensure that appropriate financial controls are followed Manage risks in Ukraine on behalf of SKLI and escalate issues as necessary to SKLI s Project Manager Ensure integration of gender, environmental and other cross-cutting aspects into project planning and activities Oversee project registration in Ukraine and ensure that the appropriate legal and financial obligations are followed during implementation Identify, design and formulate the needs analysis for procurement of goods and services, prepare ToR in coordination with SKLI project management Identify international, regional and local experts in coordination with the SKLI Project Manager Oversee the work of experts in Ukraine and manage any issues with their performance, in consultation with SKLI Coordination and representation Ensure efficient operational coordination with partners in Ukraine and be SKLI s key contact point with organisations in Ukraine. Attend donor/implementers' coordination meetings Day-to-day coordination with Sida in Kiev Communication Keep SKLI continuously updated about project progress, issues and successes Oversight and quality assurance of development of communication material and other project communication efforts Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Provide monthly narrative and financial reporting to SKLI Stockholm Contribute to quarterly narrative reporting to Sida Contribute to development of monitoring and evaluation system Ensure the monitoring and evaluation system is implemented Skills and Experience Master level education in a relevant field of study Hands-on experience from implementation of similar projects in Ukraine or in the region Extensive experience of leading large teams of employees and/or consultants Previous experience establishing Administrative Service Centres or similar structures In-depth understanding of decentralisation and local governance in Ukraine Established relevant networks and contacts within Ukraine Experience of gathering and analyzing data, developing evidence-based recommendations Experience of results based management, including of results frameworks, activity plans, budgets and reporting mechanisms Competencies High level representation and negotiation skills Excellent social and networking skills, ability to develop good relationships donors, civil society and state representatives; Political nous, good judgement and ability to respond flexibly in a dynamic environment Experience leading teams of consultants and proven ability to strategically inspire and energise project teams; Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills; Fluent English and proficient Ukrainian &/or Russian required Location and Duration Phase 1 of U-LEAD component 2 is expected start in June 2016 will run for 12-15 months. The actual duration will depend on when the Phase 2 contractor/s are in place. The Team Leader is expected to work full time for an estimated number of 14 working months within this period. The Team Leader will be based in Kiev, Ukraine. The assignment will involve some travel within Ukraine as well as possible short visits to Sweden or other countries. The consultant is expected to participate in debriefings and other meetings at the SKL International office in Stockholm when deemed necessary.
Conditions & Logistics A consultancy contract will be signed between SKL International and the Team Leader which will outline the conditions for the position in detail. Please note this position is not an employment position, meaning that applicants must be established as consultants and will be liable to pay all relevant taxes and insurances. A competitive consultancy fee will be offered to the successful candidate. In addition to the consultancy fee, a provision will be made for the costs of relocation, housing and health insurance as applicable during the period of the assignment. The contracting for this position will depend on final approval of the project by Sida. Evaluation of response & selection of Team Leader Interested applicants should send their proposal, comprising the following documents, to SKL International no later than May 29, 2016: a) A short explanation of the applicant s suitability for the assignment (maximum two A4 pages) b) Up-to-date CV indicating relevant experience and qualifications c) A statement on when the applicant will be available to start the position and confirmation that the applicant will be available to work on the project full time until the end of phase one. The expert will be selected based on the following criteria: a) Specialist competence and suitability based on the expert requirements described above b) Adaptability to SKL International s timetable This Request for Proposal is issued on April 29, 2016. Last date for questions on the request for proposals is May 13, 2016, after which a summary of replies will be published on SKL International s website at www.sklinternational.se. Final date for submission of proposals is May 29, 2016. Interviews with shortlisted applicants are expected to be held in Kiev or via Skype between 6-10 June 2016. Proposals and questions should be sent by email to: ulead@sklinternational.se Diversity and equal opportunities SKL International embraces diversity and respects human rights in all areas of its work. Discrimination of any kind including on the basis of gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or culture is not accepted. Personnel shall respect equal rights of individuals and strive to create an atmosphere where people s differences are accepted and valued.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Men and women engaged in SKL International s business activities shall be afforded equal rights and development opportunities. SKL International supports working arrangements that enable personnel to combine work with family commitments.