Job: NATIONAL EXPERT ON INTEGRATED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Location :

Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Application Deadline :

14-Oct-13

Additional Category

Millennium Development Goals

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Post Level :

National Consultant

Languages Required :

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

21-Oct-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

October – November 2013 (25 days)

Background

Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to expand available E-learning opportunities for local government employees and elected officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina through making two courses' content on integrated local development planning available online. In this regard, a National Expert on Integrated Local Development Planning (hereinafter Consultant) will be engaged.

Objective
The primary focus of the consultancy is to develop two courses’ content for a training programmes on integrated local development planning based on the Methodology for Integrated Local Development Planning - MiPRO  (hereinafter Programmes) in a format that can be easily converted into an e-learning course, targeting local government elected officials (mayors and councillors) and local government practitioners respectively. The Consultant is expected to work in close cooperation with software developers to be hired directly by UNDP, in order to ensure that materials provided are properly converted into e-learning courses material. Each of the two training programme should be divided into several modules, as deemed appropriate by the Consultant, to enable trainees from local governments to complete the courses in multiple instalments/sessions. The e-learning courses will be delivered via web platforms for trainees from local governments, within the framework of Municipal Training System and in accordance with the entity training strategies.  

Background Information 
The consultancy is planned within the 2nd phase of the MTS II Project, which is aimed at contributing to professional and competent BiH local governments, able to effectively manage development processes and deliver quality services to their citizens. The MTS II focuses on further strengthening of the policy and functional capacity of the Training System for Local Self-Government Employees in BiH and supports its affirmation as an effective public mechanism for carrying out the local governments` capacity development agenda country-wide, as defined within the entity training strategies 2011 - 2015. The project also supports the design and delivery of priority and demand-driven training programmes for both local government elected officials and employees.
The MTS project is an integral pillar of the UNDP Local Governance Programme, which aims to contribute to improvement of governance, focusing on advancing local government know-how so as to better position local authorities to tackle and overcome development challenges, whilst improving citizens services. The MTS II is a UNDP-managed project, funded primarily by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented in partnership with the BiH Ministry of Justice, the FBiH Ministry of Justice, the RS Ministry of Administration and Local Self-Government, the entity Civil Service Agencies and entity  Associations of Municipalities and Cities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

 
As part of its support for the implementation of entity training strategies, and its assistance to the newly established Municipal Training System, the Project will support the development and delivery of a series of priority training programmes. Integrated strategic planning, in particular in the context of local governments, is continuously marked as a priority training topic; therefore its deployment via the System’s e-learning platforms will make the programmes accessible to a higher number of potential trainees. The training programmes will largely be built around the existing courses’ materials already developed within the MTS with its format adjusted for e-learning purposes. The Programmes will lend itself to on-line certification following the completion of all modules at a minimum 80% success rate (at final testing).

The focus of the training programmes will, among others, be on providing local government elected officials and employees with knowledge necessary to conduct and manage integrated local development planning in participatory manner on behalf of their local governments highlighting key principles of integrated strategic planning, processes that need to be undertaken and key elements of local development strategies. Considering that the MiPRO methodology for local development planning is adopted by both entity Governments in 2010 and presently serves as a standard blueprint for local strategic planning, it is necessary to expand the capacity and skills of local leaderships, as well as local government staff to apply it in practice.      

The consultancy will require the following:

• Review of existing training material;
• Design of multi-modular course structure with sub-modules;
• Development of the final training programme text;
• Design of a certification test in multiple choice format (pool of at least 50 questions that will be randomly selected for the certification test);
• Review of completed training programme with a focus group;
• Testing of the final e-learning course.

Primary recipients of the assistance under this consultancy are mayors and local government councillors as key policy makers in local governments and relevant employees of local governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina – members of local governments’ development teams whose work entails local development planning.  
Specifically, the consultancy support is organised into the following two tasks:

1. Review of existing training material and defining of training content  
   The Consultant will review the existing standardised training materials and the MiPRO. In consultations with the software developers, the Consultant will define the format and scope of the training programmes, taking into account that the training material needs to be suitable for e-learning purposes. Content-wise, the Consultant will ensure that the training programmes will address key aspects for application of MiPRO at the local level, including its purpose and benefits, key principles and features, planning process and structure of local development strategies, as well as practical tools and relevant exercises and examples/case studies. While the training course for elected officials will be more generic and focus on the aforementioned aspects, the course for practitioners should be more practical and focus on tools, exercises and examples alongside the theoretical framework, so as to illustrate appropriate concepts and situations, multiple choice response to situations and relevant feedback.
2. Development of training structure, programme and certification test 
   Following the first phase and validation of the training content by the Project Team, the Consultant will develop a final version of the training materials in a format appropriate for e-learning, consisting of training modules and the certification test for both courses. The Consultant will also take part in final course testing. 
   The training design will follow adult learning principles.

Deliverables and timelines
The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverables Timeliness and level of effort

Task 1: Reviewing existing training material and defining training content October 2013 (5 days)

• Consultations with software developers regarding the format of materials to be provided.
• Review of existing training material.
•   Definition of training content and training modules for two training courses.  

Task 2: Development of training structure, programme and certification test  October – November 2013 (20 days)
Development and approval of two detailed training programmes.  

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 competencies
? 

• 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;
• Team work: 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.

Required Skills and Experience

• University degree in economics, public administration or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in local development and strategic planning primarily at the local level in BiH.
• Knowledge of the Methodology for Integrated Local Development Planning in BiH is an asset;
• Experience as trainer and training developer;
• Knowledge of adult learning methodologies and tools;
• Ability to write concisely and clearly;
• Proven communication skills, and ability to work in collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives.
• Fluency in official languages in BiH.
• Familiar with MS Office applications

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

 
Applicants are required to submit an application including:

• Letter of interest;
• Personal CV/P11 including past experience in similar projects and contact details (e-mail addresses) of three available referees;
• Financial proposal indicating lump sum fee for the assignment.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

More Info and Application