EU CBM: National Consultant on Cross-River Sectoral Platforms Institutional Capacity Development.

Vacancy Number: Pr21/02340

Location:Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline: 05 Nov 2021, 16:30 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
12 Nov 2021, 16:30 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
19 Nov 2021, 16:30 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:Individual Contract
Starting date: 15 Nov 2021
Reference to the project: European Union - Confidence Building Measures V
Expected Duration of Assignment:November 2021 – June 2023 (estimated workload: 157 working days in total)
Submission Instructions:

Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Now" button no later than 05 November 2021.

Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: vladimir.paraschiv@undp.org. UNDP will respond 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 applicants.

Supporting Documents:
Terms of Reference
Procurement Notice
OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT
UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Contacts:

Mr. Vladimir Paraschiv.

vladimir.paraschiv@undp.org


Background

The overall objective of the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme (the EU CBM  5 Programme), is to contribute to an environment of trust and cooperation across the Nistru River generating new perspectives on shared interests and a shared future for people from both banks of the river while responding to their pressing development needs. The EU CBM 5 Programme represents a framework for engaging in development interventions across the security zone on both sides of the Nistru River, comprising a series of activities that strengthen, regularize and intensify interaction between otherwise divided societies, aiming to establish this interaction as a norm.

The fifth phase of EU CBM Programme started in January 2019 and consists of 4 components: Support to Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, Community Development and Cross-river Sectoral Platforms, Cultural and Historical Heritage Support and Support to Cooperative Media Content Development.

Through previous four phases from 2009 until present, over 95 social infrastructure projects were rehabilitated on both banks of the Nistru River, such as education, environment, culture, sport and health facilities, as well as improvements to critical physical infrastructure, such as water supply, sewage networks and waste management facilities. Each project aimed at promoting people-to-people contacts and cross-river exchanges, with the view of building confidence among the population from both sides of the Nistru river.

In the Phase 4 of Confidence Building Measures Programme, five thematic collaboration platforms in the area of environment, health, culture, education and sports, were established in order to support the initiation of mutually beneficial sectorial dialogue and projects, as well as capacity building and transfer of experience from one bank to another. The ideas generated through thematic collaboration platforms were to be translated into specific confidence-building projects and blueprints for the upcoming development interventions. The platforms of collaboration were established to emerge increased number of cross-river collaboration and confidence building activities.

EU CBM Programme in its fifth phase continue supporting the cross-river platforms, focusing on their further qualitative and quantitative development through generating new thematic solutions and developing strategic directions with strong confidence building elements, through expanding their membership, and broadening areas of cooperation between NGOs and professionals from both banks of Nistru river.

Given the number of thematic platforms and the specific complexity of the process, a National Consultant is required to evaluate the platforms development to date, provide continuous guidance to platform leaders in the process of further development of their response to thematic problems, long-term strategies, assistance on their network expansion, and contribution for Platforms strengthening and sustainability.

Scope of work

The overall objective of the National Consultant on Cross-River Sectoral Platforms Institutional Capacity development (hereinafter National Consultant) is to support the institutional capacity development and strengthening of five thematic cross-river platforms created with support of EU CBM 5 Programme through provision of continuous guidance to platform leaders and ensuring efficient overall confidence building within activities implemented under the thematic collaboration platforms.

To achieve effectiveness, The National Consultant will engage with platform leaders, members and beneficiaries, aiming at the platform institutional development across four dimensions: internal governance, membership, capacity to produce results, and networking & advocacy. The consultant will pursue that the activities designed and implemented by the platforms contribute to generation of new joint solutions for common problems. Specific focus will be put to adjustments of the activities in response to current COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak and post-crisis times. In order to ensure synergies and reach the long-term sustainability of the thematic platforms, the National Consultant will work with and among thematic platforms and platform leader organizations, with EU CBM 5 Programme team, as well as with other donors and relevant stakeholders related to confidence building process.

Requirements for experience

Education:

  • University degree in International Relations, Conflict Resolution, Development Studies, Public Administration, Management, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or other related areas.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of professional experience in organising capacity development in the area of institutional development of CSOs.
  • At least 3 years of proven practical experience in confidence building projects, conflict resolution or conflict analysis.
  • Proven experience of work with/for with focus on platform/networks/alliances of NGOs.
  • Good knowledge of the civil society and local stakeholders on both banks of Nistru River;
  • Previous practical experience in establishing or coordinating thematic platforms or networks is a strong asset.
  • Proven understanding of the Transnistrian region setting, knowledge and in-depth understanding of the working environment, its sensitivities, political challenges, ability to build solid ground for joint work between the two sides are strongly desirable;

Competencies:

  • Proven ability to conceptualize and put together cooperation programmes for representatives of the civil society and community-based stakeholders;
  • Good analytical and evaluation skills;
  • Demonstrated communication, teamwork, presentation and advocacy skills, particularly with regard to human rights and gender equality issues;
  • Flexibility, ability to work under tight deadlines;
  • Ability to focus on goals and adapt processes to achieving goals.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is mandatory.

Documents to be included

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

  1. Cover letter, explaining why they are the most suitable for this position
  2. Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment with Financial Proposal (in USD, specifying the requested amount per working day, including all related costs - quoted in separate line items). Financial Proposal template prepared in compliance with the template in Annex 2;
  3. Updated CV, including past experience in similar projects and 3 references.

Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including fees, taxes, travel costs, accommodation costs, communication, and number of anticipated working days) (see Annex 2 of the Offeror’s Letter Confirming Interest and availability attached to this Procurement Notice).