2119 Technical Advisor for Strategy Development

Background

Purpose

To provide technical support in the development strategy and related action plans of the City of Belgrade.

Objective

To ensure viability and strategic development of the City of Belgrade.

Background

In 2015 UNDP supported the establishment and functioning of the Project Development Office (PDO) of the City of Belgrade, attached to the Mayor`s Office. The PDO mandate is to conduct various analyses and to identify, develop and implement investment projects in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the Utility Companies or Secretariats.

The Project Development office of the City of Belgrade keeps its focus on development projects with the aim to improve the quality of life of its citizens and stimulate economic growth through continuous investments in large infrastructure projects. The current global economic downturn requires careful examination of current investment opportunities and preparation of comprehensive multi-sectoral investment plan.

The Development Strategy of the City of Belgrade defines eight strategic goals that are contributing to the realization of the vision "Belgrade - urban, sustainable, responsible, dynamic and developed European region". One of the goals is Smart urban development of the city on two European rivers intended to provide the maximum quality of life with minimal use of resources, applying information technologies to establish modern sustainable forms of communication, mobility and participation. With the implementation of the Strategy and related Action the City of Belgrade developed a coordinated, institutional framework to make the most of opportunities, giving citizens a chance to have a voice in the future of the place where they live. It also gave a solid base to recognize, choose and communicate the best projects for the city. A sudden global pandemic caused by Coronavirus has caused a strong economic and social impact on cities around the world. To meet the challenge, cities are developing recovery plans in a log-run, besides their initial short-term responses. The primary concern of the City of Belgrade is public health and safety. Financial and economic concerns are also considered while public safety is being remedied. In these challenging times the public relations plays a critical role by helping local self-government to develop quick and accurate messages to be sent to wider public. It is crucial for city to continue with implementation of its development strategies by adjusting city plans, developing crisis PR to contribute to the city's future economy, sustainability and overall citizens' health and wellbeing.

UNDP will assist the City of Belgrade in the coordination/implementation of strategic activities identified in the framework of the City`s Development Strategy and related to Smart and Green City development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

The selected consultant will do the following:

• Collect, review and analyse relevant documentation on current and planned activities of the City of Belgrade related to the framework of the Development Strategy of the City of Belgrade, with focus on the strategic goal 2 - Smart urban development of the city on two European rivers;
• Propose, in agreement with the PDO of the City of Belgrade, Terms of Reference of the Strategy Development Working Groups (SDWG). SDWG should provide support in the development of planning documents, action plans and guidelines;
• Provide support for working group that includes establishment contacts with relevant stakeholders and institutions, SDWG should provide support in the development of planning documents, work plans, budgets;
• With support of the working group, conduct gap and SWOT analysis of current and planned activities of the City of Belgrade related to the framework of the Development Strategy of the City of Belgrade, with focus on the strategic goal 2 - Smart urban development of the city on two European rivers and other strategic documents;
• Based on the results of the gap analysis, develop and present to the PDO and Major`s team new strategic directions and guidelines for the implementation of smart and green actions acknowledging „new reality” caused by the COVID 19 pandemic;
• Provide advice to PDO on how to prioritize and communicate city`s projects and priorities during the COVID crisis;
• Draft the Strategy of the City of Belgrade and related action plans for defined period and develop crisis management strategy and action plan for the same period, , taking into account all specificities of the situation caused by the Covid 19 pandemic outbreak;
• Assist with the dissemination of results of programmes, projects and activities undertaken by the PDO in relation to smart and green city projects/initiatives;
• Work closely with members of the PDO and the Office of the Mayor in order to share specific expertise and knowledge on crisis communication aspects.

Deliverables	Deadline
Report in English up to 20 pages on  desk review of documents, gap and SWOT analysis of current and planned activities of the City of Belgrade and make recommendations in the framework of the Development Strategy of the City of Belgrade,	15 October 2020
First draft of development strategy and action plan submitted and approved.	25 November 2020
Final draft of development strategy and action plan submitted and approved.	15 December 2020
First draft of crisis management strategy and action plan, taking into account all specificities of the situation caused by the Covid 19 pandemic outbreak submitted and approved;	15 January 2021
Final draft of the crisis management strategy and action plan submitted and approved.	1 February 2021

All deliverables shall be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP Project Manager and City of Belgrade official.

 

Competencies

Knowledge:

• A demonstrated ability to work congenially and productively with a diverse team, counterparts, and other project stakeholders;
• The ability to develop relations with partner organizations, donors, external bodies;
• Advanced command of MS Office package.

Personal qualifications:

• Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Excellent negotiating and leadership skills;
• Responsible, communicative, well-organized, team-oriented person;
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• BA degree in social sciences including economics, political science, psychology and sociology, communications and management or related fields;
• MA will be considered an asset.

Work experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in strategic planning or similar tasks that include preparation of strategic documents (e.g. development strategies, Action plans, etc.);
• Relevant experience in public sector will be considered an asset;
• Previous experience in crisis management or action plans development;
• Highly developed communication skills, including ability to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style to a variety of audience.

Language:

• Native Serbian;
• Fluency in English.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 20th August 2020.

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).  
• Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx. The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.

Note: Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit signed Offeror’s Letter Confirming Interest and Availability including a price for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. 

Financial Proposal:

• Lump sum contracts

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 travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

Evaluation

1. Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight; 70%

1. Cumulative analysis When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and                                                          b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight; 70% * Financial Criteria weight; 30% Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation Criteria Weight Max. Point Technical 70% points Criteria A Desk review of CVs based on experience in strategy development and planning 30 Criteria B Desk Review of CVs based on the experience in crisis management or action plans development   25 Criteria C Qualifications 15 Financial 30% 30 points

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity. 
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any   legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on:
• http://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc. In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract:

(i)       A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and;

(ii)     The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.  
• UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status, and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.