Background
In the context of ongoing decentralization reform, local governments' responsibilities are becoming increasingly more important and versatile. While some progress has been made, the effective and accountable delivery of quality public services at the local level still faces considerable challenges in terms of limited capacity to design and implement integrated local development strategies, insufficient organizational development and financial management in line with the principles of good local governance and lack of understanding of benefits of intermunicipal cooperation. With the project Integrated Local Development in Montenegro UNDP will address these challenges through following components: 1: Developing prioritized and mature project pipeline that is aligned with strategic priorities at national and local level in pilot municipalities; 2: Improving transparency and accountability of municipal financial management, 3: Enhancing local service delivery through inter-municipal cooperation 4: Improving municipal and ministries’ management practices in order to deliver better quality of services to the citizens in a transparent, accountable and cost-effective manner.
Objective
The key objective of the assignment is to prepare a study to identify funding possibilities (both internal and external sources) for cluster-based initiatives and prepare technical inputs for funding, disbursement and audit procedures to support the roll-out of the Cluster Strategy including the clear application templates/formats for IPA funds, EIB, EBRD, IDF, European SME programmes such as HORIZON 2020 and COSME and other funds, as well as public calls for grants from the ministries, bank loans and similar. The study should also include success stories and best practices from the European countries on cluster funding absorption as well as practical example of an application developed with enterprise from the Montenegrin clusters. This activity also includes facilitation of meetings between relevant actors. The study needs to be prepared in the Montenegrin language.
Responsibilities
- Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with UNDP Project Manager for Local Governance Programme;
- Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with national consultant with regard to provision of all necessary inputs related
to funding opportunities available in Montenegro;
- Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with legal expert hired by UNIDO to carry out an analysis of the appropriate
legal structure of Montenegrin clusters, including an analysis of supporting regulatory frameworks for the operation of clusters in
Montenegro, the identification of international best practices with regard to cluster legislation and recommendations/drafts for
amendments or new (by)laws for the appropriate legal framework for cluster support in Montenegro;
- Prepare a detailed work plan with time-table for the assignment;
- Conduct detailed analysis of international funding possibilities for which Montenegrin SMEs, clusters and/or their support institutions are
eligible. At the same time possible funding schemes and sources for the implementation of activities listed in the Action Plan for the
Roll-out Phase of the Cluster Strategy should be included;
- Prepare a draft of the Study on funding possibilities
Requirements
- University degree in Social Sciences, preferably in finances, economics/financial management, administration, local development,
whereas advanced university degree would be an asset;
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience;
- Thorough understanding/knowledge of various EU and European level funding schemes;
- Proven expertise and experience in the clusters development, finance/local level area and knowledge of relevant EU practices, preferable
working experience with EU funds for competitiveness, and in the region of South East Europe;
- Modern approach to delivery of policy/technical advice, and experience of working with SMEs in a process of reform;
- Management experience, preferably within the context of international organization/companies;
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops, etc.;
- Excellent IT skills, including word-processing, database applications, presentation software, etc.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, whereas knowledge of the local language would be an asset;
Deadline: 02 June 2014
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