Background:
The UNDP and Ministry of Finance “Social Services in Support of Social Development and Cohesion” project is targeting the policy issue of fiscal decentralization, and more concretely the inter-governmental transfers, in function of more equitable provision of social services at local level. The project is a part of a wider Programme supporting the fiscal decentralization reform and the social inclusion agenda of the Government that will allow, on the one hand, an allocation of resources in line with the already decentralized competencies; and, on the other hand, a more equitable distribution of financial resources among municipalities both in terms of expenditure needs and financial capacity.
More specifically, the project aims to improve municipal responsiveness to social inequalities and deficiencies of social services for vulnerable groups, contributing to decrease of social differences and mitigating impact of the economic crisis. In the frame of the third component of the Project participatory planning service delivery practices were introduced in four pilot municipalities: Cair, Jegunovce, Konce and Krusevo, including establishment of community based planning groups and provision of training for municipal authorities and civil society on social service policy, local budgeting and monitoring.
Therefore, UNDP CO in Skopje seeks a local consultancy company, Civil Society Organization or academic institution to provide consultancy services for preparation of targeted evidence-based analysis and policy proposals for increase of the effectiveness and the scope of the local service delivery in the identified priority areas for for the two pairs of municipalities: Jegunovce and Cair (lot 1) or Konce and Krusevo (lot 2) considered as separate lots within the tendering process.
Objectives:
The overall objective of the assignment is to further support with expert advice the community based planning groups in identification and formulation of concrete policy proposals to be included in the local planning documents which are addressing the social services for local inclusive development and public infrastructure investments.
Expected outcome of the assignment is to promote access to local planning processes to social actors and vulnerable groups that will ensure both inclusiveness and tailored responses to the local context and needs.
Qualifications of the service provider(s):
- The service provider(s) shall have experience in implementing projects in the fields of local budgeting, fiscal and financial monitoring;
local development and local capital investments programming, planning and financing.
- The service provider(s) shall submit full reference list and a specific list of similar projects (at least 3 similar projects) and contact details of
the clients of those similar projects for reference check (please indicate the e-mail addresses or fax numbers of the clients).
- The minimum expected input is approximately 60 expert days (in total, including the leading and the associated experts) per lot or minimum
120 expert days for the 2 lots.
Qualifications of the personnel per lot
The service provider shall offer optimal team of qualified experts with experience in fields relevant to the assignment including three leading experts per lot (not necessarily employed by the service provider) for:
• Budgeting, fiscal and financial monitoring (1)
• Local development (1)
• Local capital investments programming, planning and financing(1)
Team Leader per lot:
• University degree in the thematic area relevant for the assignment. A higher degree will be considered as an asset;
• At least 3 successfully managed projects in the field of local budgeting, fiscal and financial monitoring; local development and local capital
investments programming, planning and financing;
• At least 7 years of professional experience in provision of consultancy services for the specific role of the expert.
Leading Experts per lot:
• Relevant university degree. A higher degree will be considered as an asset;
• Participation in at least 3 projects in the specific field of expertise;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in provision of consultancy services for the specific role of the expert;
Expected Duration of Assignment: 25 May 2012 – 30 June 2012
Deadline: 21 May 2012
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