| Overview : Purpose To provide expert advice to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on several high-complexity projects belonging to the Investment Climate priority area, from a business enabling perspective. Objective The overall objective of the project is to enable the Government to drive forward a set of citizen-centric policy measures and interventions, which will make a substantial difference to the quality of life experienced by Serbia’s citizens. Background Information The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, in his address to the Parliament on 27 April 2014, on the occasion of establishment of the Government, noted that Serbia has dropped to the 101st place under the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum for 2013/2014, as the last country in the region. He stated that the main goal of the reform process would be to increase competitiveness of the economy, make an appealing climate for investments and finally, to put pressure on the practice of corruption. The Government has a plan to make the biggest progress on this index, becoming among the first ranked countries of Southeastern Europe by 2018. In order to steer reforms at a fast-track pace, the Office of the Prime Minister is setting up a Strategic project implementation Unit as a single information and coordination point supporting the head of Government in reaching evidence-based policy decisions. The purpose of the project is the support the Office of the Prime Minister by providing advisory services to its Strategic project implementation Unit tasked with supporting the Cabinet in delivering better results faster in five key priority areas: infrastructure, investment climate, agriculture, restructuring of public enterprises and public administration reform. Investment Climate and the support for inbound investment projects has been recognized as a field of particular importance by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. The team will work with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance in attracting investment from blue chip multinationals, and in ensuring that investment projects have the greatest benefit to the Serbian economy. Work will also involve improving the Serbian investment attraction system, such as the establishment of an effective and sustainable incentives structure, optimization of industrial locations, and harmonization of investment with transport and utilities infrastructure. The PMO will form teams to work on each priority area (lot). UNDP will support two Senior Advisors in Investment Climate, who will be engaged as an expert on individual high-complexity projects in this sphere from the business enabling perspective. Description of Responsibilities Scope of work The consultants will provide advisory services to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the development of citizen-centric policy measures and interventions using evidence-based approaches in high-complexity projects belonging to the area of investment climate. Projects will aim to back the development of a vibrant investment climate in Serbia through helping the Ministries of Finance and Economy in attracting investments from blue-chip multinationals and other actors. The Investment team will be focused on providing support and advice on coordination of several large FDI projects for the country. The consultants will provide expert advice to the PMO on implementing policy priorities within each high-complexity project, identifying and supporting key stakeholders, defining targets and benchmarks, and identifying any critical issues as they emerge. Specific responsibilities include: Develop monthly evidence-based progress reports advising the PMO of key milestones, stakeholder activities, risks and bottlenecks, and recommended courses of action regarding the assigned high-complexity project, which will serve as inputs for aggregated monthly reports to the PMO across all projects in the relevant priority area
During the assignments, the consultants will closely cooperate with the PMO leadership team and personnel, as well as other relevant stakeholders. Duties, responsibilities and key milestones The consultants are responsible for the following deliverables with deadlines 20th of each month during the period od engagement: Write comprehensive monthly update report (4-5 pages) for Prime Minister’s Office documenting following items in regards to 1 specific high-complexity project within a priority area: Updating high-level project completion waterfall charts indicating key milestones and key target dates for completion Updating list of all stakeholders (agencies, departments, individuals, external organisations, etc.) involved and contributing to process, and their activities Revise (based on selected interviews, research and analysis) list of all open issues that could prevent the implementation of analysis or recommendations from taking place before targeted deadline List out courses of action and potential options to explore for resolving open issues (including pros and cons for each) - Provide brief analysis of data and evidence (on return on investment, regulation requirements, etc.) regarding the specific high-complexity project.
All deliverables should be delivered in English and will have to be quality reviewed and approved by the UNDP Portfolio Manager in consultation with the PMO management. Competencies Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work. Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills in Serbian and English. Other European languages are an advantage. Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams. Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and identify priorities for follow up activities. Shares knowledge and experience. Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.
Qualifications A minimum BA degree (MA preferred) in in Business, Economics, or other relevant area; Track record of progressively more responsible coordination experience of a minimum of 5 years (preferably 7), preferably in public administration, public policy formulation, analysis or management advisory services in investment promotion; Developed network of stakeholders, including public institutions, international organizations, and businesses; Sound understanding of the national institutional and legal framework and implementation practice in creating enabling environments for business development; Excellent organizational and communication skills; Fluency in Serbian and English; Full computer literacy in the use of MS Office package, especially Excel and Power Point.
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 3 July 2015. Applications should include: P11 (PDF format) containing e-mail contacts of at least three referees (section 26 & 29). P11 may be downloaded at: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/P11.doc; Offeror’s Letter (PDF format) 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 (only PDF will be accepted). The Offeror’s letter must also include: a Cover Letter – Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work a writing sample – link or specimen of writing produced on a relevant topic.
Additional Information: The selected consultant will be subject to a Government security check prior to signature of contract. Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity. If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP.Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx 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. Please note that you may upload your application documents for the mentioned consultancy ref. 1511 at following the link: http://www.undp.org.rs/jobs_new.html For more information on the application procedure please refer to the enclosed Procurement Notice. |
