Consulting services (Individual Consultant) – Team Leader: Support to Implementation of the National Sustainable Development Strategy

 GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration

Project: Support to Implementation of the National Sustainable Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia

Consulting services (Individual Consultant) – Team Leader

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

In response to a resolution adopted by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 the Government of the Republic of Serbia decided to initiate the preparation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) for the Republic of Serbia. In July 2005 the Government appointed the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for European Integration to lead this process with financial support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the NSDS preparation process was formally launched in December 2005.

A key part of the Support to the NSDS is the establishment of a Project Secretariat responsible for overseeing the strengthening the Government’s capacity to implement NSDS AP based on the European best practices. The Project Secretariat consists of a permanent staff of 5 and in addition the project budget includes funds for hiring short and long terms expert to assist with the many tasks covered by the project). Furthermore, the Project Secretariat supports the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations to coordinate, monitor, report and provide advice on the Government’s efforts on implementation of the NSDS Action Plan. There is also a person with the ODPM in the capacity of the National Project Director designated to the project providing monitoring and oversight of the Project progress and overall responsible for project implementation from the Government side. The ODPM also includes a Sustainable Development Unit consisting of one person – Head of Unit responsible for SD issues. Head of SD Unit is an expert whose main responsibility is to provide advices and support to the ODPM in implementation of the NSDS. Head of SD Unit should work closely with the Project Secretariat and supervise the project implementation.

The project has duration of three years of which more than one year has elapsed so far.

ODPM is seeking services of a competent consultant that would act as a Team Leader and would undertake overall lead the team and manage the Support to the NSDS project and Project Secretariat.

The Team Leader will: (1) ensure that the Project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constrains of time and cost; (2) overall lead the team and manage the Support to the NSDS project and Project Secretariat; (3) oversee the activities of the Project Secretariat and together with the Sustainable Development Unit and the National Project Director, have the overall responsibility for the implementation of the Project (4) manage short and long short-term consultants who will be hired to contribute to and ensure that experiences and best practices are optimally transferred to the Sustainable Development Unit and other relevant stakeholders; (5) work closely with Sustainable Development Unit  and the National Project Director and provide professional support in strategic policy planning/strategic management to line ministries and other partner institutions in charge of the implementation of the NSDS AP; (6) support the Sustainable Development Unit and the National Project Director in coordinating the work of the groups Sustainable Development Council and “Friends of Sustainable Serbia” and “Forum of Partners”; (7) work in close cooperation with the External Advisory Group and the monitoring team engaged by Sida; (8) report to the Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and to Sida.

Eligible candidates should fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• University degree or other relevant degree combined with relevant experience in areas of sustainable development (environment, economy, social);
• Minimum 10 years of relevant working experience from environmental/sustainable development strategic planning and management;
• At least three years of relevant working experience from one of the countries of the Western Balkans;
• Team leader experience from strategic, policy and institutional building projects in EU member states or candidate countries;
• Working experience from working with senior government officials in government institutions and/or international or donor organizations;
• Good understanding of public administration reform, government structure, EU integration processes; and working in a political environment is a requirement;
• Demonstrated understanding of the meaning and purpose of sustainable development
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English language; knowledge of Serbian will be an asset;
• Computer skills, knowledge of web-communication and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point etc);
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills;
• Strong analytical and organization skills;
• Project cycle and management skills (and preparing project documentation);
• Proficiency in the use of strategic planning tools and log-frame approaches;
• Knowledge of international procurement rules and procedures would be an asset;
• Training and coaching skills (including TNA).

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, May 2004 revised in October 2006.

Interested consultants should provide expression of interest with resume including the information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 24 August 2011 by mail or e-mail.

Office for submission of Expressions of Interest and for obtaining further information:

Deposit Insurance Agency

Knez Mihailova 2/I
11000 Belgrade
Serbia

Contact persons:

Ms. Biljana Djokic
E-mail: biljana.djokic@aod.rs

Tel: +381 11 2075 124

Terms of References for Team Leader: download here