The USAID-funded Local Governance Assistance Activity (LGAA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), implemented by Tetra Tech International Development (International Development Jobs – Tetra Tech), is currently accepting expressions of interest for an Expert on Municipal Planning and Reporting for a short-term technical assignment. The Municipal Planning and Reporting Expert will work with the LGAA team based in Sarajevo, BiH.

Position Description/Summary: The purpose of this assignment is to engage a local expert for a short-term consultancy to provide two-folded support in these areas:

* Strengthen capacities of LGU departments to perform the planning functions (strategic planning, monitoring and reporting) through building their knowledge and providing hands on technical assistance.

* Develop a practical template and a reporting tool to support effective preparation of the annual development report.

The anticipated level of effort for this assignment is 85 days. The period of performance for this assignment is o/a October 7th, 2024, to o/a June 30th, 2025. The Municipal Planning and Reporting Expert will perform the work both remotely from their home of record in BiH, and on-site on the locations which will be defined in a later stage with the Expert. Domestic travel is therefore expected.

Responsibilities:

Task 1: Develop a comprehensive training package on planning, monitoring and reporting

As part of this task, the Consultant is required to develop a comprehensive training package increasing awareness of LGU representatives on the importance of planning and reporting and strengthening their skills to perform this important function.

The training package will include following stand-alone training sessions/modules:

* Overview of the processes of planning, monitoring and reporting as prescribed by the relevant laws (The FBIH Law on development and development planning from 2017 and the RS Law on strategic planning and management from 2021) and By-laws (the FBiH Bi-Law on three-year and annual planning, monitoring and reporting of the FBiH from 2019 and the RS By-law on implementation documents from 2021) with a particular focus on the significance of planning and the roles and responsibilities of all LGU departments in these processes. Additionally, as part of the development of a training package the Consultant will also develop a reporting template for the preparation of the annual development report (i.e. strategy implementation report).

* Setting up performance indicators, monitoring of indicators and reporting on their achievement (special focus on the general importance of data collection).

* Support in the preparation of actual annual and 3-year plans.

* Support in the preparation of annual report and report on the implementation of municipal development strategy in line with the existing legislative framework.

In order to prepare above-mentioned training package, the consultant is expected to review relevant legislation and available training materials on the related subject, investigate best practices in the area of planning, monitoring, and reporting at the local level in BiH including existing templates for reporting on strategy implementation.

In addition, as part of the Task 1, the consultant will:

* Develop a practical, user-friendly guide for LGUs departments on implementing documents, outlining key steps and processes required for the preparation of implementing documents such as the three-year plan, annual plan, and an annual report.

* Develop template for the annual development report. The Consultant will submit the draft template to LGUs for their review and feedback and finalize it based on the LGUs’ feedback. Following finalization of the template the Consultant will prepare written instructions on how to use the developed reporting template and ensure all the relevant data is integrated into it.

* Prepare a brief questionnaire for partner LGUs (exact number of LGUs will be provided during the consultancy) to examine relevant knowledge of LGU department staff. Based on the analysis of staff responses, the Consultant will propose specific trainings for the future.

* Develop four highly practical and interactive training sessions including the agenda for each session/module, detailed content, related materials and tools, which will be used during the training. The training modules must be in line with the entity legislation on development planning as well as reflect staff responses collected earlier through the questionnaire. Additionally, the training modules will integrate examples of best practices in the area of planning, monitoring and reporting at the local level in BiH. The Consultant will suggest optimal number of hours/days for each training session considering the tight schedule and availability of LGUs representatives. Also, the Consultant will prepare training notes for each training module.

Task 2: Deliver training package on planning, monitoring and reporting

Upon completion of the activities outlined in Task 1, the Consultant will deliver the training for relevant LGU staff.

Specifically, the Consultant is expected to:

* Deliver the orientation training module on planning, monitoring and reporting, consisting of separate sessions on the planning, and the monitoring and reporting piece, with an overall training duration of not more than two days. The Consultant will conduct the training for LGAA partner LGUs at three locations (location will be defined, up to 20 participants per training site and up to seven LGUs per each location). Throughout the training, the consultant will introduce LGUs with the newly developed reporting template and the guide on the preparation of implementing documents.

* Deliver the training module on performance indicators, monitoring of indicators, and reporting on their achievement. The training should last one full day and should be delivered in an interactive manner. The Consultant will conduct the training at six different locations (exact locations will be communicated at a later stage, up to 12 participants per training and up to four LGUs per each location). As part of the training, the Consultant will work on practical examples from partner LGUs while providing them inputs and suggestions for the improvement of implementing documents.

* Deliver the training module on the preparation of annual and the three-year plan. The training should last one full day and be delivered in an interactive manner. The Consultant will conduct the training at six different locations (exact locations will be communicated at a later stage, up to 12 participants per training and up to four LGUs per each location). As part of the training the Consultant will work on practical examples from partner LGUs while providing them with inputs and suggestions for the improvement of planning documents.

* Deliver the training module on the preparation of an annual report on the implementation of municipal development strategy in line with the existing legislative framework. The training should last one full day and be delivered in an interactive manner. The Consultant will conduct the training at six different locations (exact locations will be communicated at a later stage, up to 12 participants per training and up to four LGUs per each location). As part of the training, the Consultant will use practical examples from partner LGUs and provide detailed instructions on how to prepare an annual report using the developed reporting template.

* Prepare a short report on organized trainings focusing on main suggestions and comments from LGU representatives aimed at improving the process of preparation of the implementing documents.

Task 3: Provide quality assurance support for the preparation of annual development report

After completing Task 1 and holding an orientation training on the processes of planning, monitoring, and reporting, the Consultant will, in parallel with working on the Task 2 and Task 4, provide practical support to selected LGUs in the process of preparing annual report on the implementation of municipal development strategy. Specifically, the Consultant will:

* Provide technical assistance for up to 15 partner LGUs remotely for the development of their respective annual reports. This will include substantial review of the reports produced by partner LGUs in terms of the document structure, content and alignment with the Entity legislation.

* Prepare brief report outlining quality assurance related support, which was provided for up to 15 partner LGUs.

Task 4: Develop a concept for the Municipal Strategic Management Portal (MSMP) – digital tool on strategic planning, monitoring, and reporting

As part of this task, the Consultant will:

* Review and analyze digital tools currently used by LGUs for the purposes of reporting.

* Conduct a working session with LGU representatives to discuss the needs and requirements of the digital tool.

* Develop a draft concept of MSMP based on the analysis of collected templates and tools as well as based on the conclusions from the working session. The concept should include a detail outline of all main functionalities of MSMP, main users of the system, recommended roles and responsibilities of relevant LGU staff, and recommendations for the future use of the platform.

* Present draft concept with select LGU representatives and finalize it in close coordination with LGAA and the feedback received from partner LGUs.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

* Minimum bachelor’s degree in human resource management, business administration, project management, or another relevant field.

* Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in providing technical assistance to LGUs in strategic and operational planning.

* Knowledge and experience in analysis, definition and implementation of local development policies, strategies and implementing document, particularly relevant for the local level (proven through specifically listed related documents).

* Experience in applying relevant legislation and methodology related to strategic planning and implementing documents in both Entities (FBiH and RS) at local levels.

* Experience in facilitation and coaching of small groups of participants (proven through specifically listed related events).

* Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize and write concisely and clearly in the languages of BiH peoples.

* Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource, including for data visualization.

* Proven expertise in the provision of technical advice for HRM to local governments in BiH required, and regionally desired.