UNDP Kosovo, Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS) and the PISG/Office of the Prime Minister have established a joint multi-donor Capacity Building Facility (CBF) for Kosovo project since June 2004, as a flexible, demand driven, and participatory mechanism for governance strengthening of the PISG, to help with strategic reforms and the implementation of the “Standards for Kosovo”.
The CBF project is calling for an expression of interest from qualified and dynamic local, regional and Diaspora candidates to join the expert roster of CBF Coaches and Advisors. Selected Coaches and Advisors will be placed in government departments in part-time or full-time basis, in assisting the government counterparts with institutional reorganization and strategic reforms, the provision of on-the-job coaching and advice for senior civil servants, and sharing external technical expertise in areas concerning the PISG’s organization, administration, service delivery and policies.
The ideal candidates will have at a minimum:
Advanced university degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, Law, Political Science, Social Science or related field.
At least 5 years work experience, including 2 years in advisory and/or management capacity;
Proven ability to write proposals, reports, evaluations, etc. in a clear and concise manner, to communicate and make effective oral presentations; Familiarity with project design and project management; Practical experience in policy analysis and policy paper drafting
Excellent knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian languages. Knowledge English language is highly desirable.
Additional Information: - Please note that placement in the CBF Experts Roster does not guarantee immediate engagement and that candidates will be deployed on demand basis only, in accordance with PISG’s needs; - Remuneration is calculated according to the relevant qualifications and experience; - Initial contract duration is usually 6 months (minimum 3 months) with possibility of extension;
CV and a cover letter must be submitted in English by e-mail (preferred), to
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ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED
Project overview The Capacity Building Facility (CBF) is a flexible and strategic instrument to support the central and municipal institutions of Kosovo in strengthening democratic institutions, improving public administration, and implementing the “Standards for Kosovo” policy framework. Through a combination of on-the-job Coaching and Advisory Services for senior and middle managers in the civil service, the CBF will, on a demand basis, address leadership and reform management deficiencies in the central government level. CBF Advisors and Coaches seek to promote a “change-oriented, reform mind-set” by motivating and building skills to help establish a professional civil service capable of formulating and guiding the implementation of policy and institutional reforms, while fostering a de-politicized culture of accountability. The Capacity Building Facility's chief aim is to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the civil service.
Project objectives • Implementing the Kosovo Standards Advisory and coaching services assist government counterparts to, first and foremost, meet the benchmarks required to implement the Kosovo Standards and, eventually, qualify for accession to the European Union; • Creating Change Management Leaders Advisors and coaches promote a “change-oriented, reform mind-set” by motivating and building skills in clients to formulate and guide the implementation of policy and institutional reforms (including public administration reform and structural economic reforms), while fostering a culture of accountability; • Institutional & Cultural Transformation Developing public sector culture that accepts risks and is more capable of managing change is entrenched, particularly among middle-level and senior civil servants who are well placed to bring about much needed reforms. Values, motivation, and technical skills imparted are sustained through changes in the behavioural attitudes of civil servants and the adoption of legal, institutional and other types of reforms; • Attracting Talent & Expertise Flexible and coordinated provision of advisory and coaching capacity support services (not replacing the traditional, in-line functions of civil servants) to government; • Results-Based Performance Management By establishing mid-term benchmarks, quality standards, and performance tracking mechanisms, a thorough oversight of Standards Implementation will be undertaken.
Project Partnership Managing Partners: UNDP Kosovo, Kosovo Foundation for Open Society, and the Kosovo Provisional Institutions of Self-Governance – Office of the Prime Minister Supporting Partners: Ministry of Public Services, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Education, the Kosovo Institute of Public Administration, and the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK).
Target Beneficiaries Civil servants at middle and senior levels of management at the Central and Local Government level, as well as those at Government Agencies .
Project Duration Pilot Phase: June 2004 – March 2005 Second Phase: April 2005 – December 2006
Results to date Since June 2004, the CBF has engaged 41 coaches and advisors working with Directors of Departments and CEO’s in the PISG Ministries and Agencies, covering 71 approved requests for assistance. Working directly with the client, coaches and advisors engage in transfer of knowledge in order to build client capacities to formulate and to guide the implementation of policy and institutional reforms.
Some practical examples of CBF assistance through Coaches and Advisors include: v provided technical support and coaching toward the establishment of a Permanent Negotiation Team, the Secretariat for Coordination of Trade Policy Working Group and in drafting of Free Trade Agreements, and the signing of the same with Albania, Department of Trade, Ministry of Trade and Industry; v developed a “Road Map” and specific benchmarks for transforming the Office for International Cooperation and Regional Dialogue into a future Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OPM; v developed a comprehensive Public Services Strategy on Human Resource and Institutional Development, Department of Civil Service Administration, Ministry of Public Services; v advised the Acting Director of Department of Fiscal Policies on how to assess and design macroeconomic stability measures, and proposed action points for the preparation of medium and long-term economic development strategy, Ministry of Finance and Economy; v provided technical support in implementing the “Standards for Kosovo” plan in the areas of inter-ethnic dialogue, informal dwellings, and Religious Freedom Law, (former) Office of Communities, OPM; v conceptualisation and implementation of an anti-corruption campaign, Office of Good Governance , OPM; v guidance and assistance in preparing the Strategic Orientation for the Development of Industry in Kosovo, Department of Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry; v advised and guided the development of the roadmap for the restructuring and unbundling of Kosovo Electricity Corporation (KEK) during the 2005-2008 period, Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mining; v advised the Director of Kosova Institute for Cultural Monuments Protection during the preparation of recommendations to the Kosovo Negotiating Team in the area of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sport and Non-residential Affairs; v advice and recommendations to municipal authorities in implementing of Standards III and IV, Office for Standards and European Integration, Ministry of Local Government Administration; v assistance to the Head of Budgeting, Ministry of Transport and Post-Telecommunications in effective reorganization and development of interdepartmental cooperation; v developing the “Best Practice” manual in drafting of laws, Legal Office, OPM; v supporting the Standards Coordinator in driving forward the implementation of Standards, in concert and close cooperation with Ministries and other stakeholders, OPM.
Project background Since the establishment of UNMIK in 1999, international development partners (including UNDP) organized countless technical training programmes for Kosovan civil servants. The piecemeal approach to training driven by uncoordinated donor assistance has led, in part, to training programmes that are often based excessively on supply instead of demand. Given Kosovo's complex transition to a modern, democratic system of governance, it is not surprising that current, conventional approaches to civil servants training are insufficient.
Project Components
Coaching Services: CBF Coaches provide “on-the-job”, part-time training to civil servants involved in complex projects and strategic initiatives, including the planning and implementation of ambitious public administration, social policy, and economic reforms. In addition to the transfer of relevant technical skills to civil servants, the CBF approach focuses on assisting civil servants to become active and engaged elements of positive change and reform, by enhancing their leadership skills ; this involves promoting results-based change management and accountability, initiative and risk-taking, and thinking as well as acting “outside the box”.
Advisory Services: In addition to the emphasis on fostering leadership skills through personal mentoring, CBF Advisors provide even greater technical advisory support. Working directly on a full-time basis with civil servants ( for 1-3 year periods) , they provide technical assistance and transfer capacities to formulate and guide the implementation of policy and institutional reforms, including those advanced by the Public Administration Task Force and in the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan.
Short-Term Technical Advisory Services: This service line enables the CBF to respond quickly to PISG and donor community requests for high-end technical assistance of a limited duration. Examples of assistance are likely to include the preparation of highly technical legislation, the design of a complex development project, a comprehensive assessment (e.g. functional review of staffing in line ministries), or the design of a strategy to maximize the use of public assets.
Project Implementation and Strategy Applications for CBF assistance from government ministries and agencies must outline how the CBF assistance relates to the Standards for Kosovo Implementation Plan, efforts to strengthen public administration, and other reform initiatives. In reinforcing efforts for greater local ownership of governance, the CBF coach or advisor will cooperate closely with the client in setting and developing work plans for the duration of the assignment.
