National Expert for implementation of feasibility study in BiH

The Position:

The National Consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNFPA Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. But The work of the National Consultant will be monitored and coordinated by UNFPA Programme Specialist for Population and Development.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in transition located in South-East Europe that is consisted of two entities (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska as well as Brcko District) Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is further consisted of 10 cantons. All in all, there are 14 executive and legislative governments in the country including the Council of Ministers at the state level.

Demographic situation in the country remains complex with fertility rate at 1.18 considered as one of the lowest low globally. At the same time, with estimated 25,000 population emigrating to more developed countries annually and negative natural change caused by higher mortality than fertility, Bosnia and Herzegovina losses approximately 1.5% of total population a year. Although official statistics report the country having around 3.4 million population, this number does not take into consideration emigrations. Demographers in the country agree that the country does not have more than 3 million population or even less at present.

Productivity levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina are quite low and estimated at around 2/3 of average productivity in the European Union. Also, inactivity and unemployment levels in the country are very high where only one in three working age women have income from their work. The Labour Force Survey reports 51% of working age women being inactive and additional 20% unemployed in the labour market (lowest for the whole Western Balkans region).

Having in mind that productivity could be increased either through automation and robotics, or strengthening human capital or immigration of skilled workers, many stakeholders have been trying to solve the issue of low productivity with insufficient impact. Main barriers for women to engage in the labour market are the possession of low skills in comparison to the labour market needs, lack of childcare and care for older members in their families and gender pay gap. Although employment bureaus exist across the country, their work is mostly focused on self-registered working-age population while inactive population is not included in any employment initiatives.

UNFPA and the Czech Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted an analysis of the effects of population trends on the provision of public services in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2022 with demographic and economic projections for the coming period. Demographic projections suggested that the country will lose more than half of its current total population by 2070 with older persons becoming most populous group at 43% of total population while children 0-14 will represent only about 10% of total population. Economic projections calculated at average economic growth of 2.5% on annual basis suggest that the country will need additional 3% of GDP annually as of 2030 to maintain public services in the education, health care and pension sectors at current level. Although pensions are relatively stable, they do not cover for many of the needs of older persons. When it comes to education and health care, it is projected that government authorities will not be able to maintain services across the country but will rather have to focus on more populated areas (usually urban or sub-urban areas). This means that many young people living in rural areas with already lower access to public services will be pushed to emigrate while older persons could easily fall below the poverty levels and without basic access to health care.

As part of the project implemented by UNFPA and the Czech Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a model of employment of young women with preschool children was developed in cooperation with the private sector. The model is based on on-the-job training of women by one of the most desired employers with the provision of subsidised childcare for the duration of the training. Out of 29 women who participated in the three-month training, six of them remained in employment while others were put on the reserve list.

Similar project will be continued in 2024 where the model will focus on the employment of long-term unemployed or inactive women in their 40s. Statutory age for retirement in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 65 years of age with a minimum of 15 years of registered employment. This means that all the population who has no sufficient years of registered employment at the time of retirement will not have any or much income and would become social welfare cases. In order to show that middle-aged women have a significant potential that could be used for socio-economic development, the project will support a similar training like in the first phase with hopes that most of the women will be able to either stay in employment with the partner company or find employment elsewhere in the labour market.

In parallel to developing these models of employment, UNFPA and the Czech Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina are planning to conduct a feasibility study for production of goods or development of services by selected women’s associations that could be offered in the market through one or more largest retails or other services providers.

In view of this, UNFPA and the Czech Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina are looking for one National Consultant to serve as a member of the team lead by the International Consultant from the Czech Republic. Two consultants will work together to assess the capacities of selected women’s associations for the afore-mentioned economic activities, explore the market for goods or services that could be matched for the capacities of women’s associations and write a report on the feasibility of such activities with the perspective of sustainability of women’s associations and women who they serve.

Scope of work:

The main objectives of this feasibility study are:

• To review the capacities and potential of selected women’s associations and evaluate the economic feasibility of the proposed production of goods or provision of services by those associations.
• To identify potential challenges and risks associated with the project and recommend mitigating measures.
• To assess the market demand, competition, and potential customer base for the products or services.
• To determine the necessary resources, including funding, skills, and infrastructure required for successful implementation.
• To explore potential partnerships with the private sector to enhance the project’s sustainability.

The role of the National Consultant will be to support the International Consultant with the following activities:

• Review the current economic and social context in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a specific focus on women’s participation in economic activities.
• Conduct a thorough market analysis, including demand, competition, and potential customers for the proposed goods or services.
• Evaluate the technical and operational feasibility of the project, considering the expertise and resources available within a pool of registered women’s associations.
• Assess the financial viability of the project, including cost estimates, revenue projections, and return on investment.
• Identify potential risks and challenges, both internal and external, and provide recommendations for risk mitigation.
• Investigate potential funding sources, grants, or partnerships with private sector entities to support the project (retail of goods or services).
• Engage with stakeholders, including local communities, government authorities, and potential partners, to gather insights and support for the project.
• Suggest up to two women’s association from the pool of registered women’s association for continuation of strengthening their capacities and engagement in economic activities.

You would be responsible for:

The National Consultant will support the International Consultant to deliver the following:

1. Inception Report: Review and provide comments on the methodology, work plan, and data collection tools as developed by the International Consultant and within one week of signing the contract.
2. Field Mission: Travel across the country for meetings with the selected women’s associations and larger private enterprises in line with the work plan proposed in the Inception Report.
3. Interim Report: Together with the International Consultant, present initial findings, including market analysis, technical feasibility, and identified challenges, within two weeks of return from the mission.
4. Draft Feasibility Study: Assist the International Consultant with drafting a comprehensive feasibility study, covering all aspects outlined in the objectives, by the end of August 2024.
5. Final Feasibility Study: Jointly with the International Consultant incorporate feedback from stakeholders and produce the final feasibility study within two weeks of receiving comments on the draft.
6. Present the final feasibility study report (in person or online) to relevant stakeholders in October 2024.

Expected travel:

Field mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be organised jointly by the consultants in line with the Inception Report to be endorsed by UNFPA and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina prior to any field activities. The field mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be preferably organised by the end of May 2024 or at latest in June 2024. Exact dates for the mission will be discussed with both consultant upon signing of the contracts and submission of the Inception Report with detailed methodology.

Travel related costs for the field mission will be paid to the National Consultant in addition to service fee using UNFPA travel policy.

Qualifications and Experience:

• At least 5 years of specific professional experience in conducting research with at least some focus on conducting market analysis (including understanding market dynamics, and consumer behavior), developing economic activities and developing social enterprises;

Education:

• It is required MA (PhD preferred) in any field of economy (international business, statistics, business administration, marketing etc.);

Knowledge and Experience:

Fair understanding of political and economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including relevant economic policies, regulations, and trends;

• Some experience in developing/implementing projects for economic support to women or women’s associations;
• Some experience in collaboration with the private sector (e.g. corporate social responsibility or similar);
• Proven experience in working with the international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an asset);

Languages:

• Fluency in BHS and English languages.

Required Competencies:

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,

Embracing cultural diversity,

Embracing change

Core Competencies:

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Good technical verbal and writing skills;
• Strong negotiation skills to facilitate agreements and partnerships with stakeholders;
• Collaborative approach to work, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams;
• Analytical mindset with the ability to think critically, identify problems, and propose innovative solutions;

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

<Managerial Requirements>

Compensation and Benefits:

 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net income as per policy.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.