TOR for Short Term Consultancy Assignment Project: Good Local Governance Programme South Caucasus PN: 16.2174.7-010.00 Activity: Support to elaboration of 2018 program budgets in the 18 established cluster municipalities of Armenia Period: 04.2017-02.2018 1. Background The Good Local Governance Programme South Caucasus advises and supports respective partner organizations at national, regional (sub-national) and local levels in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan in the implementation of cooperation initiatives towards improved local governance. It supports the improvement of frame conditions, addresses regional (sub- national) governance issues and works towards the improvement of municipal services and citizens’ participation at municipal level. In the context of the German international cooperation approach, the Programme’s objectives are oriented within the framework of the Caucasus Initiative; thus the improved professional exchange among the countries of the South Caucasus and their increasing cooperation are also objectives at regional South Caucasus level. In June 2016 the National Assembly has adopted Laws on establishment of 15 clusters with the elections appointed on September 8 and October 2[1]. The large-scale territorial and administrative reform in the country imposes systemic and structured approach to enhancing socio-economic development perspectives of the municipalities in the framework of national and sector strategies. Local capacities are in the core of the technical assistance provided to the LSGs by international and donor agencies with the objective to prepare municipalities to act effectively and efficiently in the new circumstances. 2. Current situation In 2014 in ten municipalities of Armenia program budgeting (PB) approach was tested through trainings and consultancies. The experience gained during I phase PB trainings delivered in the first 10 pilot municipalities (Annex 2, Column C) were very productive and based on the findings, lessons learned, existing experience and gained knowledge the Program Budgeting Methodology for local level budgeting was developed. Outputs of the project’s I phase were 2015 program budgets for 10 municipalities. In 2015-2016, additional 27 new municipalities and 3 newly established enlarged municipalities (Annex 2, Column D, F) were included in the project. Through ongoing consultancy and trainings Program Budgets for 27 municipalities (Annex 2, Column E) were designed using the PB Methodology, as well as the non-financial indicators database, which was developed to assist the municipalities in PB development processes. Brief Budgets also were developed and used during public hearings in pilot municipalities. The target group of the proposed assignment includes representatives from current administrations, representative authorities, civic actions groups, non-government sector units and other stakeholders in the 18 new clusters: Dilijan, Tumanyan and Tatev, Urtsadzor, Amasia, Ashotsk, Arpi, Sarapat, Goris, Meghri, Gorayk, Tegh, Vayq, Jermuk, Zaritap, [1] The list of clusters, constituent municipalities (settlements) and election dates are set out in the Annex 1 to this TOR. 1 TOR for Short Term Consultancy Assignment Noyemberyan Ayrum and Koghb, (Annex 2, Column F). Currently being the centre for clusters Noyemberyan, Zaritap, Vayq and Urtsadzor municipalities in 2015 before the enlargement have designed their 2016 program budgets as single municipalities. Additionally in 2016 Dilijan, Tumanyan, Tatev and Jermuk cluster municipalities have designed their 2017 Program Budgets. List of clusters and settlements is attached in Annex 1. An important element to secure successful implementation of this assignment will be the continuous support of the MTAD, including both preparatory arrangements (agreements with the marzpetarans, mayors, community councils and other major stakeholders) and participation in the activities set out in the subsequent sections of this TOR. 3. Objectives, Deliverables and Methodology Overall, the assignment aims to enhance capacities of the 18 partner enlarged municipalities to apply the Program Budget Methodology by topical trainings and consultancies to the administrative staff and council members. The objectives of the assignment include but are not limited to: 1) Develop training modules based on the revised Methodology for Program Budgeting; 2) Develop a training concept taking into consideration the possibility of grouping clusters for trainings as well as the different levels of knowledge, experience and expertise of the targeted municipalities and staff; 3) Conduct 2-day trainings on Program Budgeting for clusters as per the training concept; 4) Assist the 18 cluster administration in preparation of 2018 Program budgets; 5) Assist in design of brief budgets for their Program Budgets 2018 of the 18 clusters, 6) Assist in conducting public hearings in each 18 clusters; 7) Provide further methodological support (if necessary); 8) Present to GIZ a final report on overall assignment implementation, incl. activities implemented, experience, lessons learned and recommendations on all aspects of the project. The structure of the report is to be agreed upon with the GIZ programme. The deliverables expected on implementation of the Assignment will include: a) Overall work plan for the implementation of the mission; b) Concept on training of 18 cluster municipalities as per objective 2; c) Report on training satisfaction feedback (provided by the GIZ programme) of participants incl. disaggregation by gender and cluster, as per objective 3; d) 18 Draft Program Budgets before the public hearings; e) 18 Brief Budgets for the public hearing; f) 18 Public Hearings conducted; g) 18 Final Program Budgets after the public hearing; h) Final summary report as per objective 8. 4. Reporting The experts will directly report to GIZ LoGoPro on the progress and completion of the tasks. 5. Level of efforts The total level of efforts for this assignment is up to 115 expert days. 2 TOR for Short Term Consultancy Assignment Tasks Expert days 1. Develop training modules based on the reviewed Methodology for 2 Program Budgeting 2. Develop a training concept taking into consideration the possibility of grouping clusters for trainings as well as the different levels of 3 knowledge, experience and expertise of the targeted municipalities and staff; 3. Conduct 2-day trainings on Program Budgeting for clusters as per 30 the training concept 4. Assist the 18 cluster administration in preparation of 2018 Program 36 budgets 5. Assist in design of brief budgets for their Program Budgets 2018 of 18 the 18 clusters 6. Assist in conducting public hearings in each 18 clusters 18 7. Provide further methodological support (if necessary); 5 8. Present to GIZ and MTAD a final report on overall assignment implementation, incl. activities implemented, experience, lessons 3 learned and recommendations on all aspects of the project. The structure of the report is to be agreed upon with the GIZ programme Total 115 6. Schedule The assignment is planned to commence in April 2017 and finish by end of February 2018. The exact commencement date and schedule of activities/work plan will be agreed at a later stage. 7. Selection Criteria 1) Demonstrated knowledge of financial management in local government system in Armenia; 2) Demonstrated experience of working in LSG sector; 3) Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in methods of local planning, budgeting and M&E; 4) Demonstrated knowledge and experience of trainings in local financial management and accounting procedures; 5) Proven experience in cooperating with international and donor organisations in the country and the region. 6) Proven existence of experienced and knowledgeable staff to accomplish the tasks and assignments. 3 TOR for Short Term Consultancy Assignment Annex 1. 18 Enlarged Municipalities Populati Clusters, with on Centre of Previous No. Region/ Marz Election Settlements as of the Cluster Municipalities Dates 01.01.20 16 Tumanyan Tumanyan 1896 Karinj Karinj 664 Marts Marts 483 1 Lori Tumanyan Tumanyan Atan Atan 254 Ahnidzor Ahnidzor 211 Lorut Lorut 887 Shamut Shamut 303 Sub-Total 7 7 4698 Dilijan Dilijan 18675 Haghartsin Haghartsin 4039 Teghut Teghut 1583 2 Tavush Dilijan Dilijan Gosh Gosh 1137 Hovk Hovk 432 Khachardzan Khachardzan 367 Aghavnavank Aghavnavank 344 Sub-Total 7 7 26577 Shinuhayr Shinuhayr 2584 Harzhis Harzhis 784 Khot Khot 936 3 Syuniq Tatev Shinuhayr Halidzor Halidzor 600 Tatev Tatev 842 Svarants Svarants 289 Tandzatap Tandzatap 85 Kashuni Kashuni 20 Sub-Total 8 8 6140 Urtsadzor, 1. Urtsadzor 1. Urtsadzor 3127 4 Ararat (18 Sept. Urtsadzor 2. Lanjanist 2. Lanjanist 157 2016) 3. Shaghap 3. Shaghap 913 Sub-Total 3 3 4,197 4. Amasia 4. Amasia 1963 5. 5. 516 Aregnadem Aregnadem 6. Bandivan 6. Bandivan 284 Amasia 7. Byurakn 7. Byurakn 830 5 Shirak (2 October Amasia 8. Gtashen 8. Gtashen 479 2016) 9. Kamkhut 10. Hovtun 9. Hovtun 190 11. Meghrashat 10. Meghrashat 376 12. Voghji 11. Voghji 539 13. Jradzor 12. Jradzor 351 Sub-Total 10 9 5,528 Ashotsk 14. Ashotsk 13. Ashotsk 2903 6 Shirak Ashotsk (2 October 15. Bavra 14. Bavra 635 4 TOR for Short Term Consultancy Assignment 2016) 16. 15. 562 Zuygaghbyur Zuygaghbyur 17. Tavshut 16. Tavshut 389 18. Karmravan 17. Karmravan 245 19. Krasar 18. Krasar 529 20. Ghazanchi 19. Ghazanchi 624 21. Mets 20. Mets 914 Sepasar Sepasar 22. Saragyugh 21. Saragyugh 253 23. Sizavet 22. Sizavet 391 24. Poqr 23. Poqr 260 Sepasar Sepasar Sub-Total 11 11 7,705 25. Berdashen 24. Berdashen