Tender Manager Recruitment

CLOSERConnecting LOcal proximity networks Sustaining participatory governanceProject n. A_G_4.1_0087_CLOSERTerms of Reference (TOR)forTender Manager Recruitment1. Interreg NEXTMED programme Interreg NEXT ‘Mediterranean Sea Basin’ (‘NEXT MED’) programme is the third generation of one of the largest cooperation initiatives funded by the European Union to enhance transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean area. Building on the experience and results of the ENPI (2007-2013) and ENI (2014-2020) cross-border cooperation (CBC) Med programmes, NEXT MED will continue boosting Euro-Mediterranean cooperation for the period 2021-2027 under the framework of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy and its specific ‘Interreg’ instrument which supports European Territorial Cooperation across regions and countries. NEXT MED is implemented under strand B ‘Transnational cooperation’ of the external dimension of Interreg, allowing for cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea basins between EU Member States and Southern Neighbourhood partner countries. The Programme aims to contribute to smart, sustainable, fair development for all across the Mediterranean basin by supporting balanced, long-lasting, far-reaching cooperation and multilevel governance. The programme mission is to finance cooperation projects that address joint socio-economic, environmental and governance challenges at Mediterranean level such as the uptake of advanced technologies, competitiveness of SMEs and job creation, energy efficiency, sustainable water management, climate change adaptation, transition to a circular and resource efficient economy, education and training, health care, etc. The cooperation area, home to over 200 million inhabitants, covers countries across the Mediterranean basin, including European Union Member States and Southern Neighbourhood partner countries participating in the programme. The Programme has a total budget of €292 million, comprising €263 million from the European Union and €29 million in national co-financing at project level. The budget comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA III) and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). For more information, please, visit: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/.2. CLOSER: general information about the project The need to reinforce social services and social rights in the MED area is urgent and particularly relevant in rural/remote/peripheral areas, increasingly suffering from depopulation and aging, often lacking of basic services’ provision or where the access to them is most difficult, leaving the population more exposed against both systemic shocks and ordinary life-cycle risks. To build an effective response to these issues, it is fundamental to act locally and involve the citizenry in co-constructing solutions that can benefit the entire population. Participatory governance responds to these needs in an innovative and inclusive manner because it facilitates cooperation between public and private sector’s actors with the active engagement of the local population resulting in a higher co-responsibility and ownership of the decision-processes and sense of belonging. Through bottom-up co-design, carried out through active cooperation between civil society actors and public authorities, and with the direct involvement of the population, social services will be more responsive to local needs and their management will be more effective and inclusive. CLOSER wants to connect and build the capacity of public and private actors in working as a network and jointly designing solutions to provide social services, planned and delivered through participatory models of governance to enhance social rights for the Mediterranean populations.3. Objectives* To set-up local proximity networks between public authorities, third sector organisations and other stakeholders involved in social sector governance in Italy, Spain, Greece, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, and promote their cooperation at local, regional and cross-border levels. * To strengthen the capacity of local networks’ members and other stakeholders to become facilitators of participatory local governance processes through face-to-face and online training opportunities, study visits abroad and international training camps. * To develop and implement a joint model of participatory governance based on cooperation between local and cross-border territorial proximity networks for the co-design and provision of social services aimed at improving the well-being of the local population. * To pilot local initiatives of participatory local governance, implementing at local level the joint model developed, by launching and managing in a participatory manner a social service co-designed by the proximity networks to respond to the needs of the populations involved in remote, peripheral or underserved areas. * To evaluate the impact of the pilot initiatives implemented and promote the exchange of good practices and the replicability of the joint model developed.1. Activities* Development of an e-learning platform for training and cooperation between proximity networks at cross-border level * Participatory mapping of stakeholders at local level * Collection of good practices of participatory governance at regional and national level * Setting-up of local proximity networks and launch of local and cross-border collaboration with regular meetings throughout the duration of the project * International training camp in Jordan for members of proximity networks * Local training seminars for members of proximity networks and other interested actors, including online training via the e-learning platform * Study visits across partner countries for members of local proximity networks * Development of a joint strategic model of participatory local governance * Adaptation of the strategic model into local action plans in each partner country * Piloting of action plans and launch of co-designed and co-managed social services * Monitoring and impact assessment * Development of a booklet with good practices and guidelines for the replicability of participatory local governance initiatives * Promotion and dissemination of results * International forum in Lebanon for the exchange of good practice1. Results: Resources* E-learning platform for third sector organisations, civil society actors, public authorities and other stakeholders with training materials, videos and a collection of good practices about participatory local governance * Interactive map of the territories involved, showing existing social services and stakeholders involved for identifying needs and gaps in the field of social rights * Joint strategic model of participatory local governance developed by local proximity network * Local action plans for testing participatory governance initiatives in the territories involved * Report on the social impact assessment of the initiatives carried out * Booklet of best practices and guidelines for replicability * Memorandum of understanding for the promotion of the CLOSER model in other territories and regions1. Impact* 6 local proximity networks created and connected in a cross-border network with the active participation of 10 local actors in each partner country representing public and private bodies involved in various ways in the provision of social services at local level. * 180 representatives of civil society organisations, public bodies and other stakeholders (60 members of local networks + 60 additional external participants) trained as facilitators of participatory local governance processes. * 6 local areas in Italy, Spain, Greece, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon involved in the co-design and co-management of a social service for the benefit of citizens. * Strengthening of social rights and improvement of the well-being of the populations of the 6 local areas involved, through the provision of new social services that better respond to the needs and desires of the community.1. Partners* Coordinator: Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci – ETS, Italy * EUROTraining, Greece * University of Alicante, Spain * JUHOUD for Community and Rural Development, Palestine * ARDD – Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development, Jordan * Moukhtara Municipality, LebanonOPEN POSITION FOR A TENDER MANAGERWithin the project CLOSER, external expertise and services budget category is very crucial, since it has a considerable share of the budget. In order to ensure coherent quality in all the process, the project foresees a Tender Manager, thus assuring management of procurements and expenditures in a transparent way, taking care of both following the Programme rules and suggesting or supporting the partners in developing the several procedures. This will guarantee both coherence, quality and transparency, with benefits for the whole project.The Tender Manager will perform the assignment in accordance with the procurement and financial management procedures described in the CLOSER Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and the applicable rules of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The PIM is provided as Annex 1 to this Terms of Reference.CONDITIONS OF THE ASSIGNMENTHiring Organization: The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), established in 2008, is a civil society organization committed to promoting social and gender justice in the Arab region. ARDD operates across civic participation, access to justice, policy advocacy, research, and psychosocial support, placing rights and inclusion at the core of its mission.Work setting: online/HybridDuration: Up to 20 months ( ends December 2027)PROFILEThe Tender Manager shall be an independent consultant or firm with demonstrated experience in procurement and tender management, particularly within EU-funded or international cooperation projects.The selected Tender Manager must meet the following minimum qualifications:Professional Experience* At least 5 years of proven professional experience in procurement, tender management, or contracting processes. * Demonstrated experience in EU-funded projects or international donor-funded programmes (e.g., Interreg, ENI CBC, IPA, Horizon Europe, or similar). * Proven experience in reviewing, drafting, or managing tender and procurement procedures in compliance with donor rules and transparency requirements. * Experience working with multi-partner and/or multi-country projects is strongly desirable.Technical Knowledge* Strong knowledge of EU procurement principles, including transparency, equal treatment, competition, and sound financial management. * Familiarity with Interreg or cross-border cooperation programme requirements is considered an asset. * Understanding of public or NGO procurement procedures and documentation requirements.Skills and Competencies* Excellent analytical and organizational skills with the ability to review complex documentation. * Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. * Ability to provide clear written guidance and recommendations to project partners. * Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet strict deadlines. * Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse partners across different institutional and national contexts.TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe Tender Manager will provide technical support to the CLOSER project consortium to ensure that procurement and tender procedures are implemented in compliance with applicable donor and programme rules.The Tender Manager will work in close coordination with ARDD and the CLOSER project partners.The main responsibilities include:* Procurement and Tender Support * Provide technical support to project partners in the preparation and implementation of procurement and tender procedures. * Review and provide feedback on tender documentation, including terms of reference, technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and procurement notices. * Ensure that procurement procedures are consistent with the Interreg NEXT MED Programme requirements, the CLOSER Project Implementation Manual (PIM), applicable EU procurement principles, and relevant national regulations. * Compliance and Quality Assurance * Verify that tender procedures follow the principles of transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, and fair competition. * Identify potential compliance risks and provide recommendations to ensure full adherence to donor requirements. * Ensure coherence and consistency across procurement processes conducted by different partners. * Coordination and Advisory Support * Maintain regular communication with ARDD and CLOSER project partners regarding procurement-related matters. * Provide guidance and clarification to partners regarding procurement rules and documentation requirements. * Support partners in addressing questions related to tender procedures during project implementation. * Monitoring and Reporting * Maintain a record of procurement support activities provided to the partners. * Provide a short progress report every six months summarizing the support provided, procurement procedures reviewed, and key observations or recommendations. * Contribute to improving procurement practices across the project consortium where relevant.DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING SCHEDULE* The Tender Manager shall provide technical support services throughout the duration of the assignment and produce the following deliverables.7.1 Key DeliverablesThe Tender Manager shall deliver the following outputs:Procurement Support and Documentation Review* Written feedback and recommendations on tender and procurement documentation prepared by CLOSER project partners (including terms of reference, tender notices, evaluation criteria, and procurement procedures). * Verification that procurement documentation complies with the Interreg NEXT MED Programme rules, the CLOSER Project Implementation Manual (PIM), EU procurement principles, and applicable national regulations.Procurement Guidance and Advisory Support* Provision of technical advice and clarification to project partners regarding procurement procedures and tender management. * Support in ensuring that procurement procedures adhere to the principles of transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, and fair competition.Procurement Monitoring and Compliance Support* Identification of potential procurement or compliance risks and provision of corrective recommendations to project partners. * Support in ensuring consistency of procurement practices across the project consortium.Periodic Progress ReportsSubmission of brief progress reports every six (6) months, summarizing:1. Procurement procedures reviewed, 2. Support provided to project partners, 3. Key observations and compliance recommendations.Final Assignment Summary Report1. At the end of the assignment, the Tender Manager shall submit a final summary report o…