Request for consultant - Canada Fund for Local Initiatives coordinator

The Embassy of Canada in Astana seeks a contractor to assume the role of Coordinator of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) program in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is a long-standing contribution program that is delivered through Canada’s missions abroad. It is a responsive, flexible program at the local level that allows Canadian missions to fund small but visible projects. Through contribution agreements, the CFLI provides monetary assistance that covers all or a portion of the cost of projects that are comparatively modest in scope, scale and cost and that are usually conceived and designed by local authorities or organizations. More information on the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Scope of work

General mandate

The contracted Canada Fund Coordinator works under the supervision of the Canadian Embassy’s Canada Fund Manager and is accountable for the day-to-day administration of the Canada Fund Program including:

• Liaison with potential CFLI applicants;
• Initial screening of applications for funding;
• Detailed assessment of project proposals and recommendations;
• Preparation of project documents for review by the CFLI Committee;
• Preparation of project approval documents (PADs) and contribution agreements (CAs);
• Negotiating project details with recipients of funding;
• Maintenance of files and records;
• Monitoring, financial tracking, evaluation and reporting with respect to individual CFLI projects under the direction of the Canada Fund Manager, and preparation of draft CFLI Program Year End Report.

Tasks

The CFLI Coordinator is responsible for completing the following tasks:

• Project proposal solicitation;
• Preparation of project approval process documents;
• Preparation of project implementation documents;
• Project monitoring and reporting;
• Preparation of final program report;
• Translation of standardized CFLI templates (as needed);

Experience

1. Contractors must have experience in project evaluation and management, including experience with reviewing financial documents;
2. Contractors must have experience in fields such as development, human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women, and/or environment and climate change;
3. Contractors must have experience working with a range of stakeholders, preferably with local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations; local academic institutions; international non-governmental organizations working on development activities in Kazakhstan, and/or the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan;
4. Contractors must demonstrate knowledge of the context within which local non-governmental organizations operate, as well as human rights, democracy and governance situation in Kazakhstan, and/or the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Language

The Contractor must possess the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in either English or French and Russian (trilingual is an asset).

Education

University degree in a field of study relevant to the work to be performed.

Competencies

• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Tact, courtesy, discretion, initiative and good judgement.
• Ability to work with partners with consideration of diversity and inclusivity.

Condition

Legally eligible to work in Kazakhstan.

Contract duration and terms of payment

The selected individual will commence their work on April 1, 2025, and conclude on March 31, 2026, for project implementation and project completion stages. Subject to satisfactory performance and funds availability, the contract can be renewed for one (1) year period, if mutually agreed.

Expression of interest

If you are interested, you can request the PDF version of the Request for Proposal (RFP) by email at: BidReceiving-CSDPLD@international.gc.ca.

Only bidders who meet the mandatory criteria will be considered.

For the Proposal to be valid and accepted it must be received no later than 17:00 (Astana time) on November 15, 2024.

It is paramount to split your proposal into the following 4 sections:

• Section I – Technical proposal
• Section II – Financial proposal
• Section III – Certifications
• Section IV:  Additional information

The bidders must send their bid only to: BidReceiving-CSDPLD@international.gc.ca

Bids sent to an employee of Government of Canada will be declared non-responsive. Consequently, they will be excluded from the evaluation process.

Please provide your electronic proposal in separate PDF or MS Word files.