Tender procedure:Local Test Service Expert Consultant

А. BACKGROUND

Association for Democratic Prosperity – Zid from Montenegro together with CEDRA from Croatia, Deli Center from Serbia, ARNO from Macedonia, Lens from Kosovo, Green Building Council from Bosnia and Hercegovina implementing project “EICEE – Western Balkan Eco Innovation and Circular economy Ecosystem” supported by European Union through call EU Civil Society Facility and Media Programme in favor of the Western Balkans and Turkey for 2021-2023 (IPA III).

Overall objective of this project is strengthening capacities and engagement of civil society organizations in policy development leading to green and digital transition in the WB region. The primary value of the action is set with a defined impact on the capacities of the social economy actors and the perception of the industry and the public sector on the use of resources in a sustainable way and based on the concept of eco-design. This action is perceived as a model that can provide solutions to the challenges within circular economy in project countries. This is set to be achieved by the following steps towards reaching defined specific objective, which is: to contribute to the active engagement of the network of social economy actors which endorses the creation of supportive ecosystem for green and circular economy development.

Sustainable economic development is one of the challenges which the entire social system is facing, not only a challenge for one of the WB countries. It includes integral economic, social, technological and cultural development, which are harmonized with the needs of environmental protection and improvement which enables the satisfaction of needs and the improvement of the quality of life for present and future generations. A number of steps have been recognized in the country, as well as in all WB countries, at the level of strategic planning and development of action plans, but also numerous challenges have been identified that need to be addressed and remedied.

The current economic model in the region is still based on “take-make-replace.” It depletes our resources, pollutes our environment, and damages biodiversity and climate. It also makes countries dependent on resources from elsewhere, for majority of the production process. To address these problems, the EU has the aim to move to a more circular economy model based on more sustainable products. Western Balkan has to follow that route. Addressing the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle and extending their lifetime will lead to more sustainable, circular and more resource-efficient products. More sustainable products such as electronics, furniture and textiles will contribute to the resilience of the economy. Through research work, the regional research team will develop a set of recommendations as a response to identified challenges.

The key stakeholders have been identified primarily as middle-developed NGOs and social enterprises dealing in the circular and green economy sector. There is a significant number of actors in the civil sector who have developed ideas that encourage the development of the green and circular economy. But green technology is not available to most, as well as tools for prototyping, business plan development and sustainability plan for such production. In order to detect how individual waste can be managed, whether products can be sustainable and as such become part of strategic documents, market testing is needed and a group of people who believe in such a process is needed. But also the group of people who has the knowledge to make the process sustainable. With this action we replace the missing elements, support to services to help develop the production process and the knowledge of members that can help them make the process sustainable. The focus is on the business associations, clusters, and cooperatives within Chambers of commerce and SMEs interested in matchmaking the economy with social economy and community innovation as well as public, regional and local institutions working on the achievement of sustainable development, economy, and sustainable development of communities.

The beneficiaries of this project are: research community in the Western Balkans, which received additional findings and services for applying research work in the development of innovative products and the economy in general; social economy enterprises who will further use the developed project services and outcomes; and community representatives, citizens’ association and all interested in gaining support and using green technology, knowledge and services for the development of eco innovation and 3R products.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Objectives of Assignment

Position: Local Test Service Expert Consultant

The Local Test Service Expert Consultant at the Raising Awareness Centre (RAC) in North Macedonia will play a key role in promoting repair skills, sustainability, and community engagement through the planning, organizing, and delivery of practical and educational workshops. The consultant will lead initiatives that teach local communities essential repair techniques, fostering a culture of sustainability and reuse. These workshops will empower participants to develop repair skills that support a circular economy and reduce waste.
In addition to workshop facilitation, the consultant will be responsible for organizing communication activities to promote the centre’s repair-focused initiatives, engaging the community, and building partnerships with local stakeholders. The consultant will ensure that the workshops align with local and international eco-innovation standards, while contributing to the centre’s broader environmental and educational goals.
The consultant will work closely with the RAC team to monitor the outcomes of each workshop, assess the effectiveness of the training, and provide recommendations for improvements. They will also compile monthly reports, tracking the impact of the workshops and their contribution to promoting sustainable practices.
By fostering hands-on repair skills and creating opportunities for community involvement, the consultant will help drive the RAC’s mission to build a more sustainable and repair-centric culture. This role is essential to ensuring the success of the centre’s activities and advancing the principles of circular economy within the local community.

Content of the Job

Tasks of the Local Test Service Expert Consultant will include, but are not limited to:

• Logistics Support Management

-Support coordination on logistical aspects of RAC activities, including organizing materials, tools, and supplies needed for workshops and events.
-Ensure smooth operation of workshops by managing scheduling, equipment setup, and space organization.
-Support the overall functionality of the RAC by overseeing daily operations and ensuring that all resources are readily available for team members and participants

• Support planning and organizing workshops with the project coordinator

-Support the development and schedule of practical workshops and open days focused on repair skills and sustainability.
-Ensure sessions are designed to teach participants essential repair techniques, enabling them to extend the lifespan of various items.Repair Assistance: Support the repair activities conducted at the RAC, ensuring that materials, tools, and staff are effectively managed.

• Deliver Practical Repair Workshops

-Conduct engaging and interactive workshops in a safe and inclusive environment.
-Utilize eco-friendly materials and tools to align with project sustainability objectives. Support Event Organization: Support in coordination of events, workshops, and meetings related to repair activities and circular economy initiatives. This includes liaising with participants, vendors, and other stakeholders.

• Facilitate Educational Sessions

-Organize and lead educational workshops that highlight the environmental and economic benefits of repair and maintenance.
-Use interactive demonstrations and discussions to promote a culture of repair and reuse within the community.

• Prepare Monthly Reports with the project coordinator

-Compile monthly reports detailing workshop activities, participation data, and feedback analysis.
-Include insights on progress, challenges encountered, and recommendations for the upcoming month.

• Communication and Outreach

-Support of the communication efforts for the Raising Awareness Centre (RAC), including promoting workshops and activities through various channels (social media, newsletters, flyers, etc.).
-Engage with the community to raise awareness of the RAC’s mission and encourage participation in workshops.
-Foster partnerships with local stakeholders, organizations, and businesses to increase outreach and impact.

• Promote Sustainability and Community Engagement
  -Collaborate with other team members and stakeholders to maximize outreach and impact.

Methodology

The methodology of work for the Local Test Service Expert Consultant at the Raising Awareness Centre (RAC) will be dynamic and hands-on, with a primary focus on promoting sustainable repair practices within the scope of the EICEE project. The consultant will collaborate closely with the RAC team to align repair-focused activities and workshop content with the project’s broader sustainability goals. Regular meetings with the project team and key stakeholders, such as local artisans and environmental organizations, will provide a platform for sharing progress, addressing challenges, and developing strategies to further integrate repair culture into the community.

The consultant will lead capacity-building events, including workshops, training sessions, and hands-on repair activities, aimed at enhancing the repair skills and sustainability knowledge of local participants. These events will foster an interactive environment where community members can learn repair techniques and share best practices, all while promoting the principles of a circular economy.

Additionally, the consultant will ensure that all methodologies used within the RAC are aligned with the highest standards of sustainability and effectiveness. Regular evaluations of workshop outcomes and processes will be conducted to assess impact and make adjustments where necessary. The consultant will document findings and insights in detailed reports, providing valuable feedback to the project team and stakeholders to inform future actions.

By applying this approach, the Local Test Service Expert Consultant will be instrumental in driving the success of the RAC, helping to establish a sustainable repair culture and supporting the long-term goals of the EICEE project in fostering eco-innovation across the region.

Requirements

Qualification, Competences and experience

• Proven experience in technical assistance, logistics, and project coordination, preferably in the fields of circular economy, sustainability, or community-based initiatives;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, in English;
• High level of organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Experience working with social enterprises or within a circular economy framework is preferred;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders;
• Practical experience in hands-on repair work, or an understanding of repair processes and tools, is an advantage;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

C. THE WORK CONDITION

Place of work – Regional Awareness Centre (Repair Shop) – Skopje, North Macedonia
Contractual nature – Service contract
Maximum amount for the tender is 900,00 EUR gross per month or 14.400,00 EUR in total.

D. APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  

Detailed information about the Tender procedure can be found in Part A_Documents for information

The tenderers will submit their tenders using the:

• Declaration on honour on Exclusion and selection criteria;
• Statement of Exclusivity and Availability;

• Standard tender submission form and Technical offer (available in Part B) AND 

• Financial offer (available in the Part C) of this tender dossier. The financial offer needs to be submitted in a separate envelope. 

The tender will be submitted in 1 original. Any tenders not using the prescribed form might be rejected by the contracting authority.
In addition to the offer, the tenderer is required to provide the following supporting documentation:

• Applicant CV 

• Bank account details to which the payments shall be made;

More information about the tasks of the Local Test Service Expert Consultant you can find in Annex 1 – Terms of Reference – Local Test Service Expert Consultant

The written forms are submitted in sealed envelopes, with the label “DO NOT OPEN” and the Reference number: IPA/2022/441-412/ARNO-05. The exact address of ARNO should be indicated in the center of the envelope: “Bulevar VMRO” 1-2/7, 1000 Skopje (Municipality Centar). The name of the bidder is entered in the upper left corner.

Submission of original documentation (envelopes) must be carried out by hand delivery to the offices of Organization for social innovation ARNO at Bulevar VMRO 1-2/7 by 29 of January 2025 at 16:00. 

Any documentation received after this deadline will be automatically rejected.

ARNO is committed to equal employment opportunities, which do not discriminate against a candidate in national, sexual, age, national, ethnic, racial, religious, or other grounds. ARNO will ensure all candidates respect for fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed.