Background

The Local Governance and Community Development Programme (LGCDP) is a national programme which is being implemented by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) and supported by a range of development partners.  LGCDP’s Programme Document (PD) comprehensively describes LGCDP’s rationale and approach along with its vision, goals and purpose.  The individual programme components and management arrangements are also fully described in the PD as is the Programme log frame and the results and reporting framework. Under the overall supervision of the National Programme Director (NPD) and the day-to-day supervision of the National Programme Manager (NPM), the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) is responsible for providing support for the implementation of agreed programme activities.
 
The terms of reference describe the scope of work and qualifications/experience required of the Accountability and Oversight Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Accountability and Oversight Specialist will be supporting the LGCDP II Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) to achieve LGCDP II goal, purpose, outcomes and outputs.
 
The Specialist will work under the daily supervision of the concerned Outcome Coordinator and will provide the NPM and Outcome Coordinators with technical assistance and advice. He/she will be ultimately accountable to the NPD. S/he will be expected to collaborate with the all of the PCU’s Technical Specialists.
 
Specific tasks and responsibilities
 
With respect to general programmatic responsibilities, the Accountability and Oversight Specialist will be expected to:
  • Participate in  PCU meetings;
  • Participate in drawing up the Annual Strategic Implementation Plan (ASIP) and lead the drawing up of the Annual Monitoring & Evaluation Plan (AMEP);
  • Assist in periodically reviewing overall LGCDP II progress;(iv) Assist in drafting LGCDP II’s regular narrative progress reports;
  • Assist in organizing bi-monthly output group meetings;
  • Identify and report risks and issues to the PCU and support discussion on mitigation actions in the bi-monthly output group meetings;
  • Support PCU in completing timely meeting minutes and following up on agreed actions;
  • Follow up on the implementation of all activities in the ASIP in coordination with the Regional Coordination Unit (RCUs);
  • In conjunction with other PCU Specialists, develop standard reporting formats for the PCU, RCUs, District Governance Experts (DGEs) and Urban Governance Experts (UGEs);
  • Ensure that data collection activities related to LGCDP II are conducted on a regular basis and are consistent with LGCDP II’s monitoring and evaluation framework;
  • Provide any LGCDP II review team and the Joint Annual Review (JAR) teams with data on programme implementation.
In terms of specific technical responsibilities, the Accountability and Oversight Specialist will be expected to:
  • Provide policy and programmatic advice to MoFALD regarding all accountability and civil oversight issues ;
  • Take lead role to provide technical support and input for the implementation of Local Governance Accountability  Facility  (LGAF) and civil oversight activities related to LGCDP II as outlined in ASIP outcome 1;
  • Provide backstopping support and technical guidance to the RCUs, DGEs and UGEs with respect to mainstreaming monitoring through Ward Citizens Forum (WCFs) and implementation of LGAF activities;
  • Assist in drafting terms of reference and request for proposal for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for compliance monitoring activities;
  • Assist in short listing and selection of CSOs;
  • Provide backstopping for Monitoring and accountability  expert in PCU for monitoring and reporting of CSO activities;
  • Provide input on LGAF and mainstreaming of  ward Citizens Forum (WCF) oversight issues to any LGCDP II guidelines, manuals or other such documents.
In terms of capacity development, the Accountability and Oversight Specialist will be expected to:
  • Meet regularly with Outcome  Coordinators  on accountability and civil oversight issues;
  • Meet regularly with Outcome  Coordinators to discuss future orientations with respect to accountability and civil oversight issues;
  • Ensure that Outcome  Coordinators  with relevant LGCDP II reports and documents;
  • Assist in identifying capacity development activities for MoFALD officials in the area of accountability and civil oversight;
  • Assist and participate in capacity development activities concerning accountability and civil oversight issues for MoFALD and local body officials;
  • Assist in identifying capacity development needs of other PCU and RCU national Technical Assistance staff.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional competencies:
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors, at the senior levels;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Oral and written communication skills. 
Knowledge Management and Learning:
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • In-depth knowledge on development and gender and social inclusion issues.

Required Skills and Experience

 Education:
  • Master  degree in social, political sciences or related field. 

Experience:

  • At least 7 years’ experience of working on accountability and civil oversight in Nepal;
  • Demonstrated track record of delivering high quality reports on time;
  • Experience of working in a national government-managed programme would be an advantage.
Language: 
  •  Fluency in  Nepali and English written and spoken.