Background

Those who previously applied need not re-apply.

Malawi localized the Paris Declaration principles on aid effectiveness through the Malawi’s Development Assistance Strategy (DAS) for the period 2006-2011 approved in September 2007. Overall aid management and coordination is responsibility of Debt and Aid Division (DAD) under Ministry of Finance. The DAD has a separate unit for donor coordination – Development Assistance Coordination Unit (DACU). Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) serves as the medium-term instrument for achieving the aspirations of the long-term Malawi Vision 2020. In April 2012 the Government approved a second medium term national development strategy for the period 2011-2016 known as MGDS II with expanded list of priority areas. Structures for dialogue under the DAS include a High Level Forum on Aid Coordination and Sector Coordination Groups, among others. In November 2008 the Government issued guidelines on institutionalizing Sector Working Groups (SWGs) as a means for implementing DAS and strengthening implementation of MGDS.
 
In 2012 the MoF carried out a thorough review of DAS implementation which included the SWGs assessment.  The review acknowledged that the SWG process has not evolved as planned and has not been well coordinated from central institutions.  Only some SWGs seemed to be working reasonably well (e.g., health, education, transport, water, and more recently agriculture, democratic governance, and trade industry and private sector development), while others have hardly ever met.   There are structural issues with respect to definition of sectors and treatment of cross-cutting issues. These findings are echoed in a subsequent internal government review of SWG processes.
 
Given the importance of SWGs as a coordination mechanism, the DAS review recommended revitalizing SWG process on the basis of a thorough review of experiences with SWGs and appropriate changes to the current set up. The analysis will feed into implementation arrangements for the next Development Cooperation Strategy (DCS) for 2014-2018. Against this background, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) wishes to engage a consultant to support Government in strengthening the SWG functionality. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives:
  • The objective of the assignment is to review the performance of SWGs and make recommendations to improve their utilization in development programming in Malawi.
Responsibilities:
  • The consultant will be responsible for reviewing the efficacy of the SWGs mechanism and making recommendations for improving their functionality in the future.
Among other duties, the consultant will:
  • Review the status of establishment of each SWG;
  • Analyze the SWG concept and the definition of sectors;
  • Analyze structures for coordination that have evolved outside the main SWGs;
  • Assess the performance of the established SWGs in fulfilling their objectives;
  • Analyze the challenges affecting the roll out and operations of SWGs;
  • Conduct a comparative analysis of the performance and management of SWGs between Malawi and countries with similar experiences (benchmarking);
  • Determine the critical factors for successful functioning of SWGs;
  • Document good practices and lessons learned from the experiences of SWGs in Malawi;
  • Make recommendations for the establishment, functioning and the effective management of SWGs.
Deliverables:
  • An inception report should be produced within 7 days after the contract is signed;
  • A draft report within 30 work-days after commencement of the assignment, including proposals for the revised SWG guidelines and training manual;
  • A final report to be submitted 45 days after the contract with the consultant is signed.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Anticipates client needs;
  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
  • Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
  • Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services;
  • Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
  • Excellent report writing and communication skills;
  • Ability to work cooperatively and constructively with counterparts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • At least a Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Political Science, Law or any other related social science discipline.
Experience:
  • At least seven years progressive work experience in development assistance management, sector-wide planning, public policy management, monitoring and review including SWAPs;
  • Demonstrated experience in review and evaluation of public sector projects and policies in developing countries;
  • Specific experience in reviewing SWG functionality.

Language:

  • Fluent in English.