Background

• The design and implementation of a system of inter governmental block grants between financially and administratively autonomous government institutions at different levels of territorial hierarchy; 
• The design and implementation of a system inter governmental budget allocations between departments and institutions including those at different levels of territorial hierarchy; 
• The design and implementation of performance and programme budgeting systems for these transfers and grants; 
• The design and operation of multi-year expenditure frameworks for these transfers and grants;
• The design and implementation of local revenue maximisation schemes and the linkage of revenue to grants and transfers; 
• The design and implementation of local audit procedures and other measures to reduce fiduciary risk for local level financing;
• The linking of local level financing to other local level governance processes such as planning and procurement.

This solicitation is for a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for one year and renewable up to three years linked to satisfactory performance of the consultant . “LTA” refers to a mutual arrangement whereby the Consultant will provide services as required, over a specific period of time. An LTA specifies the unit price (daily rate), allowing for a framework agreement to be used when the Consultant’s services are needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to support the UNCDF regional portfolio of projects and provide assistance to beneficiary countries in the following areas:

• Support the design and implementation of appropriate local level public financial management systems that enable both best practice and best value to be applied at local level in a sustainable fashion within the local capacity constraints; 
• Support UNCDF and governments in the development of alternative public financial management arrangements that follow best practice but that allow local level ownership of projects and contracts whilst procurement and contract management services may be carried out by a different level of government; 
• Support UNCDF with substantive technical input to its knowledge products and with input to its participation in discussions, conferences and meetings with development partners, private sector agencies and government on the issue of local level public financial management.

• Assessing capacity and needs of key local and national stakeholders involved in the local public financial management process in relation to the requirements of each UNCDF programme; 
• Providing technical support to these programmes as required including carrying out of scoping missions to selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region focused on assessment of existing intergovernmental transfer mechanisms as well as corresponding design of systems, tools and approaches best suited for effective application of UNCDF programmes methodology; 
• Preparation of proposed projects implementation workplans and corresponding monitoring and evaluation systems; 
• Developing and / or contributing to training materials, manuals and best practice guides on local level public financial management processes; 
• Presenting  material on local level public financial management at technical meetings and seminars; 
• Developing of cross country studies, indicators and systems that can monitor and compare the best practices and best value results from central and local level public financial management systems; 
• Carrying out other relevant tasks as assigned by the Regional Technical Advisor.

Duration of Assignment

• Home based with travel to countries where UNCDF programme operate in Asia, Pacific and Africa regions;
  
• The schedule of travel will be negotiated with the incumbent according to the requirements of each programme country;
• A separate ToR with clear deliverables, budget and timelines will be prepared and agreed prior to each mission within the terms of the ToR.

• A descriptive and analytical back to the office report following each assignment that provides full details of the mission schedule, copies of substantive inputs produced and recommendations for follow up action;
• Substantive reports and other inputs as requested by the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor

Competencies

• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other material;
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi cultural environment; 
• Ability to work in a tropical climate where appropriate infrastructure and systems are not well established; 
• Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions; 
• Ability to contribute towards conflict resolution in the workplace;   
• Knowledge of one or more of the UNCDF programme countries would be an asset; 
• Localisation in Asia, Pacific and Africa would be an advantage.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

 Education:

•  Postgraduate degree in Public Financial Management, Public Accounts, Public Political / Social sciences or other related field.

Experience: 

• Competencies (30%); 
• Experience (30%); 
• Education (10%);
• Daily rate (30%). 

• Offeror’s letter confirming interest and availability form can be found here: http://uncdf.org/en/hiring-consultants;
• Updated CV;
• Brief Description of Approach to Work.

 Please upload all documents as one file under "CV".