Background

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) in Somalia is a joint programme of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF.  JPLG that commenced in 2008 for an initial phase of 5 years has now entered in its second phase (2013-2017). JPLG works with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Governments of Puntland and Somaliland, local governments, communities and non-state actors. The JPLG overall objective is; “Local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery in selected locations’. The Joint Programme has two specific objectives which are:

  • Communities have equitable access to basic services through local government;
  • Local governments are accountable and transparent.

The Programme is aligned to the Somali Compact, the programming frameworks of the Somaliland Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) 2008-12, and the ongoing PFM reforms in Somalia led by the specific governments with support from the World Bank and other development partners. The UN JPLG is also in line with the UNCDF Corporate Strategy and the Business Plan of the Local Development Finance Practice for 2014-2017.

The overall programmatic scope of JPLG II remains largely unchanged, but places greater emphasis on promoting legislative reforms, institutionalising innovations introduced during Phase I, expanding to more districts, especially in the Federal Government of Somalia region (South Central Somalia), and strengthening the management of the Programme.  As before, JPLG II makes concerted efforts to address human rights, gender and women in local government, and good governance principles of transparency, accountability and civic participation.

UNCDF plays a vital role in designing and implementing the Local Development Fund mechanism for Somalia, following its experiences with Local Development Programmes, Local Development funds and fiscal decentralisation in Least Developed Countries. The LDF is perceived as a key mechanism to enhance sustainable and responsive social service delivery in Somalia, and provides a space for capacity building, piloting of systems and procedures, comprehensive planning at local level and accountability measures; ultimately leading towards a formalized fiscal decentralization system in Somalia for enhanced service delivery. As part of enhancing sustainable service delivery and participatory development, UNCDF has been supporting implementation of LDF in Somaliland and Puntland since 2011, and will soon commence in FGS. There have been lessons and developments during the LDF intervention to date that call for its review and enhancement not only to cater for capital transfers but also elaborate additional financial transfer mechanisms and options to complement service delivery. As the JPLGII activities geographically and in scope, it has become necessary for LDF implementation to cater for variations in categories of local governments and other aspects related to LDF implementation including gender, community participation, investment project designs, local revenue enhancement, budgeting and planning, accountability and  sustainable service delivery.

In this context and to respond to its increased role in supporting the fiscal decentralization process, local revenue mobilization initiative and the related subnational level PFM reforms, UNCDF/JPLG seeks to hire an international consultant to conduct a review and enhancement of the current LDF modality and develop relevant manuals for Somaliland, Puntland and, where viable, for Federal Government of Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Review and improve the LDF design and operation:

  • Review the LDF implementation to-date and document lessons and experiences;
  • Complement the learning from the LDF review with the findings of JPLG mid-term reviews, evaluations and fiduciary risk assessments as well as with the documentation of international experiences related to implementation of intergovernmental fiscal transfers as well as service delivery in fragile environments;
  • Review the policy prescribed, current practices and financial mechanisms for financing the provision of basic services at the LG level; identify blockages/challenges and recommend actions (both generic and sector specific) to incorporate finance for basic services in the revised LDF design;
  • Review LDF operating procedures, minimum criteria and performance measures with the view to differentiate and adjust them to LGs with different maturity and align performance measurement with other performance measurement systems for local government (e.g., Local Government Barometer);
  • Formulate provisions for a project development window as part of the overall LDF design to finance feasibility studies and other project development activities;
  • Review the fiduciary robustness of the LDF operating procedures in light of the Fiduciary Risk Assessment released in September 2014 and formulate measures to address the identified gaps and minimize fiduciary risks;
  • Present proposals for improvement of the LDF design, guidelines and operating rules in light of these findings to ensure that the LDF improves its efficiency and effectiveness to meet the evolving requirements;
  • Analyze the gender sensitivity of the LDF design and procedures, identify requirements and provide recommendations on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through the LDF. 

Deliverables/ Expected Results:

  • Inception report elaborating  objectives, approach and deliverables;
  • Draft LDF review report and LDF manual applicable for Somaliland, Puntland, and the Federal Government of Somalia;
  • Prepare relevant inputs and facilitate validation workshops in Somaliland and Puntland  workshops with key stakeholders on the revised LDF modality (workshop logistics and expenses to be met by UNCDF);
  • Debriefing sessions to JPLG and presentation materials summarizing and explaining the main structure and recommendations in a comprehensible and easy format;
  • Final LDF review report and LDF manual applicable for Somaliland, Puntland, and the Federal Government of Somalia.

The working days are distributed as follows with a need to travel to Nairobi,  Puntland and Somaliland twice as will be agreed with UNCDF:

  • 25 days Home;
  • 5 days Nairobi;
  • 12 days Puntland;
  • 12 days Somaliland;
  • 1 day Mogadishu;
  • 55 days total.

Evaluation Method

Evaluation Scoring:

  • Technical evaluation based on competencies, experience and education (70%);
  • Financial evaluation based on daily fee quoted by applicant (30%).

Total score: 100%.

Application Requirements:

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

Competencies

Technica/Functional:

  • Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development and decentralization through government reform;
  • Substantive knowledge of developing and managing a fiscal transfer system for a country in a decentralized system;
  • Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, procedures and guidelines for local fiscal management and participatory accountable systems.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge management and Learning

  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices in his/her professional area of expertise.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Builds strong relationships with clients (primarily Government), focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
  • IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.  

Management and Leadership

  • Demonstrates strong analytical and management skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree in public finance, economic policy, public policy or other subject or relevance;

Experience:

  • A minimum of 15 years of experience in the field of fiscal decentralisation, public expenditure management and intergovernmental relations;
  • Demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of fiscal decentralisation issues, particularly in post-conflict and transitional countries;
  • Demonstrated experience in LDF design and implementation;
  • Sound experience of developing local fiscal management systems and subsequent management of  a local Development Fund; 
  • Experience in the assessment of government systems and processes;
  • Experience in international development partner support to Least Developed Countries in Africa;
  • Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of governance issues of in Puntland, Somaliland and Federal Government of Somalia desirable; 
  • Previous experience within the UN/Bretton Woods institutions desirable.

Language Requirements: 

  • Demonstrated excellence in written and spoken English is essential. 

Supervision arrangements:

The incumbent is accountable to UNCDF/JPLG and will work under direct supervision of and with direct reporting lines to the UNCDF Chief Technical Advisor. Approach and methodology shall be agreed with UNCDF/JPLG team, as well as agreement on ways forward. Discussion of issues and challenges shall be done in a transparent manner with all partners, under the guidance of UNCDF/JPLG. Travel arrangements and timings shall be agreed in line with the inception report.