UNDP Jobs - 55174- International Consultant to Prepare a Policy Note

International Consultant to Prepare a Policy Note on Local Governance/Local Development in Myanmar

Location :

Home-based, UNDP CO Yangon, and Nay Pyi Taw with travel to other locations if required, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 days over a period of 2 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP’s Local Governance program is supporting the Government of Myanmar in its local governance reforms. Since 2013, UNDP has engaged closely with Ministry of Home Affairs to map the current situation on local governance, amongst others in terms of planning, service delivery and institutional arrangements as well as available capacities. The program has included the role out of a nationwide local governance mapping, resulting in state of local governance reports for all States and Regions, as well as a number of capacity development activities, technical assistance and further baseline research.

Based on this engagement and activities, UNDP is looking for an international consultant who will in close coordination with the UNDP local governance team prepare a policy oriented report summarizing key trends and findings in a forward looking manner whilst outlining potential entry points for future local governance reforms and areas of support for UNDP and other development partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International consultant will draft the report mainly based on desk review of existing research and concept papers by UNDP as well as available by other parties. On a needs basis and as agreed with UNDP, the consultant will also consult with government or other experts on specific aspects of the report. The consultant will directly report to the team leader of Pillar 1 Program Specialist.

Scope of Work :

Prepare a policy paper/report on local governance highlighting key trends and status of ongoing reforms building on the findings from the local governance mapping and other areas of intervention under Pillar 1, while focusing to add a strategic forward looking vision on next steps of reforms and entry points, which can serve as background for discussion with government partners as well as provide inputs and guidance for future support by UNDP and possibly other development actors. The report should not go beyond 30-40 pages.

The report shall pay attention to the topics listed below (while others can be required to be included):

Township level planning and its relation to State/region level planning;
The institutional arrangements at township level, notably with regards to the roles of the various committees, and the institutional arrangements and the role of the districts;
The role of the Ward and Village Tract Administrators within the governance framework;
Options for division of roles between State/Region governments and township administrations in terms of service delivery, and the division between urban and rural areas.

Options for (limited) fiscal decentralization, with a view to provide townships with some levels of discretion also with regards to planning.

For more detail visit follwoing links:

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=21428&view=admin

http://www.mm.undp.org/content/myanmar/en/home/operations/procurement.html.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to advocate and provide timely policy advice;
Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems;
Ability to work under extreme pressure in a highly stressful environment;
Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
Strong analytical and organizational skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (minimum Master’s level) in development economics, local development, economics, or equivalent qualifications.

Experience:

At least 20 years post Master’s relevant experience at the national or international level;
Ability to analyze and articulate differences of positions among a large number of stakeholders and develop acceptable solutions;
Demonstrated capacity in producing high quality and policy oriented reports on local governance and local development;
Previous work experience in UNDP or other multi lateral organizations is desirable;
Substantial experience with poverty reduction strategy processes in developing country contexts
Excellent analytical skills as demonstrated, for example, by prior experience in policy-oriented analyzes;
Experience and knowledge in designing public administration reforms at the local level;
Experience and knowledge in different development sectors at local or sub-national levels required;
Previous experience (minimum 2 years) of working with union and state/region government in Myanmar is a requirement

Language Requirements:

Fluent in English, including excellent writing skills.