UNDP Jobs - 55311- Individual Consultant Recruitment on Finalization

Individual Consultant Recruitment on Finalization of the studies on the State of Local Governments in West and Central Africa

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 Working Days (4 weeks)

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 Working Days (4 weeks)

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

These studies are following a joint initiative between United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) / United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) that conducted to the publication of similar studies for Eastern and Southern Africa in relation to decentralized governance, local government financing and inclusive service delivery. The studies analysed gaps, constraints and subsequently recommended principles for decentralised governance, policy options for local government financing and inclusive service delivery models, for adoption by respective countries and local government in the sub region.

UNDP has then commissioned similar studies for West and Central Africa as decentralization is a major reform of public administration in many countries of the sub region, with some specificities and different level of implementation from a country to another one. One key element of decentralisation is the transfer of responsibilities for planning, management, mobilization and allocation of resources from central government to sub national governments. Drawing on the above studies and experiences elsewhere, the studies identified key challenges for financing local government and propose feasible policy options and models for financing local governments in the region. The studies conducted also assessed and suggested the most sustainable means of financing inclusive services delivery and enhancing local economic development in the region. The studies outputs will also serve as the basis for developing appropriate toolkits for application by Local Governments in accessing and managing development funding. The studies respond to the programme focus area of ‘Consolidating democratic and participatory governance’ within the UNDP Regional Programme for Africa by addressing the local institutions need to be supported to strengthen their ability to deliver services and enhance local economic development within the provisions of national policies, laws and regulations in the context of decentralization.

The studies outputs are also expected to contribute strategically to the ‘localisation’ of the SDGs Agenda as local institutions, local economic actors and communities give legitimacy to global/national efforts towards the realisation of national development outcomes by grounding development choices in the will of the people through popular participation and ownership. At its most simplistic meaning, the ‘localising’ of development entails making development more responsive and therefore relevant to local needs, aspirations and lives. The search for the most appropriate means of ‘localising’ the SDGs is therefore critical to the design, implementation and to optimising the success of the Post 2015 Development Agenda.

UNDP therefore wishes to engage a consultant, to review, strengthen and harmonize/consolidate the 2 studies reports on local governments in West and Central Africa and develop the final reports to be published under a more synthetized and comprehensive format. As one study report is in English and the other one in French, the consultant needs to be fluent in both languages and is expected to provide support in the oversight of the translation of the documents produced.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objectives of the assignment are as follows:

To review and strengthen the content of the 2 study reports in establishing the state of local governments with regards to decentralized governance, local government financing, inclusive services delivery, local economic development and related local government capacities in West and Central Africa;
To further strengthen and develop linkages of local governance and development with conflicts settings (and communities resilience building and economic recovery), and natural resources management issues in the sub region;
To further strengthen and develop linkages with the localization of the SDGs and the Post 2015 Agenda focusing on the potential gaps of the Local Government systems in delivering;
To better highlight good practices, identify gaps and capacity challenges with regards to decentralized governance, inclusive services delivery and local government financing and local economic development;
To identify mechanisms and strategies for replication and scaling up of innovative and successful strategies, mechanisms and models to strengthen decentralization, local governance, local economic development, local finance and effective services delivery towards a more inclusive and sustainable local development;
To identify key elements, frameworks and tools that can be recommended for further discussion and subsequent adoption by policy makers in the sub region;
To harmonize the 2 study reports in a more synthetized and comprehensive format and consolidate key findings and recommendations for publication.

The output of the assignment will facilitate high level policy discussions on principles around decentralization, inclusive service delivery models and local economic development and policy options for local government financing. The study reports will also form the basis for a comprehensive assessment of capacity needs of local government institutions.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Substantive knowledge and understanding of local economic development, local governance, decentralization, local government finance, inclusive service delivery, local economic recovery and capacity building in the public sector;
Extensive knowledge of the local governments in Africa and elsewhere;
Effective presentation and report-writing skills; strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communication skills;
Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, processes and guidelines for local governance and participatory accountable systems.

Compliance of the UN Core Values:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

The consultant should have the following educational qualifications;

A post-graduate degree in Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration or a related discipline.

Years of experience:

Sound experience (at least 15 years) of undertaking technical policy-focused research related to decentralization, inter-governmental relationships and issues related to the financing of local governments, service delivery, local economic development and local economic recovery;
Substantive experience of comparative research methodology.

Language and other skills:

Proficiency in both English and French (read, written and spoken) is essential.