UNDP Jobs - 55680- Aid Coordination Expert

Aid Coordination Expert

Location :

Banjul, GAMBIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 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

The Gambia has set Vision 2020, MDG and Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment-PAGE as her long and medium term roadmap to pursue its development ambitions through various Sectoral Strategic Plans and also through the much anticipated Medium Term Expenditure Framework. For The Gambia to achieve Vision 2020, it must identify priorities and match means of achievements through projections of revenues and expenditures. The planned expenditures to enhance its development agenda are both internally financed (tax revenues and non tax revenues) and by externally mobilized resources (grants, concessional and non concessional loans). The Gambia achieved a lot in terms of increasing domestic revenues surpassing 65% of the national budget as of today. As it is the case of many developing countries, The Gambia still relies on foreign resources for development budget deficit financing.

The financing gap of the Governments priority programs has portrayed the need to priorities some of the programmes. For the sake of a sustainable and prosperous economy, it is of utmost importance to link external financial resources mobilization strategies with the actual financing short falls. Resources Mobilization depends on a country specific situation, needs and aspiration including economical, political as well as social aspects which match with its unique environment.

The aid policy provides donors with a centralized interface; and, it offers guidance and leadership on how donors can better align behind Government priorities. Ultimately, the Aid Coordination Directorate (DAC) aims to coordinate assistance so that it best supports the Government of The Gambia’s economic and social priorities. Principally, DAC is required to mobilize required financial resource for the Government of the Gambia priorities. It is a task that requires knowledgeable experts in resource mobilization techniques as well as negotiation skills.

In light of this, the DAC is seeking the services of an expert who is well experienced in aid coordination policy implementation as well as resource mobilization. The specialist will be placed in the Ministry office uunder the direct supervision of the DAC Director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), the Aid Coordination expert will support the government in facilitating the national efforts for effective aid coordination and resources mobilisation efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of the Functions of Aid Coordination Expert are:

Support the DAC in the implementation of The Gambia Aid Policy towards external assistance (on effective management of aid and development management process);
Provide capacity strengthening support to DAC in the areas of aid coordination and management;
Technical Support the DAC in resource mobilization and negotiations skills with Development Partners to secure aid (loans and grants) that meet The Gambia’s needs;
Work with DAC to track and report on Aid and development effectiveness guidelines such as Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-Operation, development results such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aid policy action plan and other reporting requirements.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The overall objective of this assignment is to recruit the services of a qualified expert to help DAC in the implementation of the Aid policy, action plan and conduct training/capacity building in external resources mobilization, negotiation skills with focus on:

Support the DAC in the implementation of The Gambia Aid Policy towards external assistance (on effective management of aid and development management process);
Put in place a mechanism for effective implementation of the aid policy and its action plan including the setting up of functional technical working groups that will facilitate the effective implementation of the policy and the action plan;
Strengthen overall Government capacity on aid coordination and harmonization through advisory and technical support provided to MDAs in terms of effective aid coordination at sector, establishing and managing Technical working groups and sector dialogue, and linking the sector-level coordination to the overall aid effectiveness agenda;
Facilitating information sharing and best practices with MDAs on the issue related to aid coordination and harmonization at sector/thematic level;
Working closely with the Development Partners Group (DPG) Secretariat, analytical and technical support to the DAC on issues related to donor coordination and dialogue with Development Partners;
Advisory support to strengthening the structure of dialogue for The Gambia’s development cooperation and management;
Provide options for improved regular communications with Development Partners including dialogue structures in the Gambia;
Make recommendations for engaging Development Partners and Civil Society in Aid effectiveness and aid policy dialogue in the Gambia;
Provide capacity strengthening support to DAC in the areas of aid coordination and management;
Assess the adequacy of aid management institutional arrangement in placed and proposes appropriate institutional structure for effective and efficient aid coordination and management;
Develop Aid Coordination Road Map in collaboration with the Aid Coordination Taskforce /Committee;
Develop the TOR for an appropriate aid coordination structure;
Develop relevant instrument for aid management and coordination;
Assess sectors aid coordination and management capacity gaps and identify training needs;
Providing capacity strengthening support to the DAC in facilitating articulation of capacity development needs and drawing up on capacity development plan for effective aid management;
Providing capacity strengthening support to the DAC in effectively leading and managing the aid management and effectiveness agenda;
Providing insight and access to best practices and exposure to various innovations and initiatives in facilitating effective aid management process;
Actively engaging in the efforts on strengthening national public financial management systems and linking into the external resource management;
Strengthened capacity of Government in leading aid coordination, management and implementation of the Bussan cooperation agreement and SDGs;
Strengthened the effective development partnership and incrementally higher level of aid effectiveness in country through contributions to the Government;
Strengthened capacity of the Government in M&E and reporting of the impacts of Aid in country's development;
Technical Support the DAC in leading resource mobilization and negotiations with Development Partners to secure aid (loans and grants) that meet The Gambia’s needs;
Help in determining The Gambia’s need for external resources in the short, medium, and long term and well as sector specific resources requirements;
Deepening the understanding of resources mobilization, techniques and processes;
Expand the understanding around how to link local and global experiences in resource mobilization;
Explore potentials and entry points for the resource mobilization in nontraditional donors and funding agencies to The Gambia such as south –south cooperation for development in the Gambia in consultation with sectors;
Coordinate the Mapping and analysis of traditional and non-traditional donors – collection of donor intelligence information for possible engagement;
Develop skills in negotiations and explore the synergies in Resources Mobilization by Government agencies;
Develop resource mobilization and negotiation skills of DAC;
Support the DAC in mobilizing external finance particularly budget from non-traditional EU, Arab Member States and ECOWAS countries;
Work with DAC to track and report on Aid and development effectiveness guidelines such as Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-Operation, development results such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aid policy action plan and other reporting requirements;
Work closely with the aid management platform consultants and DAC to ensure its smooth implementation;
Support the government to populate the aid management platform with clean data;
Increase ability of the Government to use available sources of Data to produce useful analysis of distribution, volume and effectiveness of data;
Contribute to knowledge development for the DAC on issues related to aid reforms; and
Produce regularly aid and development related policy briefs and bulletins.

Scope of Work

The expert is expected to provide capacity building and guidance to the DAC on the implementation of the Aid Policy and Action Plan. The relationship between Government and its Development Partners shall be guided by the Aid Policy and Action Plan based on principles of country ownership; promotion of international justice and equity; enhancement of true partnership through dialogue, coordination, harmonization, alignment, and information sharing; simplification of processes and procedures; grants as the preferred form of external assistance.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent analytical skills;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English as well as report writing skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a multitude of stakeholders;
Ability to adhere to timelines and deadlines;
Excellent computer skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following areas or related field: Economics, International Development or Management.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated experience in a developing country working successfully on aid management issues.

Language:

Fluency in English (both oral and written).