Background
Communities Program (CP) is a multi-year initiative, which is built on previous activities initiated by UNDP in 1996. The program supports the implementation of development strategies in Tajikistan and the UN Assistance Framework to implement economic initiatives, address the issues of access to water and local governance at the community level. CP has regional offices in Sughd and Khatlon regions and Rasht valley. The Programme’s Strategy is to support the Government of Tajikistan to promote wider participation of communities in the process of local development planning, as well as in the management and implementation of local development projects.
Aiming to develop local governance system, ensuring the effective localization of the National Strategic Programmes of the Republic of Tajikistan, UNDP actively cooperates with the Local Development Committee under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan (LDC).
In order to satisfy this need, UNDP has launched in 2016 a new project “Strengthening Tajikistan Government’s capacity for national strategic and sectoral planning and evaluation, sub-national performance monitoring and alignment of SDGs”, which marks the initial phase of the future comprehensive initiative in this direction.
Within its CPAP 2010-2015 program cycle UNDP Tajikistan played a critical role to strengthen the capacities of the Government of Tajikistan for strategic development planning, mainstreaming of global priorities and human development into national and local strategies, aid coordination and localizing good governance reforms.
There is a need for logical continuity of UNDP’s methodological, organizational, and institutional support and knowledge building for key Government actors to ensure further improvement of institutional policies, strengthened coordination and monitoring of development aid and empower stakeholders in the process of planning and evaluation of local and national priorities. Consideration of SDGs and human development aspects in this work would further ensure human-centered, equity-based and sustainable approach in planning and decision making. At the same time, greater use of foreign aid data would result in better strategic alignment of foreign aid with national priorities and programmes.
In the framework of the new integrated project UNDP intends continue collaboration with key partners and stakeholders, including civil society in the strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, aid coordination and national data collection with reasonable level of technical assistance provided for alignment of global, national and local development strategies. For this purpose UNDP will jointly work with its government partners, in particular with LDC to formulate the new vision of integrated programme on Effective planning, monitoring and evaluation and alignment of national priorities at the macro, meso and micro levels.
Meantime, there is a need to improve local governance system by assisting LDC in elaboration of the Local Governance Reform Program, formation of coordination mechanisms to support the implementation of the Action plan of Local development management concept, technical and human capacity building of LDC, assistance in improving the monitoring and evaluation of local development programs and ensuring alignment of local development planning process with the budgeting process.
To continue governance reforms at the local level UNDP intends to hire International Consultant on the development of local governance reform program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Goals and objectives:
UNDP in Tajikistan is seeking an International Consultant, who, under direct supervision of the UNDP senior management officer, Project Manager, Senior associate on local governance of UNDP CP and responsible official of LDC, will provide consultancy on the development of local governance reform program.
Duties and responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of UNDP senior management officer, the Project Manager and Senior associate on local governance of UNDP CP, the Consultant shall perform following tasks:
- Provision of practical consulting assistance to the LDC working group in the development of methodology for local government reforms program.
- Assistance in the definition of priority areas of local governance, development of action plans, assessment of the program cost, as well as in the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system.
- At least two visits to the country for 14 days each during the period from November 2016 to March 2017 to work together with LDC specialists, with the Working Group to arrange and hold at least two meetings/seminars aimed at discussion of local governance reform program.
- Ensuring a documented process of transparent dialogue with broad participation as part of the local governance reform program’s development.
For detailed information, please refer to annex 2 - Terms of Reference
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Proven problem-solving skills creative thinking to develop and implement smart business solutions in a challenging economic environment;
- Proven ability to develop high-level policy briefs, strategies, including experience in conducting cost effectiveness analysis. Ability to conduct seminars and workshops for the Government officials on the issues of global economy and related topics.
- Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
- Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team.
Functional/Technical Competencies:
- Having skills and knowledge to the modern information technologies and to the analysis of statistic data;
- Having skills on provision of consultancies to the civil servants on the economic topics.
- Extensive knowledge of computer applications.
- Excellent communication skills;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Strong oral and writing skills;
- Ability to operate under strict time limits.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Academic degree in a field related to the economy, local government, or other relevant area.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of working experience in the development of strategic documents;
- At least 8 years of working experience with national / local government agencies, research institutions and international organizations in the area of local development;
- High level of awareness and understanding of the economic situation in Tajikistan with the consideration of the current processes of implementation of National development strategy 2030 and Mid-term development Program 2016-2020. Good knowledge of planning and budgeting for local plans and their connection to national priorities. Demonstrated experience in planning, coordination and conducting of the workshops/seminars and focus groups in a participatory manner;
- Good knowledge of the mechanism of implementation of national priorities at the local level; good knowledge of administrative and regulatory framework of national and local institutions and private sector development in former Soviet Union economic, administrative, and legal environment.
Language:
- Fluency in Russian and English
Application Procedure:
Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice:
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.