Empleos en el PNUD - 13547- International Consultant: Decentralisation and Loc

International Consultant: Decentralisation and Local Governance

Localidad :

Ashgabat, Turkmenistán

Tipo de contrato :

Individual Contract

Fecha de comienzo del contrato :

10-Dec-2009

Fecha límite de postulación :

30-Nov-09 (Medianoche Nueva York, Estados Unidos)

Nivel de puesto :

International Consultant

Duración del contrato inicial :

Idiomas requeridos :

Inglés Ruso

Duración esperada del puesto :

10 days

El PNUD está comprometido con lograr la diversidad de su personal en términos de género, nacionalidad y cultura. Se alienta por igual a las personas que pertenecen a grupos minoritarios, a pueblos indígenas o que tienen alguna discapacidad a presentar su candidatura. Todas las solicitudes se tratarán con la mayor confidencialidad. UNDP no tolera la explotación y el abuso sexual, ningún tipo de acoso, incluido el acoso sexual, ni la discriminación. Por lo tanto, todos los candidatos seleccionados serán sometidos a una rigurosa verificación de referencias y antecedentes.

Antecedentes

Since 2007 Turkmenistan has undergone many changes, including a new constitution, government and political leadership, positively moving the country towards being a more open and democratic society. Effective local governance is at the heart of local development. Sustainable local development is conditioned by responsive and participatory governance. Community leaders, elected through open and democratic process are better positioned for addressing development needs of their communities if they are equipped with proper skills and capacities. Adherence to democratic values and transparent governance should be promoted and supported at all levels, including local communities, regions and central government.

UNDP Turkmenistan has been involved in the area of local governance since 2007 upon official request of the Government. In the framework of Local Self Governance Programme UNDP has played a major role in capacity building of local governments in performing their assigned functions effectively through training on participatory planning and budgeting, community mobilization and social partnerships, civic education and community empowerment. At the policy level, the project has triggered a dialogue the underlying principles of local governance and division of responsibilities between different actors. The Inter-ministerial group consisting of representatives of various ministries and departments, established through the project, became an effective tool for advocating development of local governance system. Through Small Grant Programme in 2008, UNDP has supported 12 local development projects in the amount of $75,000 addressing a range of development problems from improving kindergartens infrastructure to building sport grounds etc. Continued assistance to communities has built their capacity in participatory rural appraisals and articulating community priorities, which have been instrumental in enabling their engagement as credible partners in local governance.

Cooperation on strengthening local governance institutions was particularly well-timed and positioned UNDP to support the government drive for local development. This support has established a relationship of trust between UNDP and the Government at national and local levels and there exists an excellent opportunity to strengthen cooperation with key governance institutions at all levels. Building on a trustful relationship developed with the Parliament of Turkmenistan through implementation of the Local Self-Governance Programme, UNDP is currently strategically positioned to link grassroots experiences to national policy making. According to existing legislation, Local Self-Governance Bodies (Gengeshi) only exist at the lower tier level (village); while the State Administrations Regional and District levels report directly to Central Government. Although the new Constitution vests Gengeshi (village) with responsibilities to identify economic, social and cultural priorities for local development, form local budgets, institute local taxes and ensure rational use of natural resources and environment, there are no mechanisms or budgetary provisions in place for implementation of those responsibilities. Sharing of international best practices in decentralisation reforms and targeted advocacy efforts for Mejlis, as well as representatives of various Ministries, particularly the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy are essential for development of consolidated strategy on local self-governance in Turkmenistan. In 2010, UNDP is planning to provide technical assistance to Mejlis of Turkmenistan to lead the process of elaborating a consolidated strategy on local self-governance development in line with international best practices adopted to the local context.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Prepare and deliver a keynote speech on Best Practices in Decentralization in Eastern Europe and Central Asia region for the Local Self-Governance Conference;
Prepare presentations for and facilitate a Round Table with Inter-Ministerial working group addressing technical/procedural aspects of decentralisation with particular focus on fiscal decentralisation;
Prepare a report with recommendations for UNDP for further activities in the area of local governance, municipal development and decentralization.

Competencias

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.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent and effective communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations;
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Commands thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of local governance, fiscal decentralization and municipal development issues, especially in Eastern Europe and Central Asia context

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Masters degree in Public Administration, Development Studies or related discipline;
Proven technical experience in decentralization, municipal development, local self governance and related fields;
Extensive hands-on experience in the design of programmes/projects in relevant field;
Demonstrated capacity for analytical and strategic thinking;
Knowledge of UNDP programme/project development processes;
Ability to work independently and self-motivating;
Previous work experience in transitional or emerging democracies, and CIS countries;
Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian.