Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF strategy set forth in 2019 of ‘Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. For further detail on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era .

Since 2013, UNCDF has been implementing a market development approach on digital finance in Uganda.  With the support of the Sweden Development Agency (SIDA), UNCDF will execute the “Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era” strategy in country until 2024 under the “Connect” Rural Uganda Programme. The Programme has the aim to develop an inclusive digital economy in Uganda with a specific focus at empowering rural communities, smallholders’ farmers, agri-business and refugees - to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services.

New Cities:

The Government of Uganda created ten cities which became operational on 1st July 2020.  These include Arua, Gulu, Mbarara, jinja, Mbale, Fort portal, Hoima, Lira, Masaka, and Soroti. Uganda is experiencing rapid urbanization, about 20% of its population now lives in the urban centres (national urban policy, 2013). Besides, the urban population is growing at a rate of 5.6% per annum compared to the national average of 3.2% (UBOS, 2012).

It is estimated that about 50% of the total population of Uganda will be the structural transformation of the Ugandan economy. Urbanization accounts for about 72% of manufacturing output and over 55% of the national gross domestic product (GDP). It is therefore important that it is managed efficiently and effectively to contribute to growth. Thus, the growing urbanization in Uganda can no longer be ignored as it creates a need to accommodate many people in a relatively small area. For this population to survive, cities must plan for them to earn a living while at the same time providing social services at the most affordable and convenient cost. Whereas the high rate of urbanization calls for use of digital technologies to deliver services by the cities; there is need to assess the existing institutional capacity to use e-governance in service delivery. It is important to create an enabling environment for city residents to appreciate the functioning and obligations of city life and services.

UNCDF has supported the cities in preparation of an e-governance strategy to set pace for positioning the city administration and re-orienting the mindsets of the citizens to realize their new identity and what goes with it in service-delivery using digital platforms and service-offerings. UNCDF is desirous of supporting the cities in the next steps to implement the e-Governance Strategy

Background of the Assignment

The essential objective of this assignment is to empower the cities to implement the newly developed city e-Governance Strategy for a transformed ICT driven city that will provide the kind of efficiencies and services that are required and needed by the city citizens, and to support the change leaders on how to effectively implement city e-Governance Strategic Plan. 

Secondly the assignment will gather baseline information on the key indicators highlighted in the e-governance strategy per city which will be used to inform the starting point of these cities before implementation of the e-governance strategy

UNCDF will hire an National  Individual Consultant-Implementation of E-Governance Strategy , please download the attached application related documents to support application and guidelines

Applicants are requested to apply online at http://jobs.undp.org by 18th September 2022. The detailed application documents can be downloaded on the below link:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=95567

Candidates are invited to submit applications together with their CV for these positions. UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will consider the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send an email to:  ug.procurement@undp.org for any inquiries.

Note: UNDP is an equal opportunity Organization, Women, Youth and People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

PLEASE NOTE THAT – UNDP DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES AT ANY STAGE OF ITS PROCUREMENT PROCESSES. UNDP HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, MEANING THAT UNDP STAFF MEMBERS, NON-STAFF PERSONNEL, VENDORS, IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS AND RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE NOT TO ENGAGE IN FRAUD OR CORRUPTION

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work for this assignment involves the following components:

Empowerment

  1. The Consultant will carry out a Capacity needs assessment to include training needs and infrastructure (soft and hardware) needs and develop a training curriculum as well as cost the infrastructure needs that will empower the cities to implement the developed e-Governance Strategy.
  2. The consultant will conduct a training to empower key city stakeholders to gain an understanding of the strategy and how the to implement the e-Governance strategy.
  3. The consultant will support the city in preparing Stakeholder Engagement events as a strategy for mobilizing support and resources for the implementation of the city e-governance strategy.

Baseline data collection

  1. Review the indicator list in section 4.2 and target list in section 4.3 of the E-governance strategy (Annex 1)
  2. Conduct review of relevant documents on e-governance to establish baseline for the indicators
  3. Conduct Key Informant Interviews with officials at the cities, MOICT, NITA and other relevant entities to collect baseline data 
  4. Conduct Focus Group Discussion with relevant officials to collect baseline data

Competencies

  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal and communication skills.
  • Able to work effectively in a team and in an international environment.
  • Excellent writing and data analysis skills, proven ability to extract actionable insights from data.
  • Results-driven, problem-solver with structuring and analytic capabilities.
  • Ability to establish strong working relationships with various stakeholder institutions in the public and private sector.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

  • MSc. In Information Technology, Institutional Development, Physical Planning or other related field.

Skills & Experience:

  • Expertise in the national planning and strategy formulation
  • Experience working with local governments and related stakeholders.
  • 5 years’ experience working on national planning projects with or within the Government of Uganda.
  • 5 years’ experience in data management, analysis and report writing.
  • Experience working with Central and Local Governments
  • Fluent command of written and spoken English is mandatory.