UNDP Jobs - 33334- Consultant for Study on the State of Local Governm

Consultant for Study on the State of Local Government in Central Africa

Location :

Home based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

18-Feb-2013

Application Deadline :

31-Jan-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 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

This study is a joint initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) / United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF). The study responds 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 within the provisions of national policies, laws and regulations in the context of decentralization. The programme therefore seeks to support institutional reforms for local authorities and governments to improve accountability and service delivery. Opportunities for partnerships between local government and private sector will be explored, with emphasis on improving local revenue generation. It will also contribute strategically to acceleration of the achievement of MDGs by strengthening national governments and local communities collaboration towards MDGs localization.

Various studies have shown that achieving the MDGs can only happen through action at the local level. UNDP Practice Note on Capacities for Integrated Local Development identifies four approaches to local development: (i) Direct community support; (ii) support to local government (sub-national and community level); (iii) area-based development (regional development); (iv) decentralized sector-based approach. In this regard local governments have been identified as critical to the acceleration of achievement of the MDGs.

UNDP in collaboration with UNCDF and CLGF conducted a study to establish the state of local governments in Eastern and Southern Africa, in relation to decentralized governance, local government financing and inclusive service delivery. The study analyzed gaps, constraints and subsequently recommended principles for decentralized 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 is now commissioning a similar study for 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 decentralization 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 study will identify key challenges for financing local government and propose feasible policy options and models for financing local governments in the region. The study will also assess and suggest the most sustainable means of financing inclusive services delivery and enhancing local economic development in the region. The study outputs will also serve as the basis for developing appropriate toolkits for application by Local Governments in accessing and managing development funding.

The study is expected to further interrogate issues related to sub regional local government institutional capacity and the existing technical capacity in line with decentralization processes that are proposed.

UNDP on behalf of the UNCDF and CLGF therefore wishes to engage a multi-disciplinary consulting team, to undertake a study of local governments in Central Africa. Please note that we are not looking for individual consultants to apply but for a team of consultants having required competencies to cover the different thematics of the study. Also note that the contract may involved field missions.

Objectives of the Assignment:

The objectives of the assignment are as follows:

To establish 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 Central Africa.
To 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 Central Africa sub region.
To establish the baseline for the development of a subsequent local government capacity development programme.

The output of the assignment will facilitate high level policy discussions on principles around decentralization, inclusive service delivery models and policy options for local government financing. The study report will also form the basis for a comprehensive assessment of capacity needs of local government institutions and subsequently the development of a Local Government Capacity Development programme for Central Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

This is a regional study with focus on Central Africa. The consulting team will be expected to focus on the issues outlined below.

Decentralization:

Undertaking a literature review of on-going Local Government Reform initiatives in the region, with focus on decentralized governance.
Identify the key elements to be considered when assessing the state of decentralization in Central Africa and develop a framework for capturing this data. Reference should be made to existing tools such as the Aberdeen Agenda, and UN Habitat’s principles for decentralization and others as appropriate.
Analyze the comparative state of decentralization in two focus countries in Central Africa with respect to decentralization elements/principles, using a comparative framework to elicit the key gaps, particularities and constraints.
From the result of the analysis above, draw conclusions on the major requirements for facilitating effective decentralized governance in Central Africa, and set out a draft summary of proposed principles which will be considered for discussion and adoption across the sub-region.

Local Government Finance and Inclusive Service Delivery:

Identify existing approaches to Local Government funding and inclusive service delivery in Central Africa and identify some relevant approaches on the continent and around the world which can be identified as good practices.
Evaluate the performance of some of the local government financing policies and models in Central Africa and establish the key successes and challenges.
Identify two countries in Central Africa and develop case studies demonstrating the impact of such approaches.
The following can be used as some of the key guiding questions;
Is there a national decentralization strategy with a specific fiscal decentralization policy?
Is there a public expenditure management system with clearly defined planning and expenditure functions between the National, Sectors and Local Governments?
Are there a defined fiscal transfer system and sources for local resource mobilization?
Is there a defined body responsible for inter-governmental fiscal transfers and relations?
Are there available discretionary resource which Local Authorities can apply in responding to local plans and budgets?
Do Local Governments have access to the Credit market/development finance for financing local infrastructure and services?
To what extend are local communities involved in the planning and budget cycles for local development?

Local Economic Development:

Identify existing approaches to Local Economic Development in West Africa and identify some relevant approaches on the continent and around the world which can be identified as good practices.
Identify the role of local governments and evaluate the performance of some of the local economic development strategies in West Africa and establish the key successes and challenges.
Identify two countries in West Africa and develop case studies demonstrating the impact of such approaches.
The following can be used as some of the key guiding questions;
Which local economic development (LED) strategies can contribute to enhance endogenous development by promoting entrepreneurship by local entrepreneurs and helping local businesses to grow?
What is the role of local governments in identifying local business opportunities and creating an environment conducive to the development of business (economic leadership) and partnerships?
How do LED strategies can stimulate growth within an integrated participatory process, contribute to create decent jobs and improve the quality of life for all, including the poor and economically marginalized people, such as the youth.

Local Government Capacity:

Identify the key capacity gaps faced by local government with regards to decentralization, local economic development, local government financing and inclusive service delivery.
Conduct an assessment of institutional providers of capacity development for Local Governments in 2 Central African countries.
On the basis of the identified gaps propose key recommendations on the development of capacity building programmes for local government.

METHODOLOGY:

Conduct an initial desk study which draws mainly on work undertaken in the past, currently on-going, which will be relevant to this assignment. This study should also include a review of other studies that have documented and assessed mechanisms employed in respective countries in the region and should place particular focus on the relationship between the central and sub-national governments.
Consult with key stakeholders involved in implementing decentralized governance, and local government financing and inclusive service delivery including local governments in the respective countries and local governments.
Both primary and secondary sources of data should be well defined for each of verification especially at the local level.
Upon completion of work, a validation meeting will be held with a wider constituency of stakeholders to consider the proposed. Participants will include representative from the respective Governments, Sector ministries, agencies and Local Government officials, Association of Local Governments, Development Partners, UN field officers, Relevant Civil Society Groups, Selected Community leaders and NGOs.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES:

The study outcomes and report will be part of a two-study report, covering West and Central Africa. The study report will comprise six major parts as follows:

An introductory section with a formidable literature scan covering local governments in the regions, clearly defining the methodology and processes to be used.

Section on decentralisation focusing on:

Literature review on decentralisation in the sub-region. (i.e. Central Africa)
The determination of the key elements/principles of decentralisation in the sub-region
Comprehensive analytical reports of the 2 focus countries in Central Africa, with respect to decentralized governance, local government financing and inclusive service delivery
Conclusions and recommendations
Expected output - Proposals on Principles and indicators of decentralisation for Central Africa sub-region.

Section on Local Government Financing and inclusive service delivery:

Literature review on Local Government Financing in the sub-region. (i.e. Central Africa).
The assessment of the current local Government funding methods in the Central Africa Region (illustrated with up to 6 case studies).
Recommendations on appropriate local government financing and service delivery models appropriate to the region.
Expected Outputs - Policy options for financing local governments and model(s) for local level inclusive service delivery.

Section on local economic development:

Literature review on Local Economic Development in the sub-region. (i.e. West Africa)
The assessment of the current local economic development approaches and strategies in the West Africa Region (illustrated with up to 6 case studies)
Recommendations on appropriate local economic development startegies appropriate to the region.
Expected outputs - Recommendations and Policy options for local economic development and the role of local governments.

Section on local government capacity development:

The introductory part with a formidable literature scan, methodology and process.
The assessment of the current local government capacity development institutions in the sub-region in relation to decentralized governance, local government financing and inclusive service delivery
Based on the assessment (bullet 2 above), key recommendations on a Capacity Development Programme for local Government in Central Africa.
Expected outputs - Recommendations on local government capacity development programme for Central Africa sub-region.

Conclusions:

This will focus on major conclusions focusing on the major emerging issues from the study and especially tying the issues emerging from the four focus areas together. The section should also focus on what the major regional issues should be going forward.

Recommendations:

Please note specific recommendations for the three focus areas will be made in the respective sections. In section six cross cutting recommendations emerging from the study should be outlined indicating the timeframes and this may be expressed as short term, medium term and long term recommendation. Implementation and feasibility issues should be raised when recommendations are suggested.

Competencies

Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development, decentralization and the workings of local governments.
Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the operation of Local Government and Fiscal Decentralization, and the challenges of implementation facing many African countries.
Recognized leadership in policy development, and local development management initiatives with additional experience in an Africa setting.
Substantive experience of comparative research methodology.
Effective presentation and report-writing skills; strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communication skills.
Extensive experience and knowledge in local governance, decentralization, local government finance and inclusive service delivery and capacity building in the public sector.
Extensive knowledge of the local governments in Africa and elsewhere.
Extensive knowledge of local economic development in Africa and elsewhere.
Knowledge and experience with inclusive service delivery models.
Strong research orientation.
Extensive experience and knowledge in capacity building issues in local governments in the region.
Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, processes and guidelines for local governance and participatory accountable systems.

Required Skills and Experience

The multi disciplinary team(s) should comprise team members with the following educational qualifications;

Education:

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

Experience:

15 years of proven experience of working regionally, relating to senior policy makers and politicians and of undertaking technical policy-focused research related to decentralization, inter-governmental relationships, local government management, local economic development, fiscal decentralization and issues related to the financing of local governments and services delivery.

Language:

Proficiency in English and French.