UNDP Jobs - 37887- Diagnostic Assessment of the State of Decentralisa

Diagnostic Assessment of the State of Decentralisation in Lesotho (RFP)

Location :

Maseru, LESOTHO

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2013

Application Deadline :

14-Jun-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 days

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

In order to reduce poverty, promote inclusive economic growth and entrench democratic principles through improved decentralization, the government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship has in partnership with European Union (EU), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) established the Deepening Decentralization Project (DDP). The main purpose of the programme is to promote decentralized service delivery for social and economic growth through the development of transparent funding mechanisms and by improving the accountability of local authorities. Specific components of the project are: improving development funding through local authorities, promoting decentralization and accountability systems at the local level and enhancing capacities of line ministries and local authorities to decentralize functions.

Purpose of the Assignment

The diagnostic assessment is intended to provide baseline data on the state of Institutional and organizational management of local authorities operations and fiscal decentralization in Lesotho. This information will be critical to government on gauging progress made to date, identifying areas that need immediate attention in order to improve public financial management at the local level. The baseline information will be used to monitor progress on the three pillars of decentralization namely; administrative, political and fiscal decentralization. It will also be used to refine the fiscal decentralization framework, inform formulation of the Decentralization Policy and institutional capacity development.

Duties and Responsibilities

To conduct a diagnostic study of fiscal decentralization in line with the mandates of Local Authorities, identify current practices and propose minimum conditions and performance indicators that can be used to strengthen systems and procedures for effective public expenditure management at the district and community level.
To produce the diagnostic assessment on fiscal decentralization in order to refine the draft fiscal decentralization framework for programming intergovernmental transfers.
To conduct a diagnostic assessment of the institutional and organizational management of local authorities operations to inform national policies and regulatory frameworks for promoting decentralization.
To produce institutional and organizational diagnostic decentralization assessment for purposes of capacity building plan for selected line ministries and Local Authorities.
To provide policy and regulatory recommendations to inform formulation of the Decentralization Policy and the decentralization model

Scope of work

The study is expected to cover two major components of decentralization in Lesotho as hereunder appears:

A diagnostic of the Institutional and organizational management of local authorities’ operations in line with decentralized functions and mandates:

The analysis of the state of local democracy
The Human Resource and staffing
Intergovernmental relations and powers of Local Authorities

Diagnostic of fiscal decentralization:

Local authorities Resource Base
Local Planning Budgeting, and accountability
Fiscal Intergovernmental Relations

Competencies

UNDP is looking for a consulting firm/ a person who can set up a team of consultant with the following competencies :

Specific expertise in assessment of institutional and organizational reforms, capacity development aimed at enhancing the performance of Central Government Ministries and local authorities preferably involving UNDP/UNCDF supported programmes.
Knowledge of Decentralization process in Lesotho or countries in the region would be an asset.
Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking, and excellent analytical and writing skills.
Strong task management and team leading competencies.
Specific expertise in fiscal decentralization, preparation of Fiscal decentralization frameworks/ inter-governmental transfers, preferably involving UNDP/UNCDF supported programmes

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum of Masters Degree in Public Administration, Governance or Political Science, Development Planning or Economics.

Experience:

15 years of proven international experience in undertaking major projects particularly in the areas of governance, decentralization, democratization and/or public administration or public sector reforms.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English

For more details please see the terms of reference at the following link:

http://www.undp.org.ls/jobs/TOR_Diagnostic_Assessment_State_of_Decentralization_in_Lesotho.php