PROJECT TITLE:  Institutional Development of Oe-Cusse Special Administrative Region and Special Zones of Social Market Economy (ZEESM)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Timor-Leste has been making steady progress towards socio-economic growth, but challenges abound. The Government has articulated its developmental vision through a National Development Strategy, demonstrated clear political commitment to social protection and is embarking on a range of governance and public finance reforms. However, a high poverty rate (almost 50%), double digit inflation especially food inflation that directly impacts the poor, high dependency rates resulting from the demographic profile, high youth unemployment and institutional structures and systems that need to be strengthened present challenges to development. These challenges are visible in Oe-Cusse district, an enclave nestled within the Western Timor province of Indonesia and with an estimated population of 70,000. Oe-Cusse’s developmental challenges are deepened due to its geographical location, weak and very basic institutional base and low public investments in services, making efficient governance difficult at best.

The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) accords a special status to Oe-Cusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2) and a law was passed by the National Parliament in 2014, establishing the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno and the Special Zones of Social Market Economy (ZEESM).

UNDP has been providing policy advice to the Special Zones for Social Market Economy (ZEESM) Office since its establishment and has developed a program to help the Authority and ZEESM conceive, establish and operationalize institutional and developmental structures and systems in Oe-Cusse. The frame work for UNDP’s support to the Oe-Cusse Authority and ZEESM is built around two components: (i) governance and  (ii) sustainable and innovative development. The proposed assistance is aligned with the priorities of the Fifth Constitutional Government as articulated under Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 to establish special zones of social market economy to transform the lives of the people of Oe-Cusse with an integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development.

A key area under the governance component is to development of the Regional Development Plan. To this end, services of an international Regional Planning Specialist are required. The Specialist will work under the overall guidance and direction of the President of the Authority and the day to day supervision of the Programme Manager of UNDP ZEESM TL project.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Summary of Key Functions:

• Lead the preparation of the Regional Strategic Plan (RSP) for Oé-Cusse
• Prepare and conduct meetings with stakeholders
• Prepare and conduct participative workshops with the local community
• Ensure capacity building and facilitate knowledge building and sharing; and
• Write the final version of the RSP

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The Regional Planning consultant will deliver outputs and related tasks:

Lead the preparation of the Regional Strategic Plan for Oé-Cusse

1. Prepare and conduct internal workshops and planning process with ZEESM TL/ RAEOA’s 7 Regional Secretaries to identify sectorial core problems, strategic directions, targets and priorities for development.
2. Review thoroughly:
   1. History, vision, mission, and recent work of ZEESM TL / RAEOA
   2. Based on the 5 sectors of the RSP (Social (education and health), economic (agriculture, tourism and finance) infrastructure, urban planning and governance), review of National Sectorial Policies, strategies and regulations.
   3. Annual work planes and policies form the ZEESM TL/ RAEOA’s 7 Regional Secretaries.
3. As a result of point 1 and 2, the consultant will preliminary proposal that contains, by sector, the main pillars and targets for the Development Oé-cusse.
4. Conduct public consultation and validation in the 18 Sucos to gather inputs on the issues for each sector, using participatory multi-actor methodology:

In coordination with the field consultant and the 18 Suco’s facilitators, the consultant will prepare and implement a first workshop to get inputs and discuss key development bottlenecks for each of the 18’s Sucos.

1. Draft the Oé-cusse Regional Strategic Plan considering inputs received from the internal consultation, public consultation process and the recommendation provided by the Secretaries.
2. Conduct workshops to validate of the draft Plan per Suco. Inputs form the communities will be included.
3. Prepare and implement internal presentation of the draft Plan and approval from each Secretary
4. Prepare the final, comprehensive draft of Oé-cusse Regional Strategic Plan will be submitted to ZEESM TL’s Steering Committee for final review and approval.
5. Prepare the public presentation of Oé-cusse Regional Strategic Plan

Provide Staff with Knowledge, Skills and Competencies Necessary to Grow on the Job

• Involve staff extensively in planning and oversight work, exposing them to increasing levels of responsibility, substance and independence;
• Identify a successor and groom and mentor him/her to progressively assume increased levels of responsibility;
• Train and coach senior management on how to use the planning tools;
• Provide staff with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow on the job.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and direction the Coordenador Interino do Gabinete Técnico de Acompanhamento and the UNDP ZEESM TL project Manager. 

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to communicate and state ideas clearly and coherently when speaking to a highly qualified audience; and
• Excellent, demonstrable report writing and communication skills.

The consultant must have the following qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree in International cooperation, local development, planning, Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Programme and Project Management or relevant field.

Experience

• At least 5 years of working experience in regional or local strategic planning, policy, programming and management in local governments,
• Strong participatory planning experience and expertise in local development;
• Ability to carry out workshops, multi-stakeholder and participative approach;
• Experience in implementing methodologies for the prioritization of development pillars, creating targets, outcomes and results.
• Experience in working in UN organizations, the private sector and the public sector, especially in providing advisory services in areas related to local development and community-based planning strategies; and
• Previous work experience and understanding of Timor-Leste’s context or of similar countries.

Language

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; and
• Knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum is highly desirable.

?SCOPE OF PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

9.1 Financial Proposals

The financial proposal must be expressed in the “all inclusive” lump sum amount cost inclusive.