In response to the commitment of the national government to reach all its citizens with quality public services, the Ministry of State Administration, in line with its policies for the decentralization of public administration, initiated a project “Supporting Decentralisation of Public Administration through Effective Delivery of Public Services at Municipal Level” to build the capacities of civil servants within municipalities to effectively deliver public services that are accessible to all. Apart from the increasing role that municipalities will have in delivering these services in the long term, decentralization supports democracy from below by which all inhabitants and local actors actively participate in the decision-making process, reflecting their needs and future aspirations.

In 2010, the National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 established the four main objectives relative to decentralized administration: development of the private sector in rural areas; creation of new opportunities for democratic participation; promotion of strong institutions; and establishment of more effective, efficient and equitable provision of public services. To achieve these aims and to contribute to the decentralization of the public administration, a new level of municipal governance was introduced. This required improving the capacities of local administrations through the introduction of processes and procedures of local governance and through the design and execution of capacity building actions mainly in public financial management, planning, and monitoring and evaluation of public programs.

Since then, the government has undergone reform with the present legal framework underpinning the gradual transition of power to the Municipal Administrations and Municipal Authorities. Due to the complexity of the process, the transition was organized in three stages, starting with ‘administrative pre-deconcentration’ as outlined under 2014 Decree Law No. 04/14 – which entailed the beginning of institutional reform, the creation and approval of the necessary framework and the preparation of local development plans. While the second stage requires additional actions towards administrative decentralization, whereby the national government would apply the approved legislation and a staged delegation of competences to municipalities to deliver public services, the third stage entails full decentralization, including transfer the power, responsibility and duty to the local government structures, in time for local elections to be held.

In 2016, the national government established four Municipal Authorities (Baucau, Bobonaro, Ermera, Dili) and eight Municipal Administrations (Aileu, Ainaro, Cova Lima, Lautem, Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi, Viqueque) in the country. This was further buttressed in the same year by the adoption of a new Suco Law, which stipulated new roles and responsibilities to Suco councils. In July 2017, three laws concerning the establishment of local government was passed in the National Parliament after years of delay.

Recent developments of legal frameworks are encouraging local elections, this being recognized by the Law on Local Government and the Law on Municipal Elections, approved in 2017. Together with the Law on Territorial and Administrative Division, approved in 2009 and amended in 2017, the legal framework governing the decentralization process will soon be in full effect under the 8th Government.

Through the UNDP ART (Articulation of Territorial Networks) Initiative, this project will establish a multi-level and multi-actor governance frameowrk for the delivery of public services, spearheaded by the municipalities and local communities. The initiation of such a platform, utilizing UNDP’s worldwide tools and methodologies to promote territorial development and decentralization, becomes key for the local development agenda and eradication of poverty.

The National Engineer will work under the UNDP Governance Unit to support the Project Engineer and wider Project Team to assist in the delivery of the design, engineering, procurement and construction of key water infrastructure projects in the Municipality of Baucau. The role will focus on the following areas:

            I.               Provide technical support in the implementation of project “Supporting Decentralisation of Public Administration through Effective Delivery of Public Services at Municipal Level”;

          II.               Lend expertise to support civil servants and other local actors develop the necessary skills to lead the decentralization process;

The main responsibilities of the National Engineer are as follows: 

I.               Assist the Project Engineer in the preparation, evaluation and development of planning, design and tendering documents;

II.             Monitor the project implementation in the Municipality of Baucau;

III.           Act as site focal point to help facilitate site visits and meetings at the Municipality of Baucau and throughout the expanse of the Municipality;

IV.          Ensure effective and regular communication and coordination between the Project Team, National Government and Municipal Administration, local actors and community stakeholders to achieve quality outputs;

V.            Provide input to inform short, medium- and long-term planning of the project activities;

VI.          Support the implementation of project as per guidelines detailed in the project document;

VII.         Review, evaluate, as necessary, provide advice relating to changes to current mechanisms for data collection at the Municipal level;

VIII.       Behave in a proactive manner, anticipating needs and identifying opportunities for the project.

IX.           Maintain a strong and continued presence through communication channels and social media of the project undertakings;

X.             Develop tools, presentations, templates and training materials in support of project outcomes;

The National Engineer will perform the tasks listed under Section 3 and deliver the following outputs:

Essential:

§  A minimum of 2 years of work experience supporting implementation of water infrastructure;

§  At least one previous work experience in development with international cooperation organizations;

§  At least one previous work experience in coordination & capacity development with local communities;

§  Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in English and Tetum is imperative;

§  Ability to work effectively with Microsoft Office and Design Software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator);

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering (compulsory);
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
• Tetun and Portuguese are an advantage.