UNDP Jobs - 16569- International Consultant: Review of the Developmen

International Consultant: Review of the Development Assistance Group in Ethiopia

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2010

Application Deadline :

23-May-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 calendar days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 calendar 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

The Development Assistance Group (DAG) was established in 2001 and currently comprises 26 multilateral and bilateral partners that provide development assistance to Ethiopia. The DAG was established to foster and catalyze policy dialogue and to coordinate and harmonize donor support in the government’s preparation, monitoring and evaluation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The DAG works towards fostering harmonization and aid effectiveness in line with the Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action. The DAG is supported by its Technical Working Groups (TWGs), Sector Working Groups (SWGs) and a Secretariat based in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country office.

The DAG’s TWGs are responsible for supporting activities in different technical and thematic areas and feed into policy discussions between the government and the donors such as the Annual Progress Review Meetings of the Plan for Accelerated and Sustainable Development to End Poverty strategy (PASDEP) and the High Level Forum (HLF).

The Secretariat for the DAG was established to coordinate donor support to the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is housed in UNDP and provides support to the work of the DAG Technical Working Groups (TWGs), DAG Executive Committee (Ex-Com) and the DAG. It follows up on ongoing agenda as well as new initiatives that are launched by the DAG.

Purpose and Objective of the review

The overall purpose of the review is to improve the DAG’s effectiveness and thereby its contribution to Ethiopia’s development. The objectives of the review are to review the DAG’s objectives, structure and functions in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in strengthening donor dialogue with government, improving harmonization, and increasing the effectiveness of aid delivery to Ethiopia. The ‘DAG Structure’ refers to the DAG (Heads of Agency), Ex-Com, TWGs/SWGs and Secretariat; their relationship to one another and interface with the Government of Ethiopia.

Scope of review:

The scope of the study should include a review of roles and responsibilities, core principles and standard procedures by which these groups conduct their work. This will include;

Desk Review of DAG and TWG ways of working, based on selected documents;
Review of similar donor coordination structures in other countries (including Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya) to draw lessons of other experiences;
To capture perspectives on the DAG, conduct interviews with major stakeholders (development partners) including: DAG members; TWG/SWG members; DAG Secretariat; Key government ministries and Civil Society Organizations with working relationships with the DAG;
Examine the DAG Structure as a means of improving the quality of the policy dialogue and partnership between
Ethiopia and its development partners. In examining the structure, the consultants are expected to assess:
Efficiency: Including whether the DAG provides value for money and value for time as a mechanism for enhancing government-donor policy dialogue, partnership and aid coordination,
Effectiveness: Including whether the DAG enables information sharing, reporting and feedback between the working groups and the DAG, decision making and coordination,
To what extent the DAG management structures meet the aid coordination needs of Ethiopia.
To what extent the DAG has improved donor coordination and harmonization with government’s PASDEP strategy (including provision of DAG Pooled Funds).
Whether the DAG is sufficiently responsive to government needs

On this basis, provide recommendations, including:

Whether the DAG objectives need amending; and if so, how
How the DAG structure can be improved for enhanced aid coordination
Propose simple, standard operating procedures to guide the work of the DAG

Indicative Programme and Outputs

An inception report, 5 days from the date of signing of the contract, based on desk reviews to be presented to the DAG to sharpen the scope, prioritization and focus of the work.
The first draft of the report to be submitted 15 days from the date of signing of the contract.

Debriefing Session

Final (comprehensive) report to be submitted, 20 days from the date of signing the contract, incorporating comments from stakeholders and providing practical implementation steps for the recommendations.

Management Arrangement

UNDP/DAG Secretariat, on behalf of the development partners, will manage the financial and contractual arrangements ;
The DAG Ex-Com and 2 selected members of the DAG will provide guidance on and substantive input into the study.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific Task for the International Consultant

Responsible for coordinating activities and providing guidance to the national consultant;
Design appropriate methodology for the review;
Undertake research, interviews, analysis of findings and prepare draft document;
Lead the debriefing session; and Incorporate feedback and prepare the final document

Competencies

Experience and strong knowledge or familiarity with global aid effectiveness issues and aid management, coordination, harmonization and development cooperation, which includes but not limited to OECD-DAC work, Pari Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action;
Strong conceptual and analytical skills, with ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s or PhD in Economics, Development Studies, Political Economy of Development or related subjects;
At least 10 years experience working in development context, particularly Africa;