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Advisory Services and Capacity Building for Strategy and Policy Unit, Presidential Secretariat, Sri Lanka

2:45:00 PM ,

Reference: PG/LSA/062
Location: Sri Lanka
Duration: 120 person days over 12 months
Closing Date: 28 Sep 2012

Project background

This assignment responds to a request from the Government of Sri Lanka for Commonwealth Secretariat assistance. The project goal is to strengthen strategic orientation of high level policy making in line with priorities in the Mahinda Chintana. In the long term, the Strategy and Policy Unit (SPU) and the establishment of task forces in six key policy areas will support development of more robust, evidence based, policy.

Primary beneficiaries of this work will be senior Sri Lankan Government officials including HE the President of Sri Lanka, the Hon Minister of Economic Development, Secretary to the President; Secretary Defence and Senior Adviser to the President who will benefit from improved provision of strategic advice. The secondary beneficiaries are citizens of Sri Lanka who will benefit from more informed public policy development.

Project objective

The consultant will be expected to provide strategic inputs into decision-making at the highest political level. He/she will also be expected to build capacity of the new SPU that has been established to assist the Senior Adviser to HE the President. This Unit will be modelled on similar establishments in countries such as Malaysia, UK and USA. It will be expected to strengthen the evidence base and analytical capacity of high level policy making.

Project purpose

To strengthen the operational effectiveness of the SPU of the Presidential Secretariat

Deliverables

  • The work programme and staffing plan of the SPU of the presidential secretariat is developed, agreed and implemented
  • Advice and analytical work for policy makers is delivered
  • Designated task forces in six key areas are established and working effectively
  • Appropriate processes for the formation and approval of policy are in place
  • Staff within the SPU have the capacity to undertake their responsibilities

Scope of work

The consultant will be expected to:

  • Assist in establishing a strategic unit to perform a think tank function within the Presidential Secretariat.
  • Provide advice and undertake analytical work in:
  • Building Sri Lanka’s strategic economic relationships (bilateral, regional and multilateral)
  • Strengthening the framework for reconciliation
  • Addressing impediments to investment and growth
  • Strengthening government/private sector dialogue
  • Strengthening government/civil society dialogue (recognising the importance of NGOs, INGOs and new media)
  • Strengthening government/diaspora dialogue
  • Respond to ad hoc requests from HE the President; Hon Minister of Economic Development; Secretary to the President; Secretary Defence and Senior Advisor to the President.
  • Assist in establishing Task Forces, comprising experts from the public sector, business, academia and civil society, as appropriate, to develop road maps for specific actions in the above mentioned focus areas.

Reporting

The consultant will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka and attached to the Strategy and Policy Unit within the Presidential Secretariat. The consultant will report directly to the Secretary to the President and will also provide regular reports to London based Secretariat staff.

Duration

120 person days to be carried out over a one year period.

Consultant specification

The Secretariat is seeking a senior professional with extensive experience of developing, agreeing and implementing Government policy. The successful candidate will have:

  • Demonstrable experience of developing policy/strategy capability within the public sector, including work programmes and staffing plans.
  • At least ten years' experience in providing advice and undertaking analytical work for senior Government officials/ministers.
  • Proven understanding/knowledge of one of the following policy areas: strengthening government engagement with the private sector/ civil society/ the diaspora; developing strategic economic relations (bilateral, regional and multilateral); addressing impediments to investment and growth; strengthening the framework for reconciliation in post conflict environments.
  • Experience of establishing and overseeing the work of Task Forces.
  • Ability to work with discretion on sensitive political issues.
  • Experience and knowledge of Sri Lanka would be an advantage.
  • Flexibility to work on other duties as assigned by the Office of the President.

Further information

How to apply

Full Description - Advisory Services and Capacity Building for Strategy and Policy Unit

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