Operations/Programme Management Consultant on Local Governance and Local Development (Readvertized)

Local Governance and UNDP: Local governance and local development comprise the combined set of institutions, systems and processes, at the local level, through which local authorities interact with and provide services to citizens, groups and local communities and through which the later articulate their interests and needs, mediate their differences and exercise their rights. The building blocks of effective local governance are many: transparent and robust central-local relationships, citizen participation, including the equal participation of women, partnerships among key stakeholders at the local level, capacity of local actors, multiple flows of information, gender sensitive institutions of accountability, and an inclusive and pro-poor orientation. While local development is an essential condition to ensure the geographical spread of human development, effective local governance complements that process in support of inclusive and rights-compliant societies. Local governance and local development are key areas of UNDP’s work. UNDP supports local governance and local development as critical mechanisms for empowering sub-national levels of society, to ensure that local people participate in, and benefit from their own governance institutions and development services. Institutions of decentralization, local governance and urban/rural development aim to bring policy formulation, service delivery and resource management within the purview of men and women. Local governance and local development have therefore been integral themes of the first and second multi-year funding frameworks (MYFFs), covering the periods 2000-2003 and 2004-2007, respectively. The new Strategic Plan (2008-2013) takes forward UNDP's work in local governance and local development. In particular, under the second key results area of the Strategic Plan’s second goal, which is dedicated to “fostering democratic governance”) UNDP's support in the area of local governance and local development encompasses the review and reform of policies and legislation; capacity development (especially for local government planning and fiscal management); and inclusive systems of consultation with local communities that involve women and ethnic minorities. The issues of local governance and local development are given importance under all four goals of the Strategic Plan. Preliminary evidence indicates that UNDP support to local governance and local development has increased significantly over the past two decades. Between 2000 and 2007, approximately 1100 local governance-related projects were implemented in 110 countries. During the period of the second MYFF, a budget of US$ 1.4 billion was allocated to local governance-related activities at the country level, and additional initiatives were conducted at the regional and global levels. Evaluation and Response: An independent evaluation of UNDP’s contribution to local governance was conducted in 2010. The report points to three main shortcomings:lack of coherence in our approach; insufficient strategic focus in our operations; and limited visibility in terms of knowledge sharing. The key actions proposed in response to the findings build on ongoing work and comprise four types of initiatives focused on: Strategy, by finalizing the development of a strategic framework and guidelines to steer an integrated local-governance approach. Implementation by means of existing and upcoming global, regional and country-level cross-practice initiatives. Capacity development by means of guidance and training on results-based management and integrated local-governance programming. United Nations partnership involving guidelines and training to integrate local governance effectively into common country assessment and United Nations Development Assistance processes. One of the key findings of the report was that “the absence of a unifying framework for local governance and guidance notes drawing on UNDP cumulative experience in different political settings has tended to limit the organization’s capacity to adequately respond to the requirements of strengthening local governance. Many of the commonly used terms in the context of local governance— local governments, local authorities, subnational governments, local development, local economic development, local area development, local human development—have meant different things to different people within and outside UNDP. Similarly, the dynamics of decentralization and local governance processes have not always been fully understood. In the absence of a unifying framework and common understanding, UNDP has not been able to fully leverage its potential comparative advantage.” One of the main recommendations in the evaluation report was that “UNDP should more explicitly and effectively mainstream local governance into all its programmatic areas of support by developing a coherent framework that is firmly grounded in the practice of human development”. Addressing local governance from a holistic and cross-cutting perspective presents new challenges. For example, the evaluation found that “There have been instances in several countries of UNDP successes in promoting gender issues in local governance; however, a strategic and systematic effort at mainstreaming gender concerns into local governance has been missing.” The more complex the task, the more difficult — in terms of capacity and resources — it is to scale up such initiatives. At the same time, a more holistic approach to local governance offers opportunities to better link outputs tobroader development outcomes at the local level. The mid-term review of UNDP’s Strategic Plan allows further opportunities to reflect on the cross-practice linkages between current outcomes and for capturing the complexity of integrated, local-governance development programmes. Much of UNDP’s work in the coming years will concentrate on operationalizing this new vision on local governance and local development. In the management response to the Evaluation Report, UNDP senior management commits to set up a cross-practice task force to develop such an integrated framework. The task force is mandated to assist UNDP country offices and country teams in mainstreaming local governance and local development in UNDP programming, and ensure a more coordinated approach in addressing development challenges at the sub-national level. Objectives of the Assignment: The overall objective of this consultancy is to assist the UNDP-UNCDF-UNV Task Force on Local Governance and Local Development in developing an integrated, cross-practice approach for addressing development challenges at the sub-national level. Based on demand and recommendations from the field, and guided by the task force, the Operations/Programme Management Consultant, together with the lead Consultant on Local Governance and Local Development and the Research Assistant, is expected to propose an integrated conceptual framework that provides solutions to the compartmentalization and lack of synergies at country level and headquarters. The product itself represents the first step in a series of initiatives that UNDP and its associated programmes is expected to undertake in the coming years, as a lead provider of support to developing countries in the area of local governance and local development. The consultants will first undertake a scoping review of UNDP’s local governance and local development initiatives in UNDP’s Practices (Poverty Reduction, Democratic Governance, Environment and Energy, Crisis Prevention and Recovery and HIV/AIDS) as well as on the cross-cutting themes (Gender and Capacity Development) to gain a better understanding of on-going activities, analyse current challenges that obstruct cross-practice work and also identify possible synergies. The local governance and local development portfolios of UNDP’s associated funds (UNCDF and UNV) will also be included in the scoping exercise. The report of the scoping will also include an overview of funding and implementation vehicles with an analysis of possible entry points for cross-practice approaches from a technical and operational perspective. The consultants will also provide a summary overview of the current policies and approaches to local governance and local development adopted by some key development partners (World Bank, Regional Development Banks, selected bilaterals and some international NGO’s with global coverage on the subject). That review will help to outline UNDP’s comparative advantage in the sector as compared to other key players. On the basis of the scoping review and analysis of issues, trends and challenges, the consultants will propose a conceptual framework for local governance and local development responding to the key recommendations made in the evaluation report and UNDP’s management response presented to the UNDP Executive Board in February 2011. The framework should identify common local governance and local development objectives shared among different practice areas and relevant agencies. Rather than providing prescriptive guidance, the framework will be designed to assist country offices and practitioners to overcome existing institutional boundaries and shift towards a cross-practice and cross-agency approach to local governance and local development. Under the guidance of the lead consultant, the Operations/Programme Management Expert will give substantive inputs particularly on programming and resource allocation modalities as well as analysing operational constraints and opportunities for cross-practice initiatives in local governance and local development. In addition, he/she will fulfil any other related task that may be delegated by the lead consultant. He/she is expected to coordinate closely with the team and regularly report back to the chairs of the task force core team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake a Scoping Review of Local Governance and Local Development Portfolio UNDP BDP Practices and associated funds, including funding and implementation modalities: Review the recommendations from the “Evaluation of UNDP – Contribution to strengthening local governance” and Management Response. Review corporate plans, reports, frameworks and objectives (UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2008-2011, BDP Annual Report, local governance and local development related position papers developed by different practices and groups). Review the local governance and local development portfolios in UNDP’s Practice Areas (Poverty Reduction, Democratic Governance, Energy and Environment, Gender, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Capacity Development, HIV-AIDS) based on programme and project reports, prior reviews and evaluations, assessments of development results, gender markers, etc. Review local governance and local development portfolio of UNDP’s associated funds (UNCDF, UNV). Analysis of the strategic interconnections between these different interventions, or potential thereof Consult with relevant colleagues from UNDP, UNCDF, and UNV to better understand respective views on the concepts of ‘local governance’ and ‘local development’, and identify shared objectives, as well as the needs and challenges faced by practitioners on the ground in addressing local governance and local development. Analyze programming and resource allocation modalities. Identify operational constraints and opportunities for cross-practice initiatives based on the existing implementation modalities. Undertake a Scoping Review of Local Governance and Local Development Portfolio of key developments partners (World Bank, Regional Development Banks, selected bilaterals and major international NGOs) and assess UNDP’s comparative advantage. Prepare a draft concept note outlining the content and objectives of the Strategic Framework on Local Governance and Local Development (annotated table of content) including a proposed common understanding of the concepts of “decentralization”, ‘local governance’ and ‘local development’ and their interrelationship. Draft Integrated Conceptual Framework for Local Governance and Local Development: Present findings of scoping review to meetings of the Task Force Define the scope of UNDP’s involvement in Local Governance and Local Development. Develop an integrated strategic framework with key objectives, expected outcomes and progress indicators on local governance and local development. Revise draft Framework based on comments from the LG&LD Task Force and other consultations. Deliverable 1: Scoping Review of Local Governance and Local Development Portfolio of UNDP, UNCDF, UNV 25 page report conceptualizing ‘local governance’ and ‘local development’ and elaborating on the relation between the two concepts; as well as summarizing current local governance and local development initiatives across practice areas and relevant agencies including an analysis of the strategic interconnections between these different interventions, or potential thereof. This report should highlight potential funding and implementation vehicles to build on. Deliverable 2: Scoping Review of Local Governance and Local Development Portfolios of key development partners 15 page report summarizing relevant local governance and local development policies and initiatives from the World Bank, Regional Development Banks, selected bilateral as well as major international NGOs. Deliverable 3: Draft concept note (annotated outline of the Integrated Framework for Local Governance and Local Development 8-10 page draft concept note proposing a common understanding among the wider UN family on the terms of ‘local governance’ and ‘local development’ together with the outline of the integrated framework. Deliverable 4: Draft Integrated Framework for Local Governance and Local Development. 25-page strategic framework for a cross practice approach to local governance and local development. Date Deliverable / Activity April Core task force prepares draft TOR (task force and consultancy) May Extended task force meeting to: - Agree on the terms of reference and deliverable timeline - Agree on objectives of the framework and deliverables timetable - Collection of additional CVs - agree on selected group on country offices (2 per region) to be part of peer review group June/July Selection of consultants Mid July The task force organizes a working session to brief the consultant team about the objectives and expected outputs of the consultancy Mid/End of July Consultant team meetings with relevant colleagues from UNDP, UNCDF, and UNV Mid August Lead consultant submits draft Scoping Review of Local Portfolio of UNDP, UNCDF, UNV and key development partners for review – submission to extended task force and peer review group (which also includes regional centres and selected Cos) End August Task Force Meeting to discuss comments on Scoping Review End August Lead consultant submits revised Scoping Review 1st week of September Draft concept note outlining the approach to developing a strategic framework on local governance and local development – submission to extended task force and peer review group 2nd week of September Task force discusses and agrees on draft concept note 1st week of October Lead consultant submits draft strategic framework for a cross-practice approach to local governance and local development for review – submission to extended task force and peer review group Mid October Task Force Meeting to discuss comments on draft Strategic Framework End October Lead consultant submits revised draft Strategic Framework November Internal and external consultations, including e-consultations (UNDP Networks/Teamworks) End November Validation workshop (venue to be defined) to discuss draft Strategic Framework and implications (extended task force, regional centre representatives, CO representatives) 1st week December Draft Strategic Framework finalized and submitted to task force for peer review and final comments Mid December Strategic Framework submitted to OG and MG. End December Formal communication to inform UNDP corporately on the new Strategic Framework on Local Governance and Local Development

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards. Displays cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Ability to work in a team. Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills. Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback. Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations. Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision. Strong analytical, organizational, reporting and writing abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters in relevant area such as Public Administration, Public Policy, Development Studies, or equivalent. Experience: 10 years of relevant experience in the area of programme and fund management in the area of local governance and local development particularly within UN Organizations and with extensive experience in managing UNDP programmes and projects. Strong international experience and comparative knowledge of translating strategies into concrete operational recommendations with a good understanding of how to and concrete experience in integrating approaches from different practices (including gender mainstreaming and capacity development) in local governance and local development programmes. Extensive network with practitioners working on local governance/development in other key development agencies, specialised in a wide range of practices or thematic areas. Familiarity with UNCDF and UNV, their mandates and implementation modalities. Application process - Interested candidates should follow UNDP standard online application procedure: Duly completed P11 - Personal History Form (http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc) Cover/Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) Financial proposal - A multi-practice panel will evaluate the applications through a two-stage procedure: Step 1: Technical evaluation of the candidates' CVs. The minimum score required to pass the technical assessment is 70%. Aspects of the technical evaluation will include but is not limited to the following: Knowledge and analysis of the subject matter. Relevance of previous experience and technical expertise. education background. Language skills Step 2: Financial evaluation of short-listed candidates (only proposals scoring 70% or more in step 1). The lowest financial offer will receive the assigned maximum financial points (100). All other financial offers will receive points in inverse proportion. Short-listed candidates may be requested to participate in an interview with the selection panel.

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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.

Operations/Programme Management Consultant on Local Governance and Local Development (Readvertized)