Technical Advisor, Local Development & Fiscal Decentralization: UN Joint Programme On Local Governance & Decentralized Service Delivery (Readvertised)

Location :	Nairobi (possible relocation to Somalia), KENYA
Application Deadline :	14-Feb-10
Type of Contract :	FTA International
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	03-May-2010
Duration of Initial Contract :	1 Year
Expected Duration of Assignment :	3 years
Background
The objective of the assignment is to have a Resident technical adviser for UNCDF programme implementation activities in Somalia. This will facilitate the timely provision and management of technical services to support the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery. The specific support for the short and medium term is to assist the Governments of Somaliland and Puntland to analyze and assess existing institutional functioning for service delivery focusing on structures, relationships, process, task, influence, effectiveness, relevance and even trust in the eyes of clients. It is again to establish a rational basis for the review and development of a sustainable fiscal management system, targeted capacity development and investment for an effective service delivery process for local authorities in Somaliland and Puntland. Background: The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery is a 5 year Programme of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. Somaliland partners for the Joint Program are central, regional and district authorities and councils, as well as non-state actors and selected communities. The Programme is aligned to the programming frameworks of the Somali Reconstruction and Development Programme 2008-12 and the UN Transition Plan 2008-9. One of the key outcomes of the RDP is to achieve decentralised service delivery in Somaliland. The outcome of the UNTP is that local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery in selected locations. It is envisaged to achieve as wide coverage in Somaliland as resources and conditions allow with a comprehensive approach to rendering local governments as credible and professional service providers, increasing public investment in basic services, and strengthening civic awareness and participation in local decision-making and development are very crucial. The strategy pursued will comprise: (i) policy and legal frameworks for decentralisation, local government, service provision and land, (ii) institutionalising local government systems, vertical and horizontal inter-government linkages and civic education initiatives, (iii) investment in public services and goods through testing the Local Development Fund model, direct service provision and promotion of public-private partnerships, and (iv) processes and systems for housing, land and property disputes and resolution. Throughout the Programme, strong emphasis will be placed on gender and women in local government, human rights and local governance, and good governance principles of transparency, accountability and participation. The expected outcomes of the Joint programme is (1) local governments have basic structures, systems and resources to fulfil prioritised roles and responsibilities; (2) Communities, private sector and local governments have better means and capacity to deliver equitable basic services; (3) All key stakeholders participate in equitable and inclusive community and village-level planning, policies and development; (4) Land is more equitably managed and accessed resulting in reduction of disputes. UNCDF, as part of its role in the Joint Programme is to facilitate the design of a Local Development Fund (LDF) and support the Governments of the three Areas of Somalia ( Somaliland, Puntland and South-Central) to establish it. The performance of this task over the medium term will include an institutional assessment study for local service delivery, a study of the fiscal management system, the design and institution of processes and capacity building for the operation of the LDF. In addition UNCDF has also been assigned to develop an MIS for the management of development information of the District in Somalia. In undertaking this assignments there is the need for a resident technical support from UNCDF to be established at the Somalia UN office in Nairobi to provide the required technical guidance and also work as part of the Programme Coordination Unit to achieve the objectives of the Joint Programme under the Senior Programme Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Adviser for Local Development & Fiscal Decentralisation will provide technical support to the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) and other decentralization and local development initiatives by UNDP Somaila. The Adviser will also serve as a key player in decentralization and local development within the wider donors group in Somalia. The Technical Adviser will provide consistent support to the Joint Programme Senior Programme Manager of the JPLG and also the PCU in general on issues of institutional development, fiscal strategies and the pursuit of strategies to provide and manage local service delivery. Under the overall joint supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and the UNCDF Regional Adviser, the post-holder will perform the following tasks: Policy advice and strategic support: Initiate and support discussions on issues on fiscal decentralisation and funding of local development initiatives through lessons generated from JPLG and other related initiatives; Create innovative solutions to the challenges of Fiscal nature and the LDF, initially in the selected Districts but with the prospects of wider application and replication in all the three areas; Contribute at a senior level to government?s debate on decentralisation and local development funding through the PCU; Organise forums and workshops to support the implementation of the LDF as approved by the PCU at local, regional and national level, including the design and delivery of targeted capacity development; Generate lessons as good practice and see these incorporated into draft and subsequently updated Public Expenditure Management manuals. Technical advice and monitoring support: Oversee the development and implementation of the Local capacity for Fiscal Management as well as the operation of the Local Development Fund; Ensure technical leadership within the PCU for the local fiscal management and the establishment of the Local Development Fund and linkages with other related activities within the UNJP and Somalia in general; Establish monitoring frameworks for the LDF and provide ongoing feedback and technical backstopping, and regularly monitor progress towards the identified indicators and inform the PCU; Provide technical support to the identified districts by the PCU for establishing the LDF and fiscal management support as well as the respective national teams and ensure progress of implementation of work plans of UNCDF; Identify capacity building needs and coordinate responses around the LDF and local fiscal management.to ensure equitable local development principles; Develop tools and guidelines that facilitate the achievement of the anticipated outcomes by with respect to local fiscal management and funding for local development at the district, regional and national levels; Support the Joint Programme Senior Programme Manager in the preparation of reports for the JP Steering Committee and other technical requirements as requested by the JP Senior Programme Manager. Additional: Be responsive to ad hoc requests and opportunities for contributing to other initiatives to which the post holder is qualified; Expand partnerships with local, national, regional and international partners in the interest of UNCDF, UNDP and the UN in general. IV. Impact of Results Outcome indicators Intended Outcome as stated in the Project document of the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery Programme Results and Resource Framework; Outcome (1) Local governments have basic structures, systems and resources to fulfil prioritised roles and responsibilities; Outcome (2) Communities, private sector and local governments have better means and capacity to deliver equitable basic services;
Competencies
Technical/Functional: Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development and decentralization through government reform; Substantive knowledge of developing and managing a fiscal transfer system for a country in a decentralized system; Sound experience of developing local fiscal management systems and subsequent management of? a local Development Fund; Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, procedures and guidelines for local fiscal management and participatory accountable systems; Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development and decentralization through government reform. Managerial: Ability to build and teams effectively, mentoring team members well, inspiring confidence in others; managing matrices fluidly by encouraging inter-agency collaboration; Build strong relationships with both internal and external actors; - cultivate productive relationships with UN organizations, donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals; Manage technical inputs effectively - consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work carried out by the incumbent or the team; Strong oral and written communication skills; Ability to build and teams effectively, mentoring team members well, inspiring confidence in others; managing matrices fluidly by encouraging inter-agency collaboration.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: An advanced degree (minimum at Masters level) in Economics, Business Management, Development Studies, Public Financial Administration or a related discipline. Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience at local, national and international levels, dealing with Local Fiscal Management and decentralization; Deep knowledge and understanding of the operation of a Local Development Fund and decentralization, and of the related challenges in African countries; Recognized leadership in fiscal policy and systems development; Wide experience of technical advisory support and overall capacity development, preferably in a post-conflict situation; Country level experience in working directly on decentralization, local government reform and public expenditure management; Effective presentation and report-writing skills; strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communication skills. Language requirements: Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language a plus
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. Click here for more information on how to apply.