Location : Kampala, UGANDA

Application Deadline :31-Jan-11

Additional Category: Democratic Governance

Type of Contract : SSA

Post Level :National Consultant

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)07-Feb-2011

Duration of Initial Contract :30 working days

Expected Duration of Assignment :30 working days

Background

UNDP operations in Uganda are guided by the 5 year Country Programme prepared jointly with government and approved by the Executive Board. Deriving from the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and National Development Plan, Country Programme is implemented through 5 year Country Programme Action plan (CPAP). One of the two components of Country Programme is Accountable Democratic Governance. The CPAP, developed with inputs from all the relevant stakeholders, guides overall project document design to be able to achieve the outcomes of the accountable democratic governance component as identified in the Results and Resources Framework of CPAP.

UNDP programme in Uganda operates under National Execution modality with Aid Liaison Department of Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) acting as Executing Agency for the CPAP.

Accountable Democratic Governance Component

The National Development Plan is anchored on the theme ‘Growth, Employment and socio-economic Transformation for prosperity’ and aims to address structural bottlenecks in the economy to accelerate socio-economic transformation for prosperity.  One of the key binding constraints identified as part of NDP analysis is weak public sector management and administration (with special focus on accountability and service delivery). The UNDAF that guides operations of the UN agencies in the country identifies: Capacity of selected government institutions and civil society improved for good governance and the realization of human rights that lead to reducing geographic, socio economic and demographic disparities in attainment of Millennium Declaration and Goals by 2014 as one of the outcomes to achieve.

In light of the above one of the outcomes that UNDP through the Accountable Democratic Governance Component aims to contribute is:

Selected local governments and oversight entities have capacity and deliver accountable, inclusive and demand driven social and economic services.

One of the outputs identified in CPAP that contribute to the outcome for which detailed project document is to be developed is:

Capacity for selected oversight entities and CSOs developed to monitor service delivery.

This output focuses on accountability mechanisms within the context of service delivery by strengthening capacity of select oversight institutions and CSOs. The primary focus is not on actual service delivery institutions but on institutions with responsibility to provide oversight and monitoring of service delivery.  As part of project interventions, UNDP support is aimed to address some of key concerns mentioned in NDP: weak capacity for monitoring by accountability and oversight entities, low level of adherence to service delivery standards, compliance with rules and regulations of service delivery, implementation of recommendations, inadequate participation and involvement of different stakeholders in service delivery.

Scope of assignment

In close consultation with key stakeholders, the consultancy will develop a project document that contributes to achieving the outcome of building capacity to deliver accountable, inclusive and demand driven social and economic services. The consultancy will:

• Identify niche for UNDP support in line with existing national capacities, support of other national development partners;
• Develop annual work plans with outputs and relevant activities, baselines, indicators and targets for the duration of project (guided by three normative principles of human rights based approach, gender mainstreaming and environment sustainability);
• Suggest appropriate implementing partner/s and responsible party(ies) for implementation of project ;
• Identify appropriate management arrangements for implementation of project;
• Initial risk analysis for project;
• Develop monitoring and evaluation framework for the project (in line with CPAP, UNDAF M&E framework);
• Exit strategy.

The consultant(s) on basis of analysis of their interactions with donors (through meeting and documentation) are expected to identify resource mobilization opportunities to support project implementation.

The consultant(s) need to consider: Relevance; Effectiveness; Efficiency; Sustainability  of the project as key operational principles in the design of project document vis-à-vis CPAP RRF.

NB:

Mandatory capacity assessment of the IPs and RPs identified will be undertaken as a separate exercise.

Relevance –activities/interventions consistent with outputs and outcomes of CPAP RRF and beneficiary requirements;
Effectiveness – economic use of resources /inputs (funds expertise, time) are converted to outputs;
Efficiency – ability to produce results and contribute to outcomes
Sustainability – after exit the interventions should be able to sustain and continue.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key activities

Identify niche for UNDP support:
As part of drafting of project document, consultants are expected to clearly identify the scope of project that maximizes the comparative advantages of UNDP operations. Scope of project should contribute to achieving the outcome at end of the 4 year programming cycle and also build synergy within programme components of accountable democratic governance programme. It should also take into consideration existing donor programmes and identify complementarities.

Develop outputs and activities (Annual work plan):

In close consultation with all stakeholders identify outputs (with clear indicators, baselines and targets) and activities with a view to ensure continuity over the four year period of CPAP. In line with the programmatic approach, project activities should be developed to ensure synergy with other components of the CPAP. Activities should also give due consideration to following principles:

• Building national capacities and ownership;
• Strengthening capacity development;
• Promote south-south cooperation;
• Focus on key crosscutting themes of programming of UNDP;

Identify management arrangements:

Management arrangements explain roles and responsibilities (including clarification on accountability for resources) of parties responsible for managing project, carrying out activities and providing oversight. Annexure (template for project document) shows a typical management arrangement for UNDP supported project. A key component of management arrangements section is recommendations on appropriate implementing and responsible parties in line with scope of project. Results of the micro-assessment (managerial and financial capacities) of the recommended IPs and RPs will be the basis for final selection of implementing partners. Management arrangements are to be suggested within context of NEX modality.

Identify appropriate monitoring framework/tools:

Develop monitoring framework/tools for the project to be able to assess project’s progress towards intended outputs and effective utilization of resources. Monitoring framework/tools should be built on the principles of national ownership and ongoing stakeholder engagement approaches. Monitoring framework/tools should also be developed in line with management arrangements.

Conduct initial risk analysis:

Initial risk analysis is to be conducted to determine the risks that impact the project formulation and implementation. In undertaking risk analysis, UNDP risk log should be used with a view to utilize the same for updating in the course of implementation of project.

Exit Strategy:

Consultants are expected to identify appropriate exit strategies to be put in place to ensure sustainability and continuity of project interventions.

In addition, consultants are expected to organize meetings with all stakeholders depending on the need and requirements of project formulation, lead Pre-PAC and PAC meetings and incorporate comments into the draft final project document.

Deliverables

Key deliverables expected from consultancy include:

Inception Report:

• This report should clearly delineate understanding of assignment, conceptual approach/framework/ methodology for design of project documents and timelines for consultancy. Timelines should be developed taking into account the number of working days for overall assignment.

Agreement on the inception report will be the basis for consultancy which will incorporate the following:

• Draft 1 – project document;
• PAC meetings;
• Final project document.

Reporting arrangements

Consultant(s) will work closely with the UNDP Accountable Democratic Governance team and representative(s) of the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Economic Development (Aid Liaison Department). The consultants (s) will report to the UNDP Team Leader, Accountable Democratic Governance and work under the overall guidance and leadership of Country Director and Resident Representative. The Consultant(s) will liaise on a day to day basis with programme consultant.

Competencies

Technical competencies

• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English.

Excellent analytical skills

Personal Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Positive, constructive attitude to work
• Ability to act professionally and flexibility to engage with government officials, donor representatives, private sector and communities

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Assignment will be carried out by 2 national consultants with following profile:

• Minimum of Masters degree in social services field with a focus on local governance or related field
• Progressive consultancy experience in local governance issues including: public administration, public policy and public sector management
• Experience in developing of planning and monitoring frameworks and policies
• Extensive Knowledge of Ugandan Development Context
• Minimum of 10 years working experience in programming and project design as well as monitoring and evaluation
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and communication

Two National Consultants are required.

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.