UNCDF is the UN's capital investment agency for the world's 48 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples' lives. UNCDF programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals.
Since 2005, UNCDF has been supporting the Government of Rwanda in promoting local development, mainly through the Programme “Support to Community Development in the Districts of Gicumbi and Rulindo”, a joint programme implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and supported by UNCDF, UNDP and the Belgian Fund for Food Security. Within this programme, these partners supported the piloting of approaches for the provision of infrastructures and services at local level. At national level, support was provided to enhance public expenditure management at local level, and a set of manuals were developed and adopted for country-wide usage. As stated in the external evaluations of the programme, undertaken in 2007 and 2010, the programme was effective in providing better infrastructures at local level, as well as capacity building in local public expenditure management, mainly at District level.
The Gender-Equitable Local Development (GELD) programme, implemented in Rwanda since 2009 as a joint initiative of the Government of Rwanda, UN-Women and UNCDF, is building on the experiences of the PADC-GR programme, by mainstreaming gender equitable local development approaches into the local public expenditure management cycle.
One major lesson from these two programmes is that stainable impact on the local economy, in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction, requires an approach which is anchored in local planning and financing systems, but also inclusive of the private sector and responsive to the economic opportunities of the given geographical areas.
Against this background, the Government of Rwanda has requested UNCDF for technical assistance for the formulation of a National Framework and Action Plan for Local Economic Development. The National Framework and Action Plan will respond to the priorities of the National Decentralization Policy in Rwanda, which established local economic development as a major national priority, and as a means of realizing the Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme.
Duties and Responsibilities
Based on the above, the Consultant is expected to undertake the following task:
- Review available literature and documentation and undertake a concise mapping of current national policy and institutional context for local economic development initiatives;
- Consult and take into account potential development partner policies and practices related to local economic development programme interventions in Rwanda;
- Propose a national framework and action plan for promoting local economic development, providing indications in the areas of:
- Policy;
- Institutional arrangements;
- Roles: National Sectors, Local Governments Development Partners, Private Sector, Financial Institutions etc;
- Implementation arrangements, reporting lines, financing, M&E arrangements.
The documents will establish the relationship between the LED national framework and other on-going national development initiatives:
- Vision Umurenge Programme 2020;
- National Decentralization Policy;
- District Performance Contracts;
- Gender-Equitable Local Development;
- The Common Development Fund;
- Other policies and initiatives, as relevant.
Deliverables:
- Inception Report (3-5 pages) proposing a methodology for the process leading to the National Framework and Action Plan;
- Background analysis (max 10 pages), responding to the points 1 and 2 in the above;
- Draft National Framework for Local Economic Development;
- Draft Action Plan of the National Framework for Local Economic Development;
- Stakeholder presentations;
- Final version of the National Framework for Local Economic Development, taking into account all comments;
- Final version of the Action Plan of the National Framework for Local Economic Development, taking into account all comments.
Impact of Results:
The National framework and Action Plan for Local Economic Development will ensure the harmonization of approaches and establish agreed principles upon which the Ministry of Local Government can steer the process of supporting equitable economic growth through local level interventions.
Time Frame and Work Load:
Period: 01 September – 30 November, 2011
Estimated work load: 45 working days for the Consultant
Competencies
Technical/Functional:
- Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development and decentralization through government reform;
- Substantive knowledge of local government as a functioning development agency;
- Sound experience of developing policy and subsequent programmes for Local Economic Development;
- Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, institutional assessments and guidelines.
Managerial:
- Ability to build and lead 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 donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals in the private sector;
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
A minimum of Masters degree in Development, Economics, Development Planning, Public Administration or any other relevant disciplines in the Social Sciences.
Experience:
The lead consultant to undertake the development of the national framework for Local Economic Development must have the following qualifications:
- Solid knowledge and experience in decentralization processes;
- Solid knowledge of the functioning of a Local Government systems;
- Sound theoretical and practical knowledge of local economic development;
- Knowledge of public-private partnerships and financing modalities for economic infrastructures;
- Practical experience in formulating national strategies and action plans.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English.
- Proficiency in French a distinct advantage.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV online, indicating their requested daily fees (in US$).
Applications should be made online. All further enquiries should be directed to:
Ulrik Kristensen
Regional Portfolio Specialist
Ulrik.kristensen@undp.org
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.
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