MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, FEDERAL AFFAIRS AND RECONCILIATION
Galmudug
TOR for Local Governance, Service Delivery and Civic Engagement Consultant
Title: Local Governance, Service Delivery and Civic Engagement Consultant
Duration of the assignment:14 Months with possible extension
Duty station: Galmudug (Adado/Dhusamareeb),
Supervisor: Director General of Galmudug Ministries of Interior
Background
The sector, district planning & budgeting and civic engagement consultant will support the FMS Ministry of Interior and district level authorities in enhancing local governance, decentralized service delivery, social inclusion and civic education effectively in the framework of the UN Joint Programme on Strengthening Local Governance and Decentralized Service the Delivery (‘Dowlad-Kaab’ Program).
The Dowlad-kaab Programme aims to strengthen local governments to effectively respond to the needs and rights of all citizens. By creating an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable governance systems at the district level, the programme seeks to enhance basic social service delivery, state legitimacy, and trust-building. Funded by the UN Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), Dowlad-kaab Programme is implemented by three UN agencies; UNDP, UN HABITAT, and UNICEF, together with sector ministries at federal and state levels led by Ministry of Interior Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MoIFAR). The programme will cover all Federal Member States (FMSs) and Mogadishu Municipality by enhancing local governments’ legitimacy, functionality, and delivery of quality services. Furthermore, Dowlad-kaab Programme will have lighter footprints in Somaliland and Puntland, primarily to further institutionalize local governance, deepen knowledge management and use their relatively advanced capabilities as an innovation hub to showcase on the best practices and lessons learnt for adaptability and scalability.
Specific tasks of the advisor during this period include:
- Provide strategic input, policy advice and technical assistance in the design and development of decentralised Service Delivery Model (SDM) for primary education and basic healthcare functions at district and FMS level in coordination with FMS level MOI and sector ministries authorities, targeted Local Governments, UNICEF and other relevant stakeholders.
- Provide leadership and coordination in implementation of the SDM pilots at district-level and support FMS ministries in the development of service agreement contract (MoU) to be signed between the sectors and selected pilot district that will define agreed delegated functions, clear tri-partite budgets( with contributions from MoE/MOH/MOF, District Budget and Dowlad-kaab), M&E tools for both the FMS MOIFAR and district level, ensure compliance and oversight role as well as documenting lessons learnt.
- Assist the capacity assessment and development and mentoring support to sector ministries and local government Social Affairs Department on required skills and competencies for SDM, district planning and civic education and social and child inclusion implementation, including development of resource materials, terms of reference (TOR) against delegated functions and support in strengthening FMS MOE and MOH planning and monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and capacity enhancement for FMS and district authorities.
- Support quarterly review of the central plans of the FMS MoE and MOH against the district plans (DDFs) in regard to education and health priorities to ensure their linked and respond to community needs. The review should include identification of bottlenecks in implementation of Education and Health DDF priorities (if any) and suggest ways and means to address them. Keep stakeholders including ministries, LGs and UN-Dowlad-kaab agencies informed about the bottlenecks and seek commitments on the actions needed to address the constraints.
- Support the development of sector decentralization strategies in education and health at FMS level and the clarification of local government education and health service mandates and support the reflection of the same in other education and health policies/strategies and plans in close collaboration with UNICEF/UN Dowlad-kaab agencies and supported consultant attached to the different offices at FGS and FMS levels.
- Participate and contribute to the key coordination, planning and review meetings within FGS MOIFAR, FMS MOIFAR, MOE, MOH and with Dowlad-kaab stakeholders and agencies/consortiums programmes to update and share progress and ensure linkages of Dowlad-kaab with other key programmes. Share timely brief and minutes of the meeting with respective teams including updating relevant FMS MOI, MOE, MOH, and UNICEF on key on decentralization initiatives between the programmes in the FMS MOE and MOH and Dowlad-kaab.
- Support the FMS MOIFAR in the preparation and review of the technical proposal and reporting against SDM, district planning, civic engagement, social inclusion, and related capacity building funded through Dowlad-kaa programme.
- Support FMS MOIFAR in providing specialized technical assistance, coordination and oversight of civic engagement activities (civic education, citizen-state dialogue, participatory planning, women and youth outreach and engagement, social accountability) at FMS, and district level; and coordinate with MoIFAR Local Governance, Decentralized Service Delivery and Civic Engagement Advisor.
- Foster shared understanding and strong collaboration among civic engagement stakeholders at FMS and local level (different FMS ministries, women-led organisations, CSOs, implementing partners etc.).
- Deliver technical support to districts, as needed and in collaboration with State Ministry of Interior, including on the development of civic engagement action plans and projects, outreach to women, youth, and minority groups, implementing partner selection and monitoring activities, etc.
- To ensure the inclusion of Dowlad-Kaab Program promote quality practices and facilitate learning across FMS and BRA, through the promotion of the Wadahadal civic education resource pack, the gathering and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices, joint field visits, etc.
- Ensure an inclusive and consultative process with key stakeholders at the State and District levels in the development and implementation of LG Gender Mainstreaming Policy and Action Plan, and child rights considerations with the purpose to ensure that the final document has wide ownership.
- Assess and review current capacity of the Ministry of Interior FMS and addressing gender equality, social inclusion, and child rights issues, and propose appropriate structure and functional improvements as well as training opportunities to strengthen mainstreaming of gender, social inclusion and child rights at the MOIFAR FMS.
- Support Participatory District Planning processes including community and children’s consultations, social and gender inclusion, training of ToTs/district facilitators, consolidation of community action plans and development and review of process reports and documentation as well as quality assurance for the District Development Frameworks finalization and support subsequent endorsement.
- Support the annual district work planning and budgeting exercise and ensure balanced participation and meaningful engagement of communities specifically women, youth, and marginalized groups both during the DDF and the AWP&B process at district level.
- Standardize civic education messages disseminating to the public and advise best practices in delivering the messages; provide technical support for the organization and facilitation of federal and state-level civic engagement coordination meetings.
- Closely work with the Sector Ministries at state and district level supported by Dowlad-Kaab programme under the overall leadership of MoIFAR FMS.
- Gather disaggregated data on district-level civic engagement, district planning, capacity building and sector decentralization/service delivery activities, and develop and implement a MoIFAR quarterly monitoring plan for overseeing these activities.
- To conduct field visits to the target districts to provide technical assistance and monitor progress in implementing their plans, coordinate closely with Dowlad-Kaab technical advisors at FMS and FGS level, UNICEF and UN-Dowlad-kaab agencies.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly reports against agreed work plans and support and follow up financial accountabilities/liquidation of programme resources disbursed to FMS MOIFAR and target districts. To participate in, and contribute to, Dowlad-kaab technical meetings, mid-year and annual review exercises, and other relevant stakeholder meetings, ensuring that key progress, lessons, challenges and best practices are documented and communicated to the relevant audience/recipients.
- Closely work with all Dowlad-Kaab UN implementing agencies of UNDP, UNICEF and UN-Habitat and offer technical support to all Dowlad-Kaab activities primarily at FMS and district level.
Terms of Work
The consultant will be based in (Galmudug: Dhusamareb/Adado),
Requirements
University degree in Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Management, or related field of education from a recognized institution.
At least 6 years’ experience working in local governance, sector decentralization, community development and capacity building of the public sector with demonstrated experience in developing policies.
Demonstrated understanding of decentralization, local governance and government structure in Somalia (Federal, State and Local Governments).
Experience in dealing with a variety of partners at all levels including government officials, civil society organizations and other national counterparts.
Experience working in advisory or technical expert functions with international, private sector or non-governmental organizations would be an advantage.
Excellent writing and presentation skills, and ability to collate information in Somali and English.
Willingness to work in a potential high-risk security environment and be based in Mogadishu with frequent travel to all States.
Fluency in English & Somali.
Reporting Line
The Consultant will report to the Director General – DG of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MOIFAR of the Federal Member State (Galmudug).
Applications with Subject heading: “Local Governance, Service Delivery and Civic Engagement Consultant” should be sent to: hr.moifar.gms@gmail. And CC: dg@moifar.gm.so not later than 31 October 2024.
