Local Government Consultant

The Capacity Development for Local Government (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country. These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank. The Government of Sri Lanka  implements the Local Development Support Project (LDSP) in four provinces – North, North Central, Eastern, and Uva – to strengthen local service delivery and local economic infrastructure and enhance bottom-up approaches to support public engagement in local decision-making processes, including through participatory planning and feedback mechanisms for service delivery.

The overall objective of the CDLG project, implemented by UNDP, is to strengthen the capacities of LAs to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable and be able to plan, enhance resilience, and deliver better services. The capacity development support, coupled with the fiscal support (through Basic Transfers and Performance Transfers provided through LDSP project) for inclusive service delivery and economic investment, is aimed at strengthening the role of elected representatives at the local level. It is about improving local governance systems and making local governments “fit for future”, as well as increase downward accountability of elected officials and local governments. The project also aims to strengthening mechanisms for public engagement in local decision-making processes.

As part of CDLG’s effort to improve local governance systems in Eastern province, UNDP is looking to hire a Local Government consultant who would closely work with the commissioner of local government (CLG) and Management development training unit (MDTU) to strengthen the process and procedures followed by the Local Authorities (LAs) in delivering services to the citizen

Scope and Objectives

The Local Government expert will support to the Commissioner of Local Government to strengthen the process and procedures in the LAs. The LG expert will liaise with CDLG project team, CLG, and LA staff to review current systems, functions, features and available documents to match it against the requirements of LA system.

The consultant is expected to perform the following activities

1. Study the operational arrangement of the LAs across MCs, UCs and PSs under defined categories for example, administrative operations, service delivery and citizen engagement functions;
2. Mapping the process of activities under each of the categories studied under the different types of Las;
3. Using the results of the mapping exercise, assess the efficiency of the current systems;
4. Using appropriate methodology for re-engineering the processes studied above and propose optimized processes with re-defined or steps for the LAs to adopt under the categories identified under item 1;
5. Preparation of workflow manuals for identified key services delivered by the LAs Preparation and documentation of the processes adopted by the LAs to deliver key services to reach the general public easily;
6. Carryout consultations with the key stakeholders to comment and review the ‘Process Re-engineering’ steps to finalize the optimized and uniform processes across;
7. Identify the compliance requirements for satisfying the legislative framework of the country and prepare a list of compliance matrix for LAs to adopt.

Expected Outputs

The consultant will be expected:

• List of categories of processes under defined categories;
• Existing status of process mapping results of all identified categories;
• Proposed re-defined processes under the identified categories;
• Work Manuals;
• Public information sharing documents;
• List of compliances for the LAs.

Deliverables

In general, the deliverables are fulfilled if the following criteria are met:

Deliverable 01- Topline findings from the field visit of LAs and the consultative sessions in the form of a short report- payment 10%- by 15th of Dec 2020;

Deliverable 02 -Draft report that discusses existing capacities, gaps in capacities and potential pathways for growth and sustainability-Payment 20% by 30th of Dec 2020;

Deliverable 03- Provision of training to selected staff in the new methodology suggested for implementation- Payment –30%- by 15th of Mar 2021;

Deliverable 04– Develop workflow document for important services of Las-Payment-20% -by 30th of May 2021;

Deliverable 05– Develop methodology to take the LAs services to the door steps of the public and submit the final report -Payment 20% -By 30th of June 2021.

Management Arrangements

The consultant will directly report to the Project Manager to CDLG but closely engage with Commissioner of Local Government and Director of MDTU of Eastern province.

Duration of Contract

The expected duration of work is estimated for 9 months.

The prospective consultant should, as a minimum, have the following functional and technical

Technical competencies

• Review policies and programmes
• Institutional capacity development
• Excellent oral and writing skills

General

• Strong analytical skills, and an ability to distill key messages;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Professionalism and work ethics.

Partnerships

• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships;
• Provides constructive inputs and feedback to the overall process;
• Demonstrated ability to engage with government and non-government actors at the highest levels.

• should have first degree in Social Science / Political Science / or related field;
• Should have at least 15 years of experience in the field of Local Government and its services;  
• Experience in conducting workshops and developing work manuals in the past would be an added qualification;
• Excellent organizational and planning skills;
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills;
• Fair knowledge in computer literacy;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with range of actors ( Local Government Officials, Donors)

Application

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation, and overall suitability to this TOR;
• Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer, and a brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP;
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: [email protected] stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Please refer the below link for Financial Proposal Template

https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Daily Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT OF SERVICES

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished and corresponding number of workdays put in towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.