Job Title:DEVELOPMENT OF AID POLICY FOR THE GAMBIA
Location : GAMBIA
Application Deadline : 20-Jul-12
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Aug-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : 3 weeks
Expected Duration of Assignment : 3 weeks
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Background
The Gambia has set Vision 2020, MDG and PRSP as her long and medium term road map to pursue its development ambitions through various Sectoral Strategic Plans and also through the much anticipated Medium Term Expenditure Framework. For The Gambia to achieve Vision 2020, it must identify priorities and match means of achievements through projections of revenues and expenditures. The planned expenditures to enhance its development agenda are both internally financed (tax revenues and non-tax revenues) and by externally mobilized resources (grants, concessional and non-concessional loans). The Gambia achieved a lot in terms of increasing domestic revenues surpassing 70% of the national budget as of today. As it is the case of many developing countries, The Gambia still relies on foreign resources for development budget deficit financing.
The financing gap, portrayed through the development budget deficit, is acknowledged even for the Government of The Gambia priority programmes, to be a priority. However, various challenges arise. For the sake of a sustainable and prosperous economy, it is of utmost importance to link external financial resources mobilization strategies with the actual financing short falls. Resource Mobilization depends on a country specific situation, needs and aspiration including economic, political as well as social aspects which match with its unique environment.
The Aid Coordination Directorate within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs is the key Government entry point for the oversight and management of external aid. The aid policy provides donors with a centralized interface; and it offers guidance and leadership on how donors can better align behind Government priorities. Ultimately, the Aid Coordination Directorate aims to coordinate assistance so that it best supports the Government of The Gambia’s economic and social priorities. Principally, the Aid Coordination Directorate is required to mobilize required financial resources for the government of the Gambia priorities. It is a task that requires knowledgeable experts in the line resource mobilization techniques as well as negotiation skills.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objective/Purpose:
The overall objective of this assignment is to contract a qualified consultant to help to develop Aid policy and conduct training in External Resources Mobilization, Negotiation Skills with focus on:
Aid Policy and Strategy document that spells out Aid Policies;
Aid Strategies and Framework for Implementation of the Aid Policy;
The Aid relationship between Government and its Cooperating Partners shall be guided by the principles of country ownership;
Deepening the understanding of resources mobilization, techniques and processes;
Develop skills in negotiations;
Expand the understanding around how to link local and global experiences in resource mobilization;
Explore potentials and entry points for the resource mobilization in nontraditional donors and funding agencies to The Gambia;
Discuss and explore the synergies in Resources Mobilization by Government agencies;
Developing aid tracking (disbursements and expenditures) mechanisms based on the Paris Declaration Principles guidelines.
Scope of Work:
The Aid Policy and Strategy document should spell out Aid Policies, Aid Strategies and Framework for Implementation of the Aid Policy. The aid relationship between Government and its Cooperating Partners shall be guided by the principles of country ownership; promotion of international justice and equity; enhancement of true partnership through dialogue, coordination, harmonization, alignment, and information sharing; simplification of processes and procedures; grants as the preferred form of external assistance; all external assistance shall contain clear capacity building components; and promotion of strong partnerships with non-state actors?.
Training Substance, Methodology and Expected Output:
Substance: The training substance will be focused on the technical aspects of financial resource mobilization and negotiation skills. Subjects to be delivered and discussed include areas such as understanding the global aid environment and dynamics, types of resources mobilized and emerging donors to focus in resources mobilization, techniques of resources mobilizations, packaging the information for financial resources mobilization and policy briefs as well as negotiations aspects.
Methodology: The methodology should be of Participatory Approach, Learning in Action, Experiential, Case Analysis and Presentations; the participants to the training will be staff members of the Aid Coordination Directorate of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Policy Analysis Unit, NGO Affairs as well as other non-state actors.
Expected Output: The consultant is expected to produce a national aid policy and action plan documents for the Gambia that has a strong linkage with the Paris Declaration Principles and the Accra Agenda Action plan.
Provide capacity building. Each trainee is expected to acquire a complete comprehension on technical aspects of resources mobilization; acquire necessary negotiation skills; produce an action plan to be followed up upon his/her return to his/her organization and acquire necessary tools to guide in the resource mobilization as well as negotiations.
Competencies
Key Competencies:
Good understanding of the Paris Declaration Principles and the Accra Agenda Action plan as well as other International Development field/issues;
In-depth substantive knowledge of the political environment and challenges facing external resources mobilization in Africa;
Ability to transfer knowledge and skills to colleagues and partners;
Strong written and oral communication skills;
Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor; ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating and open, positive and enabling environment; ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks to achieve results;
Sound judgment and decision making skills;
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks to achieve result;
Selection Criteria:
Submissions will be evaluated in consideration of the Evaluation Criteria as stated below:
The Consultant should possess at least a master’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following areas or related field: Economics, International Development or Management [Maximum 15 points];
Proposed Approach and Methodology and recognized expertise in development aid policy and all aspects of resource mobilization and fundraising strategies and a track record of drafting aid policy, resource mobilization strategies and action plans in intergovernmental or international organizations [Maximum 40 points];
Experience in resource mobilization a both National and Regional levels, preferably in Africa [Maximum 20 points];
Good knowledge on the planning and budgeting policies and Procedures of West Africa Countries [Maximum 10 points];
Experience in working in The Gambia and/or within the region in strategizing programming and evaluation would be on added advantage [Maximum 10 points];
Computer literacy and presentation skills are highly essential [Maximum 5 points];
In order to qualify for further consideration the Individual Consultant must accomplish a minimum score of 70 points. Candidates who qualify for further consideration may be invited for a personal interview.
The selected consultant(s) will work under the direct supervision of the Aid Coordination Directorate of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in close collaboration with partner institutions.
Required Skills and Experience
The candidates must demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:
The Consultant should possess at least a master’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following areas or related field: Economics, International Development or Management;
Recognized expertise in all aspects of resource mobilization and fundraising strategies and a track record of drafting resource mobilization strategies and action plans in intergovernmental or international organizations;
Experience in resource mobilization at both National and Regional levels, preferably in Africa;
Good knowledge of sub-Sahara Africa planning and budgeting policies and Procedures;
Experience in working with donors in The Gambia and/or within the region in strategizing programming and evaluation would be on added advantage;
Computer literacy and presentation skills are highly essential
How to Apply;
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=31146
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