Консультант(-ка) з оцінки стійкості місцевого самоврядування / Consultant for Local Governance Resilience Assessment

Global Communities is seeking for a consultant for USAID-funded Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency Program (DOBRE).

The USAID Program, “Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency” (DOBRE), is a nine-year program, implemented by Global Communities and funded by the United States Agency for International Development. DOBRE has worked closely with 100 consolidated communities (CCs) in ten Oblasts of Ukraine to help them realize the benefits and meet the challenges brought by decentralization. DOBRE provides technical and material assistance to CCs to help them govern openly and accountably and meet the needs of their citizens; and supports citizens’ active engagement in decision-making and policy making. DOBRE’s support encompasses strategic planning; spatial planning; financial management; public service delivery; local economic development; capacity building; good governance practices; and gender- and youth-responsive policies. 

 In the period 2022 – 2025, DOBRE will be working directly with at least 60 CCs of Ukraine to help them cope with the consequences of the war, recover and rebuild, and resume their trajectory of positive, sustainable development. Partners with Global Communities in the DOBRE Program Consortium include the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center; the Foundation in Support of Local Democracy, and the Malopolska School of Public Administration at the Krakow University of Economics, Poland. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / SPECIFIC TASKS:

DOBRE seeks to engage a Consultant to review its established MEL system and lead a process of identifying key instruments and practices to support communities` resilience by developing the methodology of local governance resilience assessment and compiling Resilience Index tool. The consultant will develop the methodology, drawing from existing preparation work done on the MEL system, and in collaboration with the MEL team and program technical experts.

The tool will be used for collecting data required to inform program activities design and coordinated planning. This tool will also ensure that all indicators concerning local governance resilience are addressed and to perform a baseline assessment of governance resilience at local level in order to identify priorities for further assistance.

Purpose of the assignment: 

The purpose of the assignment is to design and pilot the Resilience Index tool in the selected partner communities and provide recommendation related to both (1) the methodology and Resilience tool usage for the baseline assessment in the communities; (2) findings and insights regarding key instruments and practices to support communities` resilience.

Objectives and scope of the services:

• Develop resilience assessment methodology to measure the current situation in partner communities affected by military conflict or other shocks;
• Determine DOBRE program activities and other key practices that contribute to local governance resilience and allow it to withstand conflict or another negative impact, particularly in the areas that correspond to PMCI competencies as follows: leadership of local self-government, financial management, service delivery, and citizen engagement, including youth engagement.
• Carry out piloting of the Resilience Index and produce recommendations on tool usage.
• Provide recommendations linked but not limited to strengthening local governance resilience.

Methodology:

• Desk review and analysis of existing methodologies for measuring resilience, DOBRE program documents and the established MEL system, including results framework, indicators, targets and monitoring tools.
• Interviews with experts, key informants, program staff, representatives of local authorities by telephone (skype, zoom, etc.) or face-to-face. In addition, it is expected that the expert will analyze the results of FGDs.
• Approbation of resilience methodology and Resilience Index tool piloting.
• The approved methodology presentation and discussion with a key stakeholders and external experts for further review and revision.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:                      

• 12 months

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

• Kyiv, DOBRE Partner Communities

LOE (Level of Effort) DAYS:                          

• 120 days

DELIVERABLES:

• Inception report in English
• Develop brief report#1 summarizing results of interviews and FGDs for each stakeholder group
• Draft analytical report with the suggested methodology
• Brief report #2 highlighting piloting results
• Final analytical report with the suggested methodology and recommendations on strengthening local governance resilience
• Second testing, if needed
• Presentations of findings based on the final report

COORDINATION AND SUPERVISION:

To ensure the fulfillment of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with DOBRE program team, external stakeholders and key experts regarding all aspects of the assignment to ensure coordinated inputs into the methodology and Resilience Index development;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to DOBRE program team as requested;
• Hold consultations and briefings with DOBRE team as requested.

 THE SELECTION PROCESS

DOBRE is looking for a consultant with the following knowledge and experience:

•  Master’s degree in Public Policy, Management, Law, Sociology, Economics, and other related areas;
• At least five years of experience working on international donor programs;
• At least three years’ experience as an evaluator, designing and conducting assessments, developing measurement and data collection tools;
• Experience and knowledge of local government management and decentralization reform;
• Previous experience (or ability to demonstrate the capacity) of working with local governance;
• Ability to work in a team according to established terms, good skills of time distribution;
• Creativity, initiative, focus on results, and responsibility.
• Working level of English (Intermediate or higher)

 To apply please send Technical Offer and other required annexes to [email protected] indicating Consultant for Resilience Assessment in the subject line by 10 AM, December 14, 2022.  

Application package must include: 

• Technical Offer with a timeline and budget
• Applicant CV (3 pages maximum);
• Reports, publications or articles on similar topics related to local governance, resilience, decentralization reform, measurement tool development is in advantage.

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.