MoILGR SWS
Terms of Reference for Consultant to conduct functional review of the Public Works and Taxation Departments of the Barawe local government and develop their institutional capacity
1. BACKGROUND
The Joint Programme on Strengthening Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery
(Dowladkaab programme) is a five-year initiative by UNDP, UNICEF, and UN-HABITAT funded through the Somalia Joint Fund to further strengthen local governments in effectively responding to the needs and rights of all people as rights-holders as well as amplifying the voices of communities, with a focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups to hold their local leaders accountable. Dowladkaab Programme works with local, state, and federal levels of government to create an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable governance systems at the district level, advancing responsive basic social service delivery, enhancing state legitimacy and rebuilding trust.
Dowladkaab programme emphasizes local ownership and a modular approach to governance,
demonstrating a sequenced and coordinated implementation modality. In close collaboration with the
federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation (MoIFAR), Dowladkaab Programme will utilize key governmental structures to enhance coordination and capacity across government levels and clarifying roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local tiers of government as duty-bearers.
Strengthening districts’ core functions by engaging people in local planning, public finance management and budgeting will better resource local governments to deliver equitable, inclusive, and accountable services. The programme focuses on critical issues such as fiscal decentralization, planning, and public finance management to improve taxation, revenue management, and inter-governmental fiscal transfers to increase the use of own-source-revenue in service delivery. Empowering people as rights-holders, including access to social accountability mechanisms will build trust and support for local governments, driving sustainable, people-oriented development. The programme also creates more livable, and resilient districts through proper urban planning that can assist districts to withstand the challenges of urbanization and climate related shocks. Furthermore, the programme will focus on capacity development of the selected newly formed districts when they are selected. The programme will identify and keep a balance both new and previous districts for intervention and identify synergies with other local governance initiatives.
Within the framework of Dowladkaab, UN-Habitat is mandated to strengthen public finance management of the districts by instituting effective tax administration and expenditure management, financial management systems, and internal control mechanisms. Towards unlocking the potentials of the private sector, UN-Habitat is supporting public authorities in structuring local economic development and institutionalizing public private partnership. On the other hand, UN-Habitat is also responsible for building district capacities in infrastructure development. To enable this, districts’ capacities in undertaking infrastructure prioritization exercises and feasibility studies or assessments are essential interventions of the programme.
With these interventions, UN-Habitat contributes to the Dowladkaab Programme endeavor to transform from a traditional development funding into a catalyst for capacity development program, unlocking development financing that enables local governments mobilize resources for sustainable and inclusive public service delivery. The Dowladkaab Programme is started in August 2024, centers on community needs, and aspires for collaborative, participatory development and lasting change at the local level.
2. OVERALL OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of this exercise is to strengthen the municipal finance and public works functions of the Barawe local government in an effort to raise adequate revenues, manage its expenditure and thereby, enable it to finance delivery of basic municipal services.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of Director General, the consultant is expected to make a detailed functional review of the taxation and public works departments and thereby, offer a tailored capacity injection at departmental and staff levels. In order to accomplish this assignment, the consultant specifically expected to:
– Meet with the meeting with the local government leadership to establish a common understanding
of the functional review and the subsequent, institutional development support.
– Develop a detailed data collection tools for conducting a functional review. Present this to the local
government leadership, Ministry of Interior and Local Government, and UN-Habitat for their input
and review
– Submit an inception report detailing the approach, methodology and an outline of the proposed
final report
– Conduct a thorough review of relevant local government documents. These include, but are not
limited to local government law, local government finance policy, local government financial
management manual, and induction training manuals, among others.
– Undertake a functional review of the taxation department and the public works departments.
– Based on the findings of the functional review, identify and present recommendations to the local
government’s leadership, as well as to the Ministry of Interior and Local Government and UNHabitat towards a better functioning taxation and public works departments
– Develop a detailed job descriptions for all current and proposed positions within the two
departments.
– Identify all functions performed by the two departments, develop a workflow for each including
provision of standard templates for all the functions/works. This should be developed based on
consensus between the officials and personnel of the local government
– Maintain one-on-one orientation for all the personnel of the two departments and set up a
performance plan to be jointly signed by the staff member and the directors of the departments.
– Assist the local government in disseminating business process/workflows at their premises and
creating stickers and billboards that illustrate the flow of functions in the two departments.
– Report the findings of the functional review to the district administration for validation and to solicit
their feedback.
– Produce final assessment report in English and submit to the MoILGR and UN-Habitat for review
and approval.
– Perform other related duties as required
COMPETENCIES
1. Professionalism:
– Knowledge and understanding of basic theories, concepts and approaches relevant to local
governance, displacement and urbanization.
– Have conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis,
– Familiar with various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and
other databases.
– Ability to conduct, process and apply spatial- and socio-economic data and reflect critically on their
usage for production of analytical maps and planning proposals.
– Have spatial sense and ability to think strategically.
– Able to manage assigned work in professional manner, e.g. structured, forward looking, in time.
– Shows pride in work and in achievements; and also, persistence when faced with difficult problems
or challenges.
– Service oriented and loyal to employer.
2. Communication:
– Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
– Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
– Can adjust communication style to various situations, for example presentation, planning
discussion, inter-ministerial working group.
– Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
3. Teamwork:
– Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
– Willing to learn from others.
– Places team agenda before personal agenda.
– Supports and acts in accordance with decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect
own position.
– Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
4. Planning & Organizing:
– Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies and workplan.
– Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate
amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for time
contingencies; adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
– Report in time when challenges occur that hamper accomplishment of assigned tasks; foreseeing
risks and allowing for contingencies when preparing work plans and project timelines.
– Maintain a close collaboration to project partners (service-oriented) and UN-Habitat.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
– A minimum Masters degree is public administration, development studies, management,
accounting and finance, business administration, governance and leadership or related fields.
Work Experience
– Minimum 5 years of relevant prior experience in institutional development, human resource
management, leadership particularly, with public institutions.
– Excellent English language and communication skills – negotiation, networking, influencing,
public speaking and facilitating workshops at different levels.
– Proven experience in undertaking systems analysis, reviews and assessments including functional
review of public institutions
– Strong understanding of public sector operations, inter-institutional relations, departmental and
staff performance parameters etc
– Ability to understanding the interest of various institutions and actors in change management.
– Excellent representation and networking skills
– Ability to work under pressure, deliver quality results, and maintain consistency in an environment
with heightened insecurity.
– Ability to meet performance expectations in an insecure, psychologically stressful, and culturally
diverse environment with considerable physical hardships.
– Demonstrates transparency, credibility, openness, and a high level of professionalism.
– Approaches tasks from a process viewpoint and effectively employs accountability and
measurement systems to improve efficiency and quality.
Language
– Strong written and oral skills in both Somali and English are a requirement.
Eligibility
– Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send their applications (CV, Motivational letter, scan copy of credentials and three work related referees) to hrmoilgrswss@gmail.com and copy to moisws.hr@gmail.com. Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female qualified applicants are especially encouraged to apply.
Deadline of the application is: 17th December 2024.
