Background:
The LGED-JP is a three year programme from July 2011 to June 2014, with an anticipated second phase from 2014 to 2017. The first phase of the LGED-JP will focus on three major outputs: (i) strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to strengthen its strategic leadership in the decentralization process; (ii) strengthen capacity development at the local government level in financial management and planning, and to stimulate local economic development (LED) by local government initiatives; and (iii) to promote investment in pro-poor economic activities, and make critical public-private partnership investments in target districts to exploit the potential of important productive sectors and value chains. The anticipated second phase of LGED-JP intends to continue the harmonization of the decentralization efforts and to provide support for local economic development (LED) to all districts through budget support, and to further strengthen the Public Expenditure Management (PEM) process. LGED-JP builds on experiences from the Kenema District Economic Recovery Programme (KDERP).
The beneficiaries of the LGED-JP are small and medium scale economic actors, with a focus on women and youth. LGED-JP will provide funding for planning and LED investment by four local councils through public-private partnership investments in infrastructure, the regulatory environment, human skills and attracting inward investment of relevance to key productive sectors and value chains. The population of the four local council areas, in general, will benefit through employment generated by labour intensive infrastructure investments as well as from long term economic improvements in the districts. This first step will allow for testing and adjustment of the approach. LGED-JP will furthermore prepare for the roll out of the LED approach across all districts in the second phase by providing training on LED to all local governments during year two to help planners take on a more strategic approach to local economic planning, and facilitate linkages with investors and programmes that could be willing to channel funds to investment needs identified along important productive sectors and value chains. LGED-JP will furthermore provide support to the agreement of a funding mechanism for budget support to harmonize local government funding. It is anticipated also that the second phase will provide more comprehensive support to MLGRD to improve guidelines for, and implementation of, the PEM process, although this work will be initiated during the fir first phase, with a particular focus on gender, through a review of how the GELG programme can be harmonized with LGED-JP. This will be done in collaboration with other partners, in particular the World Bank.
The LED Consultants will be embedded within the District / City Council and MLGRD to provide day to day capacity building and on the job support to local government staff working on LED activities In order to effectively support the local governments in a time limited manner and mainstream capacities into their teams, the job description is performance based with clear outputs that must be achieved by the end of the contract period.
Competencies
Functional competencies:
Results oriented
- Able to achieve results within a limited period of time
- Highly efficient, with excellent time management and organization skills
Capacity building
- Excellent interpersonal communication, coaching and mentoring skills for on the job training
- Able to inspire others and lead by example
- Produces user friendly training materials to help others strengthen their skills and abilities
Team work
- Diplomatic, personable and able to integrate and work well as a new member of a team
- Prepared to mentor others to achieve results and take a back seat to let them fulfill their duties and mandates
Required Skills and Experience
Education
Masters degree in economics, economic / regional development, business administration, public policy or another relevant discipline.
Experience
A minimum of 5 years work experience in one of the following fields:
- Economic or private sector development programmes within government bodies or other development agencies
- Management position within the financial or private sector
Technical experience and/or in depth knowledge of the following areas:
- Economic development project formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and / or Business Plan development, resource
mobilisation and day to day business management within the private sector
- Staff coaching and capacity building
- Knowledge and understanding of economic development approaches
- Knowledge and understanding of project implementation in one or more of the following areas: infrastructure investment, regulatory
reform, skills development and investment promotion
- Demonstrated problem solving skills
Language Requirement
Fluency in written and spoken English
Deadline:10 May 2012
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