Local Economic Development Expert

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of this consultancy is the establishment of inclusive and functional Local Economic Development (LED) Forums in Jawhar, Kismayo, Adado, and Barawe, equipped with governance structures, terms of reference, and strategic plans that enable government, private sector, civil society, and diaspora actors to jointly drive local economic growth and support the objectives of the Dowladkaab Programme. Work LocationHomebased Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND AND CONTEXT The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live in with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The consultancy is located in the Somalia Programme, Regional Office for Africa (ROAF). 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 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 to build 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. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY As part of the Dowlad-kaab Programme, UN-Habitat intends to support local governments and state authorities in leveraging the potential of the private sector, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local and diaspora communities through the establishment of Local Economic Development (LED) forum. LED forums serve a critical function in advancing inclusive and participatory economic growth at the local level. These forums provide structured platforms for collaboration among the public and private sectors, civil society, and diaspora communities to identify economic opportunities, address challenges, and foster an environment conducive to sustainable development. In collaboration with the State Ministries of Interior and Local Government, a local consultant will be engaged to lead the comprehensive design process, facilitate stakeholder consultations, and oversee operational implementation, thereby promoting the forum's relevance, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. SCOPE OF WORK Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Dowladkaab Programme Manager, the Consultant will perform the following main tasks: 1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the current laws, policies, and regulations relevant to LED at Federal level and in Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland and Southwest States of Somalia and identify gaps, constraints, and enabling factors within these frameworks that influence the establishment and operation of an LED Forum. 2. Identify and engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives of public institutions, private sector entities, community organizations, diaspora members, development partners and civil society. 3. Facilitate consultative meetings and interviews to gather insights on expectations, preferred compositions, roles, and responsibilities for the LED Forum. 4. Develop a term of reference for the LED Forum of Jawhar, Kismayo, Adado and Barawe and clearly articulate the functions of the LED forum, define governance structure that sets out composition, representation, organizational structure, membership criteria, decision-making processes, develop reporting lines and accountability mechanisms to foster transparency and effective oversight. 5. Map relevant local, district, and regional government institutions and development committees with which the LED Forum should coordinate and design mechanisms for regular information sharing, joint planning, and collaborative implementation between the LED Forum and these bodies. 6. Identify existing and potential economic drivers, value chains, and bottlenecks for local economic development at districts 7. Develop a three-year strategic plan for the LED Forum for Jawhar, Kismayo, Adado and Barawe and present lead consultation workshops with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the strategic plan is informed by their input and reflects a broader consensus amongst the stakeholders. The strategy must also identify incentives to encourage active participation and sustained engagement by forum members and stakeholders. 8. Provide an orientation and induction training for the LED forum secretariat established in the districts to ensure that they understand their terms of references and able to operationalize the strategic plan Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced University degree in business administration, commerce, public administration, development studies, governance, leadership, political science, international relations,, business management, economics, communication or any other related field is required. first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree At least 5 years experience in local economic development and private sector engagement is required Proven experience in local governance is desirable Demonstrated knowledge of good governance concepts, particularly accountability, transparency, and advocacy is desirable LanguagesFor the position advertised, fluency in English is required Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.