LGI-Urban Planner/Municipal Governance Consultant-Hargeisa-Somaliland

Duty station: Hargeisa-Somaliland

Reporting to: Director of the Local Government Institute (LGI)

Type of assignment: Secondment

Duration: until 30^th June 2022

1. Background

The Ministry of Interior and Local Government, which is one of the key Ministries of

Somaliland, established the Local Government Institute (LGI) to strengthen both Somaliland vision 2030 and Somaliland National Development Plan II. Therefore, LGI is the Somaliland government’s principal institution for providing capacity building to local governments. The mission is to provide quality in-service training for local government, but not limited to. In addition, the Ministry of Interior and LGI is undertaking major reforms to enhance local governance and service provision for the benefit of the population. These include the Expansion Strategy, an initiative by the Somaliland government in partnership with the United Nations Joint Programme on Local Government and Service Delivery, (UN JPLG) whose aim is to extend government support to all 23 districts in Somaliland. Since 2012, the Somaliland government and the UN JPLG have been piloting service delivery in eight districts – i.e. Berbera, Borama, Burao, Gabilay, Hargeisa, Odweyne, Sheikh and Zaylac – through devolution of some functions to enhance service delivery. Progress made and lessons learned in the process have made it possible for the government to extend the intervention to the remaining 15 districts to close the capacity gap between both sets of districts. The expectation is that improvements in local governance and service delivery will enhance the well-being of the people of Somaliland. To carry out its operational mandate, LGI seeks the services of experienced Urban Planner/Municipal Governance Consultants to support the two major strategic initiatives undertaken by the Somaliland government, namely, Somaliland vision 2030 and Local Government development strategy.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The consultant will come on board as an Urban Planning/Municipal Governance Advisor and provide technical assistance and capacity building to improve the delivery and maintenance of municipal service systems, including but not limited to Urban Planning/ Capacity Building/ Decentralisation/ Urban regulatory formwork/Planning Policies, Good governance, Climate change and Institutional Development.

3. Scope of Work

The Consultant/Advisor will carry the following activities:

• Conduct host institution’s capacity assessment in reference to the Secondee’s field of specialization ,identify capacity challenges/gaps and prepare an assessment report to the effect.

• Contribute to basic capacity building of key technical departments of

Local/Regional Authorities consistent with the capacity gaps identified in the capacity assessment and thus develop capacity building plan.

• Review LGI’s existing training modules ,then design and facilitate the delivery of quality in-service and leadership training that meets local governance.

• Design M&E system for training activities for TOTs and other trainings provided.

• Provide Somaliland’s Urban regulatory framework (URF) overview training to Local/Regional Authorities Whilst also developing and organizing Local Government Climate adoption training sessions.

• Contribute to the formulation of appropriate urban planning profiles and policies for Somaliland’s regions.

• Work with other relevant government entities that are involved directly or indirectly in the urban planning, policy and land management affairs engaged in the policymaking process.

• Contribute LGI quarterly and annual work plans including performance indicators.

• The consultant will build the capacities of a national staff which will continue delivering the tasks for LGI when the secondee contract ends.

• Any other task so assigned by the Host institution’s technical supervisor.

4. Competences

Behavioural

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Ability to work independently and to maintain flexibility in working hours

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Energetic and flexible with high sense of responsibility and excellent organizational, planning and time management skills

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Demonstrated ability to coordinate tasks to meet deadlines.

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Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

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Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts

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Willingness and capable of extensive training to the MOI, Regions and districts

Technical

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Understands advanced aspects of the area of specialisation as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines

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Serves as primary external consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff

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Keeps abreast of developments related to the program and the Ministry’s line of work

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Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilises these during the assignment

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Demonstrates in depth knowledge of communication practices and utilises this to raise the profile of the LGI

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Effectively networks with relevant partners ensuring that strategic partnerships and alliances are built in relation to the LGI’s key undertakings

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Contributes to the implementation of and understands key training strategies

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Advanced degree in Human Settlements, Urban Design, Urban/Regional Planning or other related social science discipline.

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At least five years relevant field experience in supporting both central and local authorities, with proven familiarity with Somaliland context is a major asset.

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Experience of working as an Advisor in the public sector with a proven record of accomplishment in building relations with international organisations, government institutions etc.

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Extensive experience in capacity building, communications and network building.

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strong urban planning skills, good communicator and excellent presentation skills, capable of producing outputs under stress, experience with capacity building of technical staff

6. Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Somali, both written and oral (Advanced level) speaks and writes clearly and effectively, any other additional language will be desirable, but not mandatory.