Local Governance and Performance-Based Grant Consultant

Provide Relevant Capacity building for LOCAL Grant Absorption, Initiation and Implementation

• Support MOI to develop a comprehesive guidelines for the LOCAL grants to ensure that districts and MOI has the capcaity to implement Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs).
• Provide capacity support to strengthen district-level capacities to meet minimum conditions and performance assesment guidelines criteria and improve compliance with LOCAL performance assessment criteria.
• Support districts to have the necessary capacity in the absorption and financial management of LOCAL grants in alignment with public finance management standards and LOCAL grant guideliens.
• Facilitate training workshops and coaching on grant planning, prioritization, budgeting, and performance reporting.
• Provide technical assistance for target districts and MOI planning department i the annual planning, budgeting, and disbursement of LOCAL grants to participating districts.
• Ensure routine monitoring of the district performance and ensure compliance with minimum conditions and performance indicators for PBCRG eligibility.
• Facilitate timely and quality district reporting on LOCAL grant fund utilization and investment progress with engagement of relevent authorities at MOI and the target districts.
• Deliver tailored training sessions, coaching, and mentoring to district officials on grant management, project planning, procurement, and reporting.
• Support MOI and districts the legal, policy and guidelines implementation capacity injection to implement the grant and as the need emergies from the MOI and districts.

• Facilitate technical validation workshops for climate adaptation plans and policy frameworks, ensuring input from experienced practitioners, government planners, and climate experts.
• Promote peer learning and experience-sharing among project districts through knowledge exchanges, study visits, and joint training forums.

• Facilitate stakeholder consultation workshops to solicit input on development of inclusive LOCAL grant guidelines to ensure the minorities, women and gender sensitive planning and implementation of the grant proposals and priorities.
• Engage relevant ministries e.g MoECC, civil society, academia, private sector actors, women’s groups, youth associations, and community-based organizations to foster inclusive dialogue and participation.
• With close collaboration of the relevant stakeholder, orrganize regular coordination forums to provide updates on project progress, share lessons learned, and promote inter-institutional collaboration across project locations.
• Help the target district councilors and MOI to ensure gender-sensitive and socially inclusive engagement and prioritization approaches are applied throughout LOCAL grants, initiation, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings with district stakeholders, Ministry of Environment, implementing partners, and UNCDF.
• Promote synergies with actors in climate adaptation, resilience, local governance, and civil society to ensure coherence and alignment.
• Act as a liaison between MoI and districts to support two-way communication and feedback.

Project Implementation

• Support the coordination of the day-to-day implementation of LOCAL programme activities in target districts, ensuring that planned interventions are delivered according to approved workplans and schedules
• Support the Ministry of Interior in tracking the physical and financial progress of grant-funded projects in the districts  and flagging implementation bottlenecks for immediate resolution.
• Provide hands-on support to district authorities for the rollout of LOCAL-funded investments, including the preparation of procurement requests, BoQ, work orders, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure that implementation is aligned with LOCAL guidelines/manual, including visibility, community participation, and environmental compliance standards.
• Conduct regular field visits to implementation sites to verify progress, collect field data, document implementation status, and follow up on corrective actions where needed.
• Support target districts develop procurement and contract  planning and logistics in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and district procurement units.
• Support MOI and target districts to ensure timely delivery of goods, works, and services in line with project timelines and procurement protocols.
• Compile and submit weekly and monthly implementation progress updates to the Ministry’s Department of Local Government and Planning and other stakeholders including UNCDF.
• Track deliverables and ensure that milestones and deadlines are met, flagging risks or delays and supporting remedial actions where needed.
• Work closely with district authorities, local contractors, community groups, and field-based service providers to ensure coordinated and inclusive implementation of LOCAL-funded interventions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop a comprehensive M&E framework for the LOCAL grant mechanism, including indicators, tools, data flows, and responsibilities for the relevent implementing stakeholders.
• To ensure the framework aligns with UNCDF’s LoCAL global standards and Puntland’s decentralized governance structure in both policy and legal aspect.
• Establish and maintain a district-level MC compliance tracker, with tools to monitor key areas such as planning, budgeting, procurement, financial reporting, and council functionality.
• Provide regular feedback to districts and the Ministry on their status against MCs and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead the design and rollout of annual performance assessments (PAs) for all participating districts, in coordination with MoI, UNCDF, and external assessors and reviewers.
• Support MOI, Districts and UNCDF and relevent experts to develop and apply performance scoring tools, including checklists and verification processes.
• To document and analyze performance trends to inform allocation decisions and capacity support needs.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to LOCAL districts to verify activities, assess progress, and gather community feedback.
• Use digital tools and standardized templates to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on implementation, governance, and resilience outcomes.

·       Any other assigned duties by the Ministry

o   Comprehensive reports providing a narrative on activities, measurable outcomes, status of district compliance with minimum conditions, and any emerging issues with proposed solutions.

2.       Training and Capacity Building Report:

o   Documentation of training sessions, workshops, and coaching activities delivered to district officials, including participant feedback and recommendations for ongoing capacity development.

3.       District Compliance Tracker:

o   A fully operational tool for monitoring district-level compliance with minimum conditions .and performance indicators, complete with data analysis and recommendations for remedial action.

4.       Annual Performance Assessment Support Documentation:

o   Support materials for the annual PA process including checklists, scoring tools, and summary reports highlighting performance trends and capacity needs.

5.       Final Consolidated Report:

o   A comprehensive report summarizing the overall performance, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling and sustainability of the LOCAL Grant Mechanism in Puntland.

1. Professional Competences.

1. Proven Knowledge in Laws, Public Policy regulations, Decentralization and Local Governance of Puntland.

o   Proven knowledge in laws, public policy and development of guidelines and capacity development manuals for districts.

o   Understanding of Local Governance and decentralization system of Puntland and Somalia is great asset.

o   Ability to develop regulations, by-laws and grant proposal to help districts in the grant proposal.

1. Capacity Building and Training Delivery:

• Proven ability to design, implement, and deliver training sessions tailored to the needs of diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community representatives, and local actors
• Expertise in developing training materials, tools, and methods that build long-term capacity in climate resilience planning and budgeting.

1. Strong Project Management and Leadership:

• Ability to effectively manage and lead multidisciplinary teams, ensuring smooth execution of tasks and delivering outcomes in a timely and efficient manner
• Skilled in setting priorities, managing multiple responsibilities, and addressing unforeseen challenges in a high-pressure environment.

1. Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Capacity to establish and maintain strong relationships with local government entities, civil society organizations, donors, and the private sector.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate collaboration, foster partnerships, and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.

1. Required Qualification.

• At least master’s degree in public policy, Public Administration and Environmental Management, , or any related field from a recognized institution.
• Knowledge and qualification in Laws and Adult learning will be a great asset.

Experience:

1. Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in local governance, grants management, decentralization, fiscal decentralization, disaster management, change adaptation, local environmental management, or related fields, particularly at the national/Puntland level.
2. Proven experience in managing grant-based projects, especially with those based on performance
3. Experiences of working UN organizations, development agencies, or government entities.
4. Familiarity with the usage of standard office software packages (MS Word, Excel) and tools for project management, M&E, and data analysis.
5. Self-driven, motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision, ensuring high-quality delivery of tasks.
6. Service-minded, energetic, and positive, with a strong inclination toward capacity-building and empowering local stakeholders, especially in climate resilience planning and implementation.

1. Application Instructions.

Deadline of the application is: 06^sth July to 16^th July 2025.

Note: “When applying this vacancy, please indicate clearly (MoIFAD– Local Governance and Performance Based Grant Adviser – Garowe) in the subject of the email.