Country: Lesotho
Closing date: 11 Dec 2015
Justification/Background
The situation analysis in Lesotho reveals that poverty, unemployment, HIV and AIDS and food insecurity are the major threats to human well-being in Lesotho. A total of 57.1%[1] of population live below the poverty line and poverty rates are 50% higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Poverty situation in Lesotho is mainly driven by income inequality, with the Gini-Coefficient of 0.525[2]. Moreover, the most vulnerable sectors of the population are not only impacted by poverty, but also unequal access to services and specific vulnerabilities due to geographic location, disability status, impact of HIV and AIDS on families, and gender.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the European Union and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) have thus partnered to pilot the One Stop Shop concept in four community councils (CC). The cooperation aims to expand the range of services available to citizens at local level in order to address the multidimensional character of poverty and vulnerability.
To increase citizen’s access to a range of difference services there is a need for referral mechanisms at community council level. These can take different forms and are the core of every One Stop Shop, or Khokahanong ea litšebeletso, by its name in Sesotho. While external ministry staff is fully responsible for delivering their respective services, the Community Council staff is responsible for overall management of the One Stop Shop.
Therefore, the One Stop Shop can be a complementary bottom-up activity to support and strengthen the devolution process which will take place from the central to the district level and can give practical feedback on how the devolved functions in the long run can reach the citizens through the Community Council offices. In that sense the One Stop Shop could be a building block in terms of giving community councils practical experience on coordination of service delivery as a counterpart of the devolution process top down from central government.
The One stop Shop has 2 components: (i) a permanent structure based at community council level where population can access information on different services, get specific services or referred to service providers and (ii) an outreach component where services providers at all levels (public, private and CSO) are called in one place to meet and provide services to the population.
With lesson learnt from the pilot phase, the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) commit to use the One Stop Shop as its approach to strengthen service delivery as per planned in the National Decentralization Policy. Also the Ministry commits to expand nationwide the approach particularly in the hard to reach areas where services are most needed. With this context, UNICEF in partnership with European Union commits from 2016 to provide technical assistance and support to the MOLG to expand the One Stop Shop in all 10 districts.
Scope of the Work (Work assignment)
This consultancy will contribute to provision of technical assistance to the Ministry of local Government at all levels in implementation and roll out the One Shop Pilot. Specifically, the consultancy will support:
Produce OSS design/project document based on a clear theory of change
Support the Ministry of Local Government to develop and implement verall coordination mechanism for One Stop Shop Pilot
Establish solid monitoring and evidence generation system including documentation of lessons, and production of donor reports
Main tasks
For One Stop Shop pilot:
The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Local Government to implement following tasks
Design
Consult with main stakeholder to inform the process of design
Review the existing literature on OSS and other materials to further inform the design
Facilitate the development of the clear causal pathways for OSS
Develop a detailed implementation plan
Ensure that in the design document, practical institutional arrangement based on existing situation within the OSS
Implementation
Plan and manage all activities related to the implementation of the project acting as the focal point within UNICEF and for other development partners
Coordinate inputs from line ministries and promote their participation in the OSS
Work closely with technical experts in UNICEF sections to advance implementation of the project.
Support selected community councils to put in place and operationalize the permanent structure of the One stop Shop
Provide technical support and oversight to Districts and community councils during organization of service days or outreach days
Support the relevant ministries with the necessary advocacy and planning for their integration into the pilot, including technical administrative support
Provide daily support to the Ministry of local Government at all levels to lead, and manage the One Stop Shop Initiative.
Supervise the work of local consultants hired by UNICEF to support field implementation of the OSS.
Work closely with the Communication’s Specialist to oversee the production of a Community Development Package, inclusive of all information gaps identified by the Service Mapping Report.
Oversee the development of the Project Document and all other necessary documentation with regards to the design of the pilot and milestones in implementation.
Provide any necessary capacity building of implementing partners, particularly district community council-level staff.
Follow-up with procurement of all required inputs.
Monitoring and knowledge management:
Facilitate the development of the monitoring and evaluation plan for OSS
Support the establishment of baseline for all identified indicators
Participate in strategic workshops and technical discussions regarding the One Stop Shop.
Support the Social Policy Section with the production of advocacy documents (policy briefs) showing key direction
Document and share relevant lesson learnt from the implementation of the One Stop Shop Pilot
Coordination
Consult with stakeholders to determine existing coordination mechanisms
In consultation with MOLG and participating ministries develop the coordination framework for OSS
Organise consultation meetings to validate the proposed coordination framework
Professional background and education
University Degree in Social sciences, Economics or Development management
At least 6 years of relevant work experience with an experience on decentralization, community development and social protection
Excellent writing and editing skills in English.
Proven experience in implementing time-limited projects and working under tight deadlines
Experience in working with Government, UN or NGO is an asset
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Conditions
This consultancy is open to Lesotho Nationals and International professionals
The selected consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts
The consultant must quote an all-inclusive fee/rate.
Local travel outside Maseru will be covered by UNICEF
Flight costs will be reimbursed at discounted economy class rate
[1] Source: Government of Lesotho (2012):National Strategic Development Plan 2012-2017
[2] Source: United Nations Development Programme (2013): Human Development Report 2013
How to apply:
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the consultancy reference LES/SSA/SP/2016-01 on or before 11/12/2015 to: Email address: lesothohr@unicef.organdoniang@unicef.org
Applications submitted without an all-inclusive fee/ rate will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.