Consultant - Development of Government Capacity Building Plans at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant for Development of Government Capacity Building Plans

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Contract

Background
The Northeast Conflict Management and Stabilization (NE-CMS) Program is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to improve security and reduce support for violence in Borno State in Northeast Nigeria. Following two previous phases of the program starting in August 2016, the NE-CMS program entered Phase III in August 2019 for an additional two-year implementation period, which is expected to result in:

• Citizens are more civically engaged, and civilian government are more transparent and inclusive in addressing community needs around service delivery
• Communities demonstrate improved trust and social cohesion within and between actors at the local level
• Local decision-making spaces and peacebuilding processes are equitable and inclusive of marginalized social groups, especially youth and women.

The consortium aims to achieve these outcomes through a range of activities: engaging government in capacity building and mentorship, supporting traditional leaders and communities to conduct advocacy and accountability activities; encouraging dialogue and psychological trauma healing among diverse stakeholders to generate trusting relationships, nurture reconciliation, and mitigate potential future crises; and establishing parallel safe spaces for women and youth to ensure that they can effectively contribute to peacebuilding.

NE-CMS operates in five targets LGAs, namely: Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC), Jere, Dikwa, Damboa, Gwoza. A key output expected of Outcome one of NE-CMS as stated above is Capacity Building for Participatory Governance. This assessment will contribute significantly to delivering on this output, hence the actualization of Outcome 1 of the NE-CMS program.

Consultancy Objectives

• The report of the just concluded government capacity needs assessment provides the basis for defining the capacity building plans of assessed MDAs.
• The plans will set out the capacity objectives
• Activities and indicators; and the resources required to implement capacity building activities and to measure progress.

The overall objective of this assignment therefore is to

• Translate the result of the Government Capacity Needs Assessment into bespoke capacity building plans, with timelines and measurable indicators to address capacity needs identified through the assessment.
• Identify available key resource(s) within target MDAs LGAs as well as strategies for strengthening their institutional capacity, for the promotion and realization of the goals of NE-CMS in Borno State.

The specific objectives of this consulting assignment are to:

• Develop a capacity building plan template to be adapted by assessed MDAs and LGAs to suit their capacity needs and purpose;
• Work with Key staff of assessed MDAs and LGAs especially staff who participated in the assessment process to develop their capacity building plan using the template
• Present capacity building plans to the management of assessed MDAs and LGAs to elicit commitment from them to implement the plans.

The Consultant will report to:

• Program Manager, NE-CMS

The Consultant will work closely with:

• Governance and Advocacy Coordinator, NE-CMS

Deliverables and Timeframe: (December 7 - 28, 2020)

The table below describes key considerations that must guide the development of capacity building plan for each MDA/LGA; this is necessary to actualize the goal of the assignment.

Methodology

The capacity building plan development assignment will be participatory and conducted through a three phase process:

• Planning Phase:
  • Kick of Meeting with NE-CMS
  • Development of implementation plan
  • Document review (review of government capacity assessment report and relevant documents)
  • Identification of assessed MDAs/LGAs
  • Development of Capacity Building Plan template
  • Authorization letter from Mercy Corps (If necessary)
• Implementation Phase:
  • Entry meeting with management of MDA/LGA
  • Hold practical sessions with select staff of the MDA/LGA to develop capacity building plan
  • Exit meeting with management of MDA/LGA
• Post-Implementation Phase:
  • Finalize capacity building plans and connect same with existing organizational strategies and plans of assessed MDAs /LGAs
  • Validation meeting with MDA/LGA staff who participated in the process
  • Official presentation of capacity building plan to management of MDA/LGA
  • Forward consolidated capacity building plans and end of project report to NE-CMS

Any other creative methodology deemed appropriate by consultant for achieving task objectives is recommended.

Skills and Experience Required of the Consultant
The consultant is expected to have the following skills and qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in Public Policy and Management, Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related discipline;
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in conducting and supporting capacity building activities in the public sector;
• Demonstrable experience in working with the State Civil Service a must. Experience working with the Borno State Civil Service is an added advantage.
• An understanding of the socio-political and economic context of Borno state;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a good command of English language.
• Ability to speak Hausa; Kanuri language a must;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse people.
• Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, c.v, and a brief concept note (not more than 3 pages).

Application Closing Date
6th December, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications (Attaching their financial offer per day.) to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.