SSSJP-Vacancy

TA - Soum Son Seun Jai Programme

Terms of Reference

Technical Assistance to support SWG ARD Secretariat

Senior Coordination, Operations and Policy Advisor (INTERNATIONAL)

1.   Background

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is seeking the services of a Senior Policy and Operations Advisor for a period of up to 24 months to assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of the Government of the Lao PDR (GoL) to provide support to the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector Working Group. The TA will report to Head of the SWG ARD Secretariat, Department of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Aid effectiveness and the Round Table process in Lao PDR
Efforts to improve aid effectiveness internationally follow the principles of the Paris Declaration. These principles are summarized as: Ownership, Alignment, Harmonization, Managing for Results and Mutual Accountability. The coordination of ODA in the Lao PDR is guided by the locally-adopted Vientiane Declaration which enshrines the principles of the Paris Declaration. The Round Table Process serves as the primary platform for promoting aid effectiveness in the Lao PDR. It is led by the Government of the Lao PDR and co-chaired by the UNDP. The process works through Sector Working Groups (SWGs). These bring together the government and its development partners sector by sector. The SWGs are forums that encourage dialogue on policy formulation, the organization of development partners’ support so that it is aligned with government policy and harmonised around government procedures.

SWG ARD
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) oversees the Sector Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Development (SWG-ARD). The SWG-ARD is co-chaired by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of MAF (represented by the Vice Minister), the French Ambassador to Lao PDR and the IFAD Representative to Lao PDR. The SWG-ARD structure includes the operation of (currently) four Sub-sector Working Groups (SSWGs). Each SSWG has a chair (GoL) and a co-chair (DP) as well as a technical secretariat. The secretariats are usually backstopped by external technical assistance. A core working group (task force) also exists to support the SWG by preparing issues to be presented at meetings in advance.

SWG ARD Secretariat
The Secretariat of the SWG ARD is provided by MAF - Department of Planning (Division of International Cooperation).

The main functions of the secretariat are to:

Ø  Manage logistics regarding the holding of SWG meetings;

Ø  Prepare meeting agendas and minutes;

Ø  Facilitate the preparation of meeting content and presentations;

Ø  Suggest key policy issues that the SWG should address;

Ø  Keep abreast of ongoing policy research and recommend selected research projects to be presented at SWG meetings;

Ø  Liaise with MPI- DIC with regards to RTM and RTM follow-up actions;

Ø  Act as a link between the SWG activities and the ministry;

Ø  Facilitate Government ownership of the sector development process and dialogue with donors/DPs;

Ø  Provide a link to the work of the SSWGs.

All communications to the group including the agreed agenda, minutes and meetings should be channeled through the secretary of the secretariat. The minutes of meetings are prepared and distributed by secretary of the secretariat.

2.   Tasks of the Senior Technical Advisor (International):

·       Provide direct guidance and support while strengthening capacity to the SWG to ensure the smooth implementation of the TOR of the SWG.

·       Work with the DG Department of Planning and Director of DIC to assure the SWGARD secretariat has stable, long term staff with the potential to perform according to its mandate.

·       Support the mandate and implementation of the SWG based on the SWG TORs (including where appropriate support to the SSWGs as is mandated in the TOR of the SWG).

·       Assist in the preparation and follow up with the implementation of SWG ARD workplans;

·       Conduct on the job training of appointed staff.

·       Prepare a detailed capacity development plan for the secretariat (within first 3 months).

·       Oversee implementation of the capacity building plan and monitor performance of staff against their responsibilities and enhanced capacities.

·       Provide support and advice to secretariat staff on how to perform effectively.

·       Monitor the performance of the secretariat in terms of its support to the effective operation of the SWG ARD and the achievement of Aid Effectiveness objectives and the principles of the Vientiane Declaration.

·       Facilitate follow-up to SWG ARD decisions by monitoring the response by MAF to responsibilities that it is given.

·       Take particular responsibility for facilitating the process of policy dialogue by advising on:

o   the inclusion of policy and strategy issues in meeting agendas;

o   the management of policy and strategy presentations to SWG ARD meetings;

o   the maintenance of links with the Policy Think Tank; and

o   the take-up by MAF of policy issues recommended by the SWG ARD.

·       Support the secretariat in maintaining a close relationship with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and in participating in the Round Table Process.

·       Assist the secretariat in responding to reporting requirements under the RTM.

·       Provide other support to the secretariat, as may be required, to assist it in performing its functions to a high standard (including preparation and guidance on documents, presentations, speeches).

·       Make recommendations and provide guidance on the website for the SWG and development of other publicity materials (including pamphlets).

·       Provide quarterly reports to DG/ DOP/ MAF on the implementation of the SWG.

3.   Implementation Arrangements and Counterparts

The Senior Coordination, Policy and Operations Advisor will work in consultation with the Deputy Director General in charge of the Secretariat and SWG ARD related matters. Overall supervision of the consultant will be by Deputy Director General in charge of the Secretariat. The Director of DIC/DOP and DDG will work as direct counterpart to the Advisor, for whom capacity building to take over the full responsibilities of the Senior Policy and Operations Advisor after the 2-year period.

4.   Duration, Phasing and Location

The SWG ARD Senior coordination, Policy and Operations Advisor will be engaged for an initial period of 24 months with a possible option to extend for a further 12 months (to be based on a review at the 18 month mark that will be conducted to determine if any further support is required beyond the 24 month period).

The TA will be based in the Division of International Cooperation, Department of Planning, MAF. MAF will provide office space, a desk and a chair. Some travel to provinces may be necessary to monitor activities.

5.   Required Qualifications, Experience and Skills

This will be an internationally recruited position (recruited will be conducted by the donor agency, with agreement and involvement in the selection process by MAF).

Required:
The position requires the following qualifications and experience:
·       PhD or Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Public Sector Management, Economics, or equivalent qualification.
·       Excellent knowledge and understanding of the international agenda for aid effectiveness reform.
·       At least 10 years’ in International Development.
·       At least five years’ direct experience of working on the implementation of aid effectiveness principles and capacity building initiatives.
·       Developing country working experience.
·       Experience of working in SE Asia in general and Lao PDR in particular, preferred.
·       Experience working in partner Government systems in a developing country
·       Well-developed analytical, conceptual and critical thinking skills
·       Capacity development experience is essential.

Desirable
·       Prior work experience in Lao or other South East Asian countries
·       Lao language ability and or strong willingness and commitment to learn
·       Direct work experience in the aid effectiveness and agriculture/ rural development sector
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