The Local Government Service is the newest of the Public Services launched effectively in December, 2007 to give meaning to Ghana’s Decentralization Reform Initiative. The legislative instrument that operationalizes the activities of the Service was passed by the Parliament of Ghana in December, 2009.
The Service exist to secure the effective administration of local governance in the country, promote the participation of local people in decision making and in the owning of development programmes. The Secretariat is to assist MMDAs in the performance of their duties.
Currently through the local Service Delivery and Governance Programme (LSDGP), the Secretariat is assisting MMDAs in deliver services to communities. Moreover through the District Development Facility (DDF), the Secretariat is facilitating capacity building programmes aimed at addressing capacity gaps identified through the Functional Organizational Assessment Tool (FOAT).
The Local Government Service Secretariat (LGSS) in fulfillment of its mandate of ensuring the effective and efficient day-to-day administration of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and in accordance with the Local Government Service Act 2003, Act 656 .
Job Description
The Government of Ghana has applied for funding from the World Bank towards the cost of implementation of the Local Government Capacity Support Project (LGCSP) through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). The Objectives of the project are:
To strengthen the intergovernmental fiscal framework;
To strengthen local public financial management and accountability for improved infrastructure and services in urban assemblies; and
To improve citizen’s engagement with urban assemblies and their perceptions of urban management
The project is divided into four components.
Components 1 will support the establishment of a predictable and transparent fiscal framework for local governance by assisting the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP) to develop and manage specific aspects of the fiscal framework for local governance.
Components 2 will support selected urban local governments to improve their management capabilities in identified key reform areas through a performance based Urban Development Grant and targeted capacity support.
Components 3 will generate civil society demand for financial information from urban assemblies on this data, and strengthen the capacity and engagement of citizens’ representatives on the budget and service delivery issues.
Components 4 will provide support to MLGRD in fulfilling its roles in supporting the decentralization process and in managing the project.
The Local Government Service Secretariat will implement the second sub-component of component 2, which is Capacity Building Support to 46 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs). This sub-component will provide capacity support to MMAs to assist them in improving their performance in five core local government Public Financial Management (PFM) reform areas:
Budgeting
Reporting and Auditing Revenue Management
Asset Management
Social Accountability
These areas will be assessed annually as part of the Urban Development Grant performance assessment process. Capacity support on PFM will be provided to urban assemblies in two modalities: (i) training and technical assistance support that will be managed centrally, and (ii) a Capacity Support Fund that will be made available to MMAs.
RECRUITMENT OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS:
The project is being implemented through the mainstream structures of the Service. For smooth implementation of this component, LGSS seeks to recruit suitable qualified and competent persons to fill the following positions to support its existing staff to implement these components:
One Long Term Technical Advisor
Objectives of the Assignment:
To support and advise on the establishment and institutionalisation of key systems in LGSS for the effective management of capacity building support to MMAs. The contract will be one year contract renewable every year for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance.
Scope of Work:
The Advisor will provide technical advise to LGSS for the smooth implementation of the project including bottlenecks and issues impeding MMA performance in the five key PFM reform areas, designing a program support (training and technical assistance) to MMAs in the reform areas, providing direct follow-up support from training and courses provided, assisting LGSS in retrospective evaluations on the impact of support programs to MMAs, and providing overall support to LGSS, including ensuring the timely completion of tasks in the annual work plan of the project.
Required Skills or Experience
Masters degree or higher in economics, public administration, development policy and planning, finance or related discipline; 15 years work experience, including global exposure; knowledge of the Ghanaian system of public finance; and ability to work in a team and transfer skills and knowledge effectively
How To Apply
Individual Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out under Section V of the World Bank’s Guidelines:
Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, (May 2004 revised October 2006 and May 2010)
All interested individuals are requested to submit typewritten letters, curriculum vitae and copies of certificates for the specific position described above.
Letters of interest clearly marked “Local Government Capacity Support Project (LGCSP)” and the name of the position should be received by 12.00 noon on Monday 9th May, 2011 and addressed to:
Head of Service
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE SECRETARIAT
UNIVERSITY POST OFFICE
PRIVATE MAIL BAG L-52
LEGON-ACCRA,
GHANA
Tel: +233 243320309 & 233 208152492
Fax: +233 302 662799
E-mail: info@lgs.gov.gh; oliviaopo@yahoo.com
(LGSS is adjacent Afua Sutherland Children’s Park, Opposite FAO office, Ministries Accra)
Offer valid till: 09 May, 2011
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