Консультант з питань місцевих бюджетів в програму USAID DOBRE

Global Communities is seeking qualified short-term Local Budgets Consultant (LBC) for USAID-funded Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency Program (DOBRE).

OBJECTIVE:

Global Communities is implementing the USAID funded Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE) program in Ukraine.  Launched in 2016, this 5-year project is helping leaders of newly formed Amalgamated Territorial Communities (ATC) to effectively manage resources, increase the quality of public services, stimulate local economies, and improve citizen engagement.

DOBRE has the goal of enabling these new ATCs to thrive and prosper, while serving as a model and motivation to other cities working to amalgamate. As one strategy to achieve this, DOBRE will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of financial management systems and processes in its partner consolidated communities.

The purpose of this task is to provide practical training and assistance in improving the skills and competences of the representatives of ATCs in drawing up the budget for 2018. This training will help to enhance understanding of the budget process among the representatives of the ATCs; focus on the methodological aspects of budget drafting for 2018; develop the capacity of training participants to prepare the necessary documentation within the budget process; find issues of attraction of financial resources and their effective use for the needs of local development etc. The training will improve the skills of ATCs’ representatives in drafting their local budget documentation according to the Government of Ukraine laws and Ministry of Finance rules and regulations, as well as best international practices.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / SPECIFIC TASKS: 

DOBRE will select applicants capable of providing Amalgamated Territorial Communities (ATCs) training, assistance and other tasks in local budget development for DOBRE selected communities in 7 regions (Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil). Training will be aimed at representatives of financial and accounting departments to increase their capacity in planning and balancing ATCs’ budgets.

Specific tasks for Improving Local Budget Process:

Task 1:  To develop the methodology of training and workbook that will be used during training by participants and reflect the main training issues. The workbook will contain a set of practical tips, recommendations, tools and templates on drawing up and balancing ATCs’ budgets.

Task 2: To provide 7 training sessions (one in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil) on budget process for ATC. The approximate number of participants is 30-40. The selected consultant will help participants to understand the budget process at the local level, budget analysis and monitoring, performance program budgeting method in budget planning and execution, budget planning etc.

The specific questions of the training will include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Key features of ATCs’ budgets;
• Budget revenues and expenditures of ATCs;
• The performance program budgeting method in budget planning and execution in ATCs;
• Key features of budget planning in ATCs;
• Gender-oriented budgeting;
• The procedure of drafting and implementing the budget of ATCs;
• Preparation of passports of budget programs;
• Reporting on budget execution.

The selected consultant will use a broad set of tools, including practical tasks and case studies in each part of training. The consultant will answer the questions prepared by representatives of ATCs.

Task 3:  To compile a report with action plan for solving/correcting each gap, weakness, and bottleneck identified in budget process area in ATCs based on a brief and informal assessment during training sessions. The report will ensure that the steps to improve local budget planning are sustainable.  

DELIVERABLES:

The selected applicants are expected to produce deliverable(s) related to the specific Task(s) described above:

• Training methodology and workbook for training participants developed.
• 7 training sessions for representatives of ATCs in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil (one in each region) arranged.
• Report on increasing the capacity of ATC in budget process

COORDINATION AND SUPERVISION:

To ensure the fulfilment of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with DOBRE project team and
  consultants/experts regarding all aspects of the assignment to ensure coordinated inputs into the
  result-oriented training and coaching of the representatives of ATC;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to DOBRE project team as
  requested;
  · Hold consultations and briefings with DOBRE project team as requested.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

Global Communities will select consultants based on meeting the following criteria:

• Experience and knowledge of local government financial management and budgeting, preferably at the Hromada level.
• Proven knowledge of decentralization processes;
• Previous experience (or ability to demonstrate the capacity) of working with the amalgamated communities, facilitating public meetings in community;
• Previous experience of working with local self-government associations is an advantage;
• Working level of English language is highly preferred.

In submitted application, applicants should:

• Clearly identify and describe how they propose to complete the described activities by providing samples of work and references (clients/participants) demonstrating their competence.

To apply please send your CV as well as cover letter with summary of your experience as described above to [email protected] indicating “Local Budgets Consultant” in the subject line by September 20, 2017.

The period of performance for this consultancy is 1.5 months.

LOE – 21 days per consultant. 

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:                           Communities located in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Ternopil regions

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.