1.0 Background and Context
1.1 Rwanda’s Parliament has a mandate to improve accountability both between different parts of government, and between the government and Rwandan citizens. The Parliament of Rwanda is therefore a vital institution for helping to realise the Government of Rwanda’s commitment to improving governance, as stated in key national documents such as the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) and Vision 2020. .
1.2 Rwanda’s Parliament is an institution operating in a complex governance environment in a country recovering from genocide. From 1994 to 2003, Rwanda was governed through transitional arrangements under which a Transitional National Assembly (parliament) played a marginal role. Under the 2003 Constitution, Parliament was established as one of the three arms of government and acquired new powers and structures. This included a shift from appointed to elected MPs; a move to a bicameral parliamentary system (a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate); a large increase in the number of MPs, particularly women; and legislative autonomy for parliament.
1.3 Parliament has produced a Strategic Plan for 2010-2015 which specifies key areas to strengthen in order to play a greater role in shaping legislation, channelling citizens’ concerns and holding Government to account. Following a request from Parliament, DFID has designed a £3.25m programme to support the Parliament’s Strategic Plan. The programme will have a special focus on strengthening Parliament’s role in overseeing the national budget and in following up reports of the Auditor General. The programme will also strengthen Parliament’s capacity to plan, budget and prioritise its own resources, and to co-ordinate external support for maximum effect.
1.4 It is in this context that the Parliament of Rwanda in close collaboration with DFID Rwanda is seeking to hire consultancy services of an experienced expert (Strategic Advisor) to work with Parliamentary officials to help realise Parliament’s strategic priorities – including by improving internal coordination and Parliament’s results focus.
2.0 Objectives of the Consultancy
2.1 The main objective for this consultancy assignment is to provide high-level technical advice to the Parliament to effectively implement (and revise as necessary) Parliament’s Strategic Plan. The specific objectives are to ensure (i) proper coordination, sequencing, and facilitation of all reforms and capacity strengthening initiatives as envisaged in Strategic Plan, (ii) that planned outputs are delivered on time (iii) good coordination between the Rwandan Parliament and partners/stakeholders and iv) To develop and support implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the strategic plan.
3.0 Scope of work
3.1 Duties and responsibilities for the Strategic Advisor include but are not limited to the following:
a) Provide substantive and strategic advice on the implementation and further refinement of Parliament’s strategic plan and on wider parliamentary reforms;
b) Support Parliamentary staff with the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework (results framework) and a systematic reporting on the implementation of the Parliament’s strategic plan;
c) Work with Parliamentary staff to ensure the effectiveness of joint annual review and independent evaluation mechanisms;
d) Work with Parliamentary staff to support effective monitoring and systematic reporting on the implementation of the Parliament’s strategic plan;
e) Facilitate the flow of information between Parliament and stakeholders outside parliament (including development partners) ensuring that all relevant parties are kept informed on the implementation of the strategic plan;
f) Support the Parliament’s clerks and heads of departments in developing annual action plans and budgets within the framework of the strategic plan and ensure that they are reviewed and approved on time;
g) Provide technical advice and expertise to better align Parliament’s strategic planning focus and scope within national planning processes and priorities.
h) Assist in the development and/or quality assure terms of reference for key activities funded through the DFID support programme (including annual and mid-term reviews) to ensure proper alignment to the Parliament’s strategic plan objectives;
i) Quality assure consolidated project progress reports - both activity and financial - for the review and approval by the Technical and/or Steering committees;
j) Provide strategic / technical advice and support to the Clerks of Parliament on a needs basis;
k) Provide technical advice to heads of departments in order to strengthen the link between planning and budgeting;
4. 0 Deliverables
4.1 The Consultant will be required to produce an Inception Report within 30 calendar days from the commencement of the assignment which sets out the technical approach to the assignment (with proposals on how to enhance strategic engagement and management of the programme), and personal work plan which should be discussed with, and approved by the Rwandan Parliament and DFID, to ensure that there is agreement on the general understanding of the assignment.
4.2 In addition, the consultant will be required to produce regular reports as follows:
a) Detailed monitoring and evaluation (results) framework for the Strategic Plan and training for relevant staff on their roles in managing the framework;
b) Well-sequenced and coordinated annual work plans and budgets for the Parliament’s Strategic Plan;
c) Monthly progress updates to the Clerks of Parliament as per the format agreed at the inception stage;
d) Quarterly reports to the Technical and Steering Committees on progress and strategic issues set against key milestones;
e) Annual Progress Reports covering strategic, operational and financial aspects of the Strategic Plan;
f) Prompt responses to queries on strategic issues from Parliament management and development partners;
g) End of Assignment Report addressed to the Clerks of Parliament upon conclusion of the assignment;
h) Any relevant reports as may be required by the Clerks of Parliament.
5.0 Duration of the Assignment and Location
5.1 The expert to be recruited and will work full-time and will be based in Kigali working in the offices of the Rwandan Parliament. The contract for this assignment will run for an initial period of one year and will be renewed annually for a maximum of three years upon satisfactory performance evaluation by Parliament and continuing business requirements.
6.0 Reporting Arrangements
6.1 The Strategic Advisor (Consultant) will report to the Clerks of both chambers of Rwandan Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate). On functional matters, the Consultant will work closely with Parliament heads of departments and particularly with the Director -Generals for Planning and Research of both Chambers to ensure effective better coordination and communication of planned activities.
7.0 Capacity Building and Transfer of Knowledge
7.1 During the course of the assignment, the Consultant will work closely with Parliamentary staff (especially planning and monitoring and evaluation officers) to ensure transfer of knowledge and skills to build sustainable capacity so that in future years the role of the Consultant will be fulfilled by permanent parliamentary staff.
8.0 Facilities to be provided by Parliament
8.1 The Consultant will be provided with office space and adequate support including a computer with internet access and telephone by the Rwandan Parliament.
9.0 Profile of the Consultant
9.1 The Consultant should have the following demonstrable profile:
a) Masters or equivalent advanced university degree Political Science, Law, Development Studies, International Relations, Economics or any related field;
b) At least 10 years of relevant professional work experience with public sector governance and accountability programmes, with at least 4 years of management experience;
c) Extensive knowledge and experience of programmes and initiatives to strengthen legislative scrutiny of public policy and expenditure in developing countries;
d) In depth understanding of results based-management and of development aid effectiveness principles and strong background in planning, design and implementation of legislative and capacities strengthening.
e) Extensive knowledge of the governance environment in sub-Saharan African contexts – working knowledge of Rwanda being a significant advantage;
f) Track record of successful engagement in policy dialogue/advising senior officials in Government and the development partner community on governance issues;
g) Excellent writing skills and proven ability to produce high quality documents;
h) Fluency in English and/or French and working knowledge in the other would be an advantage.
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