Technical Adviser, National Development Planning

Background

The Mauritius Strategy for the Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States calls for an integrated approach to sustainable development in small states. This is the current United Nations sustainable development strategy for Small Island Developing States for the period 2005 to 2015 and is the only global strategy to address specifically and exclusively the problems of island states. The Programme of Action sets out basic principles as well as specific actions that are required at the national, regional and international levels to support sustainable development in Small Island Developing States.

The strategy recognises that Small Island Developing States are committed to promoting sustainable development, reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of their peoples by the implementation of strategies which build economic resilience and institutional capacity to address their unique and particular vulnerabilities. This can be facilitated by international cooperation, including through further efforts by multilateral partners, which is more responsive to the particular needs of Small Island Developing States.

Within this context, the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat held two consultation exercises in St Lucia regarding the country economic resilience profile in June 2008 and June 2009. As a result of the recommendations made in the subsequent St Lucia Resilience Assessment (issued by EAD in March 2010) the Government of St Lucia made a request for technical assistance to support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning’s efforts to undertake an integrated approach to National Development Planning.

Purpose of the project

The purpose of this project is to assist the Ministry of Economic Planning and National Development (MEPND) of St Lucia to develop a National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) that integrates social, economic, environmental and political aspects to ensure the sustainable development and use of resources and encompasses poverty reduction as one of the main development priorities

Scope of Work

The project will provide a development planning expert to the Ministry of Economic Planning and National Development for a period of eighteen months. During the implementation period it is expected that the expert will undertake the following activities, inter alia

• Engagement of specialist short term expertise where necessary.
• Serve as overall coordinator/facilitator of the process to develop National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS).
• Engage in active stakeholder participation during the development of the strategy.
• Provide technical support to the process and assist in establishing a coordinated participatory process and a continuous process of analysis, capacity building, planning and investment (i) ensuring broad based participation and effective partnership, promoting ownership and commitment; and (ii) focusing on outcomes and means of commitment.
• Consult with key departments, agencies, civil society groups and international partners involved in the Integrated Development Planning process.
• Undertake review of existing frameworks and plans including the Medium Term Development Strategy covering the period 2011 to 2016 and the economic model accompanying the strategy.
• Guide/review/oversee/edit the preparation of plans/reports.
• Develop partnerships and participation through awareness raising and involvement.
• Assess capacity needs of the MEPND and other key Ministries, and develop and implement an appropriate programme to address weaknesses.
• Develop both qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure achievements and success, set baselines and conduct periodic reviews to track progress of NSDS and provide the foundation of performance targets.
• Liaise with the project secretariat and report to the National Steering Committee as required, and to establish the appropriate governance structures for the successful implementation of the National Plan.

Project Outputs (Deliverables)

It is expected that the above activities will lead to the following outputs:

• A vision for the long term sustainable development of Saint Lucia, underpinned by a set of development goals and priorities to support the attainment of that vision
• A National Sustainable Development Strategy (10-20 years) developed and disseminated
• A Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) developed and disseminated
• One set of three year business plans for line agencies based on the MTDP developed
• Inter-Departmental National Planning/implementation Committee and working groups set up
• Capacity building and training in IDP principles and techniques for key staff in the implementation Committees, key Ministries and Working groups. Resulting in staff able to facilitate public sector and civil society participation in developing the NSDS
• Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism in place and key Ministry staff trained in its implementation and operation

Transfer of Expertise

The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts.

The expert will be assigned key officers to work closely on relevant areas of their work to ensure skills transfer. The expert will build the capacity of these officials through on the job mentoring and provision of formal training sessions where appropriate. Further formal and informal training will be provided to relevant public sector and civil society stakeholders as necessary. A robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism will also be put in place to ensure effective implementation. Finally, the documentation produced will guide the development process in St Lucia for the next 10-20 years. The NSDS will be the principle reference document for development planning. During the project, the completed plan will be disseminated throughout government and civil society. This will be essential in ensuring understanding, ownership and ultimately success.

Implementation Arrangements

The expert will work closely with Commonwealth Secretariat Advisers in delivering this technical assistance. The expert will be based at the Ministry of Economic Planning and National Development in Castries, St Lucia for a period of eighteen months and will report to the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Department of Economic Planning and National Development.

The Expert will report to the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Economic Planning and National Development who will have a day-to-day oversight. There will be a technical advisory group established to work with the Expert. The Project Adviser, Governance & Institutional Development Division, Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Technical Adviser in EAD will manage the project and review the project based on communication with the expert and stakeholders.

Reporting requirements

The Expert will be expected to ascertain baseline indicators at the start of the assignment upon which to judge project progress towards its objectives. These will be presented in the inception report, which is to be produced within the first two months of the project. These indicators will then be reported against in 6 monthly progress reports, as well as in the final report.

All reports must be submitted in English to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) (or any other person designated by the Permanent Secretary) and to the Commonwealth Secretariat in both print and electronic format. The MOF will also require more frequent reporting (at least every three months) to provide opportunities to evaluate project progress and address outstanding issues on a rolling basis.

Person Specifications

Professional Experience

• Extensive experience of developing National Development Strategies, preferably in small states, with a focus on integrating social, economic, environmental and political concerns.
• Extensive knowledge of international best practice and key themes in national development planning, including familiarisation with necessary frameworks, governance structures, implementation tools and monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Proven experience of working across government / ministry levels, civil society, and international partners;
• Proven experience of generating national partnership;
• Experience of coordinating teams of technical experts covering diverse specialism’s relevant to national planning.
• Experience in capacity development / training, specifically with regard to Integrated Development Planning (IDP);
• Experience in working in Pacific island states would be an advantage.

Educational Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Masters or equivalent) in Development, Public Administration or a relevant field from a recognised and reputable institution.

Download the Terms and Conditions