TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT/CONSULTING FIRM TO DEVELOP A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE SECTORAL DECENTRALIZATION IN RWANDA

BACKGROUND CONTEXT
The Government of Rwanda has adopted Decentralization with the objective to ensure political, economic, social, administrative, and technical empowerment of local populations to fight poverty by participating in the planning and management of their development process. The progress of the national agenda on decentralization has evolved over the years, which is marked by the commitment and drive towards improving public service delivery at the local government level. The decentralization was implemented in a phased approach and as an integral part of the country’s development strategy.

Sector Strategic Plans were developed as a contribution to the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) which is aligned to the 7 years’ government program. Within NST1, National and International commitments were taken into consideration notably Rwanda’s Vision 2050, AU Vision 2063 and EAC Vision 2050, and SDGs (agenda 2030).

In order to translate these commitments into reality, the Government of Rwanda adopted a National Decentralization Policy with the ultimate objective to improve governance and access to quality services by the citizens while catalyzing rapid and sustainable local socio-economic development through the participation of the population in the planning and management of development processes.

In this context, sectoral policies and strategies have been aligned to the implementation of the Decentralization Policy as a means to provide both financial and technical capacities for the districts to implement their local government functions and responsibilities assignments.

Evidence from studies commissioned by the Ministry of Local Government and other government entities identified one of the critical challenges impacting effective sectoral decentralization to effectively deliver quality services to local communities is low clarity of binding legal framework causing a disjoint of sectors to decentralize delegated functions.

In view of the above, the Decentralization and Good Governance Programme (DGG) of the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) is seeking a competent consultant or a consulting firm to develop a legal framework to fast track the implementation of sectoral decentralization in Rwanda.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Overall objective
The overall objective of the assignment is to critically examine the normative legislated models and actual practices for the effective implementation of sectoral decentralization in Rwanda.

Specific objectives
The following specific objectives shall be taken into account:
• Take stock of sectoral decentralization legislation in relation to decentralization and service delivery;
• Identify gaps in the implementation of legislated functions and responsibilities affecting effective service delivery at local government;
• Provide recommendations for improving sectoral decentralization in the context of the legal framework;
• Develop an implementation plan to fast-track the suggested recommendations.
• Provide technical assistance in the drafting of the Prime Minister’s Order to implement effective sectoral decentralization.

EXPECTED KEY DELIVERABLES
The Individual Consultant or Firm will deliver on the following:
• Inception report detailing the implementation plan that the Consultant/Firm will undertake to provide the required assignment;
• Situational analysis of legislation and actual practices for the implementation of sectoral decentralization
• Presentation of a draft to the key stakeholders for validation
• Submission of a final report on legislation framework on Sector Decentralization

ASSIGNMENT DURATION
The assignment will be completed in a period of 40 working days from the time of contract signing.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
The individual consultant or consulting firm will work closely with the Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Local Government and weekly reports will be submitted to the Office of the Permanent Secretary and DGG/GIZ and GOPA Experts.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant field, e.g. Law, international relations, Political Science, and Public Administration from a recognized and reputable institution

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• For Master’s degree: at least 05 (five) years experience of undertaking legislative drafting, including on decentralization issues and on program management in national and/or international organization setting;
• Considerable knowledge and experience in fields of Law, Political Science, Public Administration, Decentralization affairs, or related fields;
• Experience in working with Central and Local Government Institutions within the Rwandan Decentralization context proven by certificates of good completion for 3 similar assignments;
• Proven experience in participatory planning approaches;
• Proven leadership and facilitation skills;
• Excellent communication skills including proven writing skills
• Ability to engage with a cross-section of stakeholders in the public and private sectors and civil society organizations.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Rwanda legal frameworks
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with drafting inter-sectoral model legislation will be an advantage
• Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Interested consultants’/consulting firms should submit the following documents:
• Cover letter expressing interest in this assignment.
• Detailed CV for an individual consultant/ Company profile & Staff CVs for consulting firm and mentioning the Team Leader;
• Academic certificates/Degree
• Technical offer, including but not limited to an outline of the intended methodology, a timeframe
• Proof of relevant experience at least certificates of completion of similar assignments.
• Financial offer
• Company or Individual registration certificates
• VAT registration certificate
• Latest tax clearance certificate.

The above documents will be sent via email to the contact faustin.uwumuremyi@gopa.de and a copy to ibrahim.ndagijimana@gopa.de

Interested candidates should submit their application (Technical and Financial offer) in separate PDF files by the latest 27th August 2021 at 5:00 PM.

Please quote the assignment title in the subject.

SOURCE OF FUNDS
German Development Cooperation (GIZ) will provide funds for this assignment.

SELECTION METHODS
The Quality Cost Based Selection will be used.

DUSENGIYUMVA Samuel

Permanent Secretary / MINALOC

Attachment:
PDF icon legal frameword ToR signed for tender1ac4794b58cbb2a4092c855d3363059c.pdf