International Consultant #1 / Team Leader

In the medium and long term Uzbekistan will face an increasing demographic pressure accompanied with decreasing availability of land for agricultural production and the growing water scarcity. Reduced employment opportunities in the rural area have been “buffered” by increased external labor migration so far. However, the opportunities for external migration are narrowing since the financial crisis has reduced jobs in recipient countries. For instance, there appeared to be a dramatic reduction in the outflow of new Uzbek migrants to Russia. In the first six months of 2009, only 12,000 new migrants left for Russia, compared to 68,000 during the fourth quarter of 2008. (Addressing Urban Poverty in Uzbekistan in the Context of the Economic Crisis, CER, UNDP, 2009, p.22). The trend continued in 2010. Therefore migration might change the pattern – while the pace of external migration is slowing down, cities in the country will have to absorb the inflow of excessive labor from the rural areas. In order to overcome the negative impact of the above trends it is necessary to develop and implement a long-term urbanization strategy, which should emphasize the development of cities as centers of modern manufacturing and services. However, existing constraints of cities infrastructure and institutional layout of municipal governance prevent the success of urbanization and industrialization processes. Underdeveloped urban infrastructure (water, gas, energy supply, sanitation, heating, roads, etc.) is one of the key constraints for the implementation of accelerated urbanization policy. The main cause of the urban infrastructure deterioration is a continuous underfunding. The need for urban infrastructure development becomes an important factor in ensuring rapid economic growth based on attracting internal and foreign investment. Another major constraint for urban development is the current layout of local governance system in terms of distribution of powers and responsibilities among regional, district and city administration bodies, especially in managing the budgets. Today khokims (local governors) of small and medium-sized cities, which are administrative centers of rural areas, are subordinated to the district administration. District administration is mostly focused on the problems of the agricultural complex (cotton and crop production, providing support to the private farmers etc.). As a result local budgets are usually allocated not in favor of urban development infrastructure. Maintenance and development of urban infrastructure requires substantial investments, which are in lack due to existing institutional environment in urban governance. Lack of sufficient authority also prevents successful cooperation between city authorities and private sector which is the most interested party in infrastructural development. At present there is a lack of studies in Uzbekistan addressing such issues as: decentralization; improvement of urban governance, improving local (municipal) budget management; increasing role of local budgets in infrastructure development; creating mechanisms of private sector involvement in process of implementation of infrastructure projects in urban areas. Since all Central Asia countries have common Soviet past, including legacy in the sphere of urban infrastructure, the Project experience may be extended to other Central Asian countries. There is an increasing need to formulate conceptual framework which will incorporate and link together different aspects of municipal governance system improvement to identify the development agenda up to 2015 and beyond. Thus, the main objective of the research project “Improving the Municipal Governance System and Infrastructure in Uzbekistan: Main Issues and Search for New Mechanisms and Tools” is to formulate conceptual framework which will incorporate and link together different aspects of municipal governance system improvement to identify the development agenda for the medium term.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives: The main objective of the assignment is to lead the team of international consultants in review and analysis of the primary research documents prepared by the national consultant, compile and draft the final report as the principal author with the following tasks in mind. Development of an analytical report for the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other stakeholders, providing an analysis of existing problems in the urbanization process and developed recommendations for improving the system of urban governance in the country; Propose a conceptual medium term framework for development of urban governance and improvement of urban infrastructure in Uzbekistan with particular attention to reforming the system of municipal management at the city level in following directions: realignment of competencies and powers of city and district khokimiyats; revision of inter-budget relations and budget authorities of cities and district/regional administrations; as well as improvement and fine-tuning the system of urban statistics; Contribute to the organization, coordination and facilitation of an international workshop to be held in Tashkent within the framework of the Project in coordination with the Center for Economic Research (CER), Uzbekistan, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) (requires trip to Tashkent for 3 days); and Develop a detailed proposal and action plans for the second phase of the Project as a follow-up implementation activity. Scope of Work: Under the direct supervision of CER Research Coordinator, the International Consultant will perform the following duties and responsibilities: Conduct desk work in the country of residence to review and analyze available information including relevant studies and statistics to assess the current situation of municipal governance in Uzbekistan. Undertake one mission to Tashkent, Uzbekistan in May 2011 in order to gather necessary information for further analytical work, participate in organization of an International workshop, conduct a series of meetings and discussions with different stakeholders and key resource persons, and facilitate an international workshop. The International Consultant #1 / Team Leader will work closely with the International Consultants #2 within the mission scope and coordinate relevant activities with CER and ESCAP focal points. Facilitate project cooperation with leading Russian think-tanks and mass-media. Coordinate the working process of the team of national consultants in the framework of the project. Determine the necessary statistical data to be obtained for developing the analytical report. Participate in formulation of draft structure and edit the analytical report and conceptual medium term framework for development of urban governance and improvement of urban infrastructure in Uzbekistan. Examine the international case studies and best practice of municipal governance and infrastructure development. Lead the formulation of the concept, agenda and list of participants of an international workshop to be held in Tashkent within the scope of the research project in May 2011. Act as a moderator #1 during the international workshop. Together with the International Consultant #2 organize on-line peer-review of the draft products with expert community in Uzbekistan and abroad. Lead the work on formulation detailed proposal and action plans for the second phase of the Project. Monitoring and Control: The International Consultant should perform his/her duties in accordance with this TOR. The evaluation will be made based on the performance assessment of the consultant carried out by UNDP as well as ESCAP. Outputs and deadlines: Outputs Submission timeline Payment · The structure of the draft analytical report and the conceptual medium term framework is developed and discussed with the Research Coordinator and consultants’ team; · International experience of municipal governance and infrastructure development is analyzed. Within the first month 1st installment (30%) · The concept, agenda and list of participants of an international workshop are prepared and shared with ESCAP for its approval; · Draft analytical report and conceptual medium term vision are edited; · The international workshop is conducted and moderated. Within the second month 2nd installment (30%) · Final analytical report and conceptual medium term vision are edited and passed through CER peer-review committee. Within the third month 3rd installment (40%) Payment will be made in lump sum in three stated above installments upon completion and submission of Performance Evaluation Form (PEF) on the works performed

Competencies

Strong analytical skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced degree in economics, political science, governance or other fields related to research. Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of practical experience in research and analytical work in the sphere of municipal governance; Access to relevant information is an asset. Computer literacy. Language skills: Proficiency in English and Russian. Application Process: All interested and qualified candidates are required to apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://undp.uz or http://jobs.undp.org/. The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line. Please ensure that before making on-line application you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from http://www.undp.uz (Vacancies Section). The completed (P11) further to be uploaded while applying on-line. The deadline for submission of application is COB, 28 March, 2011. Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (28 March, 2011) will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.undp.uz. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels

International Consultant #1 / Team Leader