Short Term Consultant - Public Policy Expert

 

A consulting firm of repute requires the services of a Public Policy Expert for a Punjab-based Project, as per following detail.

 

1.      Scope of Work Summary:

 

The consultancy has the following major scope:

• to help establish and operationalize the proposed “Policy and Strategy Unit” (PSU) at the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Government of Punjab;
• to undertake  a series of evidence based research assignments related to agricultural policy in Punjab particularly focusing on the horticulture and DOA strategy, under the guidance and supervision of Secretary Department of Agriculture; and
• to facilitate undertaking informed strategic decisions, policy and institutional reforms by Department of Agriculture, backed by strong qualitative and quantitative analysis.

 

For this assignment, the consultant will carry out all tasks related to data collection, primary and secondary research, gap analysis of current policy, comparison of various policy options, and will provide findings, analysis and recommendations in the form of reports, policy notes, policy briefs, policy interventions, proposals, concept notes, etc., after extensive consultations with the Secretary and other internal and external stakeholders. The consultant will also help develop the systems and work processes that can ensure sustainability of the unit.

 

2.      Background:

 

The Project has been designed to support advocacy for policy and regulatory reforms and early implementation of the same in agriculture sector (horticulture, livestock and dairy subsectors) of Punjab. This project would work in partnership with the Punjab’s public & private sector, civil society organizations and academia to create an environment that is more conducive to the growth of target sub-sectors. The project will also develop and implement a set of activities that will result in significant policy reforms and capacity building of its partners.

The provincial Department of Agriculture (DOA) is a line department, responsible for development of agriculture (including horticulture) sector through policy formulation, institutional support and service delivery in the province. Through its Planning and Evaluation section, DOA is undertaking short, medium and long term planning in consideration of available information of crops, land and farmers, and annual growth targets of government. The section is also responsible for evaluation of various ongoing interventions.

For developing the horticulture sub-sector for accelerated growth, effective medium and long term planning coupled with right priorities and allocation of adequate resources are imperative. Setting right priorities, making strategic decisions, and formulating policy require evidence based applied research that can provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of various policy options and instruments along with their respective budgetary and socio-economic impact. Carrying out gap analysis of on-going interventions, regular operations and prevailing service delivery mechanism are also equally important to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of current budgetary allocation. Such analysis can provide input or lead to policy and institutional reforms required to meet current and emerging socio-economic challenges.

To strengthen the policy and strategy formulation function, Department of Agriculture has decided to set up a “Policy and Strategy Unit” (PSU) in the Department. The Project has agreed to provide technical assistance with the following objectives.

 

1. Strengthening strategy, planning, and policy formulation functions and processes of the department, by providing institutional support.

 

1. Identifying major policy challenges, and undertaking evidence based qualitative and quantitative research, either in-house or by other project partners, for developing policy recommendations for improving rules, regulations by-laws and pertaining standards, procedures and SOPs.

 

1. Facilitating the Department of Agriculture to develop business enabling environment through formulating conducive policies and taking strategic decisions. The project will engage the policy communities on various policy issues through policy dialogue, seminars, round tables, conferences and workshops and will provide the synthesized information to Department of Agriculture through newly established unit for incorporating in new policy and institutional reforms.

 

With this backdrop, for the proposed PSU, the project intends to hire the services of a short term consultant who can work as “Public Policy Specialist”, to undertake various assignments, related to policy and reforms in horticulture sub-sector of Punjab.

 

3.      Objective and Purpose of the Consultancy:

 

The overall objective of this assignment is to help establish the proposed PSU, to assist in its sustainable operationalization, and to serve the proposed PSU as a technical resource under the direct supervision of Secretary Department of Agriculture. Working at PSU, the consultant will undertake various assignments related to strategy, policy and reforms that can support and facilitate the top leadership and policy makers of DOA in order to undertake decisions on strategic issues of horticulture sub-sector that is directly or indirectly affecting the sector growth and in turn socio-economic indicators of province. In addition, he / she will provide the necessary technical advice / recommendations on strategic issues, as and when required, with quick evaluation of the subject matter.

 

 

4.      Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

 

• To report to the project COP at the beginning of the consultancy and provide regular updates on the status and progress of the deliverables of the assigned assignments.
• To attend PSU office at designated office hours during the consultancy period.
• To liaise with the Secretary of DOA on daily basis for work assignments given by DOA and updating him about the progress, as and when required.
• To work independently or jointly on various assignments with a small team of consultants, having expertise of economics and ICT, deployed in PSU.
• To provide the technical inputs to team on policy and reforms related aspects of various joint assignments, as per need and requirement.
• To hold regular meetings with internal and external stakeholders of DOA for extensive deliberations on the policy, reforms and strategy related aspects of the assignments.
• To develop the situational and strategic analysis, policy notes, policy brief, policy options and recommendation as well as other deliverable, after due diligence and research work.

 

5.      Specific Tasks of the Consultant:

 

The consultant shall use his / her education, experience, competencies, and skills to accomplish the following:

 

        I.         Have a meeting with the project COP and respective professionals, to understand the role and responsibilities of the project in this collaboration and setting up of PSU. Hold an initial meeting with Secretary of DOA to understand the purpose, objectives, functions, modalities and role of newly established PSU.

     II.         Develop a fair idea of all the policy and strategy document so far prepared for agriculture / horticulture sector of Pakistan / Punjab, and the approaches and models suggested therein, for a meaningful discussion and rich input.

   III.         Identify major policy challenges, in consultation with Secretary of DOA, being faced by DOA for sector development and help prioritize areas that require improvement in their effectiveness and efficiency. In turn, identify the need of undertaking evidence based in-house or external research for developing policy recommendations for improving respective rules, regulations by-laws and pertaining standards, procedures and SOPs.

  IV.         Provide structured technical inputs to DOA for identified areas of policy and institutional reforms, by preparing reports, power point presentations, analysis, etc., by undertaking the following tasks:

• Gathering data on various aspects through primary and secondary research that can be used for quality strategic decisions.
• Conducting diagnostic studies that can help evaluate the current state of affairs and evaluating the effectiveness of current policy and its implementation mechanism and available institutional support
• Completing gap analysis with respect to policy, capacity issues of HR, inadequate physical resources, policy alignment with overall development agenda of province, economic, social and cultural bottlenecks, etc. 
• Evaluating the demographic, social, cultural and technological changes, and associated drivers to understand the future trends of agriculture / horticulture sector. Such information will be useful for medium and long term strategic thinking.

     V.         Provide research support to PSU for rolling-out reforms including a mapping exercise to identify key stakeholders who will be impacted by reforms and the strategy to get their buy-in.

  VI.         Provide technical and research support to PSU on elements of the draft proposals to be submitted to provincial and federal policy makers that need policy inputs.

1. Provide technical inputs to develop PC-1 for funding for development projects and drafting relevant sections as well.
2.  Provide technical inputs to other development matters, related to DOA interaction with Planning & Development Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and other public and private organizations / stakeholders. The specific details shall be set forth by Secretary, as per need.

  IX.         Undertake a quick functional analysis of DOA to understand the various functions of DOA and their role in the development of horticulture sub-sector. Moreover, the consultant will try to get quick snapshot of organizational structure and functions of each section of DOA in order to develop the foundation of his / her subsequent analysis and recommendations on various assignments.

     X.         Effectively coordinate the inputs of experts engaged for technical assistance to DOA and other technical staff of the department to translate into policy proposals.

  XI.         Strengthen the capacity of staff of DOA. The consultant may be required to conduct short training sessions on various aspects of policy and institutional reforms and their effective implementation.

1. Participate in the meetings and to liaise with public and private stakeholders and experts on various aspects of horticulture sub-sector, as per advice of Secretary. Moreover, the consultant will coordinate, arrange and participate in meetings between DOA relevant directorates, governmental stakeholders, elected representatives and experts working on behalf of the Project.
2. Provide written comments on draft deliverables emanating from policy and regulatory work to be carried out in the horticulture sub-sector of Punjab by various development agencies.

 

The analysis and recommendations of the consultant should be logical reflection and in line with international best practices, market led liberalization, globally integrated economy, electronically connected world economy, demographic transition of Pakistan, greater participation of women in economic activities, sustainability of resources, and critical benchmark of a modern horticulture sub-sector.

 

6.      Deliverables:

 

1. In the first five working days of consultancy, in consultation with Secretary of DOA, the consultant will develop Scheme of Work (agenda), along with list of deliverables, milestones, and work plan for the consultancy period and will be shared with the Project and DOA for joint approval.
2. A monthly progress update in the form of presentation in the joint meeting of the Project and DOA.
3.  Monthly report on every 3^rd working day of next month, encompassing all the research work, analysis and other tasks completed in last calendar month.
4. Final report after completion of consultancy assignment.

 

7.      Job Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a related field, preferably in economics, public policy, or development studies.   
• At least 10 years of professional experience of governance of public sector organizations or reform related projects, or teaching public policy, or as a consultant for developing policy papers / strategy papers / conducting policy research.
• Experience of working in government or on various committees / boards / task force constituted to develop the vision / strategy / reforms / restructuring / transformation of sectors or ministries are preferred.
• Good understanding of agriculture / horticulture sector of Pakistan and of other countries.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, and experience of presenting complex technical information in a comprehensible way for non-specialist readers.
• He / she must be well versed with the vision, policy and strategy documents, so far been developed by governmental or development agencies for policy and institutional reforms in Pakistan / Punjab.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English and Urdu.

8.      Duty Station:

 

The duty station for this consultancy is Lahore. The consultant is supposed to attend PSU office daily during office hours.

 

9.      Reporting:

 

The consultant will report to the Project and Secretary Agriculture on their deliverables, and will be supervised by the Secretary or his designee for the day-to-day work. All the deliverables will be approved by Project COP as well as DOA. The Project, thru the sub-contracting consulting firm, will pay the consultancy fee whereas Department of Agriculture will facilitate the consultant by providing office, stationery, furniture, IT equipment, and other support including conveyance, if required, for accomplishment of assigned tasks.

 

10.  Duration of the Assignment:

 

This assignment is planned for a duration not to exceed 60 days LOE (based on five working days) extendable up to 120 days based on satisfactory performance and deliverables evaluated jointly by the Project COP and Secretary of  DOA.

The consultant will work for 40 hours a week, in line with the working schedule, chalked out by Secretary or his nominee. The Secretary or his nominee will sign the time sheet of the consultant.

 

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