Governance Strengthening Pilot Project in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan

Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta (YTS) is an Indonesian Foundation based in Central Kalimantan that is focused on improving the quality of governance in areas in which natural resource-based and extractive industries in forestry, palm oil and mining have a significant impact on local and regional development. YTS has developed an approach and methodology that enables communities, government, industry and CSOs to collaborate on improving local economic development.

Currently, the main focus is on strengthening the link between communities and local government, and to enable communities to take a more pro-active role in decisions affecting local development. YTS has been helping communities engage more effectively in the government planning and budgeting process, particularly the Musrenbang mechanism.

To improve the quality of community-government engagement, YTS has secured funding for a 26-month project aimed at improving the capacity of district government cadres involved in planning and budgeting, in order to make the process more responsive to the needs and requirements of local communities. Initially the focus will be on three kecamatans, but the objective will be to spread the approach to the entire district. It is then hoped that the district can set an example that other districts in the province can follow.

The project is expected to start 01 October 2011, and YTS is seeking candidates for the following positions:

1. Project Coordinator/Local Governance Specialist (full or part time)

· Responsible for managing and overseeing implementation of all project activities in line with project objectives;

· Responsible for managing all project resources – human and financial resources in line with agreed budgets and time frames;

· Ensure proper engagement from all parties to ensure positive results from project activities;

· Ensure that project activities are implemented according to current policies, guidelines and regulations, especially regarding the Musrenbang mechanism;

· Monitor and evaluate all activities and processes, and in order to achieve best results, make adjustments in project implementation in accordance with changing needs and circumstances;

· Arrange regular meetings between the client and the project team, as well as between project team members;

· Responsible for all project reporting and communications; and

· Provide technical support, according to experience and capabilities.

2. Local Governance Financial Specialist (part time)

· Provide the format for financial analysis to be used during the Musrenbang process;

· Provide inputs for training modules, especially related to the latest financial law and regulations in Indonesia;

· Provide technical assistance to the local government financial team in order to make the Musrenbang and the local government planning system harmonious and sustainable;

· Provide inputs for monitoring and evaluation, and for project reporting;

· Provide technical assistant during training sessions conducted by the Training Specialist; and

· Provide assistance to government staff during Musrenbang meetings to ensure that the correct and most appropriate mechanism is adopted and implemented

3. Training Expert/Facilitator (part time)

· Develop schedule and agenda for all training activities

· Develop training modules together with project experts;

· Organise the program and mechanism for training, in conjunction with the Project Coordinator and the local government Planning Board;

· Assist and facilitate the training process and mechanism in order to achieve optimum outputs and results;

· Develop criteria for evaluating the results of training activities, and provide reports on all training activities; and

· Provide guidance and follow up support to ensure training activities contribute to improving implementation of the Musrenbang and local government planning activities, in accordance with project objectives.

All candidates must be fully experienced in working with district government on improving planning and budgeting processes, particularly the Musrenbang process. Comprehensive job descriptions and the project document with be sent to prospective candidates. If interested, please send a letter of application for the position, your CV including three references, and an indication of salary or fees to tambuhaksinta@gmail.com . Information about YTS is available at www.tambuhaksinta.com .