Development Liaison Officer

STATEMENT OF WORK

Job Title: Development Liaison Officer

Position Type: Consultancy (up to 5 days per month)

Duration: March 2024 to February 2025

Position Location: Bujumbura, Burundi

Application Deadline: 22nd February 2024

Start Date: 1st April 2024

Assignment Duration: 1 year with an option to renew.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is a two-year initiative (November 2023 to October 2025) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Cowater International. It offers administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical support, along with technical expertise, to GAC’s development programs in Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa. The project assists GAC in procuring and managing local development initiatives in Kenya (and its accredited countries which include Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi), South Africa (and its accredited countries) and Somalia.

BACKGROUND

In Burundi, Canada is represented by the High Commission based in Kigali, Rwanda but the International Assistance program does not have officers in Burundi and is managed from Nairobi, Kenya. Canada’s priorities in Burundi are to promote human rights, democracy and to respond to humanitarian needs in Burundi and the region. Although Canada does not have a bilateral development program in Burundi, the country is eligible to receive funding through other delivery mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Canadian High Commission in Nairobi requires the services of a Development Liaison Officer (DLO) in Burundi to support its programming over a term of one (1) yearwith an option to renew. The DLO will support and strengthen the delivery of Canada’s international assistance in Burundi through field level advice, technical support, and policy input on matters relevant to Canada’s engagement in the country.

RESPONSIBILITIES

When requested by a designated Canadian High Commission representative, the Liaison Officer will:

• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of ongoing local development activities, including those of government and non-governmental agencies and institutional cooperation activities.
• Provide analyses on political, economic, and security developments in country and advise the Canadian High Commission on actions that could be undertaken to take advantage of rising opportunities and challenges for development programming.
• Report on local policy issues that may be relevant to the Canadian High Commission’s interests and mandate in the region.
• Liaise, maintain dialogue, develop linkages, and follow up on Canadian programming in country.
• Maintain regular contact and network with relevant contacts in the government, donor agencies, and civil society.
• Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of Canadian projects; and,
• Attend relevant meetings and events.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• An undergraduate university degree from a recognized university in development studies, project management, international relations, or any other relative degree.

Minimum Experience

The ideal candidate shall meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience at senior level advisory or progressive experience in development programming

QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough understanding of socioeconomic, security and political context of Burundi and knowledge of local development initiatives.
• Significant experience designing and monitoring country-level projects rooted in sustainable development.
• Proven experience analyzing development-specific strategies and conducting needs assessments in Burundi.
• Highly developed communication and facilitation skills.
• Outstanding analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience in working with social media tools.
• Knowledge of gender equality is an added advantage.

Language Requirements: Excellent English language skills, as most of the reporting will be written in English.

Working arrangements:

• TheDevelopment Liaison Officer will attend meetings virtually and in-person. All travel expenses will be subject to prior approval by FSSP Manager.
• The Liaison officer will report to the Project Manager, Field Support Services Project (FSSP) and work closely with Canadian High Commission specifically the development team.

Ownership of Intellectual Property

• Documentation produced by the Specialist in the performance of the work under the contract shall remain the property of the Canadian High Commission.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants must include the following documents:

1. CV indicating past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
2. Cover Letter indicating why the Candidate considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
3. Financial Proposal The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate (including taxes, time-off benefits, all statutory contributions, social contributions, and insurance). The daily rate should consider a maximum working day of 7.5 hours.
4. Applications must be submitted by 22nd February 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Apply here: Cowater International Career Opportunities – Cowater International with the subject: Development Liaison Officer-Burundi. Any applications received after this time will not be considered.

Evaluation of Applications

The proposals that achieve a minimum of 70% in the technical desk review shall be further considered for interviews and written tests. The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70% – Comprising of 15% scores of desk review, 25% written test, and 30% scores of interviews) and financial criteria (30%).

Technical Score (70%)

Financial Score (30%)

1. Based on Qualification (desk review) (15%)

2. Written test (25%)

3. Interview (30%)

NB: Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points (70% of the desk technical review) will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial, and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec; London, United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; and Brussels, Belgium, in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International