Civil Society Engagement Advisor

Cowater International is an Ottawa-based Canadian management consulting firm
specializing in international development. We work primarily on projects funded
by donors. You can learn more about us at www.cowater.com.
We are currently seeking to recruit a Civil Society Engagement Advisor
(part-time/consultant)to help implement CIDA-funded project, Better Approaches
to Service Provision through Increased Capacities in Sulawesi (BASICS). The
project purpose is to link planning and budgeting processes in a participatory,
pro-poor, gender equal and environmentally sustainable manner leading to
improved MDGs/MSS-based social services provision in selected districts/cities
in Sulawesi.

Job Description

Reports to: Government Services & Capacity Development Advisor

The Civil Society Engagement Advisor is responsible for helping to provide
effective strategies and leadership to develop the capacity of civil society
groups, including women's groups, and to enable selected civil society actors to
provide effective input to government planning and budgeting process for
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and Minimum Service Standard (MSS)-based basic
services. The Civil Society Engagement Advisor will work closely with other
members of the BASICS technical assistance team, including, but not limited to
the DPRD Capacity Development Advisor, the Local Government Capacity Development
Specialist, the District Planning & Finance Advisor, the Gender Equality
Technical Advisor, and the Government Services & Capacity Development Advisor.
S/he will play the leading role in developing and implementing a coherent
package of capacity development activities promoting constructive collaboration
between civil society actors, DPRD members and relevant government agencies
(SKPD).

Key responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
· assist in reviewing project progress to-date in strengthening the
capacity of civil society representatives (individuals and civil society
organizations) to constructively engage with Executive and Legislative
representatives to improve the quality of MDG/MSS-based health and education
services in a gender-sensitive manner;
· work with the BASICS technical team to refine and enhance the
project’s civil society strengthening and engagement strategy, emphasizing
incremental capacity building and constructive collaboration with government
stakeholders;
· select the “most-promising” potential civil society service providers
for intensive capacity development assistance (e.g. MDG/MSS/gender-responsive
service provision, preparation of citizen report cards, facilitation and
participatory planning support, conducting studies & research) to support
collaboration with Executive and Legislative stakeholders;
· strengthen the ability of civil society entities to market and provide
technical services to government stakeholders to support MDG/MSS service
provision;
· work with civil society partners to improve the distribution and
dissemination of MDG/MSS service information through social media;
· as and if required, refine the strategy and format for engaging and
strengthening thematic groupings of civil society stakeholders and coordinate
implementation of respective activities;
. encourage collaboration amongst civil society actors to encourage
sharing of best practices and lessons learned and promote constructive,
coordinated interaction with Executive and Legislative stakeholders;
· as required support, assist in applying and monitoring application of
project environmental management, gender equality and anti-corruption
principles,
· provide input and advice to support implementation of the BASICS
Knowledge Management Strategy.

Key Desired Qualifications
· 8-10 years of experience working with donor-funded civil society
strengthening initiatives
· Experience developing and implementing capacity building activities for CSOs
and other civil society actors
· Ability to promote and enhance constructive collaboration between civil
society and government stakeholders
· Good understanding of Government planning and budgeting cycle and related
activities
· Familiarity with education and health service issues
· Solid understanding of results-based programming and reporting
· Strong ability to speak, read and write in Indonesian and English
· Ability to work productively with team of senior technical advisors

Interested candidates should submit an e-mail highlighting their relevant
qualifications with the subject line “Civil Society Engagement Advisor” and with
a complete c.v. attached to info@basicsproject.or.id

All applications are appreciated, but only suitably qualified candidates will be
contacted.

The closing date for applications is October 15, 2010.