Technical Expert - Local Economic Development (National Position)

Key Responsibilities

Support during the Inception Phase

• Support the establishment and operationalization of Local Committees, including the development of governance arrangements, coordination mechanisms, working modalities, and action plans, while fostering stakeholder participation and local ownership.
• Contribute to strengthening the role and capacities of Social Development Centers (SDCs) and Local Committees as platforms for local dialogue, coordination, and development planning.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure the effective functioning of the Local Committees as multi-stakeholder platforms supporting local economic development processes and strengthened local governance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the project team, SDCs, Local Committees, municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders, facilitating communication, coordination, and partnership-building.
• Promote collaboration among public institutions, private sector actors, vocational training providers, civil society organizations, and community representatives, ensuring inclusive participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

Local Economic Development Support

• Provide technical support to the identification, design, and implementation of local economic development initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, employment opportunities, skills development, and local value chain strengthening.
• Support stronger linkages between public institutions, economic actors, and training providers, contributing to locally driven and evidence-based development processes.
• Contribute to the analysis of local economic dynamics, stakeholder capacities, and development opportunities to inform local planning and decision-making.

Field Coordination, Monitoring and Learning

• Ensure regular follow-up of project activities implemented through Local Committees and SDCs, supporting effective implementation and alignment with project objectives.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning processes through the identification of challenges, opportunities, lessons learned, and evidence of change, while supporting adaptive management and continuous improvement.

Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Provide regular analytical inputs and updates to the Project Manager on implementation progress, achievements, challenges, risks, and opportunities.
• Contribute to project reporting, documentation, donor compliance, and knowledge-sharing processes, ensuring the timely availability and dissemination of relevant information and good practices.

Reporting Line

The Economic Development Expert will report directly to the Project Manager and work in close coordination with project staff, Social Development Centers (SDCs), Local Committees (LCs), Ministry of Social Affairs representatives, municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders.