Consultants for Development of Regional Roadmaps-NRGI Retour vers les opportunités

Promoting democratic space for marginalized communities in oil-producing areas of Tunisia

Consultants for Development of Regional Roadmaps

Kebili and Tataouine

Background

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) is implementing the “Promoting democratic space for marginalized communities in oil-producing areas of Tunisia” project with funding from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). The four-year project aims to support a peaceful democratic transition in Tunisia by bridging the gap between the government and marginalized oil-producing communities in Tataouine and Kebili and seeks to empower local CSOs to adequately represent local community demands while holding the government accountable, therefore promoting sustainable and constructive dialogue. As part of this project, NRGI built on its existing partnerships and programming in Tunisia and has been working on establishing and improving the capacity of two networks of CSO actors in Tataouine and Kebili to undertake an effective mediating role between local communities and street-level activists and the government through a series of workshops and training. 

Purpose of the Call

The Natural Resource Governance Institute NRGI is seeking to hire two qualified consultants, for Tataouine and Kebili, to support the development and dissemination of regional roadmaps aimed at fostering sustainable development in these areas. These roadmaps will be created as part of a broader initiative to harmonize efforts across five regional projects led by civil society organizations (CSOs), ensuring that all outputs are aligned with local priorities and contribute to a cohesive regional strategy.

The consultants will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating collaboration between CSO networks, government representatives, and local stakeholders in their respective regions. Their primary task will be to ensure that the outputs of all five regional projects are synthesized into a single, comprehensive roadmap that reflects the aspirations and needs of the local communities. This will involve active engagement in consultations, regional meetings, and workshops to gather insights and feedback from key stakeholders.

The consultants will lead the drafting of the roadmaps that addresses the developmental challenges specific to Tataouine and Kebili. The roadmaps will not only focus on local needs but will also offer clear and actionable policy recommendations for both local and central governments. These recommendations will aim to promote sustainable development, enhance governance, and ensure that the socio-economic benefits from regional projects are distributed equitably among the local population.

In addition to developing the roadmaps, the consultants will work to synthesize the outcomes of the nine regional projects. This will ensure that the roadmaps represent a consolidated vision for the regions’ future development, integrating the various projects’ results into a coherent strategy. The consultants will ensure that these roadmaps align with national development strategies and international best practices, providing a long-term vision for growth and sustainability, particularly given that Tataouine and Kebili are at the forefront of the energy transition. Their strategic location and resources make them critical regions in shaping Tunisia’s future in renewable energy, and the roadmaps will reflect their pivotal role in this transition.

Once the roadmaps are drafted and finalized, the consultants will play a crucial role in organizing a joint event in Tunis (agenda preparation, stakeholder engagement strategies and communication plan). This event will bring together central and local government officials, CSO representatives, media, and the public to officially announce the roadmaps. The event will serve as a platform to document the government’s commitment to these regional plans and ensure public awareness of the steps being taken toward achieving sustainable development in Tataouine and Kebili.

By the end of the consultancy, both regions will have community-driven, government-endorsed roadmaps that provide a strategic foundation for their future development, particularly as key players in Tunisia’s energy transition. These documents will serve as guiding policies to align the efforts of regional stakeholders and government entities in achieving long-term socio-economic improvements while positioning Tataouine and Kebili at the heart of the renewable energy shift. 

Consultancy Responsibilities and Deliverables

The consultants will work under the guidance of NRGI and collaborate closely with CSO networks, local communities, and government representatives to ensure the successful development and dissemination of comprehensive regional roadmaps. The consultants will be responsible for the following:

1. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Lead the coordination between CSO networks, government authorities (both local and central), and other relevant stakeholders and maintain consistent communication with stakeholders to provide updates and gather ongoing feedback during the development process.
2. Synthesis of Project Outputs: Analyze and synthesize the outputs of the nine regional projects led by CSOs into a cohesive roadmap that reflects the region’s developmental goals and ensure that the roadmaps integrate the lessons learned and outcomes of the regional initiatives, creating a unified strategy for the sustainable development of Tataouine and Kebili.
3. Development of Comprehensive Roadmaps:

• Draft two detailed roadmaps, one for Tataouine and one for Kebili, focusing on local socio-economic needs, developmental challenges, and potential for growth.
• Ensure that the roadmaps align with national development plans, regional priorities, and international best practices, particularly in the context of sustainable development and governance.
• Highlight the strategic role of Tataouine and Kebili in Tunisia’s energy transition, emphasizing their importance in renewable energy and their contributions to achieving national and international energy goals.

4. Policy Recommendations: Develop actionable and practical policy recommendations tailored to local and central governments. These recommendations should promote sustainable governance, equitable socio-economic benefits, and long-term regional growth, ensuring the roadmaps are implementable and impactful.
5. Event and Public Dissemination: 

• Facilitate organizing a joint event in Tunis, bringing together central and local government officials, CSO representatives, media, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and present the finalized roadmaps during the event, ensuring public awareness and media coverage.
• Document the government’s commitment to the roadmaps during the event and ensure follow-up communication for the implementation process.

6. Monitoring and Reporting:

•  Provide regular progress updates to NRGI on the development of the roadmaps, highlighting key milestones, challenges, and feedback from stakeholders.
• Submit a final comprehensive report to NRGI detailing the roadmap development process, stakeholder engagement, and final deliverables.
• Ensure the roadmaps include monitoring mechanisms to track their implementation, ensuring they remain living documents that can adapt to future regional needs and challenges.

7. Final Deliverables:

• Two finalized roadmaps for Tataouine and Kebili, integrating the outputs of all nine regional projects and the aspirations of local communities.
• A detailed event plan for the roadmap announcement in Tunis, including stakeholder engagement strategies and communication plans.
• A comprehensive final report to NRGI summarizing the roadmap development process, key findings, and recommendations for next steps.

Qualifications

It is expected that the expert will possess the following qualifications:

• Advanced Degree: A graduate degree in a relevant field such as public policy, sustainable development, environmental studies, energy transition, or a related area.
• Experience in Regional Development: Proven experience in designing and implementing development projects, especially those focused on regional or community-driven initiatives. Prior work on policy roadmaps, governance, and sustainable development is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Energy Transition: Deep understanding of the energy transition landscape, particularly in relation to the role of renewable energy in regional development. Experience in projects related to energy or environmental governance is preferred.
• Strong Coordination Skills: Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects, particularly between civil society organizations, local communities, and government representatives. Experience in facilitating collaboration across various sectors and ensuring alignment between different project outputs is essential.
• Consultative Processes Expertise: Familiarity with designing and leading consultative processes that engage local communities and stakeholders to ensure that development plans reflect regional needs and aspirations.
• Strategic Thinking and Policy Development: Experience in developing and synthesizing policy roadmaps that align with national strategies and international best practices. The ability to provide clear, actionable policy recommendations that promote governance, socio-economic development, and equity is crucial.
• Strong Relationships with Government Officials: Proven experience working closely with government ministries, particularly in the energy sector. A well-established network of contacts within relevant government bodies is crucial to gaining the necessary political endorsement and support for the roadmaps.
• Knowledge of National Energy Strategies: A strong understanding of Tunisia’s national energy policies and strategies, particularly regarding renewable energy and the energy transition. Familiarity with the legal and regulatory framework governing energy projects in the country.
• Previous Work with NGOs: Demonstrated experience working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or civil society groups, particularly in regions like Tataouine and Kebili. Understanding the role of NGOs in advancing local development and governance.
• Knowledge of Local Context: Strong knowledge of the socio-political and economic context in Tunisia, particularly in the Kebili and Tataouine regions. Understanding the local communities’ needs and challenges is important for drafting roadmaps that are both practical and impactful.
• Strong Analytical and Writing Skills: Excellent skills in drafting detailed roadmaps, policy recommendations, and comprehensive reports. The ability to communicate complex ideas in clear and concise language is essential.
• Languages: Fluency in Arabic and French is required, with strong written and spoken communication skills in both languages. 
• Knowledge of Civil Society Sector: Familiarity with the roles, challenges, and functioning of CSOs in Tunisia, particularly in regions like Tataouine and Kebili. Previous experience working with CSOs in these areas is a strong advantage.
• Attention to Detail and Time Management: Ability to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality work under pressure, particularly in a complex and dynamic project environment.