Introduction/Background:
Grassroots People Empowerment Foundation (Policy Alert) is a non-governmental organisation with a vision of accountable institutions; empowered citizens; and sustainable communities. Our mission is to promote social, economic and ecological outcomes that are people-centred, equitable and sustainable. We operate principally in the Niger Delta. Our target audiences include communities, media, civil society organizations (CSOs), state actors and institutions, international financial institutions, and corporations.
Policy Alert is currently implementing the Prioritizing Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration project with funding support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF). The overarching goal of this project is to promote transparency, accountability, and improve service delivery in local government administration in Akwa Ibom State and build the capacity of 14 youth-focused organizations in the south-south region to scale up the improved local governance.
The Supreme Court’s decision to grant financial autonomy to local governments on July 11, 2024, was a response to the yearning of community citizens to witness improved public service delivery at the local government, the closest tier of the government to the people which will largely be predicated on transparency, accountability and citizen engagement. Without increased awareness of local government responsibilities, active citizen participation in decision-making, and proper monitoring of funds to promote transparency and accountability, poverty and unemployment will persist, preventing meaningful progress for local communities.
As part of the strategies developed to achieving project overarching goal, Policy Alert solicit an expression of interest for the development of handbook on the roles and responsibilities of local government administration. The handbook intends to be a resource and a go-to-tool to support desirous citizens to effectively and efficiently demand accountability, transparency and citizen engagement at the local government. The handbook would be developed in an easy to read and jargon-free format to encourage optimal usage to contribute to achieving the project intending goal.
Objectives
- To clarify the statutory roles and functions of local governments in Nigeria.
- Strengthens knowledge among citizens, officials, civil society on the workings of the local government in Nigeria.
- Serves as a capacity building and reference material for promoting transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery.
Description of assignment
- Conduct a desk review of legal frameworks, policies, and literature relating to local government administration in Nigeria.
- Map out statutory roles, responsibilities, and functions of local government councils, elected officials, and administrators.
- Develop simplified content tailored to diverse audiences including government officials, civil society, and community members.
- Highlight best practices, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening and citizens engagement in local government governance.
- Work with Policy Alert to validate draft content through stakeholder consultations.
- Produce a final, high-quality handbook.
- A glossary of commonly used words and expressions, action exercises, and reader-friendly charts, tables and infographics to simplify messaging.
Scope of work
The development of handbook on the Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government Administration. It is expected that the Handbook will be used beyond the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State where the Prioritizing Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government administration will be implemented.
Timelines
The Consultant will commit to be available immediately and complete the assignment within 2 (two) calendar weeks from the time of signing a contract.
Key deliverables
The Consultant will present the final output in form of:
- Draft copy of a Handbook on Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government Administration.
Application:
Interested Researchers (individual consultants) should submit an Expression of Interest that includes:
- A technical narrative (no longer than 2 pages) describing their understanding of the task described above and how they will accomplish it, including a two (2)-week work plan and samples or links to similar work done in the last three years, preferably related to governance, decentralization or local government systems.
- CVs (not more than 3 pages) demonstrating relevant experience.
- Two references that can be contacted regarding the quality of their work / past performance
Submission Guideline:
Interested consultants should submit an Expression of Interest to: [email protected] with the subject Consultancy – Handbook on Local Government Administration on or before Wednesday 15th October 2025.
Only shortlisted applicant(s) will be contacted.
