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, CSOs, state actors and institutions, and corporations.
Policy Alert and eight other organizations are currently implementing the Niger Delta Open Government Observatory (NOGO) Project in six states, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo, and Rivers, with support from USAID Nigeria/Palladium Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project. The aim of NOGO Project is to strengthen the uptake and implementation of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in the six project states mentioned above.
Currently, twenty five (25) states have signed on to the OGP, and are at different levels of implementing state specific commitments to change the way government business is done – thereby reducing corruption and leakages, redirecting spending to development priorities, and rebuilding citizens’ trust in government.
In the Niger Delta region, only six out of the nine states have signed on to the OGP, namely Abia, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo and Ondo states. Of these six States, only Abia and Edo States have approved State Action Plan (SAP), while Delta state recently developed draft SAP which is awaiting state governor’s approval and launch. But none of them have a Permanent Dialogue Mechanism (PDM). This presents a unique challenge, given the state of governance and the peculiar development challenges of this region with a population of over 35 million people. While the Niger Delta is the source of most of Nigeria’s immense oil wealth and has been the engine of the economy for several decades, the region presents a paradox of underdevelopment amidst plenty.
Objective
To critically and objectively assess and understand the political and economic variables/factors shaping the uptake and implementation of OGP in the six project states- Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers, and the region at large.
Description of assignment:
This assignment is a political economy analysis (PEA) of the context for sub-national uptake and implementation of the OGP in the Niger Delta. Specifically, the research will do the following:
- Design a suitable methodology to collect data, analyze and present it in a form that serves the purpose of the assignment
- Utilise key informant interviews, focus group discussions and other participatory learning techniques as outlined in the methodology above to gather information on the subject matter
- Map key stakeholders, interests and incentives (outlining the gainers and losers) in current drive for open government reforms at the subnational level
- Identify key lessons learnt, pain points, and success stories (including what works and what doesn’t) in demand-side advocacy for OGP uptake and implementation in the region
- Present a well-written report accurately describing the political economy context of ongoing efforts to promote effective uptake and implementation of the OGP in Niger Delta States
Scope of work:
The work will be conducted in six states, namely Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers States
Timelines:
The Consultant will commit to be available immediately and complete the assignment within 3 (three) calendar weeks from the time of signing a contract.
Key deliverables:
The Consultant will present the final output in form of:
- A detailed work-plan and methodology of the assignment;
- Detailed CV of people involved in doing the work;
- If there are any tools involved, the Consultant will share the tools with
Policy Alert
- Reports of FGD and KIIs conducted for each state ( including means of
verification- Photo shots and attendance sheets)
- State-level PEA micro-report for each state
- Submission of 1st draft of PEA findings;
- Submission of final draft of PEA findings.
Applications:
Application and submission guidelines:
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 three(3)-week work plan and samples or links to similar work done in the last three years, preferably related Open government or governance.
- Their CVs (not more than 3 pages)
- Two references that can be contacted regarding the quality of their work / past performance
Submission Guidelines:
Interested consultants should submit an Expression of Interest to: [email protected] on or before Monday 27th February, 2023. Only shortlisted applicant(s) will be contacted.
