Project Title: Strengthening Local Governments to Promote Democracy in Pakistan (SLGPD)

Commissioned by: AwazCDS-Pakistan Duration: May 10th – May 25th, 2025

Location: Remote with possible virtual meetings

Background AwazCDS-Pakistan is implementing a project titled Strengthening Local Governments to Promote Democracy in Pakistan (SLGPD) from July 2024 to June 2025. As part of its key deliverables, the organization intends to produce a Civil Society White Paper on Government Performance after the first year of federal and provincial governments' tenure.

This White Paper will assess the performance and commitment of the federal and provincial governments towards ensuring constitutional, political, administrative, and financial autonomy of local governments.

The White Paper will also provide a detailed analysis of the allocation and utilization of public funds for local governments across provinces and regions of Pakistan.

Objective of the Assignment

A comprehensive, evidence-based White Paper on Government Performance that will: 

• Assess manifesto commitments and actions taken by federal and provincial governments towards ensuring constitutional, political, administrative, and financial autonomy of local governments. 
• Analyze public finance data on budgetary allocations and utilization for local governments. 
• Highlight gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improving institutional mechanisms supporting local governance in Pakistan.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:
1. Reviewing constitutional provisions, laws, policies, and government frameworks related to local governments in Pakistan.
2. Analyzing manifesto and party commitments made by the federal and provincial governments towards local government strengthening, particularly in Political decentralization, Administrative empowerment, Financial autonomy and Legal and constitutional mandates.
3. Collecting and analyzing budgetary data on allocations and expenditures for local governments for FY 2024–25.
4. Consulting relevant civil society actors, local government representatives, and government stakeholders online/ telephonically to incorporate diverse viewpoints.
5. Drafting and finalizing a 12- 15 pager Civil Society White Paper on Government Performance, highlighting Executive summary, findings, best practices, gaps, actionable recommendations and references.

6. Presenting the first draft to AwazCDS-Pakistan and incorporating feedback for the final version.
7. Presenting the final findings to AwazCDS-Pakistan and its partners through PPT during an online meeting.
8. Developing one-page briefing materials for press coverage at both provincial and federal levels.

Deliverables and Deliverable Timeline

• Inception Report with Methodology: By May 15, 2025
• Draft White Paper: By May 20, 2025
• Final White Paper: (after feedback)+ PPT By May 24, 2025
• 05 one pager media briefing material: By May 25, 2025

Date for presenting findings will be decided mutually.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, or related fields.
• At least 7 years of experience in governance, public policy research, or local government reform in Pakistan.
• Proven experience in conducting policy assessments, budgetary analysis, and developing high-quality research reports or white papers.
• Strong understanding of local governance systems, decentralization, and civil society engagement in Pakistan.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.

Consultancy Cost

The total consultancy cost will be PKR 500,000 (Pakistani Rupees Five Hundred Thousand only).

Timeframe

The consultancy will begin on May 10th, 2025, and conclude with the final submission of the White Paper by May 25th, 2025.