Summary Information

Scope of Work

Background

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has maintained a presence in Liberia since 1957, establishing a permanent country office in 1990 to deliver emergency relief and implement sustainable development initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and promoting social justice. CRS applies a holistic approach to human development, working in close partnership with the Government of Liberia and the Catholic Church’s social service agencies to advance community-driven development. Current programming encompasses maternal and child health, water and sanitation, agricultural development for food security, peacebuilding, youth livelihoods, and financial inclusion through Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC).

As part of CRS’ local leadership strategy, the Liberia Country Program has secured internal resources to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Local Government (MLG) (formerly Ministry of Internal Affairs). This support will ensure that CRS second a staff to MLG to lead the planning, coordination and implementation of activities set out in the Ministry of Local Government’s Strategic Plan. The implementation of these activities are crucial efforts to support decentralization in Liberia and contribute to the implementation of the Government of Liberia ARREST Agenda.

Purpose

The objective of this twelve-month Consultancy is to coordinate the implementation of key actions captured in the strategic plan of the Ministry of Local Government.

Key Priority Activities During the Consultancy

Under the supervision of the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Decentralization and in collaboration with the Assistant Minister for Local Government, the Senior Local Government Specialist (Consultant) will:

1. Strategic Plan Operationalization Framework

1. • Develop a Local Government Procedure Manual, consistent with Article 2.2 of the Local Government Act of 2018; Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for sub-County Advisory and City Councils.
   • Support the implementation of coordination framework of the Ministry of Local Government, with particular focus on the National Decentralization Implementation Secretariat (NDIS), Phase 2 of the Local Government Act 2018 Implementation considering the 5-year Strategic Plan, including implementation schedules, budget linkages, and risk mitigation measures.
   • Develop standardized performance tracking tools (dashboards, reporting templates, and review schedules) to support evidence-based decision-making and accountability.
   • Support capacity building training for county, and sub-county leadership structures, including County Councils, National Council of Chiefs, County Development Planning Units and Council Service Centers

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
   • Develop practical MEAL plan detailing data sources, collection methods, feedback and response mechanisms, learning questions, and reflection schedules.
   • Design instrument for the conduct of an institutional capacity baseline and contribution to mid-term and end-of-project reviews assessing progress, implementation challenges, and lessons learned.
   • Develop quarterly performance briefs, learning notes, and reflection summaries documenting what is working, what is not, and recommended course corrections.

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Support
   • Develop structured engagement plans and documentation for collaboration with government counterparts, civil society, and private sector actors to support implementation and sustainability.
   • Develop guidance and tools for county and district-level implementation, including reporting templates, role definitions for focal points, and integration of conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding considerations.

1. Reporting & Documentation
   • Coordinate and support the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Division for preparation and submission of monthly, quarterly and annual results-based progress reports

Key Deliverables

• Local Government Procedural Manual, Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for County and sub-county advisory and city councils.

• A results-based management (RBM) framework with clearly defined outcomes, outputs, KPIs, baselines, and targets aligned to national priorities and donor requirements.

• Developed and validated Administrative Procedure Manuals for Local Government
• Developed and validated Standard Operating Procedure for advisory and local government city councils
• Developed Standard Operating Procedures for County Advisory Councils
• Stakeholder engagement plan and meeting notes.
• Operational readiness checklist finalized.
• Monthly, quarterly and annual progress report.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Governance, International Development, Law, or related fields. Bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of cumulative experience considered desired.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in government systems strengthening, public sector reform, decentralization, or program delivery, ideally within government entity or international organizations.
• Demonstrated leadership in results-based management (RBM), including design of results frameworks, KPIs, workplans, and performance dashboards.

• Proven experience coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives with government (preferably ministries of interior/local government), development partners, and civil society.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation including development of indicators, data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience developing policy briefs and standard operating procedures

• Track record of contributing to successful decentralization initiatives and capacity building activities at the county and district levels.
• Strong understanding and application of technical principles and concepts in local government, decentralization. Good knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Very strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment. Very strong written and oral communication skills

• Very strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills. Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
• Familiarity with Liberia’ local government structures and Local Governance Act is an added advantage
• Familiarity and experience working across the 15 counties of Liberia is also an added advantage

Key Relationship:

Internal

Within the Ministry of Local Government: Deputy Minister for Local Government, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Director of Research and Development Planning, County Service Center Coordinators, National Decentralization Implementation Secretariat, County Administrators, Chiefs and Traditional Leaders.

Within CRS: CRS Head of Programming, Local Leadership and Capacity Strengthening Manager and Program Quality Manager.

External

Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia Land Authority, Liberia Peace Building Office, Governance Commission, World Bank, UN System.

Submission of Application:

Interested candidate that meets the requirements can apply by submitting their resume and expression of interest to LR_HR@crs.org, in one PDF document on or before March 13, 2026, at 16:00 GMT, with subject line: Application for the Position of Senior Specialist for Decentralization and Local Government. Only applicants that meet the qualification and requirement will be shortlisted.