*About UCLG ASPAC*
United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) is the
largest regional section of UCLG, an amalgamation of International Union of
Local Authorities (IULA), United Towns Organisation (UTO), and World
Association of the Major Metropolises (METROPOLIS). UCLG was established on
1 January 2004 and is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. Following this
unification, UCLG ASPAC was established in Taipei on 14 April 2004, as the
new entity of IULA ASPAC.
UCLG ASPAC is the key knowledge management hub on local government issues
in the Asia-Pacific region. It promotes democratic local government,
supports cooperation between cities, local governments and their
associations, and facilitates programmes, network and partnerships to
develop the capacity of local governments and the associations. Moreover,
UCLG ASPAC represents local governments politically within the
international community, and with the United Nations and its agencies. It
also promotes inclusive societies that safeguard equality, social and
economic justice, and sustainable community development. UCLG ASPAC is
engaged in all relevant thematic fields for nurturing sustainable
development comprising local economic development, climate change, disaster
resiliency, culture, strategic planning, decentralisation, municipal
finance, gender equality, women leadership and empowerment and good
governance.
*Background*
In supporting local governments’ efforts on tackling COVID-19, UCLG ASPAC
created a space for member cities in Indonesia and South Korea to virtually
discuss the cooperative strategies to address the challenges and
opportunities of COVID-19 pandemic at the local level through Web-Share
(Special): *The Strategic Cooperation between Indonesia – South Korea (at
the Local Level)*. The Webinar was opened by Dr. Bernadia Irawati
Tjandradewi, the Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC and was attended by
approximately 160 participants from Indonesia and Korea. This activity was
held as part of the cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea at the
local government level. Local government is one of the most responsible
actors and plays a role in fighting against the global pandemic.
Local governments in the Asia Pacific have been responding to and making
efforts in preventing the further spread of COVID-19. They have been
enacting quarantine and the development of a professional medical network.
Also, there are arrangements regarding non-face-to-face working groups by
strengthening collaboration between cities. Some of Korea's cities shared
strategies in the face of pandemic COVID-19 with holistic participation.
Local governments in the Asia Pacific have been restricting activities that
use public space following health protocols.
After new normal, there are needs to build a new strategy involving
collaboration and exchange between local governments. There is an
opportunity to avoid direct meetings, which is also the development of
inter-regional collaboration programmes conducted online. Therefore, the
collaboration between local governments is indispensable for accelerating
recovery.
As a follow-up from the web-share, it has been noted that it is a need of
the presence of tool(s) that can measure the level of cooperation between
local governments and to evaluate performance and collaboration between
local governments. It is also interesting to understand the role of UCLG
ASPAC as local government association in bridging and fostering the
international cooperation between members.
*1. **Programme Summary*
In the era of democracy, the dispersion of power through the
decentralisation process make the cooperation could be more dynamic between
cities and local governments. Besides, at the international level, the
interaction between state and nation is increasing. With the rising demand
of international cooperation, local governments became the prominent actor
to promote the sustainable framework of partnerships. Many challenges could
affect the cooperation process and its results. In doing so, the needs of
strategic cooperation framework are necessary.
Besides that, with the rising of cooperation among global and regional
level, coordination pattern is necessary[1] <#_ftn1>. The demand for
coordination has been increasing, as well as shored up the distribution of
conflict. International cooperation needs to connect the institutional
design and level of formalisation to the negotiations process between the
parties. International institutions could be providing stability and
long-term mutual interest. In doing so, less formal and more flexible
institutional arrangements seem to be preferred in international
cooperation. Also, effectivity in cooperation is a paramount aspect for the
cities to keep doing the partnerships in the future.
In general, effectivity in international cooperation indicated by achieving
the common goals between parties. In particular, according to Nigel
Ringrose there are at least five indicators to conducting a successful city
to city cooperation, (1) commitment to link; (2) community participation;
(3) understanding; (4) reciprocity; and (5) results through examples[2]
<#_ftn2>. First, commitment needs to maintain the mutual relationship
between both parties. Second, the domestic community (stakeholders) must be
engaged and actively participate in the project. Third, there are a set of
goals and expectations that meets both parties. In doing so, memorandum of
understanding is a necessary element. Fourth, mutual trust and respect
between both parties must be reciprocal. Fifth, there are tangible results
in the cities. Nevertheless, with the complexity of international
cooperation, the needs of more comprehensive studies are a must.
Tjandradewi et al. stated that the multi-perspectives and layers of
research will make a fruitful analysis to both parties, so the
international cooperation between them could be successful and effective[3]
<#_ftn3>.
In doing so, the framework's effectiveness for international cooperation
between members of UCLG ASPAC needs to be studied more deeply and more
comprehensive research regarding the role of UCLG ASPAC as international
association in international cooperation is necessary.
*2. **Objectives*
The main objectives of Consultant for International Cooperation
Evaluation: Effectivity
on Cities and Local Governments Partnership and The Role of UCLG ASPAC in
the International Cooperation between/ amongst Members:
2.1 Developing the tools for analysing the effectiveness of International
Cooperation, focusing on city-to-city partnerships (can analyse the
existing sister city cooperation of UCLG ASPAC members as priority for
sampling).
2.2. Examine the central role of UCLG ASPAC in terms of International
Cooperation amongst/between members.
*3. **Key Factors*
3.a Be able to submit the works according to the deliverables and outputs.
3.b. The works and recommendations developed are understandable and
implementable.
3.c. Processed transfer of knowledge with the appointed staff gradually
according to the timeframe.
*4. **Competencies and Requirements*
*Competencies:*
1. At least five years’ experience in research and data analysis.
2. Familiar with the International Cooperation framework.
3. Understanding the Asia-Pacific studies, particularly on local
governments’ cooperation.
4. Experience in strategic planning and evaluation programmes.
5. Comprehensive analytical and report writing skills
6. Excellent organisational and teamwork.
7. Excellent spoken and written English.
8. Availability to fulfil the role and tasks within the stipulated time
frame.
*Desirable:*
1) Experience of research on international urban development cooperation or
international cooperation, political studies
2) Experience working with local governments.
3) Background studies relevant with International Relations and Development
Studies
*To apply for this position, you must submit the following materials:*
1. Your most recent CV.
2. Publications on the following topics: International Cooperation, the
Role of International Organisation, City-to-City Cooperation.
3. Sample of analysis report on the effectivity of international
cooperation.
4. Proposal on how the evaluation on international cooperation will be
held and proposed honorarium.
*Location : *The consultant could work remotely and needs to schedule the
online meeting and weekly progress report to the appointed staff.
*Project Engagements*
The consultant will be engaging with the project starting from September
2020 until December 2020. The output will be delivered to UCLG ASPAC with
the following timeframe:
1. Submission of the first draft: 15 November 2020.
2. Submission of the second draft: 30th November 2020
3. Submission of the third/final draft: 15th December 2020.
*Scope of Works *The consultant will be working with an appointed staff of
UCLG ASPAC and team. Focus sampling on UCLG ASPAC members or potential
members. Comparing the international cooperation between members from developed
with developing countries. At least two or three pairs from members or
potential members. Including the responsibilities as mention below:
1. Creating a workflow and considerable modules to the team.
2. Analyse the effectiveness of the international
cooperation/city-to-city cooperation or partnership between local
governments, members in UCLG ASPAC.
3. Developing performance evaluation tool(s) on international
cooperation of local governments.
4. Reviewing and providing the strategic recommendation for the UCLG
ASPAC regarding the central role of international cooperation amongst
members.
5. Reviewing and analyse the past membership constraints in their
cooperation under the UCLG ASPAC.
6. Conducting effective frameworks for international cooperation
between the members of the UCLG ASPAC..
*8. **Deliverables and Outputs*
The consultant will be delivered the output such as:
1. Document for workflow and modules
2. Report on evaluation and strategic recommendations for the UCLG ASPAC
role in international cooperation between the members.
3. Report on analysing the effectiveness and constraints of
international cooperation between members of the UCLG ASPAC with mixed
methodological research (qualitative and quantitative).
4. Frameworks and tools for performance evaluating systems on
international cooperation of local governments.
5. Frameworks for strategic international cooperation between members
of the UCLG ASPAC
*Benefits: *The consultant will receive the honorarium.
*10. **Deadline for Submission :*
Submit your applications *no later than the 22nd September 2020 *
All of the requirements delivered to e-mail address: <
recruitment@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> under subject *Consultant for International
Cooperation – Evaluation Tool on Effective Local Governments Collaboration
and the Role UCLG ASPAC. *
------------------------------
[1] <#_ftnref1> Lens, Hartmut. "Achieving Effective International
Cooperation: How Institutional Formalisation Shapes Intergovernmental
Negotiations*". World Affairs (Summer 2018)*: 160-180
[2] <#_ftnref2> As cited in Tjandradewi, B.I., P.J. Marcotullio, & T.
Kidokoro. “Evaluating City-to-City Cooperation: A Case Study of the Penang
and Yokohama Experience”. *Habitat International 30*, no. 3 (2006): 357-376.
[3] <#_ftnref3> Ibid*. *
