1.      Background

Pakistan’s democratic landscape is marked by its struggle with political stability, economic volatility and social disparities. Pakistan’s governance landscape is complex and shaped by its unique historical, political and socio-cultural dimensions. The CIVICUS Monitor 2023 rates Pakistan’s space for civil society as ‘repressed’ indicating challenges in civil society and engagement.^[1] Various studies collectively paint a picture of a citizenry that is increasingly demanding of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in governance. To address the existing challenges, this project will focus on the creation of district profiles and the creation of citizen guides on local governments in each province, strengthening CSOs’ abilities to monitor governmental and political processes and increasing citizens’ awareness of their constitutional rights to local government, the type of service delivery they should expect and the performance of local administrations.

Transparency is a cornerstone of good governance. When citizens have access to detailed information about how decisions are made at the provincial and local government levels, it demystifies the processes that directly affect their lives. A well-documented district profile and citizen's guide can shed light on procurement procedures, criteria for awarding contracts, and standards for service delivery. This openness builds trust between the government and its citizens, fostering a more collaborative relationship. By leveraging updated district profiles and citizen guides, the project will enable CSOs to advocate for the socio-economic needs and good governance demands of Pakistani citizens including those from underrepresented groups such as rural women and minorities.

Through the promotion of informed and engaged citizenry, the project aims is to foster an environment where transparent and responsive governance can flourish, aligning with the socio-economic needs and democratic aspirations of the Pakistani people.

   2.      Objectives of Consultancy

The primary objectives of the consultancy are:

• To develop four informative Citizen’s guides, one for each province, providing comprehensive insights into provincial government public procurement processes, local government service delivery standards, and citizen engagement procedures.
• To develop four training manuals on the use of Citizen’s guides (with support of case studies) to create awareness about citizens’ rights and the use of guides to hold local and provincial governments accountable for quality of service delivery 
• To conduct training sessions for CSOs in each province, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to use these guidebooks effectively to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance processes.

3.      Scope of Work

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Development of one (01) Political Process Monitoring Tools Guide
• Development of Four (04) Citizen’s Guides (one for each province)
• Development of Four (04) Training Manuals (one for each province)
• Conduct Four Training Sessions (Half-day session in each province)

3.1  Political Process Monitoring Tools Guide

The primary goal of this guide is to enable CSOs to engage with local communities and different tiers of local governments on policy issues and prioritize areas for local development.  This guide will be a blueprint for the skills we will be teaching to CSOs in the stakeholder sessions. It will include:

3.1.1        The content and utility of the 24 district profiles (to be developed by PILDAT)

3.1.2        Explaining how they can use sample-based observation to collect statistical data to support accountability and advocacy campaigns using NDI’s guide on Sample-Based Observations. This guide will be an integral part of the trainings

3.1.3        Details of Right to Information and Right to Service legislation in each province and how it can be utilized for better access to information

3.1.4        Details of reviewing political processes at local level and reviewing performance of local governments

3.2  Citizen’s Guides:

By understanding public procurement processes, service delivery standards, and engagement procedures, citizens are better equipped to advocate for their rights and interests. Similarly, by providing clear and accessible information on public procurement processes and service delivery standards, citizens can monitor and evaluate how resources are allocated and utilized. This transparency reduces the likelihood of corruption and mismanagement, as public officials know that their actions are being scrutinized by an informed citizenry. This Citizen’s guide will provide practical steps for citizens to take when they encounter issues such as substandard services, delays, or lack of responsiveness from local government officials. The Citizen’s guide will also explain in an easy to understand and culturally appropriate way:

a.      How local governments are structured in a specific province, including how the various bodies are elected, how governments are formed and what powers and functions each body has.

b.      What  people should expect in terms of service delivery on a local level and what are their rights

c.       Which specific officials are responsible for meeting specific citizen needs

d.      Special section dedicated to women and marginalized groups, emphasizing their equal right to service under the law 

e.       A comparison of how government works in the books vs. how it is really working in reality (for example, whether local bodies exist/have been elected)

The Consultant will create four comprehensive guidebooks, one for each province, that provide detailed and accessible information on:

3.2.1        Public procurement processes, procedures, and requirements.

3.2.2        Local government service delivery standards.

3.2.2.1    Local government structure

3.2.2.2    List of government departments working at district level

3.2.2.3    Chain of command (organogram)

3.2.2.4    Local government electoral process

3.2.2.5    Contact numbers/addresses/helplines under administrative setup

3.2.3        Citizen engagement and participation mechanisms in local governance.

3.2.4        Budgeting & Funds Allocation

3.2.4.1    Fund allocation (development + non-development)

3.2.4.2    Detail of the utilization of remaining budget

3.2.4.3    Decentralization (authority to be given to local bodies)

3.2.4.4    Budget allocation for each project & how it is distributed

3.2.4.5    Timeline of budget

3.2.4.6    Revenue generated at local level & its utilization

3.2.5        Use of Right to Information Act

The Consultant will incorporate pre-existing resources, such as NDI's guide on Political Process Monitoring Tools and frameworks for supporting social accountability campaigns with sample-based observation methods.

The Consultant will also eensure the guidebooks are user-friendly, developed in English, and translated into local languages where necessary to ensure accessibility for all CSO representatives.

3.3 Training Manuals & Training of CSOs

The Consultant will develop a training manual for each province to enhance the understanding of local governance processes and the use of the Citizen’s guidebooks. This manual should include modules on local governance structures, functions, citizen rights, and government accountability. The Training Manuals will:

3.3.1        Use Case studies that exemplify successful CSO engagement with local communities and government

3.3.2        Include exercises that stimulate interactions between CSOs and government allowing participants to practice negotiation and advocacy strategies

3.3.3        Guide participants on the use of practical tools for advocacy, public speaking, and social media strategies

The Consultant will also conduct four training sessions, one in each provincial capital, targeting selected CSO representatives from all districts. Each training session will be 5-6 hours long and conducted physically to facilitate direct interaction and engagement. The sessions should:

1. Cover key topics such as local government structure, functions, citizen rights, and government accountability.
2. Provide practical exercises and case studies to build participants' capacity to use the guidebooks effectively.
3. Equip CSOs with skills to engage with local communities and governments on policy issues, coordinate advocacy campaigns, and prioritize areas for local development.

The following will be expected from the Consultant as Output of the assignment:

1. One comprehensive Political Process Monitoring Guide
2. Four comprehensive guidebooks, tailored to the specific governance context of each province.
3. Four training manuals for CSOs on local governance processes and the use of the guidebooks.
4. Four training sessions conducted in the provincial capitals, with detailed reports on each session, including participant feedback, outcomes, and recommendations for future training.

This assignment can be awarded either as a whole or split among different consultants based on geographical scope (Citizen’s guide of each province & its training manual). Proposals can be submitted for the entire assignment or for specific provinces. The final decision on awarding the contract(s) will be at the discretion of PILDAT and will be based on the proposals' alignment with the project objectives, assignment requirements and available budget.