Rural Development Directorate
Background & Mandate:
The Directorate of Rural Development was created under the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development through a Policy Directive from H.E. the President to be moved from the Ministry of Local Government to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. The key mandate is to provide oversight and monitor the implementation of the National Policy on Rural Development and ensure that all District Level Coordination structures are functional & reporting on development activities in compliance with the National Development Plan and Local Government Act of 2004 and other regulations guiding the decentralization process. Its overall goal is to ensure improvement in the delivery of the much-needed services at the local level in a coordinated and sustainable manner in partnership with the local councils and other relevant stakeholders.
In Fulfilment of this Mandate, the Following are the Functions of the Directorate of Rural Development:
- Formulate and update National Policy, Plans and Strategies on Rural Development and coordinate its implementation with a view to ensuring that development interventions are harmonised to avoid overlaps and remain consistent with the MoPED’s overall strategic goal.
- Establish and ensure that all District Level Coordination structures are functional and appropriately reporting on development activities in the district and create nexus between the Chiefdom Development Coordination Committees (CDCC) and District Development Coordination committees (DDCC) through regular coordination meetings
- Follow up on action points/decisions taking at Coordination platforms and feedback accordingly;
- Provide capacity building and technical support to district development coordination structures/Committee;
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive database on coordination activities at both chiefdom and district levels to inform policy decision and appropriate development response at central level to enhance service delivery at the local level;
- Engage with relevant stakeholders for the promotion of inclusive dialogue and local initiatives geared towards ensuring that development interventions are owned and sustained at local level;
- Provide relevant information on district level service delivery and implementation bottlenecks to inform policy decision and appropriate development response at central level to enhance service delivery at the local level;
- Create linkage and build relationship between Local Councils and relevant service providers at district level with a view to strengthening alignment and harmonization between district development stakeholders and MDAs at central level;
- Spearhead the compilation and consolidation of District Profiles in collaboration with Local Councils and other relevant institutions;