Location : Rangamati, BANGLADESH
Application Deadline : 23-Sep-13
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Expected Duration of Assignment : maximum 130 days over a period of 6 months
Background
Twenty five years of protracted conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have left the majority of its inhabitants in conditions of extreme poverty, and tensions over land tenure, resource access, and ethno-demographics remain challenges to sustainable development. Three quarters of the population live below the national poverty line; 50% of primary-enrolled children drop out in their first few years; and it is estimated that 40% of the CHTs’ workforce is either unemployed or underemployed.
A CHT Peace Accord was signed in December 1997 and was recognized as a significant political achievement for the region which is home to 11 distinctive indigenous groups and Bengalis. It raised high expectations that it would serve as the cornerstone of a successful peace building process and as a means for opening up new opportunities for development. Relevant institutions have been established to support this process although not all subjects as per the CHT Peace Accord have yet been transferred to them, and several parts of the Peace Accord are yet to be implemented.
In partnership with the Government, CHT communities and NGOs, UNDP supports the Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts through the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility. The CHT Development Facility plays a very important role ensuring a successful peace building process and improving the development conditions of theChittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) people. The support is focused on:
- CHT governance institutions functioning and national systems developed in support of Peace Accord implementation;
- Confidence is built to solve long-standing problems critical to sustainable development and peace in CHT;
- Economic development opportunities enhanced for CHT;
- Literacy increased through an education scheme adapted to local context;
- Access to quality preventive and curative health services at the community level;
- Local organizations and communities empowered and their capacities enhanced to manage their own development.
With an annual budget of USD 25 million and 200 staff in five offices, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) is one of UNDP’s large interventions spanning across governance, peace-building and multiple sectors within one facility.
In addition to UNDP’s own resources, funds have been made available by the European Union, Canada (CIDA), Denmark (DANIDA), USA (USAID), Norway, Australia (AusAID) and the Embassy of Japan since the inception. The Facility manages the respective donor agreements within one programmatic framework.
The CHT Development Facility is led by a Director and a Senior Management Team consisting in addition of four Chiefs leading programme sections and one Chief Operations.
Expected outcome of CHTDF’s interventions with the CHT Institutions is increased capacity of these institutions to deliver services and support community development. Expected outputs are (a) Capacities of local government institutions to advocate on CHT issues strengthened, in particular implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, resulting in enhanced clarity and consensus on CHT issues, (b) Capacities of Local Government Institutions in the CHT strengthened, resulting in improved management systems for decentralized service delivery and (c) Participatory planning, budgeting, monitoring mechanisms among CHT institutions enhanced to contribute towards achievement of MDGs.
Capacity Development is one of the development initiative “Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in Chittagong Hill Tracts” undertaken by Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF). The objectives of Governance Cluster is to enhance the skills and capacities of the CHT Institutions – notably Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (MoCHTA), CHT Regional Council (RC) Hill District Councils (HDC), Traditional leaders (Circle Chief, Headmen, Karbari), and Upazila and Union Parishad, in support of grassroots & multi-community development. Furthermore, local Government institutions at district (HDCs) and sub-district level (Upazila parishad) are taking the lead in the MDG acceleration process.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives of the assignment/service:
The consultancy is expected to support the following project interventions:
- Strengthening CHT government development coordination committees;
- MDG acceleration;
- Institutional capacity development of CHT institutions (MoCHTA, RC, HDC and Circles);
- Capacity development support to Union and Upazila Parishad.
Scope of Work:
The International Consultant is based at UNDP-CHTDF Rangamati office, with frequent travel to the other 2 CHT districts. Under overall management by Chief Implementation, under direct supervision of the Cluster leader “Service delivery and Capacity Development”, and in close coordination with Governance Programme officer. The International Consultant will perform the following tasks:
Strengthening CHT government development coordination committees:
- Review and evaluate support provided to strengthen government development coordination committees (3 district committees, 25 upazila committees and 118 union committees) started in January 2013, draft plan and budget for support in 2014.
MDG acceleration:
- Under leadership of Hill District Councils 3 district master plans have been developed. Consultant will contribute to final draft of 3 high caliber MDG acceleration reports;
- HDCs, Upazila Parishads and Union Parishads are coordinating/implementing annual MDG acceleration activity plans (2013-2014), and implementing one scheme supported by UNDP-CHTDF MDG acceleration grants;Consultant will review and evaluate implementation/coordination, and recommend approach and strategies to be followed in government year 2014 – 2015;
- Design monitoring tools and plans of implementation of MDG acceleration activities at district, upazila and union level.
Institutional capacity development of CHT institutions (MoCHTA, RC, HDC and Circles):
- Institutions have conducted self-assessment and have drafted and implemented Intuitional Capacity Development Plans since 2011. Consultant will review progress made and will draft plan and budget to support implementation of plans in 2014;
- UNDP New York Governance group is supporting UNDP-CHTDF with drafting of a knowledge product on its institutional capacity development intervention. Consultant will provide inputs for the knowledge product.
Capacity development support to union and upazila parishad
- UNDP-CHTDF has conducted capacity assessments of union and upazila parishad in 2013. Consultant will draft capacity development plan and budget for 2014, including training program;
- Consultant will support implementation of capacity development intervention.
Deliverables/Outputs of the assignment/service:
- Plan and budget (2014) for strengthening government development coordination committees;
- Inputs to 3 District MDG acceleration reports;
- Monitoring tools and plans of implementation of MDG acceleration activities at district, upazila and union level.
- Evaluation report on MDG acceleration, including recommended approaches and strategies for government year 2014 – 2015;
- Plan and budget (2014) to support CHT institutions with implementation of Institutional Capacity Development plans;
- Inputs to knowledge product on Institutional Capacity Development plans;
- Plan and budget (2014) for capacity development of union and upazila parishad, including training plan;
- Progress report on capacity development support to union and upazila parishad.
- Detailed work plan for consultancy;
- Inputs to knowledge product on Institutional Capacity Development plans.
Payment - 20% of the contract value.
- Plan and budget (2014) to support CHT institutions with implementation of Institutional Capacity Development plans;
- Plan and budget (2014) for capacity development of union and upazila parishad, including training plan.
Payment - 15% of the contract value.
- Inputs to 3 District MDG acceleration reports;
- Monitoring tools and plans of implementation of MDG acceleration activities at district, upazila and union level;
- Plan and budget (2014) for strengthening government development coordination committees.
Payment - 15% of the contract value.
- Evaluation report on MDG acceleration, including recommended approaches and strategies for government year 2014 – 2015.
Payment - 30% of the contract value.
- Progress report on capacity development support to union and upazila parishad.
Payment - 20% of the contract value.
Period of assignment/service:
The assignment is for a total of maximum 130 working days over a 6 months period.
Inputs:
From CHTDF:
- CHTDF will provide office space and necessary logistics for the consultant;
- CHTDF will make arrangements (domestic travel, vehicle, security clearance) for official travel;
- Workshops/meetings/trainings will be organized according to work plan submitted and CHTDF will bear costs for workshops/meetings/trainings.
From Consultant:
- All deliverables mentioned in this TOR as per work plan will be achieved by time specified;
- The consultant must bring own laptop computer.
Competencies
- Good knowledge and understanding of the MDGs, human development and the international development agenda;
- Good knowledge and understanding on development planning processes;
- Knowledge of and exposure to a range of cross-sectoral and cross-cutting issues (such as women empowerment, gender equality, special approaches for addressing the circumstances of marginalized groups), that can be expected in to accelerate progress in achieving MDGs;
- Knowledge of the MDG Acceleration Framework (MAF).
- Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are necessary;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Strong IT skills, including ability to work regularly with MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint;
- Uses information and internet technology applications effectively as tool and resource;
- Proven cross-cultural communication;
- Ability to travel regularly to the project areas;
- Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
- Proven English professional writing skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications:
- Advanced university degree preferably in development studies, economics, political science, public policy and/or relevant field of social sciences.
Experiences:
- A minimum of 7 (seven) years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the field of development;
- Experience with development planning and coordination processes at sub-national level is required, experience in applying MDG acceleration framework is desirable;
- Experience in institutional capacity development in Local Governance is required, experience with UNDP model on Capacity Development desirable;
- Experience in South-Asia is desirable;
- Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in working in the CHT.
Language:
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
How to apply:
Proposal should be submitted at ebidbox-chtdf.bd@undp.org no later than 21st September, 2013. Proposal submitted to any other email address or location or submitted in hard copy shall not be considered.
Email subject line should contain the reference number “IC-IN/2013-CHTDF03”.
Please refer to the IC Notice (including TOR), General Terms and Conditions (Annex II) and the submission template (Annex III) available in the following location for detail evaluation criteria and proposal submission procedure. Incomplete proposals shall not be considered for evaluation.
http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=12728.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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