Job: Consultancy - Communication Advisor

Location: Home-based 
Deadline: Thursday, 14 November 2013

Vacancy posting: UNISDR/C/19/2013 United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for diversity

Background

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socioeconomic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

ECHO: Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department of the European Commission

The Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) was created in 1992 as an expression of the European solidarity with people in need all around the world. In 2004 it became the Directorate- General for Humanitarian Aid before integrating Civil Protection in 2010 for a better coordination and disaster response inside and outside Europe. In 1996, ECHO launched a specific programme, DIPECHO (Disaster Preparedness ECHO) dedicated to disaster preparedness, targeting vulnerable communities living in the main disaster-prone regions of the world. ECHO's humanitarian mandate prescribes a focus on saving lives, providing relief and thus assisting the most vulnerable groups. ECHO prioritizes 'people-oriented' preparedness measures and, therefore, focuses on supporting strategies and complementing existing strategies that enable local communities and institutions to better prepare for, mitigate and respond adequately to natural hazards by enhancing their capacities to cope and respond. This increases their resilience and reduces their vulnerability. ECHO's support is a combination of community-based projects and projects at national or regional level that strive to increase resilience in the event of natural hazards. Projects are implemented through a wide range of partners, including local organisations that provide access to the most marginalized and vulnerable people.

DIPECHO Programme

The DIPECHO Programme contributes to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA). A key element in DIPECHO is the development of Key contributions in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) so as to identify successful models for replication elsewhere by national/sub-national authorities or other funding instruments of the European Commission, other donors. The Caribbean region experiences multiple disasters:

The region is prone to hurricanes, floods, flash floods, tsunamis, landslides and mudslides. Some islands experience earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The physical risk is combined with socioeconomic factors, such as high population density, fast demographic growth, inequality and great poverty. The combination of these factors results in highly vulnerable communities, with few coping capacities in the event of disaster. Moreover, climate change is likely to negatively affect disaster trends in the region.

DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean 2013-2014

The 2013-2014 DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean aims to establish greater collaboration and coordination between partners, allowing programming of common outcomes and the harmonization of practices. Furthermore, it focuses on improving communication and dissemination of DRR key contributions in the region, by capturing evidence of success on how DIPECHO projects have allowed the most at risk communities to anticipate, withstand, adapt and sometimes, recover quickly from disasters.

The forthcoming Action Plan also takes account of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters and reconfirms the commitment to regional initiatives to contribute to make schools and hospitals safer and cities resilient in disaster prone areas. The consultancy is related to the UNISDR regional project within the framework of the DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean 2013-2014. The Humanitarian Implementation Plan and the Operational Recommendations provide details to the objectives of the 2013-2014 Action Plan. The regional project to be implemented by UNISDR includes the following elements:

(1) Improving communication and dissemination of DIPECHO DRR tools and initiatives in the region,

(2) Further advancing in the development of a common strategy towards DRR, as well as

(3) Contributions to the consultation process leading to the post-2015 framework for DRR.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships

The position is home-based and will be supervised by the Office of the United Nations for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Regional Office for the Americas, which is located in Panama City in Panama covering the Americas region. Technical support for this position will be provided by the UNISDR Regional Office – The Americas.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Systematization of successful DIPECHO communication experiences in the Caribbean
• Design of dissemination and promotion strategy
• Prepare guidelines related to the dissemination and promotion strategy
• Develop a training module of the Communication Strategy for DIPECHO partners and counterparts in the Caribbean

Reports: The selected person will be home based, and will report to the UNISDR Communication and Information Officer in Panama. The following reports shall be produced:

1. Progress reports on a monthly basis
2. Final report.

Products:

• Work plan: to be developed in coordination with UNISDR. It shall include the working methodology that will be used during the consultancy.
• Report on systematization of successful DIPECHO communication experiences in the Caribbean (including methodology, stakeholders contacted, sorted by beneficiaries, etc.)
• Design of dissemination and promotion strategy
• Training module on developed dissemination and promotion strategy
• Progress report including achievements, challenges and issues relevant for the following month(s)
• Final report

Consultancy related payments will be made against products. All payments are subject to the approval of the Head of the UNISDR Regional Office for the Americas, responsible for the regional project approved by DIPECHO.

Competencies:

Professionalism:

• Strong background, knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and approaches to disaster risk reduction.
• Familiarity with disaster risk reduction programmes and activities at regional, sub-regional levels and ability to identify and analyze regional and national priorities, needs and capacities and develop appropriate strategies and actions.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
• listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately

Planning and Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies and programmes; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.

Teamwork:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment
• Prior work experience with recovery related papers will be an advantage

Qualifications:

Education:

• Advanced University or equivalent experience in Corporate Communications, Public Relations, social sciences, disaster risk management or related fields.
• A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 7 years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• 5 years progressive work experience in areas of information management and communications
• Knowledge and professional experience in the field of disaster risk reduction climate change, and/or sustainable development;
• Experience in developing communication strategies;
• Excellent analytical and communication skills;
• Knowledge of intergovernmental mechanisms, DRR Platforms, tools and mechanisms related DRR and DIPECHO desirable;
• Work experience in the Caribbean;
• Availability to work trips in the region.

Language:

• Excellent English and Spanish speaking and writing skills; working knowledge of French is an asset.

Contract type

Consultancy, 3 months Deadline for applications: 21 November 2013 Date of entry: 09 December 2013

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Job: Operations Specialist

Location: Virtual, United States 
Deadline: Wednesday, 09 October 2013 

Description

OFFICE LOCATION

This position may be located in any of the following countires where we have an established office: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Chile

ABOUT US

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provides overall direction for all activities related to finance, administration, personnel, facilities, information systems, office management and/or safety within Latin America Regional Office and overall support to the Latin America Region operational activities. May be responsible for developing operational guidelines to ensure efficient management of the program and compliance with regulations. S/he may coordinate trainings/meetings and document activities, strategies and lessons learned as appropriate. S/He provides assistance to all levels of personnel on various HR-related issues and guidance to subordinates in satisfying administrative requirements by working closely with the Regional HR Manager. S/he may manage one or more administrative/finance support staff. Duties are highly confidential and require broad and comprehensive knowledge of TNC's policies. This position is not eligible to relocation support. Location is negotiable but should be in one of the TNC offices in Latin America. This position reports to the Latin America Regional Office Finance and Operations Manager with a dotted-line reporting to the Latin America Operations Manager.

Specific activities include, but not limited to:

Regional Office employees' activities:

• Administer the HR transactions in Latin America, partnering with WO and local management

• Focal point for operational support for dispersed staff in all Latin America countries and US, such as home office support

• Ensure new staff understands the Regional Office organizational structure, including contacts for on-boarding and other contacts in Finance, IT, Legal, Contracts

• Coordinates the hiring and termination processes with local office administrators

• Ensuring that HR paperwork files and systems information is accurate and maintained

• Support Regional Office Finance with budget information in the global force

• Support the HR annual processes such as merit review, performance processes, etc.

• Timesheet coordinator for the Regional Office

Latin America wide activities:

• Maintain organizational charts and headcount list for all Latin America Region

• Coordinate and promote internal operations communications, utilizing internal SharePoint system and being in charge of a periodical newsletter and update to all staff in the Region

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years related experience or equivalent combination.

• Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese

• Experience overseeing multiple central administrative processes, such as human resources, facility management, telecommunications, general maintenance/repairs, central services, mailroom operations, central filing, telephone/public reception, printing, maintaining office supplies, and/or general purchasing requests, or equivalent.

• Experience using MS office, Word, and Excel. Experience using advanced computer functions including navigating the Internet. Experience manipulating, analyzing and/or interpreting financial or other data.

• Experience developing and administering departmental budget or equivalent.

• Experience designing, implementing and directing projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.

• Ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance, including conflict resolution.

• Service oriented. Courteous, personable, tactful and experience dealing effectively and sensitively with all levels of staff and public.

• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to organize time and manage diverse activities. Meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated flexibility to changing situations and priorities.

• May require fluency in foreign language(s) to support global operations. Specific language(s) may be preferred depending on operating unit.

BENEFITS

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, a 401k plan, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

TO APPLY

To apply to position number 41485, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 9, 2013.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

You must click submit' to apply for the position. You may select save for later' if you prefer to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please refer to our applicant

user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org. LI-MS1

EOE STATEMENT

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process

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Job: Senior Lead Researcher

Location: Home Based 
Deadline: Tuesday, 08 October 2013 

Description

Senior Lead Researcher Strengthening Access to Justice for Children Part-time Consultancy

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) works to enable governments and empower people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, and sustainable development. IDLO is an intergovernmental organization that promotes justice, peace and development by providing legal expertise to governments, multilateral and civil society organizations. It seeks to enhance human rights, economic growth and good governance through technical assistance on judicial and legal reform, capacity-building and legal empowerment programs and projects. Bringing together a range of diverse local, national and international stakeholders and working in an enabling rather than directive or prescriptive way, IDLO acts as a catalyst for social change. It prides itself on its flexibility, speed and entrepreneurial spirit.

While IDLO works in all developing regions of the world, it has significant operations in countries emerging from conflict. IDLO is the only intergovernmental organization with an exclusive mandate to promote the rule of law. It currently has 27 Member Parties and benefits from the collective wisdom of a prestigious International Advisory Council. To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLOnews.

THE CONSULTANCY

Under the supervision of the IDLO Research and Policy Department, the Senior Lead Researcher will be asked to perform the following duties:

• Lead the detailed development and implementation of a research methodology, including both quantitative and qualitative elements, and plan to produce a high-quality analytical research product on the causes and consequences of children's lack of access to justice in the Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS) region, including recommendations for law, policy, and institutional reforms for greater access to justice;
• Provide quality control, guide, supervise and coordinate the work of up to four in-country research associates;
• Identify, engage in outreach, and establish partnerships with other individuals, organizations and institutes working on issues related to the promotion and protection of children's rights; Contribute to the organization and launch of the draft report at a consultation meeting in March 2014;
• and Draft a high quality research report and help coordinate expert peer review and revision leading to a final report.

The consultancy will be a home-based part-time position for a period of approximately nine months, commencing at the end of September 2013 and ending at the end of May 2014. Travel to the CEE/CIS region will be required and payment will be upon receipt of deliverables.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Academic qualifications Doctorate or advanced degree in law or human rights.
• Work experience Minimum of 10 to 15 years' professional experience;
• Proven expertise in legal research and report drafting;
• Expertise in child-sensitive research;
• Sound publication record;
• Substantive expertise in access to justice and human rights, particularly children's rights;
• Affinity with international human rights mechanisms and the UN system;
• Proven ability to interact in a timely, constructive and professional manner with human rights experts, UN agencies, government representatives, and civil society representatives; and Demonstrated experience of supervising and leading teams while under short time constraints and strict deadlines.

Languages

• Excellent drafting, writing and research skills in English;
• Ability to work in additional UN official languages, particularly Russian, would be advantageous.
• Minimum requirements and skills Strong research and analytical skills, both qualitative and quantitative;
• Ability to design and conduct surveys, interviews and focus group discussions;
• Familiarity with the CEE/CIS region, particularly formal and informal justice systems;
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as in a small team;
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally;
• and Ability to perform job responsibilities independently and in a well-organized manner, exercising sound judgment.

HOW TO APPLY

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications. To apply, please visit IDLO's employment website at www.idlo.int/jobsPC.

Apply Wikipedia: In mathematics and computer science, Apply is a function that applies functions to arguments. →

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Job: GLOBAL SERVICE DESK ASSOCIATE

Location : Home Based (with travel as required)

Application Deadline : 04-Oct-13

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English  

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Nov-2013

Duration of Initial Contract : 6 months

Expected Duration of Assignment : 6 months

Background

The Office of Information Systems and Technology (OIST) supports UNDP by delivering Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions and providing technical support for a variety of platforms and software solutions.

Within the Office of Information Systems Technology (OIST) is the Management Support Center (MSC) unit, also known as the Atlas Helpdesk that has the basic mandate of providing a single point of contact to manage end user support, service requests and incidents related to the organization’s Enterprise Resource Planning (Oracle PeopleSoft Financials) system and Content Management systems (Sharepoint and CQ5.3), among others.

The unit is currently operating on a 10-staff capacity providing support to UNDP country offices in the Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, North and South America time zones. In addition, it provides extended support to various units within the Office of Information and Systems Technology (OIST); and, to various offices and work streams within the Bureau of Management (BOM) and UNDP partner agencies across the globe.

In order to meet increasing end user requirements, the Management Support Center (MSC) is seeking to retain the services of a service desk associate for an initial period of six months. The successful candidate will join the unit in processing emails, basic troubleshooting, providing resolutions to common issues and building a database of solutions.

The incumbent must be willing to travel and work off New York office hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Manager of the Management Support Center (MSC) within the Office of Information and System Technology (OIST) the incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

User Support (75%):

• Support helpdesk activities by monitoring emails sent to ihelp@undp.org primarily and ps.support@undp.org, secondarily;
• Support helpdesk activities by recording and tracking helpdesk cases in CRM.

Knowledge Management (25%):

• Build a solution database for internal helpdesk use.

It is expected that the consultant will substantially contribute to producing, among others, the following outputs:

•  Build a solution database for internal helpdesk use;
• Daily user trends and issues related to iHelp activities; 
• Monthly incident tracking reports;
• Information materials for the MSC Site FAQs through Atlas and iHelp solutions available in CRM and ihelp@undp.org

The incumbent is expected to deliver work eight (8) hours per working day. 
The key results have an impact on the efficiency of the unit. Accurate analysis and presentation of information, thoroughly researched and fully documented work strengthens the capacity of the office and facilitates subsequent action by the supervisor. Incumbent’s own initiative and timely finalization is decisive in results of work.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

• Financial Proposals must be submitted by email to cpu.bids@undp.org
• Financial proposals must be all inclusive and must be expressed on the basis of a monthly fee in USD;
• The consultant is expected to work off New York working hours;
• Payments will be made based on the agreed upon monthly rate and released upon submission of a certificate of payment request, indicating outputs achieved and days worked to be verified and cleared for payment by the supervisor

Criteria for Selection of Best Offer:

• The selection will be based on a combined Scoring method – where the qualifications will be weighted 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%;
• The 70% rating will be based on how well the applicant meets the minimum qualifications/competencies described above.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Communication:

• Communicates effectively with users at all levels of the organization and is comfortable in handling relations at all levels; Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy in internal as well as external relations in his/her role as Global Service Desk Associate.

Professionalism:

• Capable of working in a highly pressured environment with different types of users, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of emails accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail;
• Exercises the highest level of responsibility and is able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

 Teamwork:

• Works well in a team; projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks to create an enabling environment for the service desk;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.

 Technical Skills:

• Excellent communication and computer skills; knowledge of Oracle PeopleSoft, CRM or Content Management Systems a plus.

 Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Willingly shares knowledge and experience and makes contributions to MSC initiatives;
• Actively develops deep understanding and experience in one or more PeopleSoft modules, UNDP POPP, other UNDP resources and tools.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Must have completed a 4-year college degree.

Work experience:

•  At least two years of experience in client/user support.

Language requirements:

• Proficiency in English;
• Good working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

 Note:

Applicants should submit the following documents on the job shop by the deadline to be considered for this consultancy:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Interested bidders are requested to submit their application using the follow link

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=127834

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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Job: CONSULTANT - SCALABILITY STUDY

Location : Home Based, but travel required to project site, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Application Deadline : 30-Sep-13

Additional Category: Poverty Reduction

Type of Contract :Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English French Spanish

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 07-Oct-2013

Duration of Initial Contract : 30 working days

Expected Duration of Assignment : 30 working days

Background

World leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) coordinates global and national efforts to reach these goals and partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations by helping countries build and share solutions to challenges like poverty reduction, democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, and environment and energy for sustainable development. In all its activities, the UNDP promotes the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

UNDP, with its partners, implements a variety of local development projects designed to improve livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, such as through employment and entrepreneurship programmes for women and youth or capacity building programmes of local administrations. The consultant will produce a study on the scalability of interventions of a specific project that offers insights on both the implementation and challenges activities, highlights major results of the project (both intended and unintended), tease out lessons learned and successful methodologies which could be adopted and scaled up in other development contexts.

Scope of the Scalability Study:

The scalability study will cover the following issues:

• Background analysis which includes description of the initial situation that justified the particular intervention or interventions as linked to national priorities;
• Results achieved so far in terms of gender equality and women's empowerment, providing qualitative and/or quantitative evidence;
• Key contextual factors that influenced the practice and results achievement;
• Strategies employed to address the identified issues;
• Documented experiences of the role of partnerships and any coordination efforts in results achievement;
• Successes during implementation and factors that helped the above mentioned project succeed;
• Problems and challenges encountered and measures taken to overcome them;
• Potential application of the practice beyond the original context and essential conditions necessary for replicating or scaling up;
• Evidence, both in quantitative and/or qualitative form, to back the description of the results and the implementation process. This evidence can come both from the monitoring process carried out by the programme itself and from other sources;
• Results, implementation processes, challenges, lessons learned must also be described through the voices of involved stakeholders: implementing UN agencies, civil society counterparts and NGOs, national and local government counterparts, , community participants and other actors;
• Ways/recommendations in which such projects can be executed to inform and influence future programming and resource allocation.

Specific Activities:

In producing the study the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Prepare a thorough proposal that details the background of the study, research questions, proposed methodology, including: methods for gathering information, key stakeholders to interview, questionnaires for interviews, focus groups. The proposal must include a literature review, detailed work plan and timelines, outline of the scalability study final document, foreseeable challenges/limitations, and strategies to address those challenges;
• Design the data collection methods through quantitative (i.e., surveys/ questionnaire) and qualitative means (i.e., conducting interviews, focus groups, desk review) in-line with/based on the identified research questions;
• Collect primary and secondary data, analyze and synthesize the information such that the objective of the study is met and the research questions are properly answered/addressed;
• Provide frequent updates on research progress to Poverty Practice Team Leader throughout the process, insuring close coordination and awareness of arising challenges;
• Document findings and submit an initial draft of the case study for team and peer review;
• Incorporate feedback and suggestions and finalize the case study whilst including a 2-page summary of the case study.

Deliverables

Interim deliverables:

• Detailed proposal that includes work plan/timelines, methodology, literature review;
• Outline of the case study final document;
• First draft of case study document, including a short background analysis of project results in the Haitian context.

Final deliverables:

• Final report (20- 30 pages plus annexes);
• Overall summary of the case study (2 pages);
• Accompanying visual material: photographs, videos, etc., as well as other documents produced by the Empowering vulnerable women through income generating activities project;
• Self-contained PowerPoint presentation of up to 10 slides and complete speaking notes that summarizes the final report.

Sample Outline of Final Report:

The scalability study should cover all of the following sections including respective topics and issues:

Analysis of the background/context (initial situation that justified the intervention):

• How does the programme link to national priorities and/or international agreements?
• What were main objectives of the intervention?
• What were the main constraints in terms of the desired outcomes (e.g. women's economic empowerment, employment, peace consolidation, improved services delivery, etc)?
• Provide quantitative and qualitative data.

Description of the main results achieved through the intervention:

• How have the various interventions influenced the different stakeholders including the main beneficiaries? (i.e,.conduct a comparative analysis or achieved results);
• What type of beneficiaries benefited the most from the program and why? And oppositely what type beneficiaries did not benefit as much from the program and why? (discuss impact of the program on victims of gender based violence);
• What national and/or local institutional capacities have been strengthened? How?
• What civil society capacities have been strengthened? How?
• Has there been any unexpected result, either positive or negative?

Analysis of the implementation process:

• What contextual factors influenced the implementation of the strategy, both in positive and negative ways? Consider both internal and external factors.
• Which have been the main successes of the experience? Which factors have helped to succeed?
• Which have been the main challenges and difficulties encountered during implementation? Which measures have been taken to overcome them? How have these measures worked out? Have any of the challenges persisted? Why?
• Sustainability:
• What mechanisms and strategies have the programme designed to guarantee the continuity of activities and results beyond the life of the programme?
• Has the programme already secured any political and/or financial support to continue the initiated processes?
• Potential application and Lessons Learned:
• What are the potential applications of this practice beyond the original context? Are there potential applications nationally, regionally, etc.?
• What are the essential conditions necessary for replicating or scaling up the promising practices emerging from experience?
• Are there lessons learned that could be shared to inform similar initiatives in other contexts?
• Provide advice to future strategies, based on this experience and or/ insights that contribute to the global discourse on local development as it relates to the particular outcomes of the intervention(s).

Timeframe:

The project will be conducted over a period of 2 months (about 25-30 working days).

Payment:

The payment will be made in an all-inclusive lump sum, broken down into 2 instalments contingent on successful completion and approval of the deliverables by their respective deadlines. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

Reporting:

The consultant shall report to the Practice Manager of the Poverty Group in the Bureau for Development Policy and liaise with the Policy Analyst for any queries and assistance on a day-to-day basis.

Competencies

Competencies:

• Proven track record in research and well-developed data collection skills; as well as experience in documentation of best practices and lessons learnt;
• Demonstrated strong technical and practical knowledge in poverty reduction, particularly as it relates to all areas of sustainable human development including local development, gender equality and women's empowerment, and capacity building;
• Strong familiarity with international development processes, programming and operations;
• High level of communication, interpersonal and presentational skills, with an extensive network of possible interviewees;
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities; and
• Respect for diversity and ability to work in a multicultural team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree and research in social sciences, development, economics, governance or other related field (previous research and/or publication record in the subject is an asset).

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience with proven competence in any of the areas detailed in the scope of work;
• Experience in post-conflict/humanitarian and recovery contexts is an asset.
• Proven track record in developing scalability studies of development projects, with UN experience a plus.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with competency in other UN language(s) an asset.

Application procedure:

Please submit a cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the 'Resume and Motivation' section of the electronic application.

Please include a relevant and very brief writing sample in addition to your CV (please include the sample with the CV as an attachment in the next page), or provide links to your samples. (mandatory).

Please specify the total all-inclusive lump sum amount in United States Dollars for the tasks specified in this announcement. Please note that this financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...) (mandatory).

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Evaluation method:

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications (70%) and financial proposal (30%).

The scoring method for the technical qualifications will be as follows:

• Relevant educational background and work experience:30;
• Proven track record in conducting research and similar studies on scalability of development projects, including level of writing skills: 30;
• Strong familiarity with international development processes, programming and operations, including at UNDP: 10.

Only the highest ranked candidates will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The contract will be awarded to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (1) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and (2) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).

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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Job: CONSULTANT: UNDP CENTRAL ASIAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH CONSULTANCY

Location : home-based (literature review, desk work), no travel expected

Application Deadline : 30-Sep-13

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English

Duration of Initial Contract :estimated 20 October - 1 December 2013

Expected Duration of Assignment : approximately 30 working days

Background

Investments in social protection can yield large payoffs. In addition to contributing to human dignity, equity, and social justice, social protection systems can strengthen competitive advantages on markets abroad while promoting social inclusion at home. By guaranteeing access to minimum incomes and basic social services, social protection systems reduce poverty, social exclusion, and human insecurity. In times of crisis, social protection systems can reduce incentives to pursue counter-productive household coping strategies (e.g., selling off assets) that reduce productive capacities, incomes, and living standards over the longer term. By reducing the impact of economic downturns on workers and their families, social protection systems can also support aggregate demand and facilitate recovery—as well as contributing to social stability. In these ways, social protection systems reduce social insecurity while also helping the vulnerable and excluded to acquire the capabilities needed to fully participate in socio-economic life.

Until recently, social protection has primarily been associated with:

• Social insurance (e.g., pension, medical insurance) that protects households and individuals against unforeseen risks and smooths consumption over the life cycle;
• Social assistance that provides short-term support to households living below a certain minimum income level; and
• Temporary employment programmes such as public works.

However, as perceptions of threats to socio-economic security have broadened, so too have social protection responses. As can be seen for example in the Outcome Document from the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development ('Rio+20'), social protection is increasingly defined in terms of access to minimum levels of goods and services, and in terms of measures to boost household resilience to socio-economic shocks or natural disasters.

The best known example of this approach is the UN social protection floor initiative, launched by ILO and WHO in 2009; a number of other UN agencies (including UNDP) have since subscribed to this initiative. In addition to providing more holistic approaches to household and individual security, such platforms can help governments align social assistance and insurance programmes with related policies concerning labour markets, social service provision, and disaster risk management. Moreover, such measures have been found to be eminently affordable, even in developing countries.

This is apparent in the examples of India's National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Brazil's Bolsa Família, and Mexico's Oportunidades—social protection programmes that embody the integrative logic of the social protection floor, and which have helped these countries reduce poverty and inequality. By combining social assistance with stronger incentives for labour market participation and sustainable natural resource management, as well as better access to social services and disaster and climate risk management, these programmes help align short-term income support for vulnerable households with the longer-term logic of sustainable development.

Seen in this context, social protection systems in Central Asia (1) are works in progress. Unfortunately, the absence of comparable data on poverty, inequality, and social policies across the region complicates the task of drawing broad conclusions. Still, it is clear that—despite a decade (or more) of rapid economic growth for most of the region, and despite the fact that it now consists primarily of middle- (rather than low- ) income countries:

• Large population groups remain outside the reach of national social protection systems;
• Access to basic social services remains an issue for many households, particularly in rural areas;
• The social assistance that is paid out is often too small to keep beneficiaries out of poverty; and
• Current global experience with broadening the focus of social protection, and aligning it with labour market, rural development and/or economic restructuring programmes, social service provision, disaster prevention, and other related policies, have yet to have a real impact in the region.

These problems are compounded by the fact that familiarity in Central Asia with recent successful social policy reforms in other developing countries is not particularly strong. This is apparent, for example, in the absence of inter-sectoral approaches to social protection, in which social assistance is combined/aligned with policies promoting food security, sustainable resource management, disaster risk reduction, rural development, or the extension of basic services. It is also apparent in the paucity of the conditional cash transfer schemes that feature prominently in many of the most successful social policy reform experiences from other regions (e.g., Bolsa Família, Oportunidades).

UNICEF (2), UNDP (3), the World Bank (4), the Asian Development Bank (5), and other development partners are engaged in research and programming to strengthen social protection systems in Central Asia. However, these efforts are hampered by the absence of instruments and mechanisms that can facilitate knowledge sharing and other forms of cooperation. UNDP is therefore creating a web-based 'social protection dashboard', to serve as a platform for the user-friendly collection and dissemination of knowledge—data, policies, programming and project documents, etc.—concerning social protection in Central Asia.

In addition to helping to improve cohesion and coordination among international partners on social protection issues in Central Asia, the dashboard will identify areas within social protection where UNDP's contribution would be most feasible, appropriate and valuable. Only individuals are eligible to apply. However, for researchers who are also employees of a company/institution, UNDP can contract the company/institution which makes available the individual's services, to deliver time-bound, quantified outputs.

• Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan;
• UNICEF's emerging programme for social protection reform in Central Asia—being more pronounced in the work in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan—will be the main source to inform the background preparations for the paper;
• See also UNICEF's draft 2013 Social Monitor: Social Protection for Child Rights and Wellbeing in CEE/CIS;
• The research on Central Asia is now being completed under the regional allocation from UNDP's Poverty Thematic Trust Fund (PTTF), which reviews relevant social protection literature and explores possible options for expanded UNDP social protection programming in Central Asia at large and in Uzbekistan in particular;
• The World Bank supports the government of Kazakhstan in mainstreaming effectiveness and assessing the impact of the current social protection system. In Tajikistan, it has supported the introduction of proxy-means testing targeted social assistance, focusing on links between social protection, energy sector reforms, and household energy security;
• ADB's social protection index and its application to Central Asia; UNDP/ADB joint work on poverty assessment for Kazakhstan.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP's Regional Centre for Europe and Central Asia is looking to engage a consultant to produce a web-based 'social protection dashboard' for Central Asia.

The successful applicant will:

• Create the dashboard as a web-based framework/platform for capturing, codifying, and disseminating important data, analytical work, and other information about social protection policies and programming in the region; and
• populate this framework with content, particularly in terms of:
• National (and, where relevant, sub-national) social protection data; and
• Documents on social protection policies and programming by governments, and the international community in Central Asia.

In addition, the dashboard will be linked to other web-based tools that can be used to strengthen national social protection frameworks (e.g., the UNICEF-ILO Social Protection Floor Tool, and the EUROMOD tax-benefit micro-simulation model).

Activities (1) and (2) are to serve as instruments for improving coordination and cohesion among international development agencies active in social protection in Central Asia and their national partners, both in social protection directly and in related areas (e.g., poverty/vulnerability data and indicators, including on migration and remittances). This work will be completed by the end of the year (2013).

In designing the dashboard, the consultant will:

• Survey the relevant social protection literatures, data sources, and programming conducted by international; development agencies in Central Asia—including via field work in Central Asia; (7) and
• Apply other experiences with the use of web-based 'dashboards'/instruments to promote evidence-based policies, donor coordination, and knowledge management.

Only individuals are eligible to apply. However, for researchers who are also employees of a company/institution, UNDP can contract the company/institution which makes available the individual's services, to deliver time-bound, quantified outputs.

These instruments can generate quantified indicators/measures of fiscal space/fiscal sustainability and labour-market dependency risks, respectively, which may be associated with social protection programmes and policies.This field work will be conducted together with UNDP staff working in Central Asia.Deliverables and timeline:The consultancy will deliver by estimated:10 November 2013—A background paper/mock-up of the social protection dashboard, complete with a:

• Draft literature review/overview of social protection in Central Asia;
• Detailed explanation of the dashboard structure, content, data sources;
• 'Beta version' of the dashboard/web platform; and
• Template for questions to be addressed to UNDP country offices, international partners, and (where appropriate) government agencies, to collect/elicit content for the dashboard.

20 November 2013—A fully functional dashboard/web-based platform that is:

• Largely populated with content—data, analytical work, policy and programming documents; and
• Accompanied by a draft business plan describing and costing the business and IT processes necessary for the platform's upkeep.

1 December 2013—the final version of the dashboard, with accompanying:

• Business plan describing and costing the business and IT processes necessary for its upkeep; and
• Specific recommendations for how the dashboard could be used to improve coordination and cohesion among the international agencies working on social protection in Central Asia.

Management arrangements:

The consultant engaged for this assignment will:

• Report to UNDP's Central Asia economist, and the team leader of the UNDP regional poverty reduction practice for Europe and Central Asia; and
• work closely with the UNDP country offices in Central Asia.

The payment schedule will be:

• 25% upon submission of the deliverables due estimated 10 November 2013;
• 25% upon submission of the deliverables due estimated 20 November 2013; and
• 50% upon submission/validation of the final deliverables, in good quality English, due estimated 1 December 2013.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treat all people fairly without favouritism; and
• Fulfill all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

• Have strong interpersonal, communications, and diplomatic skills,
• Be able to work in a team;
• Be open to change and able to receive/integrate feedback;
• Be able to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Have strong analytical, reporting, and writing abilities; and
• Have excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Background:

• An advanced university degree (preferably in economics or development studies);

Experience:

• A proven research record on social protection and development issues;
• Minimum 7 years of experience working in the former Soviet Union, ideally in Central Asia;
• In-depth understanding of the human development paradigm; and
• A proven ability to deliver quality research in a timely fashion.

Languages:

• Excellent English-language written communications skills.

Evaluation of applicants:

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis of their technical qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and assessed as:

• Responsive, compliant, and acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who are found to be technically qualified for the job will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Technical criteria (70% of the total evaluation, maximum—35 points):

• Expertise on social protection and development issues (maximum—10 points);
• Experience working on transition economies in general and Central Asia in particular (maximum—10 points);
• A demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality well-written (in English) research in a timely fashion (maximum—10 points);
• Familiarity with the human development paradigm, particularly as concerns, poverty, gender, and other vulnerability criteria (maximum—5 points).

Financial criteria: these will be 30% of the total evaluation (maximum—15 points)

Application procedures:Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• A cover letter, describing:a) The applicant's qualifications, previous experience, background, relevant expertise, and comparative advantages in performing this work; and b) A brief methodological overview that would guide how the work would be performed and managed. (Please paste the letter into the 'resume and motivation' section of the electronic application);
• A completed P11 form that describes past experience on similar projects and contains contact details of referees (this form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms;/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• A recent sample of the applicant's relevant research;
• A financial proposal:* a) Specifying the total lump sum amount for the work to be done (as specified above); and b); Breaking this lump sum down into number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs.

The financial proposal should be all-inclusive, taking into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g., fee, health insurance, and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of the services).

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobsQualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.Incomplete applications will not be considered. Due to large numbers of applications, UNDP regrets that it is only able to inform successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.FC: 04220

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.

More Info and Application

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