Background

Government of India has launched in June 2011 “National Rural Livelihood Mission” (NRLM) after restructuring its existing centrally sponsored flagship Scheme “Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana” (SGSY). This has been done in view of the shortcomings pointed out by various independent evaluation/research studies and recommendations by various committees and the experience of implementation of the programme in the last ten years. The NRLM functions in a mission mode for target based time bound delivery of outcomes following a demand driven approach which would allow the states to formulate their own poverty alleviation plans on the basis of available allocation, resources and skills. The Budget for NRLM is around Rs. 27, 000 crore for the 12th plan.

UNDP is partnering with National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to extend technical support for effective and inclusive implementation of the programme in various states. Towards this, UNDP will support:

  • Positioning professional managers and domain experts to improve implementation at the state level;
  • Strengthening the social mobilisation in favour of women from persistently excluded groups;
  • Developing and testing of context-specific, market-led, livelihood strategies that will enable institutions of the poor women to secure their role in markets and supply chains and ensure higher and sustained returns.

As NRLM constitutes a radical departure from the other programmes in terms of planning, implementation and financing, the states would require technical support for transiting from the present mode and implement the Mission activities.
As part of its support to NRLM, UNDP is looking for a dynamic individual to support NRLM develop the strategy and guidelines for community based pre-school centres in vulnerable and difficult areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Analyst, UNDP and the Mission Director NRLM. The Consultant will work closely with State Representatives, NRLM J&K. S/he will be responsible for:

  • Supporting the community based pre-school education centers in resource blocks or any other blocks identified in Kashmir division of J&K;
  • From the results derived from the pilot, work with other interested NRLM states to help them to develop the strategy and guidelines of initiating community based pre-school centres in vulnerable and difficult areas.

In this capacity, the Consultant will:

  • Undertake a field analysis in resource blocks and any other block identified in Kashmir Division; 
    Study existing programmes related to community based pre-school education centres in mature NRLM states like AP and Tamil Nadu;
  • Based on the learning from Kashmir region and other NRLM states, develop an implementation plan/strategy for pre-school initiative in 1-2 blocks and finalise the same in consultation with the State Representatives;
  •  Manage the process of setting up a community based pre-school education centres in resource blocks in J&K based on a plan finalized in consultation with the State Representatives;
  • Develop protocols and operational guidelines for the State mission to replicate the intervention in other blocks;
  • Undertake training and capacity building of state mission staff to replicate the intervention in different blocks.

 Deliverables & Timelines

  •  A Needs Analysis Report identifying key social needs in resource blocks and key local stakeholders- At the end of first month;
  • A finalized Implementation Plan for 1-2 blocks based on learnings in Kashmir region and other NRLM states-By the end of three months;
  • A community-based pre-school education centers set up in resources blocks of Jammu and Kashmir -By the end of six months;
  • Protocols and operational guidelines for the Jammu and Kashmir State mission for replication in other blocks-By the end of four months;
  • Training and capacity building of state mission staff to replicate the intervention in different blocks-By the end of six months.

Payment Schedule:

  • The Consultant will work for 15 days in a month and will be paid on a monthly basis upon submission of the monthly report;
  • Travel related to the assignment will require prior UNDP approval. All travel related expenditure will be reimbursed on actuals in line with UNDP rules.

Duration:

  • 1 October 2013 – 31 March 2014.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances;
  • Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
    Generates new ideas and approaches, researches and documents best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
  • Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English;
  • Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills;
  • Working knowledge of Hindi;
  • Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
  • Positive, constructive attitude to work;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Rural Development, Development Studies or related field;
  • Master’s degree or equivalent in these fields would be an advantage.

Experience and requirements for the assignment :

  • Minimum three  years of relevant experience at the state or national level in development, education, social mobilisation and/or related fields;
  • At least two years of experience in training;
  • Prior experience of drawing up protocols and operational guidelines;
  • Good understanding of development issues such as human development, inclusive development, gender, inclusive education;
  • Knowledge of rights based approach to development programming;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, and Power Point, etc.);
  • Prior experience of implementing Government schemes/development programmes in Kashmir region will be an asset.

Language:

  • Proficiency in spoken and written English. A good command over Hindi is an asset.

Other:

  • Willingness to travel extensively.

Submission of proposal:

Financial Proposal:

  • Consultant shall specify his/her per day consultancy fee;
  • Any travel with prior UNDP approval will be handled separately as per rules.

CV:

  • Consultant should submit his/her updated CV with three references.

Notes:

  • Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed;
  • Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual;
  • Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered;
  • CV and Financial proposal can be clubbed in one file for uploading.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

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

* Technical Criteria weight- 70%
* Financial Criteria weight-30%
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70%  technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

  • Qualification of the Consultant: 20%;
  • Experience on development issues specifically on education and social mobilisation issues:25%;
  • Experience in training:10;
  • Experience in drawing up protocols and operational guidelines:15%.

For any query please write to sandeep.sharma@undp.org.

Please note proposals have to be sent online, no proposal sent on above email-id will be considered.