UNDP Jobs - 43318- Individual Consultant – Preparation of Linear Pape

Individual Consultant – Preparation of Linear Papers for Tribal National Human Development Report: Promoting Connectivity and Access to Energy and Infrastructure for the Scheduled Tribes (For Indian Nationals Only)

Location :

Home based with travel if required., INDIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Feb-2014

Application Deadline :

31-Jan-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Forty Five working spread over three months.

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Planning Commission and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) in partnership with UNDP intend to prepare a National Tribal Human Development Report (Tribal NHDR). The Tribal NHDR is intended to provide a deeper understanding of applicability of mainstream development paradigm on Scheduled Tribes and its implication on human capabilities as defined by the capabilities approach that forms the foundation of human development concept. It is expected to analyse the reason for low levels of achievements and providing specific policy options. An Advisory Committee with participation of Planning Commission, MOTA, UNDP and select experts has been constituted to guide the process.

A set of Linear Papers will be prepared to lend a deeper analysis of some of the core themes that constraint development and inclusion of Scheduled Tribes. These linear papers will be consolidated by a lead author in the form of the Tribal NHDR. In parallel, primary survey will also be conducted to fill the data gaps highlighted by the linear papers.

The themes identified jointly by the Planning Commission, MOTA and UNDP are as follows:

Health issues among Scheduled Tribes;
Education among Schedule Tribes;
Promoting human development through sustainable livelihood – this theme will also analyse the issues related to indebtedness, migration, Forest Right Act, PESA and governance;
Land alienation among Scheduled Tribes - including the issue of displacement;
Gender issues among the Scheduled Tribes including issues of gender based violence;
Promoting connectivity, access to energy and infrastructure to promote human development;
Access to justice for Scheduled Tribes – including systems and structures for implementation of protective legislations and constitutional safeguards.

Given the heterogeneity among Scheduled Tribes, it has been agreed that the analysis would be disaggregated as follows:

STs residing in the Schedule V Area;
STs residing in the Schedule VI Area;
STs residing in the North-Eastern states that have pre-dominantly tribal population;
STs residing in island territories;
STs residing in other areas/states.

For the purpose of quantitative measurements, an attempt would be made to measure progress on human development indicators at the state level and for the above territorial groups, depending on the availability of data.

The attempt would be to aggregate the analysis for the five territories identified above as well as at the state level in order to undertake an appropriate gap analysis and recommending appropriate strategies to overcome the gaps in policies. In order to gain deeper insights into opportunities and constraints that have a bearing on specific tribes, case studies would be undertaken for specific tribes that have either progressed much ahead of the others or have lagged considerably behind within the same territorial boundaries. This would provide vital information for providing policy recommendations.

A paper focused on promoting connectivity and access to energy and infrastructure for Scheduled Tribes is one of the linear papers for the Tribal NHDR. The lack of basic infrastructure in the majority of the tribal-inhabited pockets of the country poses a major barrier to the advancement of tribal populations by leaving them largely secluded. Important facilities such as water and electricity supply, road connectivity and other means of communication are lacking in most tribal areas, and are amongst the primary factors hindering their health, education, livelihood and access to other valued development opportunities. Restricted channels of communication also render tribals inadequately informed about relevant legal provisions and entitlements, leaving them unaware and vulnerable to exploitation. While much has been and is being done at the national and state levels to improve mobility, connectivity, basic services and generate greater energy to keep pace with demand, tribal dominated areas remain particularly disadvantaged in this regard. Whereas part of the reason lies in the fact that most of these regions are located in areas of difficult terrain, technological advances have rendered this challenge surmountable to a great extent.

The Government of India recognises the need for promoting the access of the tribes of India to the means for development. While isolationist policies of leaving tribal communities untouched were followed in the pre-independence era, assimilationist policies of attempting to draw them into the mainstream were adopted post-independence. Both types of policies attracted criticism- the former for ignoring the developmental requirements of tribal communities, and the latter for imposing mainstream culture and values upon them. As a result, planners shifted to a middle-path identified to be an integrationist approach, which combined aspects of both protection and promotion with a view to enable tribal welfare and development without upsetting their unique cultures, traditions and preferences.

Within this framework, amongst other initiatives of the Government of India, Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) have been set up to work towards the socio-economic development of tribal communities through infrastructure creation and income generation.

However, it is felt that a concerted effort needs to be made to first understand the gaps experienced by tribal communities themselves in accessing the resources, facilities and services that they value, then assess challenges and opportunities they see, and finally identify appropriate solutions. The focus should be on examining the constraints felt by tribal communities and addressing these constraints in a manner that is compatible with their ways of life and promotes greater freedom of choice.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expert will work under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Planning Commission and UNDP and under the technical direction of the Advisory Committee. Using this optical lens, the linear paper on promoting connectivity and access to energy and infrastructure will assess and analyse these gaps as experienced by tribal communities, and on the basis of this, provide recommendations for overcoming the lacunae.

The scope of assignment will involve:

Describe the main energy, service and infrastructural gaps experienced by tribal populations;
Analyse the impact of these gaps on the advancement of tribal populations in terms of progress on human development indicators and other development goals;
Highlight the challenges involved in bridging energy and infrastructural gaps, improving connectivity and basic services;
Examine tribal infrastructure and energy assets and opportunities to bridge gaps;
Identify policy directions and implementable intervention strategies to promote greater access to energy, infrastructure and improved connectivity for tribal.

The analysis will be disaggregated by the following territories:

STs residing in the Schedule V Area;
STs residing in the Schedule VI Area;
STs residing in the North-Eastern states that have pre-dominantly tribal population;
STs residing in island territories;
STs residing in other areas/states.

The Linear paper will specifically include:

Situational analysis along with the data gaps based on the secondary research;
Policy recommendations and directions;
Guidance for the primary research on the data gaps and suggestive sample size
Good practices;
Consultation with the community to validate the recommendations emerging from the linear papers.

As part of the assignment, the following steps will be followed:

The expert would draft a paper presenting an overview on the theme based on secondary research which will also include policy directions and recommendations along with the data gaps for primary research. The paper would highlight the status and the uniqueness of each of the five territorial groups identified above;
A stakeholder consultation would be organized by UNDP with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Planning Commission in each of the five territories where the experts would present the thematic paper. This would be followed by discussion on each of the themes. This process would bring voices of the civil society to the table. It will also highlight the additional areas of research that may need to be undertaken;
The linear paper will be finalized based on the feedback received from the above mentioned stakeholder consultation and Advisory Committee.

The theme should be analysed impartially. Each of the themes should be assessed, achievements documented, challenges analysed for reasons and recommendations to move forward provided.

The Expert is expected to submit:

Presentation of draft recommendations and directions at the stakeholder consultations and finalization of linear papers incorporating the suggestions from the stakeholder consultations and Advisory Committee;
Linear paper highlighting policy recommendations and direction including situational analysis, good practices, data gaps and suggestive sample size to be further addressed through primary survey.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Analytical skills;
Ability to meet deadlines
Good understanding on the issues related to education specifically in the context of scheduled tribes;
Human Development expertise;
Strong competency with data and statistics analysis;
Demonstrable experience in research and documentation.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Positive, constructive attitude to work;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Strong personal commitment to gender equality and human rights.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A master’s degree preferably in the fields development studies, social sciences or related subjects.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant work experience on issues pertaining to the tribal community.

Language Requirement:

Excellent command of English language is required.

Submission of proposal:

Financial Proposal:

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

CV:

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

Proposed work methodology:

Proposed work methodology including the timelines for execution of work has to be submitted.

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,Financial proposal and work methodology can be clubbed in one file for uploading;
The consultants must bring his/her own computing equipment.

Payment Schedule:

Maximum up to 25% on submission of inception report;
Maximum up to 40% on acceptance of first draft of linear paper;
Maximum up to 35% on completion of all agreed activities and submission and acceptance of final linear paper including incorporation of the comments from the stakeholder consultations.

Evaluation Criteria:
Cumulative analysis:
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Responsive;
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 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for Technical Evaluation would be as under:

Relevant Work Experience-40%;
Work methodology- 30%

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