UNDP Jobs - 43325- Individual Consultant – Preparation of Linear Pape

Individual Consultant – Preparation of Linear Papers for Tribal National Human Development Report: Land Rights and Land Alienation - (Open to 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 days 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 on Land Rights and Land Alienation among Scheduled Tribes is one of the linear papers for the Tribal NHDR. Tribal population have a special relationship with the land and forests —for many it is still their source of livelihood and sustenance and the basis of their existence as communities. The right to own, occupy and use land collectively is inherent in the self-conception of Scheduled Tribes. However, this relationship is under strain owing to market forces as well as the policy environment which is increasingly manifesting in the form of land alienation and displacement.

Land alienation is one of the primary causes of impoverishment for Scheduled Tribes in India. It is well documented that land alienation is one of the core reasons for the rise in left wing extremism. Efforts to protect tribals and their rights to land have been made by the government of India, but alienation and displacement remain significant contemporary challenges. Land serves as the primary sources of income for tribals, and displacement and alienation has significant adverse consequences for livelihoods. Landlessness is highest among scheduled tribes, compared to all other groups in India.

The 2004 National Rehabilitation Policy insists that displacement of tribal people should be kept to a minimum and should only occur when all other possibilities of non-displacement and least displacement have been exhausted. Furthermore, when displacement is unavoidable, a better standard of living should be provided to the displaced. In 2005 the Forest Rights Bill addressed tribal rights to forest and forest products for the first time.

Tribal people find themselves alienated or displaced from their lands for a number of reasons. These range from result of money lending from non-tribals to tribals with land used as collateral to displacement because of development projects and forest protection rights.

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. The linear paper on issues of Land Rights and Land Alienation among Scheduled Tribes will assess and analyse the above mentioned issues and will provide recommendations for overcoming the constraints. The scope of assignment will involve:

Examine the legal framework highlighting government Laws/Rules/Acts that deny land, forest, common property resource rights to the Scheduled Tribes;
Comment on issues of displacement, migration and left wing extremism in the context of land rights;
Analyse the challenges arising out of lack of rights of the Scheduled Tribes on land, forests and common property resources on their capabilities (health, education and livelihoods);
Assess the extent to which Scheduled Tribe women have land rights and its impact on gender equality among Scheduled Tribes;
Comment on the justice delivery mechanism in resolving disputes related to land;
Elaborate specific strategies for overcoming the challenges of denial of land rights.

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 over 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%;
Proposed work methodology- 30%.

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