UNDP Jobs - 47391- Re-advertisement - Consultant

Re-advertisement - Consultant - Sociologist

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

16-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015

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

Candidates who previously applied need not apply again.

The Community Forestry Management (CFM) approach has been identified as one of the best models for sustainable management of forest resources and livelihood improvements of the local communities. The CFM recognizes that economic alternatives are necessary if forest communities are to minimize unsustainable exploitation of forest resources. Furthermore, the CFM approach recognizes that the empowered communities themselves are in the best position to protect the forest from illegal or unsustainable practices.

The Sri Lanka Community Forestry Programme is implemented by the Forest Department with the financial support of the Australian Government through UNDP. The project supports the Forest Department to build on the experience gained through the Sri Lanka Australia Natural Resources Management Project and other past community forestry programmes implemented in Sri Lanka.

The proposed Consultant - Sociologist position should develop a training program and conduct training to build the capacity of Forest Department staff to incorporate sociology concerns in implementing and monitoring and carryout capacity building training for a selected number of Forest Department officials. The Consultant - Sociologist should develop new tools, guidelines, manuals etc. or refine the existing methodologies to support the capacity building process.

Scope and Objectives

The purpose of this consultancy is to Develop a training program and conduct training to build the capacity of Forest Department officials on the sociological skills required for implementing Community Forestry Management approach; Implementation of the capacity building programme targeting the Community Forestry Programme; and to Provide additional inputs to carryout through the Community Forestry Programme implementation.

The key results to be achieved through the Consultancy will have an impact on the effective and efficient achievement of following results expected through the project.

Develop strategies and approaches for sociological aspects of CFP;
Develop manuals and implementation guidelines on sociological aspects for FD officers;
Develop / contribute to sociological and socio-economic aspects in project documents;
Prepare research papers and case studies on sociological aspects of CFP; and
Establish systems and expertise in the Forest Department to mainstream social impact assessments of CFP and ensure strong exit strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant- Sociologist is an expert in sociology with a good track record of working with the communities on forestry, natural resources management and community development related area. Further s/he will ensure the quality and timely preparation of all reports and documentation related to the consultancy.

The Consultant- Sociologist will carry out the following tasks:

Develop a training program and conduct training to build the capacity of the Forest Department officials on the sociological skills required for implementing Community Forestry Management approach;
Identify institutional barriers for the use of sociology related tools in planning and implementation processes in the Forest Department;
Identify strategies and approaches to build the capacities of the officials;
Develop tools to improve institutional systems to incorporate sociological concerns (data base with qualitative indicators, developing a culture of double loop learning etc.);
Develop a detailed capacity building plan, course modules and training aids required for on the job capacity building of staff members from the Forest Department and train them using it;
Develop a manual including guidelines to be followed by Forest Department incorporating sociological concerns in the community foesty programme.

Implementation of the capacity building programme targeting the Community Forestry Programme:

Identify and train a group of at least 40 Forest Department (FD) staff members for on the job capacity building on sociological analysis of target communities;
Select 18-20 field sites with different socio cultural and economic backgrounds and conduct a sociological analysis with each community also as a way of training and to test the tools developed;
Map the socio cultural characteristics of the communities in relation to the adjacent forests;
Train the FD staff to devise strategies and tools to work with stakeholder entities (targeting communities, other FD officials, government line agencies, stakeholder entities responsible for the over exploitation of forests, etc) to achieve the project objectives;
Develop indicators to monitor the social progress of the communities participating in the CFP;
Provide inputs to the at least 40 FD staff members for two months period in conducting sociological surveys in other selected communities following the training;
Assist the FD officials to develop 18 case studies on the impacts of the project on the lives and livelihoods of the participants;
Refine and finalize the 18 case studies developed by the FD officials;
Provide inputs for the Community Forestry Programme implementation;
Participate in Progress Review meetings and monitoring missions to identify sociological issues related to the progress and propose solutions;
Participate in relevant discussions where future activities of the programme are being discussed and facilitate the planning process through providing sociological inputs;
Proactively seek opportunities to ensure that project activities are being implemented with proper sociological inputs;
Document the process through which issues were identified and addressed for peer review and future reference purposes;
Contribute to the knowledge management activities of the CFP through the development of case studies, stories of change and other knowledge products.

Expected Outputs

The key outputs to be delivered by the Consultant- Sociologist are as follows:

Develop a training program and conduct training to build the capacity of Forest Department officials on the sociological skills required for implementing Community Forestry Management approach;
Implementation of the capacity building programme targeting the Community Forestry Programme;
Provide additional inputs to carryout through the Community Forestry Programme implementation;
Review implementation and monitoring mechanisms of the programme from a sociological perspective.

Financial Proposal

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost for three deliverables separately as per below

Cost of reviewing implementation and monitoring mechanisms of the programme from a sociological perspective;
Cost of developing a training program and conducting training to build the capacity of Forest Department officials on the sociological skills required for implementing Community Forestry Management approach;
Cost of implementation of the capacity building programme targeting the Community Forestry Programme;
Cost of providing additional inputs to carry out through the Community Forestry Programme implementation.

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (Professional Fees): (LKR) ___________________ (a1+a2+a3+a4).

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee/Daily Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, return travel from home to office, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. The UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. The UNDP will provide and cover the following costs:

Actual costs for travels outside duty station will be reimbursed on actual basis and upon submission of invoices;
Workshop organizing and logistics costs of the participants.

Payment for Services

The Consultant - Sociologist shall receive payments based on the key milestones identified in the consultant’s work plan and based on timely performance.

Competencies

Technical work

Strong expertise in sociology and capacity development of government officials;
Familiarity with the sociological aspects of the communities living adjacent to forests;
Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily.

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with the staff of government institutions and community;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the staff of Forest Department and community members.

Results

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.;
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Functional skills

Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills, ability to manage technical team and long term strategic partnership;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners, people skill for conflict resolution and negotiation;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Sociology or a closely related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience after post graduate qualification with minimum of 5 years field experience;
Minimum of 2 years working experience with international organizations will be an added advantage;
Experience in developing training modules;
Experience in developing sociological profiles of the communities.

Language:

English with Sinhala or Tamil.