Background

As the Government of China (GoC) has identified equity as a key national development issue, UN agencies via the UN Country Team (UNCT) in China are working collaboratively to support the GoC in this work. Equity is also a global and local priority for UNDP and the UNDP China programmes continue to address issues of inequity under its poverty, governance and equity portfolio. 

The UNCT held a seminar on 7 July 2012, “Rethinking the Equity-Efficiency Relationship: Challenges ahead”, concerning equity across various sectors in China. As a follow-up to the event, the UNCT is planning a set of equity policy papers covering various sectors, including health, income, young migrants, and gender, as well as an “umbrella paper” on equity in China. The papers are intended for submission to the government only, and not for publication or external circulation. The series of equity papers will follow a common structure, to be determined.

UNDP China will contribute a paper on Equity and Ethnic Minorities. According to the latest 2010 Chinese Census, ethnic minority groups in China account for around 8.5% of the Chinese population. The ethnic minority population size is over 110 million.

There has been limited research into ethnic inequality in China. The research that does exist shows a divide between Han and non-Han in terms of income, and other indicators of well-being. This trend has prevailed although there have been long terms efforts to implement various policies such as to promote the access to education and job opportunities of ethnic minorities.     

The causes of this persistent trend are unclear. Some of the quantitative studies suggest that ethnic inequity (or ethnic stratification) is not necessarily the result of ethnicity alone, but a combination of factors including the region of residence. Ethnic minorities are more concentrated in the remote, less developed areas of the country than the Han people and this factor contributes considerably to the inequality between Han and non-Han. However, there are studies which limit themselves to examining specific regions in China and conclude that ethnic inequality can indeed be explained by ethnicity, even after controlling for education, hukou (i.e. household registration), occupation, county-level economic environment, etc. In other words, preliminary review of the literature suggests that there is no clear consensus on the fundamental factors behind ethnic stratification in China.  

In discussion with the Poverty, Equity and Governance Team of UNDP China and its senior management, the author would develop the content of the paper as follows: 

The paper, written in English, is expected to be about 30 pages, with an additional 3 page executive summary written for a high-level audience. The paper is to provide a discussion of what equity means in relation to ethnic minorities, why equity is important, and challenges in China and the reforms – policies and programmes - undertaken to address the issues. While achievements and progress will be highlighted, the paper will also provide evidence and discussion of the key inequities remaining within China that face ethnic minorities, utilizing a bottleneck analysis to identify priorities. The paper should also put particular focus on how to refine the policies and initiatives that are currently in place to address ethnic inequality.   

The planning of the paper is suggested in three stages. The first requires a rigorous analysis of existing data to identify possible gaps and disparities between Han and non-Han in terms of well-being (with strong focus on human development indicators, including income, wealth, health, and education, etc.), services provided and opportunities. Since the paper will be used as an advocacy paper, it is expected that advanced statistical analysis will be used to highlight inequities faced by ethnic minorities and make reasonable projections for future trends, if possible. The paper should look at inequity in both outcome and opportunity, but also in capability, i.e. the ability of individuals to take advantage of the opportunities that are being provided.    

Evidence and discussion of current equity issues for ethnic minorities in China will draw from official data available, as well as desk reviews of existing research. The report will also include relevant graphs and visual representation based on the rigorous data analysis.

This will be followed by a one-day meeting with representatives from ethnic minorities, Chinese experts and scholars to discuss the findings of the analysis and test them against their experience. A discussion on the definition of what equity for ethnic minorities means is expected to take place and it should be spelt out in “outcome language”, as providing a goal that can help facilitate discussion and agreement going forward. The definition should be in simple, jargon-free language that is clear and understandable allowing all stakeholders to identify with it. If feasible, the definition could also function as a yardstick by which policy choices and other outcomes can be assessed.

The definition discussion would throw up further needs for data analysis as well as a search for global best practices that will form part of the paper’s recommendations. The paper will also provide comparative experiences regarding potential good practices that are appropriate for the China context, and provide 3-4 key policy recommendations to narrow the equity disparities for ethnic minorities, and could include innovations in policy, financial strategies and governance that can be put forward to the government.

The process is also planned to involve a local institution to be identified by UNDP that could support sharing of the final paper and executive summary with key policymakers, as deemed suitable.

Duties and Responsibilities

To prepare a 30-page policy paper on equity and ethnic minorities in China, along with an additional 3-page executive summary and necessary annexes with explanations of statistical calculations and references.

Researches and analyses the data and information about equity and ethnic minorities in China, and researches international case studies on equity and ethnic minorities.

• Provide quantitative evidence on ethnic stratification in China, in terms of outcome, opportunity and capability. If possible, provide reasonable projection of the trajectory of ethnic stratification in the future;
• Identify and discuss the causes of ethnic stratification in China;
• Examine current Chinese policies that are in place to address ethnic stratification;
• Examine international best practices that are relevant to China;
• Provide evidence-based policy recommendations on how to improve inequity situation that ethnic minorities face in China and in particular, how the existing, relevant policies should be refined.

Conducts interviews and consultations on equity and ethnic minorities, and integrates comments and views from stakeholders into the report.

Produces a 30 page report (with an additional 3-page executive summary) on the issue of ethnic minorities in China, consulting with UNDP on a peer review for a first draft and incorporating comments.

Application Requirement:

• Please provide a short 2-3 page proposal explaining how you would plan to achieve the objectives;
• Please quote a daily consultant fee and any other cost that would occur for the mission;
• Please note that the system will not accept uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading.
  

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, sexual identity, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

• In-depth knowledge on development issues;
• Ability to analyses qualitative and quantitative data;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and recommendations.

• Ability to present information and data in accessible formats;
• Strong IT skills.

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree on Sociology, Economics, Anthropology, Law, International Development, Public Administration, Political Science or equivalent.

• Minimum 7 years of post Master’s relevant experience at the national or international level in development research and analysis;
• Experience in undertaking qualitative and quantitative research, managing information and data and working with stakeholders from government, civil society organizations and research institutions.
  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, some level of Chinese would be highly desirable.