UNDP Jobs - 55576- 20 Consultants for the Development of Research Pap

20 Consultants for the Development of Research Papers on Multidimentional Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 Months

Languages Required :

English Spanish

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 Monts

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

Through the Regional Human Development Report (RHDR), the Office of the Senior Strategic Advisor aims at improving human development tracking and promotion through enhanced national capacity to generate and use indicators and disaggregated data for vulnerable and excluded groups, at strengthening capacities of national institutions to integrate social and economic policies for the reduction of poverty and inequality, and at identifying and addressing key areas of policy intervention in different countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in collaboration with Country Offices and other RBLAC thematic units.

For the different chapters of the RHDR substantial support is required to ensure quality and timely delivery. It is in this context that UNDP would like to contract 20 Consultants on Multidimensional Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean, to support the Office in the elaboration of the Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean 2016.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of, and reporting directly to the RBLAC Senior Strategic Advisor/HDR Director & Lead Author, the Consultants for the Development of Research Papers on Multidimensional Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean will be responsible for writing a policy research paper on one or more of the following areas:

Quantitative Metrics: We invite consultants to submit innovations on the conceptualization, estimation or empirical testing of multidimensional poverty, inequality or vulnerability metrics;
Qualitative Metrics: We invite submissions on multidimensional subjective well-being, through survey instruments, focus groups, micro-narratives or interviews;
Policy best practice on multidimensional poverty: we invite submissions to focus on the policy design, implementation and evaluation aspects of evidence-based policymaking using multi-dimensional poverty indices or indicators. These could be national or subnational policy case studies;
Policy Bundle 1 (hardest exclusions): We invite submissions that focus on (i) the dynamics of well-being for the poorest of the poor, excluded from either dynamic labor markets or social protection safety nets, (ii) historically excluded groups such as Afro-descendant and Indigenous Peoples (iii) newly excluded groups by sexual identity, migration or lifestyle. The focus is on inter-sectoral, multi-disciplinary or complex policy interventions;
Policy Bundle 2 (out of poverty): We invite submissions on the inter-relationship between (i) labor markets, education, social protection, (ii) natural resource use, energy, livelihood strategies, value chains, (iii) the interrelationship between gender, economy of care, formal labor market participation, gender violence, female political participation. The focus is on inter-sectoral, multi-disciplinary or complex policy interventions;
Policy bundle 3 (sliding back into poverty): We invite submissions on the inter-relationship between (i) physical and financial assets, consumption patterns, household debt, (ii) fiscal equity and fiscal space, debt burdens, energy subsidies, macro resilience, (iii) environment, climate change adaptation/mitigation, extractive industries, natural disaster risk reduction. The focus is on inter-sectoral, multi-disciplinary or complex policy interventions;
Agency, power relations and policy reform: We invite submissions on (i) how able are Latin American and the Caribbean inhabitants today to formulate, pursue and reach their own personal goals in terms of lifestyle and life satisfaction from a human capabilities perspective, (ii) what are the current main features of power relations among different societal groups and their impact of long term sustainable human development, and (iii) what is the political economy of policy shift in the region, particularly regarding the enactment of redistributive strategies in a context of limited fiscal space and low economic growth expectations.
SDG implementation: we invite submissions that address the challenge of bundling or clustering 17 SDGs and indicators at the national, subnational or local level. This may include best practices during the MDG implementation or promising proposals arising from the post 2015 development consultation process itself;
Fiscal simulations and scenarios analysis: we invite submissions that help the report micro-simulate and provide macro fiscal scenarios for multidimensional progress: (i) at the micro level, this could include how taxation and expenditure policies nudge countries to more/less equitable household outcomes, or (ii) at the macro level, it could include fiscal space scenarios given changes in debt burden, concessionality rules and FfD-related (Finance for Development) policy changes;

Data visualization, mapping and use of data: We invite submissions on how to capture multidimensional progress through visual design within the report, but also on dynamic websites, phone applications, and other information technology instruments.

All interested consultants may download the Bidding Documents from the website: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=21714.

Interested consultants must submit proposals to the below described email address:

Reference: 2262 RSC 2015 – Consultants for the Development of Research Papers on Multimendional Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. Email: adquisiciones.rclac@undp.org

Deadline of Submission: April 20, 2015 – 23:59 New York Time.

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, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Highly developed coordination skills;
Strong analytical skills, and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources;
Computer literate;
Identifies priority activities and assignments;
Teamwork - excellent interpersonal, organizational and management skills and ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Able to manage complex problems proactively and effectively;
Ability to operate effectively in a changing, complex and under-stress environment;
Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Proven organizational and communication skills;
Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Strong analytical skills;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s or PhD degree in Development, Economics, Politics, Public Administration, Public Policy, or other development-related fields;
PhD will be an asset.

Experience:

At least seven years of relevant work experience in research development, economics, politics, public administration, public policy or other development related field;
Expert knowledge of economic and social context in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Language requirements:

Excellent oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English.