UNDP Jobs - 56652- National Consultant –Data Sharing Policy Analysis

National Consultant –Data Sharing Policy Analysis

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

27-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

06 months ( Full Time)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

06 months ( Full time)

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 United Nations Development Programme, acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility, is providing assistance to the State Ministry of Environment under the Government of Sri Lanka in the preparation of the GEF Medium Size Project “Ensuring global environmental concerns and best practices mainstreamed in the post-conflict rapid development process of Sri Lanka through improved information management.”

Environmental monitoring and information management is critical for understanding the current status and dynamic changes in the state of environment. Consistent and regular monitoring, research and data analysis provide the essential foundation for adequate policy response as well as timely and appropriate national decision-making processes. Hence, the issue has both global and national priority dimensions. The proposed project addresses convention obligations related to reporting requirements under the three main focal areas: Biodiversity, Climate Change and Land Degradation. It specifically fits under the second (2) strategic objective of the Cross Cutting Capacity Development (CCCD) strategy developed under GEF-5, i.e., “to generate, access, and use information and knowledge”.

Scope and Objectives

The National Consultant will contribute to the substantive work under the project by assessing the policy and legal implications of data sharing among agencies and public. The expert is expected to build on the National Policy and Legal context deriving direction from the Right to Information Act and how this translates in to information availability and sharing for development decision making and public information on natural resoruces and disaster management. The expert will work with the consultant, information management as well as with the others, as appropriate to draft and negotiate the Memoranda of Agreement to share data and information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Review existing policies, draft Right to Information Act, strategies and guidelines for information collection and sharing in the area of disaster management, environment;
Carry out discussion with relevant stakeholders including Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Disaster Management, Informaton, Communication and Technology Agency, Ministry of Land and Survey Department;
Draft and negotiate the memoranda of agreement to share data and information;
Draft required documents for approval;
Advise the project team on approval process.

Expected Outputs:

Identify gaps in sharing data and information in the areas of Environment and Disaster Management to support Rio conventions;
Identify gaps in regulatory mechanisms in data collection, storage and sharing;
Propose feasible and sustainable legal and policy changes for improved data management to support Rio conventions;
Draft a policy for data sharing and other required policy changes identified during stakeholder consultation.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the related values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Technical Competencies:

Strong understanding in policy and legal implications of data sharing among agencies and general public and a good background and working knowledge on the legal system of Sri Lanka;
Ability to understand and to translate the Right to Information Act for the development of national policies;
In-depth understanding of environment related law and practices in the country;
Familiarity with practices worldwide with regards to the national level data sharing;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

Partnerships:

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national and private sector institutions;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the development the national policies;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with personnel with different sectors and agencies;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners.

Results:

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post-graduate degree in law, with a specialization in environmental law and policy of Sri Lanka.

Experience:

Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in progressively responsible and substantive areas in environmental and natural resource governance programming and planning.

Language:

Good knowledge of written and oral English. Sinhala and/or Tamil essential.

How to Apply:

The application should contain:

A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Plaese paste the letter into the “Resume and Motivation” section of the electronic application.

Financial Proposal

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (___)

Amount in words:

(Rs. )

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" 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. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above.

Payment for Services

Payments will be based on milestone detailed below. Financial proposal should include field travel costs, meeting costs and other contingencies involved.

Review excisting policies plans, strategies and guidelines for iformation collection and sharing in the area of disaster management, environment – 10%;
Carry out discussion with relevant stakeholders including Ministry of Envronment, Ministry of Disaster Management, Informaton, communication and tehnology agency, Ministry of Land and Survey Department – 10%;
Wider staheholder consultation with relevant stakeholders – 20%;
Identify gaps in laws, policies and regulatory mechanisms in data collection, storage and sharing – 20%;
Propose feasible and sustainable legal and policy changes for improved data management to support Rio conventions – 20%;
Draft a policy for data sharing and other require policy changes identified during stakeholder consultation – 20%.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.