UNDP Jobs - 63439- Individual Consultant (Research

Individual Consultant (Research – Data Collection) - (Open to Indian Nationals Only)

Location :

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Feb-2016

Application Deadline :

07-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

03 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 Working days spread over 3 months

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

In the current programme cycle (2013-17) UNDP is implementing a project titled ‘Strategic programmatic engagement at state level’ to work closely with state Governments to improve delivery mechanisms and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of governance structures and programmes. This objective will be achieved inter alia by providing high quality analysis and advice on programme implementation bottlenecks and support to ensure higher inclusion and participation of excluded groups in governance and implementation

Government of Madhya Pradesh is one of the partner states under the project. The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj aims at creating an enabling environment in the rural hubs of the state to create economic opportunities outside of big cities and towns. Towards this, the state intends to promote development of facilities- services and infrastructure- matching the urban habitations, to help people realise their agency and their entrepreneurial capacities and not be constrained by the limitation of their immediate environment. For this, a robust performance benchmarking needs to be done as a basis for the release of funds and performance grants to the Villages/ Panchayats, where elected leaders show the willingness to invest development resources in creation, operation and maintenance of assets and infrastructure created in their area.

UNDP is seeking the services of a Research Associate (data collection) who would be supporting the department with providing data that can be used for a SMARTness benchmarking performance index.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and in liaison with UNDP, India, the Research Associate (data collection) will lead the formulation of the SMARTness performance benchmarking index. The indicative list of functions of the Research Associate (data collection) will include:

Support the Team Leader and Senior Researchers in groundwork and data collection
Collect information regarding different schemes and programmes being implemented through Panchayats/PRIs by different departments
Prepare notes on the exact role of PRIs in planning and execution of each of the schemes
Pretesting of the Index in select Panchayats of the state

Results:

As a result of the technical assistance and support provided by the Research Associate, a robust, conceptually sound and practical SMARTness benchmarking performance index will be developed

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to understand the rationale for developing the index;
Ability to develop theoretical frameworks underpinning various indices;
Strong substantive knowledge;
Knowledge of sources for availability of reliable, validated and frequently updated data at the panchayat levels;
Ability to identify data for purpose;
Technical knowledge of statistical methods and data interpretation;
Familiarity with data quality management, surveys and data collection;

Core Competencies

Promote team work;
Demonstrates the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post-graduate degree in Economics or statistics.

Experience:

A minimum of 3 years of professional experience of research and analysis demonstrating;
Understanding of socio-economic indicators and data at district and village levels;
Understanding of development context at the district and lower levels;
Understanding of conceptual frameworks;
Writing skills.

Language:

Written and oral proficiency in English and Hindi is required.

Documents to be submitted:

Curriculum Vitae including experience in similar projects, and Names/Contact Details of 3 referees;
A brief (not more than 2 pages) technical proposal on the assignment;
A Financial proposal indicating all inclusive consultancy rate for the Individual Consultant. Prior approved travel expenses will be reimbursed as per actauls in line with UNDP rules or all the arragnement would be done by UNDP.

Payment Schedule:

Payment will be done in two equal installments:

I installment – After the completion of groundwork and data collection as well as collection of information regarding schemes and programmes implemented by PRIs based on a recommendation of the Supervisor;
II Installment - made on satisfactory completion of the assignment as agreed with the supervisor and on the number of days worked.

Duty Station:

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh;
The Consultant is required to report regularly to the office as per the State Government policy;
Relocation expenses, if any would be borne by the successful Consultant.

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.

Technical Proposal: 35 Marks;
Relevant Experience:25 Marks;
Qualification:10 Marks.

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. Proposals have to be submitted online only.
CV and Financial proposal can be clubbed in one file for uploading.

For any clarification please write to ranjan.sinha@undp.org.