Antecedentes
Human Development is a development paradigm that goes beyond measuring national incomes. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential to enlarge their choices and lead productive and creative lives in accordance with their needs and interests. Fundamental to enlarging these choices is building the basic human capabilities to lead long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living and to be able to participate in the life of the community and decisions affecting their lives.
Since 1990, the human development concept was applied to a systematic study of global themes, as published in the yearly global Human Development Reports. The first Human Development Report (HDR) was launched in 1990 with the single goal of putting people back at the center of the development process in terms of economic debate, policy and advocacy. It is an independent report, commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). HDR at the regional, national and sub-national levels take the human development approach to the regional or country level and are prepared and owned by regional and national teams. These reports feed into and draw upon the data and analysis of the global Report.
The National Human Development Report (NHDR) forms the main pillars of UNDP’s analytical and policy work. The principal objective of the NHDR is to raise public awareness and trigger action on critical human development concerns. The NHDR also contributes significantly to strengthening national statistical and analytical capacity, and constitutes a major vehicle for the realization of the goals set by the international community at the Millennium Summit.
Bhutan has embraced the HD concept as a noble and worthy goal, wholly compatible and in harmony with the country’s own overarching development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). This has led to the publication of two NHDRs in Bhutan: (1) Gross National Happiness and Human Development – Searching for Common Ground (2000); and (2)The Challenge of Youth Employment (2005). These Reports have constituted a major vehicle for the realization of the national goals and the MDGs.
Within a passage of five years after the last NHDR was published in 2005, Bhutan has transformed rapidly in social, economic and political spheres, faced with emerging as well as evolving challenges. Thus, Bhutan’s third NHDR process has been initiated in April 2010, with a series of consultations involving national stakeholders and technical committee, which was set up to guide the NHDR process. The theme selected is: “Challenges and Opportunities of Climate Change” (working title). This theme was chosen given the growing concern globally of the impact of climate change, which affects everyone, especially the poor and most vulnerable, and its relevance and significance to the current policy debate both nationally and regionally. Subsequently, a draft Concept Note was developed to provide the main objectives, focus areas of research, and a preliminary structure of the Report. The Report is aimed to research critical transformative policy areas from human development perspective to supplement the Government’s various ongoing studies/assessments on climate change. In particular, the Report will focus on the impact of climate change on areas, such as livelihoods, food security, water resources, health, education, natural disasters, and the cost to infrastructure maintenance, and other areas identified in the process. A separate chapter on the implications it may have on the private sector development strategy, policies, and programmes, and the opportunities that may emerge in creating employment through climate change mitigation and adaptation measures will also be incorporated.
Deberes y responsabilidades
The main objective of the assignment is to complete, under the overall coordination and guidance of UNDP Bhutan, all the ground work necessary in the formulation of specific plans and strategies for the preparation of the third Bhutan NHDR. The consultant’s specific tasks will be outlined below.
The consultant is required to ensure, in consultation with UNDP Bhutan, that the Report keeps the well being of people at the centre of analysis by using Human Development lens, as well as to adhere to “six basic principles” in the UNDP Corporate Policy on NHDRs in achieving excellence, including adopting the participatory and inclusive consultative approach throughout the preparation process.
Detailed terms of reference (ToR) and P11 form for the assignment can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org.bt/procurement.htm
The consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:
- Fine-tune and finalize the draft concept note, including providing sufficient technical background; outline of the report; choice of appropriate composite indices for the localized Human Development Index[1]; and methodology and timeline for data collection and analysis. ; and methodology and timeline for data collection and analysis.
- Assess and recommend the number and content of the Thematic Technical Background Papers (TBPs), based on the finalized concept note; and various committees for the review of the Report.
- Propose a broad, suitable communications strategy throughout the report preparation period, as well as the follow-up plan after the dissemination of the report.
On satisfactory performance to accomplish the above tasks, and mutual agreement between the consultant and UNDP, the contract may be extended for an additional number of days (to be determined) during the subsequent 12 month period from the completion of the initial contract period. During this period, the consultant will be expected to provide any relevant follow-up advisory support as may be required for the preparation of the Report. UNDP will reserve the right to review the ToR and a maximum number of days required for the extension period (if applicable).
[1] For the separate analysis conducted on Human Development Index (HDI), in addition to the collection of data to compose the traditional HDI, new Climate Change related HDI, and different methods of collecting and analysing data, such as Multi-dimensional Poverty Measure (MPM) and inequality adjusted HDI, should be explored.
Competencias
It is expected that the consultant will respect the following ethical code of conduct of UNDP during the assignment:
- Independence and impartiality of judgment in assessment findings and recommendations.
- Disclose any potential conflict of interest, and to deal honestly in resolving any conflict of interest that may arise.
- Display honesty and Integrity.
- Display professional competency, ensuring accuracy, completeness, reliability, transparency and accountability.
- Respect and protect the rights and welfare of human subjects and communities in accordance with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights conventions.
Habilidades y experiencia requeridas
The consultant is required to have the following qualifications and experience:
- Advanced University degree in economics, business/public administration or any other relevant social science field, with in-depth knowledge on and inter-linkages between development and climate change.
- At least 3-5 years of extensive research and policy formulation experience in the area of socio–economic development and climate change.
- Professional experience working with Government agencies and/or international organizations in the area of climate change, particularly in Bhutan and/or Himalayan region highly desirable.
- Demonstrated highly analytical report writing and communication skills. Prior working experience with UN commissioned research/report writing is desirable.
- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and interact with a wide range of people essential.
- Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of (a) local language(s) is an advantage.
Prior knowledge and experience in applying Human Development concept in research/report writing preferred.This post is open to international applicants, including those who are residing in Bhutan.