UNDP Jobs - 13644- International Consultant: Mine Action Project Form

International Consultant: Mine Action Project Formulation

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

23-Jan-2010

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

During the past 30 years, from the revolution to the period of civil confrontation in 1994, Yemen has witnessed a number of conflicts, each leaving behind a significant level of mine and UXO problem. In 2000, a Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) was carried out in Yemen. The survey provided vital data and information about the landmine and UXO impact on the Yemeni communities. A total of 592 communities were identified to be impacted by landmines and UXOs, out of which 14 communities, with a population of 36,000 were found to be highly impacted, while medium or low impact was reported in 578 communities with a population of 791,400.

Human suffering and economic losses due to landmines and UXOs in Yemen are believed to be significant. Although the total number of mine/UXO casualties is not precisely known, the LIS reports indicate the number of mine and UXOs casualties to be as high as 5000 over the past 10 years, with 200 casualties over the past two years alone. A large number of casualties are believed to be women and children, while farming and grazing are the main activities affected by landmines. Blocking agricultural lands, irrigation sources and grazing areas can be of significant economic losses on both national and local levels as only 2.6% of the total land area is arable. It is therefore expected that economic pressure may force some of the local communities to enter mined areas, risking their lives in order to gain some land for agricultural activities or for tending domestic animals.

The Government of the Republic of Yemen is committed to eliminate the impact of mines and UXOs in Yemen. Realizing that the mine and UXO problem cannot be solved unless an integrated mine action initiative is launched, the Yemen National Mine Action Committee (NMAC) was established in June 1998 to provide policy level support and act as steering body for mine action activities in the country. National Mine Action Strategy has been formulated and reviewed periodically. Furthermore, the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC) was established in January 1999 as a national mine action implementing body. Since the establishment of these bodies, the Government of Yemen has seconded approximately 1,000 military personnel as deminders and other operational staff in support of mine action activities nation wide. The government commitment is a key element in establishing cooperation with donor countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

The project formulation mission will overlap with the evaluation mission for one week. The consultant is required to obtain inputs from the evaluators who have visited fields on technical issues, organizational issues, efficiency and effectiveness etc. These two missions should work closely, exchange information, conduct field visits together for efficiency purpose where it’s feasible. The consultant should attend the de-briefing session which will be organized by evaluator(s). The phase IV should fully incorporate and reflect the findings of the evaluation especially for 1) improvement of efficiency and 2) resource mobilization purposes. The mission will consult with relevant stakeholders and partners. The intention is to involve all stakeholders and partners in the planning phase and ensure their effective contribution in project implementation. The project should also build on earlier experience and the lessons learned in order to draw a comprehensive and well-designed project that addresses selected interventions with clear targets and results to be achieved and adequate resources and inputs needed to implement the activities and realize the outputs within a defined timeframe. It should include measurable targets and indicators on a yearly basis for monitoring and evaluation of progress. It should also indicate appropriate implementation arrangements with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all partners involved, including national counterparts, implementing agencies, UNDP and local communities. To achieve this end, the mission will in particular undertake the following tasks:

Review background documents available, including past project documents, evaluation reports, progress reports, the extension request to the Ottawa convention, policy and legal documents.
Examine the past practices, through desk review as well as field visits, from the efficiency and effectiveness point of view, reflect technical and managerial improvements in the new project phase;
Hold discussions and consultation sessions with potential stakeholders and donors.
Develop project document including detailed work plans, budgets, management arrangement, project phases, baselines and targets, detailed TORs of project team … etc;
Building on a UNDP standard TOR for a Project Board and a past practice by the project, develop a TOR for a Project Board as an annex to the project document.
Based on the consultation with donors, develop a strong and realistic resource mobilization strategy and contribute to the resource mobilization.
Identify relations with other UNDP projects and make linkages where feasible.

Points to be taken into consideration:

Ensure the project activities do not overlap with other initiatives.
Ensure gender aspect is addressed with clear goals and effective activities.
Assess local institutional structures and capacity building requirements.

The project document should follow UNDP project format, comprehensive and results oriented with clear objectives and results to be achieved and adequate resources and inputs to realize the outputs within defined time frames and budget.

The monitoring indicators should be visible and measurable to monitor progress on yearly basis.

The management arrangement should be simple and cost effective and based on the assessment of local capacities.

Competencies

Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages;
Fluency in Arabic is a plus;
High professionalism;
Strategic and analytical thinking;
Personal integrity and flexibility;
Results orientation;
Good inter-personal and communication skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in Development Studies, Security, Defence, Social Sciences or related field;
Ph.D in the similar field indicated above is not required, but a plus;
At least 10 years of experience in mine action, explosive remnants of war, project formulation, project management, or related areas;
Demonstrated knowledge on mine action and gender;
Knowledge on mine action and community development is a must;
Experience in working on mine action projects in at least two countries, preferably in a developing countries;
Experience working in Middle East is a plus;
Experience working with a private sector is a plus;
Familiarity to UNDP project management and project document format or quick adaptation skill to adopt these principles,