UNDP Jobs - 5463- Consultant: Writer/Researcher

Consultant: Writer/Researcher

Location :

BRR Head Office, Banda Aceh, INDONESIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2008

Application Deadline :

09-Jul-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

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

UNDP Indonesia's mission is to be an agent for change in the human and social development of Indonesia. We aim to be a bridge between Indonesia and all donors as well as a trusted partner to all stakeholders. We work in four key areas of development: Governance Reforms, Pro-Poor Policy Reforms, Conflict Prevention and Recovery, and Environment Management, with the overarching aim of reducing poverty in Indonesia. Besides the four priority areas, UNDP Indonesia is also engaged in a variety of crosscutting initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS, gender equality, and information and technology for development.

BRR, the government Agency for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh-Nias, is developing a Knowledge Management Centre with the aim to consolidate the knowledge and technical know-how that has been developed during its mandate coordinating and supporting the implementation of the recovery programme in Aceh and Nias.

In many respects, the scope of the Aceh-Nias recovery programme is unprecedented, and for this reason developing an understanding of the challenges, achievements and lessons encountered during the programme will be an important contribution to similar programmes now and in the future.
To this end, with the assistance of a specialised team of researchers, librarians and analysts, the Knowledge Management Centre aims to develop a comprehensive and accessible knowledge-base concerning the rehabilitation and reconstruction programme in Aceh-Nias.

The knowledge and technical know-how developed during the recovery programme is extensive and, for this reason, the Knowledge Management Centre programme intends to utilise Information Communication Technology (ICT) to support the management and maintenance of information.
UNDP, who has worked closely with BRR throughout its commission, providing technical assistance through its "Technical Support to BRR" programme which is funded through the Multi Donor Fund mechanism, has undertaken to support BRR in its development of the Knowledge Management Centre.

As a part of this support, UNDP is now seeking a Content Management Specialist to assist BRR in the design, development and implementation of an ICT system to support the management, maintenance and dissemination of the information developed by the Knowledge Management Centre.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is seeking a Writer/Researcher with a technical capacity to identify, analyse and document specific aspects of the recovery programme including, but not limited to, recovery policies and administration, development and implementation strategies, financial mechanisms, and disaster management and mitigation.

The Writer/Researcher will undertake a series of specialised research projects using primary and secondary resources, and incorporating an extensive series of interviews with leading figures of the rehabilitation and reconstruction programme of Aceh and Nias.

The aim of these specific research assignments is to describe and document concisely, in a series of concise articles, the different challenges faced and the various solutions implemented during the recovery programme. These articles will be an important part of the Knowledge Management Centre's output.

Scope of work
The scope of the assignment will include the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Phase of the recovery programme in Aceh and Nias (beginning March 2005) and certain aspects of the Emergency Phase (December 2004 - March 2005) will be examined.

The research will cover the activities of BRR, as the lead coordinator and supporting implementer, the role of state ministries and institutions, and the support of local, national and international stakeholders, including both donors/NGOs and local governments.

Principle Activities

Identifying and, in collaboration with the Knowledge Management Centre team, documenting the main issues (challenges and solutions) of the recovery programme;
Conducting a comprehensive series of interviews with BRR and partner senior management, and civil society representatives to elaborate and clarify the main issues of the recovery programme;
Writing concise articles and/or case studies, based on primary and secondary material, concerning the challenges, achievements and lessons of the recovery programme;
Assisting in the transfer of the information collected and produced by the Knowledge Management Centre to local and national government authorities and other non-government agencies; and
Responding to general research tasks as requested by the BRR Knowledge Management Centre team leader.

Deliverables

A range of written analyses in the form of summaries or synopsises, clearly and accurately substantiated through referencing to primary and secondary resource material;
A series of transcripts from interviews conducted with BRR and partner senior management, and civil society representatives; and
A collection of articles and/or case studies related to the key issues (challenges and solutions) of the rehabilitation and reconstruction programme.

Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Writer/Researcher will provide the UNDP Team Leader in Banda Aceh with a monthly report in a set format covering:

Significant Achievements;
Allocation of Consultant's Efforts;
Challenges and Recommendations;
Lessons Learnt;
BRR Supervisor's Comments;
Report Approval (by BRR supervisor); and
Attachments.

The attachments include: a log frame of the Writer/Researcher 's assigned tasks, activities and output; a time sheet and, if the Writer/Researcher travels outside the duty station, a Return to Station report including any travel claims. This monthly report and its attachments must be submitted by the 5th day of the following month.

All activities of the Writer/Researcher will be subject to monitoring by BRR, UNDP and independent auditing.

Conditions of Contract

The Writer/Researcher agrees to comply with all ethical and professional obligations relating to the requirements of UNDP, BRR and the Government of Indonesia. The Writer/Researcher has the obligation to inform BRR in advance of any potential or actual conflict of interest or of circumstances that may lead to a reasonable perception of a
conflict of interest, whether actual or not, and will follow BRR’s instructions with respect to dealing with the conflict of interest.
All documents prepared will be clearly and concisely written, and in compliance with Indonesian standards and regulations. The copyright on all materials produced by the Writer/Researcher during the period of contract or related to the assignments requested while under contract will remain the property of BRR.

The Writer/Researcher must seek written permission from BRR to use any materials, researched or prepared during the said contract for any purpose other than that requested by BRR. At no time during the contract is the Writer/Researcher permitted to work or receive payment for work from any other party.

The Writer/Researcher shall sign an Anti-Corruption pact or Code of Ethics as requested by BRR.
The Writer/Researcher shall provide their personal laptop computer loaded with appropriate and licensed software for the contracted period.

Competencies

The Writer/Researcher required must have experience in researching and analysing a range of resource material to identify key issues, and a capacity to write concise summaries which describe these key issues.
The Writer/Researcher must have an ability to conduct interviews on a diverse range of technical and non-technical topics for the purpose of clarifying key research issues.
The Writer/Researcher should be experienced in working within a dynamic and highly demanding environment. The assignment will be subject to continual time constraints and a sense of urgency, bearing in mind that the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase is nearing completion and, in general, national and international participants of the programme are completing their activities and closing down operations.
The Writer/Researcher should have the capacity and initiative to perform all tasks associated with the required deliverables. The Knowledge Management Centre is non-structural and administrative support, including secretarial services, is limited.

Required Skills and Experience

At least a Bachelors Degree (S1), with preference given to holders of a Masters Degree (S2).
At least 5 years experience in conducting research projects and writing research papers (for bachelors) or 3 years for masters degree holders.
Reading and writing in both Indonesian and English.