Background
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Economic Advisor/Head of SPU UNDP Liberia the Team Leader - Expert Author will be in charge of the preparation of the entire National Human Development Report for Liberia. The Team Leader - Expert Author will work in close collaboration with the focal person at the University of Liberia, LISGIS, MPEA and other personnel to be identified from participating institutions and with the task manager and facilitator in the SPU of the UNDP Country Office as a team. The team leader - author will provide background assessments and recommendations on the theme and related issues in terms of timeliness and relevance of the selected theme and associated to human development dimensions.
Institutional Arrangement
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Economic Advisor and/or Economic Specialist coordinated jointly by an Officer from the Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs.
Duration of the Work
The duration of the assignment shall cover a period of six months spanned over a period of 18 months. However, the research team led by the team leader - author shall submit a timetable breaking the activities related to the production of the report in advance. Any delay beyond the timeframe and inappropriate presentation of the reports will be at the expense of the researchers and the team leader.
Duty Station
Since much of the required data is to be collected from secondary sources or Government of Liberia institutions, there is no expectation for travelling outside the duty station (Monrovia). However, if there is a compelling evidence for the need to travel to the counties UNDP standard procedures for phase 3 countries will be used.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate and Lead the production of the Liberia NHDR. This involves ensuring smooth communication among team members in all phases of the process through facilitating brainstorming and other collaborative efforts, establishment of effective division of labor among team members focusing on assigned tasks and specific approaches, promoting participatory approach among team members and other contributors to the report, and coordinating with the task manager at SPU in UNDP Country Office.
- Ensuring quality work and product including logical flow of the report, analysis and use of quantitative and qualitative information, appropriate review of the work by members of the team, consultations with institutional representatives and other experts, particularly on sensitive topics and materials so that the report meets the NHDR quality standards,
- Brief local counterparts, institutional actors and the UNDP Country Office regularly on the preparation process and findings of the report as they emerge.
- Develop an introduction, background and situation analysis by presenting assessment of relevant achievements, obstacles and current HD status of the country based on latest available data. The background and situation analysis should focus on human development considerations, including gender and inequality issues. This part of the work will reflect awareness of HDR standards in terms of quality.
- Compile drafted chapters and sections from the report writing teams and develop the entire report into one report ensuring consistency and logical links among the various contributions linking the theme and key objective of the NHD report.
- Use consultations and other participatory approaches to involve relevant UNDP staff and other relevant stakeholders, in collection of recent data and qualitative information, validation of collected data/information to narrow data variation and knowledge gaps.
- Lead brainstorming sessions and other efforts to establish appropriate methodological approach in the preparation of the report and define the final structure of the report.
- Provide well-documented recommendations based on particular analysis relevant to the subject matter. The recommendations will be directed to the national stakeholders and international partners and based on the response of the stakeholders, analysis and findings, identify the general conclusions and recommendations for the report.
- Supply a complete list of data sources and bibliographic references.
- Develop a media and communications strategy and propose approach (se) for outreach and advocacy that are to be undertaken following the launch.
Participate in the launch of the report and other follow-up events to address media inquiries and public requests for information about findings of the report.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Awareness of the work of international development organizations (UNDP);
- A commitment to the principles and values of human development;
- Strong writing and oral communication skills;
- Strong analytical skills, including the identification of key issues and how they relate to the theme;
- Ability to conceptualize problems and generate innovative, practical solutions;
- Ability to plan for and produce quality results in meeting established goals;
- Openness and ability to share knowledge and experience, offer helpful advice and respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
- Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age issues
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Have a UN recognized degree, preferably a Ph.D., in development Economics, development studies, International relations, natural resources management, resource Economics, or related field;
- At least 15 years of relevant experience in academia or research in the area of expertise;
- Excellent command of English language both written, and spoken
Criteria for Shortlisting:
- Relevance of Education/ Degree - 15 points
- Years of Relevant Experience - 40 points
- Regional Experience - 10 points
- Adequacy of Competencies for the Assignment - 25 points
- Others / Special Skills, Language, etc. - 10 points
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be forwarded the UNDP Procurement Notice