Background

Roma inclusion is both, a national and pan-European challenge and UNDP as international organization faces to be one of the key players of the Roma inclusion process in Europe. The dual layer organizational structure of UNDP combines the network of CO-s to implement country-specific projects, and the Bratislava Regional Centre to provide comprehensive and consistent conceptual framework and support. Being part of UN system makes UNDP and its work impartial and equally trusted by governments, international organizations and the Roma civil society too. 

The substantive sources of UNDP are rooted in the strong record of sustainable and realistic approach to Roma inclusion. Namely:

• The first UNDP Roma report, “Avoiding the Dependency Trap” drew attention to the need to address the systemic causes of Roma exclusion and go beyond plain human rights rhetoric. 
• The second Roma report promoted a results-focused approach to Roma inclusion pioneering in working on quantitative data and monitoring. The data collection done in 2004 made possible constructing baselines for the Decade of Roma Inclusion initiative. 
  

UNDP has broad expertise in actual implementation of projects on the ground with wide range of partners at CO level. This network can be used in the future as knowledge and experience base and an implementation infrastructure of big-scale regional endeavors.

UNDP’s conceptual approach is built around the idea of area-based development and human development context. It consistently defines the issue of Roma inclusion and the proposed solutions not in terms of ethnicity but rather in the context of multiple deprivations faced by different individuals and groups. Those deprivations correlate with group identity but are not primarily driven by that identity (this is why although the majority of Roma are vulnerable, not all Roma are vulnerable). The practical implications of this approach mean that Roma exclusion can be successfully addressed in territorial context, addressing all people living in the most disadvantaged regions. This will most often cover groups with a Roma majority.

UNDP is among the few international players that has the courage to present the challenge of Roma exclusion in its complexity and multidimensionality raising the issue of the complex web of interests involved. Roma exclusion is not just a matter of ignorant racist prejudice and human rights abuse; it’s a complex combination of ignorant racist prejudice and objective outcomes of daily interactions between Roma and non-Roma that reinforce those prejudices and prepare the ground for human rights abuse.

UNDP BRC plans drafting a number of regional projects with individual country components testing practical interventions at community level, addressing various challenges of poverty reduction, social inclusion, and other areas of work through tangible projects implemented with partners at community level. They would also build on existing local-level networks that have been created on the Western Balkans, in the Cserehát project in Hungary and in various projects in Slovakia.

In 2013 UNDP initiated a regional project “Regional support facility for improving stakeholder capacity for progress on Roma inclusion” to provide national governments (central and local), civil society and other stakeholders with the operational support needed to build capacity for Roma inclusion in Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo (as per UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)), Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, Turkey). UNDP sees this objective as critical in terms of these governments’ EU membership preparations.

The initiative has three components: (a) Supporting national stakeholders in operationalizing the national Roma integration strategies, in order to strengthen their implementing infrastructure at central and local levels; (b) Supporting the establishment of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including data collection for results-oriented progress monitoring; and (c) Facilitating the exchange of experience, mutual learning from successes and failures, and mainstreaming working approaches to Roma inclusion at local level.

“Area-Based Interventions for making the most of EU Fund for Sustainable Housing and Inclusion of disadvantaged Roma in pilot areas in Romania & across the border to Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey” project builds upon many years of UNDP expertise in the area of poverty reduction and Roma inclusion in the ECIS region, as well as Roma-targeted area-based-development projects at the local level in Cserehat, Hungary (2005-2010) and in Cluj, Romania (2012). The project relies also on the committed involvement on a national level through the UNDP offices in the 4 countries (Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, and Turkey). It is being implemented as part of the wider Regional Support Facility regional project.

The project aligns closely with MAking the Most's (MtM’s) mission to make the most of EU funds for Roma inclusion — by holding as its prime objectives the forging and enhancement of processes and replicable models of social inclusion and desegregation through integrated local development and housing improvement, thus creating an opportunity for Roma communities in critical sites to absorb EU funds for inclusion.

Goals of the project

The project’s activities aim at:

• Establishing local Social Inclusion Strategies and development initiatives that directly engage the participation of and benefit the most excluded Roma groups;
• Fostering delivery of public services through facilitating partnership of local authorities with civil society partners;
• Supporting municipal management in desegregation, inclusion and poverty reduction through strengthening of organizational capacity and technical expertise of local and regional development actor;  
• Increasing the absorption capacity of the development stakeholders of Roma inclusion;
• Share in the vision of MtM of the critical importance of public reform and management for a more just and equal society.
  

Objectives:

• Ensure the sustainability of the overall “ABD for Inclusion” initiative and its results in Cluj and generate new strategic partnerships and projects in the wider Cluj Metropolitan area;
• Multiply the “ABD for Inclusion” model in Braila and Galati cities and contribute to the establishment of necessary conditions to implementation of the model in Bucharest 2nd and 3rd districts and other interested cities in Romania;
• Contribute to setting up of necessary conditions on national level to localizing the EU 2020 Roma Inclusion strategy in Romania;
• Contribute to set up of conditions for the further scaling up of implementation of the EU Roma Strategy at the local level in Central-Eastern Europe and the Balkan region, especially in Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.
  

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Researcher on ABD for Local Inclusion will provide action research according to project aims and contribute to the activities of the  Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the project, assuming responsibility for the technical design and writing of content documents for the project (e.g. producing methodological reports, final versions of traning manuals, training reports and case studies, etc in Romania, mission reports and situation analyses for Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey). The International Researcher will also ensure the alignment of all research activities with UNDP methodology and facilitate the integration of the outputs in UNDP’s Regional Programme on Roma. 

Duties and responsibilities are divided in three main components:

Pilot implementation in Romania

• Provide technical contribution to the ToT manual to be used in training of staff in Braila and Galati (approximately 5 working days – home based);
• Undertake travel to pilot sites in Romania (Cluj, Braila and Galati and Bucharest) and participate in planning meetings and project stakeholder events as required, maintaining data collection and producing reports and analysis/case studies (approximately 10 working days home-based + 2x2 days travel to Romania);
• Contribute to implementation of training for local stakeholders in Braila and Galati in support of and suppervised by project CTA (approximately 5 working days home-based + 1x3 travel days).
  

Countries of knowledge transfer:

• Participate in Fact Finding Missions to countries of knowledge transfer (Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey) and support the activities of the CTA, providing background research and analysis, collecting notes and documenting the process of setting up the conditions for future pilot interventions and project generation (approximately 15 working days home-based + 3 travel days in each country, so 3x3 in total);
• Contribute to preparation of the FFM reports subsequent to the 3 missions based on guidelines provided by CTA, mapping problems, partners, resources and ideas appearing in each project country (approximately 15 working days home-based);
• Contribute to interim/ methodological reports and materials to facilitate sustained progress reporting and communication activities to regional partners about pilot initiatives' development, as well as activities in the countries of knowledge transfer (approximately 25 working days home-based); Provide technical support in and reporting on any subsequent activities related to project generation for inclusive local development in the countries of transfer, as needs arise, within the framework of the current project (approximately 35 working days home-based).
  

Final knowledge materials and dissemination:

• Support the preparation of a repository of knowledge on integrated local development for Roma inclusion by undertaking the content writing and editing of guidelines and case studies based on local development processes of the model pilot sites as final project deliverables (a Handbook/Final Report with case studies and guidelines to local development for social inclusion will be produced based on guidelines provided by CTA);
• Contribute to the dissemination of knowledge materials, lessons and insights onto regional level, planned as facilitation of the networking of the stakeholders of area-based Roma inclusion initiatives (approximately 5 working days home-based);
• Attend and participate in the Final International Workshop/Conference (1x2 travel days, location to be decided later);
• Any other activities and assistance which may reasonably be required (continuous).
  

The implementation of the above mentioned duties will expect travel in the amount of approximately 22 days.

• Travel to two pilot sites in Romania - 2x2 days;
• Travel to Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey for fact finding missions - 3 travel days in each country, so 3x3 in total (July/August 2013);
• Travel to in Braila and Galati for the implementation of training for local stakeholders – 1x3 days (fall 2013);
• Travel to Turkey for project setting up/follow up activities – 1x4 days; 
• Participate at the project closing regional workshop (location to be decided later) – 1x2 days (2014).
  

Outputs and Deliverables

• Installment 1 - estimated in early July, 2013: Prepared Fact Finding Mission reports following missions to Serbia and Macedonia;
• Installment 2 - estimated in early August, 2013: Prepared Fact Finding Mission report following mission to Turkey;
• Installment 3 – estimated in early September, 2013 Assist in the development of ToT manuals and other training materials for local development work in Braila and Galati and Bucharest;
• Installment 4 – estimated in early October, 2013: Prepared summary and progress report on project developments in prototype model site of Cluj. Assist in the preparation of case studies for Braila and Galati;
• Installment 5 - estimated in early November, 2013: Submitted mission reports on the exchange visits in Serbia and Macedonia;
• Installment 6 - estimated in early December, 2013: Prepared draft case studies based on progress and development process to date to be used as part of knowledge products based on developments in the pilot model sites in project countries;
• Installment 7 – estimated on the end of January, 2014: Prepared traning manual and draft methodological guideline as part of knowledge products based on developments in the pilot model sites in project countries;
• Installment 8 - estimated in early March, 2014: Assist the preparation of the draft of knowledge products (draft handbook containing guidelines to local initiatives for tackling development challenges related to Roma exclusion and segregation);
• Installment 9 - estimated in early April, 2014: Assume the writing and editing of the Handbook, containing a summary of activities, insights of and prospects for the region(s), case studies and guidelines to local initiatives for tackling development challenges related to Roma exclusion and segregation;
• Installment 10 – estimated in early May, 2014: Contribution to preparation of draft project proposals for ABD for Roma inclusion in the Western-Balkan region;
• Installment 11 – estimated on the end of May, 2014: Assume the writing and editing of the Final Project Report
  

The above mentioned activities shall be performed under supervision of the Programme’s CTA and assigned Bratislava Regional Centre Programme Specialist.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  

Functional competencies:

• Good organization and research management skills;
• Strong analytical, communication and inter-personal skills;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines;
• Flexibility to travel, including on short notice;
• Exposure and predilection to international and multicultural settings, including policy contexts and civil society settings;
• Familiarity with national political and policy contexts and the conditions of Roma in the region, particularly in Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, and Turkey.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• A minimum of master’s degree in a related discipline (sociology, anthropology, political science); pursuing or completed higher (doctorate) studies a plus.

Experience

• Proven track record in international research, and relevant international publication(s);
• Editing and proofreading experience;
• Having completed extensive fieldwork research (having spent significant time in a Roma community and/or worked on local Roma policy issues a great advantage);
• Profound first hand knowledge of Roma issues, familiarity with Roma-related policies and processes on the local and EU level (experience with housing issues a plus);
• Minimum of 3-4 years of relevant work experience, covering both academic and applied professional realization (additionally, preference would be given to candidates whose practical experience combines work and exposure to the public, corporate and civil society environments);
• Previous experience in the spheres of sustainability and local development required.
  

Language skills

• Fluent English and fluent knowledge of at least one Balkan language a must.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications(desk review) and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) Responsive and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 56 points:

• Criteria A (Master’s degree in sociology, anthropology, or political science; pursuing or completed higher (doctorate) studies is a plus) – max points: 10;
• Criteria B (Proven track record in international research, and relevant international publication(s)) – max points: 10;
• Criteria C (Having completed extensive fieldwork research (having spent significant time in a Roma community and/or worked on local Roma policy issues and/or housing issues a great advantage) – max points: 20;
• Criteria D (Minimum of 3-4 years of relevant work experience, covering both academic and applied professional realization)– max points: 10;
• Criteria E (Familiarity with UNDP’s regional work on Roma issues (particularly with pilot projects in Hungary and Romania) – max points 6.  

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 24 points.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV. 
• Please paste below a name or link of publication proving track record in international research.
• Financial Proposals specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

FC: 30000