UNDP Jobs - 55531- National Consultant to Support Implementation of I

National Consultant to Support Implementation of Institutional Support Grants for Rural Women's Empowerment

Location :

Yangon with travel to other regions, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

120 days

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

Under UNDP Myanmar’s Pillar 1 Local Governance Programme, Output 2 focuses on Civil Society and Media support. The effective participation of Civil Society Organizations (as representatives of the people) and the Media (as one of the organizations concerned with transparent, credible and accurate reporting of local news) is an integral element of sustainable human development and local governance. UNDP’s overall programme strategy for Myanmar (2013 – 2015) is aligned with the priorities of the Myanmar government and aims to support an enabling environment for development to reach out to all, democracy to flourish and citizens to realize their basic human rights.

As highlighted by UNDP’s Local Governance Mapping and other studies, women’s engagement with and participation in local governance remains extremely low in Myanmar, and particularly in rural areas. This holds back achievement of Myanmar’s broader development goals. Output 2 places special emphasis on empowering rural women’s leadership in communities and their engagement in local development and monitoring of public service delivery, working inter alia with the leaders of federated Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs).

UNDP’s earlier Human Development Initiative (HDI) programme in Myanmar for two decades focused predominantly on livelihoods and food security activities through the formation and mobilization of community based organizations, including SRGs. By the end of HDI in December 2012, over 8,000 villages in 63 townships across Myanmar received assistance and 5,503 SRGs were formed and supported with total membership of about 78,000. During the HDI transition phase (November 2012-September 2013), UNDP promoted a concept of federating SRGs to support their long term self-management and sustainability. On a voluntary basis, many SRGs federated from grassroots level to cluster level, and from cluster level to township level as Township Leading Groups (TLGs). As of December 2014, over 22,000 women members are directly participating and benefiting from approximately 2,000 federated SRGs across 31 townships in 8 Regions/States of Myanmar.

During 2014, participatory capacity assessment exercise and leadership training were undertaken for leaders of the TLGs. In line with recommendations from this capacity assessment, UNDP instituted a program of Institutional Support Grants to the TLGs. The grants provide support for institutionalizing their township-level organizations and activities (such as training, civic education, and linkages with local administrations, other civil society organizations and private sector actors), and for strengthening TLG capacities to provide effective services to their members. The overall objective of the grants is to build the institutional capacity of TLGs so that they act as member-based civil society organizations to enhance the voices of rural women particularly in matters of local development and governance, while continuing to support the functioning of their respective cluster and village-level SRGs in their on-going work to improve living standards for member households. The initial round of Institutional Support Grants run for 14 months from November 2014 through December 2015. Conditional on successful performance and financial audit results, and with demonstrated potential for progressive realization of institutional sustainability, UNDP anticipates initiating a second round of grant support for the TLGs.

For more details, please follow the link below:

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=21669

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Program Specialist- Civil Society and Media, and in coordination with relevant UNDP Yangon and Area Office staff and consultants, the National TLG Coordinator (Women’s Empowerment) will provide technical and program support for implementation of UNDP’s women’s empowerment work with the Township Leading Groups. For more details, please see attached ToR.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Good knowledge of the natural resource management particularly lake and watershed management, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the region and developing countries;
Ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to sustainable financial mechanism for environmental conservation;
Ability to advocate and provide technical advice on the relevant sector/theme;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Strong analytical capacity;
Excellent communications and advocacy skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications:

First level University Degree (Bachelor) in relevant Social Sciences area, e.g., Development.

Work Experience:

At least 5 years post-degree relevant work experience;
Successful track record of civil society capacity development, including organizational development, network- or association-building, sustainability planning, leadership development;
Significant experience and demonstrated effectiveness in designing and delivering trainings, training of trainers, and face to face capacity development;
Strong experience with grants implementation and/or grants management, including results-based management, work planning, performance reporting, financial reporting, and monitoring and evaluation of results;
Demonstrated familiarity with women’s issues and women’s empowerment approaches. Ability to draw on strong networks of women’s organizations and women leaders;
Previous working experience in support of Self-Reliant Groups or similar self-help groups is an advantage;
Experience and knowledge in different development sectors at local and sub-national levels is desirable;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;

Language Requirement:

Full working knowledge of English and Myanmar languages, including excellent writing skills;
Knowledge of other dialects will be advantageous.