UNDP Jobs - 56443- International Consultant: Statistical Expert for B

International Consultant: Statistical Expert for Background Paper on Income and Non-income Inequality Measurements for the Regional Human Development Report on Inequalities in Europe and Central Asia

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated June – December 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 30 working days

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 Regional Human Development Reports (RHDRs) (1) are flagship publications that offer empirically grounded human development perspectives on important regional issues, in ways that can support regional and national programming. UNDP’s 2015 RHDR for the developing and transition economies of Europe and Central Asia (2) is devoted to inequalities. It builds on the UNDP-led regional Dialog on Inequalities (3), which called for deeper understanding of the causes, trends and nature of inequalities in this region, and for the design and implementation of appropriate policies, particularly in light of the emerging post-2015 development agenda.
In this context, UNDP is commissioning a statistical background research paper to support the RHDR chapter on measurements of income and non-income inequalities. This chapter, which draws content inter alia from the regional background paper (4) prepared by UNDP for the regional Dialog on Inequalities (5), focuses on the key challenges facing governments and their development partners as they seek to improve measurement of both income and non-income inequalities.

The background paper will provide answers to six questions:

The extent to which national data support clear judgements concerning trends in income and non-income inequalities;
The extent to which they show that these inequalities are growing;
Whether economic growth in these countries has been accompanied/supported by reductions in inequalities (and poverty);
The pluses and minuses of using different indicators to measure income and non-income inequalities—with a particular emphasis on the Gini coefficient, Palma ratios, and the inequality-adjusted human development index (but also other indicators as seem relevant);
Whether middle classes—defined in both relative and absolute terms—in the region are growing; and
Measurement-related inequality dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals that are relevant for the region.

Notes:

http://hdr.undp.org/en/regional-reports?field_region_tid=302
Reference is to Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo (as per UNSCR 1244 (1999)), Kyrgyzstan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.
https://undp.unteamworks.org/file/481489/download/524606
http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/Poverty%20Inequality%20and%20Vulnerability.pdf
https://undp.unteamworks.org/file/481489/download/524606

Duties and Responsibilities

The expert will work under the supervision of UNDP’s regional specialist for poverty and inequality. (S)he will review relevant literatures, data and research on income and non-income inequalities, as well as measures used for determining “middle class” status, in the developing and transition economies of Europe and Central Asia.

Deliverables:

Provide a well-written (in English) manuscript in the 6000-8000 word range, that:

Provides answers to the six questions mentioned above, namely:

The extent to which national data support clear judgements concerning trends in income and non-income inequalities;
The extent to which they show that these inequalities are growing;
Whether economic growth in these countries has been accompanied/supported by reductions in inequalities (and poverty);
The pluses and minuses of using different indicators to measure income and non-income inequalities—with a particular emphasis on the Gini coefficient, Palma ratios, and the inequality-adjusted human development index (but also other indicators as seem relevant);
Whether middle classes—defined in both relative and absolute terms—in the region are growing; and
Measurement-related inequality dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals that are relevant for the region.

Includes an executive summary, and sections devoted to conclusions and policy recommendations.

Provide a data appendix showing trends in:

Publicly available primary income distribution data that can be obtained from national statistical websites of UNDP programme countries (7) in Excel (or similar) format, by: a) Quintiles and deciles; b) Gini coefficients; and c) Whatever other indicators of income distribution may be reported on national government websites;
Palma indicators for those countries for income quintiles and deciles are reported;
Inequality-adjusted human development indexes (as compiled by UNDP’s Human development Report Office);
Gender inequality indexes (as compiled by UNDP’s Human development Report Office); and
Other inequality measures, as relevant.

On the basis of the above, design a prototype for a “dashboard of national inequality indicators” which could show, in no more than one page, internationally comparable national trends in income and non-income inequalities;
Once the design of the dashboard has been agreed, create national dashboards for each of UNDP’s programme countries in this region and fill them with the relevant data;
Review relevant portions of the RHDR (e.g., statistical annexes), to ensure overall consistency and accuracy in the use of data;
Draft two blog posts for dissemination on UNDP website reflecting key conclusions from the background paper; and
Participate (as needed) in meetings and consultations during the work on the RHDR.

Timeline and payment:

The assignment will begin in June 2015 and is expected to be completed over a period of four months. It is estimated that the work on the above deliverables will take up to 30 working days.

The timelines for this work are:

Phase I—1 August 2015: First draft of the background research results submitted for comments;
Phase II—30 September 2015: final draft.

Payment will be made in two instalments: 50% for phase I and 50% for phase II—upon the timely submission of deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP’s regional specialist for poverty and inequality.

Due to the nature of the project, there will be periods of time when no actual research will occur, as the writer will be waiting for text clearances from UNDP.

Notes:

Reference is to Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo (as per UNSCR 1244 (1999)), Kyrgyzstan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to human development principles and values;
Shares knowledge and experience;
Provides helpful feedback and advice;
Strong statistical and IT skills;
Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Recognized MA degree (preferably Ph.D. level) in statistics, economics or other social sciences.

Experience:

At least 8 years of relevant experience in academic or research institutions, with a focus on the: a) collection, management, and analysis of national data on poverty and inequality; b) and relevant indicators and policy debates;
Experience with international organisations is considered to be an asset.

Language:

Excellent command of English;
Knowledge of a language used in the region would be an asset.

Evaluation of applicants:

Applicants will be evaluated according to a cumulative analysis reflecting the combination of their qualifications and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and assessed as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and—if necessary—interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates found qualified for the job based on the P11 desk review will be invited for an interview.

Evaluation criteria:

Technical Criteria: 70% of total evaluation (max. 35 points):

Criterion A: Educational and related background (max. 5 points);
Criterion B: Proven experience in dealing with the collection, management, and analysis of data on inequalities, particularly in this region (max. 10 points);
Criterion C: Expertise in issues concerning the computation and interpretation of inequality-related indices (max. 10 points);
Criterion D: Proven ability to produce clear and cogently written research reports by provision of links to written samples (max. 10 points).

Financial Criteria: 30% of total evaluation (max. 15 points)

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

A cover letter explaining why the applicant is the most suitable candidate for the advertised position (please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application);
A completed P11 form, including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank forms 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;
A brief methodological description attached to this application of how you would approach and conduct the work; and
A financial proposal*—specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested; materials. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

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).

Payments will be made upon confirmation by UNDP of satisfactory delivery of the contract obligations.

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://on.undp.org/t7fJs.