UNDP Jobs - 71717- International consultant for review, improvement a

International consultant for review, improvement and presentation of the “Businessman’s guide on social dialogue with small indigenous groups: an algorithm”.

Location :

Home based assignment with 1 mission to Kemerovo oblast, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jul-2017

Application Deadline :

06-Aug-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

July-August 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

22 working days including one mission for 2 working days to Kemerovo oblast

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

Alongside with working to conserve biodiversity, the UNDP/GEF - RF Ministry of natural resources project “Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into Russia’s energy sector policies and operations” also aims to develop a trilateral dialogue “business - indigenous peoples – government”, create organisational opportunities for disseminating modern approaches to cooperation between business and indigenous minorities, develop an equitable dialogue based both on the requirements of the existing Russian laws (including those regulating compensation measures) and on the best international practices (including those in the area of human potential development in conjunction with support for traditional economic activities.)

In 2013 - 2016, the project prepared a version of the “Businessman’s guide on social dialogue with small indigenous groups: an algorithm” (the guide is available both in Russian and English) designed to identify practical mechanisms and the sequence of activities to be undertaken by coal-mining companies to take into account the rights of indigenous minorities and to make arrangements for an efficient and equitable cooperation (using the Kemerovo oblast of the Russian Federation as an example.)

Involved in preparations and discussions of the initial version of the guide were representatives of the State Duma (Parliament), regional authorities, N.N. Miklukho-Maklai institute of ethnology and anthropology of the Russian academy of sciences, the non-governmental organisations, association of the Nenets people Yasawei, association of indigenous minorities of the north of the Sakha (Yakutia) republic, expert council of the non-commercial partnership association of communities of indigenous minorities of the North, as well as representatives of energy companies.

In the course of discussions and coordination of the documents with the representatives of the indigenous minorities, the parties agreed it would be desirable to involve international experts in the work on the document in order to review and refine it, with the end goal to include requirements of leading international standards and regulations, and to aim the guide at the development of an equitable and constructive dialogue, which would ensure proper account of the indigenous minorities’ interests in course of coal mining.

The international consultant shall work in close contact with representatives of indigenous peoples of the Kemerovo oblast, in particular with the NGO “Resurrection of the town of Kazas and the Shor people.”

Duties and Responsibilities

The international consultant’s work shall consist of two consecutive stages.

Stage 1 (May, 2017)

Refine the guide pursuant to the comments received:

Ensure that the document takes into consideration all the relevant international declarations, policies, conventions and guidelines on the rights of and cooperation between business and indigenous minorities, and the Akwe-Kon voluntary guidelines;
Undertake an in-depth and specific analysis of the national laws’ potential for including the interests of indigenous minorities;
Elaborate the mechanisms of ethnological expert assessment;
Ensure that the guide takes into consideration the interests and rights of indigenous peoples with a particular focus on the Free, Prior and Informed Consent principle.

Present the updated version of the guide and participate (in remote mode) in discussions of the analysis results and recommendations with representatives of indigenous minorities and the project team;

Prepare the final refined version of the guide based on conducted discussions.

Stage 2 (June, 2017):

Prepare a power point presentation of the reviewed and refined guide;
Present the refined guide to representatives of small indigenous peoples and local communities in the areas directly affected by coal mining in the Kemerovo oblast (field visit).

The potential need for engaging a national expert for local support, as well as detailed terms of reference, will be defined together with the international consultant.

Expected outcomes and tentative timeframe

The results will be delivered to UNDP in the form of reports with appendices. All reports shall be submitted in concise and grammatically correct English and presented in electronic form in MS Word format.

The consultant is expected to work within the following tentative framework:

May 2017, stage 1 – the refined guide, including experts’ analysis and recommendations, as well as results of the discussions with representatives of indigenous minorities and the project team;
June 2017, stage 2 – power point presentation and report on the guide presentation in Kemerovo oblast (including list of participants, minutes/protocol/decision).

Payment terms

The international consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative and travel expenses associated with the assignment which include printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, etc.

The payments will be effected as follows:

First installment: 50% upon submission of stage 1 report;
Second installment: 50 % upon submission of stage 2 report.

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:

Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills and ability to work in a team;
Ability to plan and organize work, efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong analytical, research, reporting and writing abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in human rights, governance, or other relevant discipline, preferably with a component on indigenous peoples issues.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the field of indigenous rights, human rights, governance, etc. Experience working with the indigenous peoples problem in Russia would be an asset;
Practical experience in development of educational materials and guiding documents on indigenous and/or human rights. Experience in development of guiding materials on indigenous and/or human rights for energy companies is an asset;
Experience in applying the UN(DP) trends and processes for promotion of indigenous peoples rights. Practical experience with the (UN)DP human rights machinery is an asset;
Experience in working with international organizations, experience with UN/UNDP is an asset.

Languages:

Fluent English (spoken and written). Good knowledge of the Russian language is an asset.

Evaluation of applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive/compliant/acceptable and having received the highest score.

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points (desk review – max 40 points; interview – max 30 points) distributed as follows:

Master degree in human rights, governance, or other relevant discipline, preferably with a component on indigenous peoples issues (max 4 points);
At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the field of indigenous rights, human rights, governance, etc. Experience working with the indigenous peoples problem in Russia would be an asset (max 10 points);
Practical experience in development of educational materials and guiding documents on indigenous and/or human rights. Experience in development of guiding materials on indigenous and/or human rights for energy companies is an asset (max 10 points);
Experience in applying the UN(DP) trends and processes for promotion of indigenous peoples rights. Practical experience with the (UN)DP human rights machinery is an asset (max 8 points);
Experience in working with international organizations, experience with UN/UNDP is an asset (max 3 points);

Language skills: excellent English writing and communication skills, knowledge of the Russian language is an advantage (max 5 points);
Interview (max 30 points).

Candidates who pass the technical evaluation threshold will have their financial offers evaluated. Financial criteria represent 30% of total evaluation, max. 30 points.

Application Procedures