Background
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.
Every 3 years UNV produces a global flagship publication on volunteerism, The State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR). The report production is managed in the Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS). This consultancy will be managed by the research specialist in VKIS as part of the overall SWVR project.
MAIN OBJECTIVES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK.
Under the guidance of the VKIS research specialist, and working closely with the Senior writer/researcher of the SWVR 2018 and other relevant staff, the consultant will produce a research and policy paper of apprx 15,000 words (excluding references) that will both inform the main SWVR report, and be published separately within the SWVR 2018 portfolio. This will include designing and overseeing data collection activities and working with UN staff and volunteers to collect country-specific data on volunteer infrastructure globally.
Focus of the research topic
In order to maximize the contribution of volunteer efforts Agenda 2030, UNV defines volunteer infrastructure as schemes, policies, laws, bodies, networks and other initiatives that increase opportunities for volunteering as well as shaping its contribution peace and development. This involves both regulatory structures and processes, as well as more positive and proactive investment and coordination such as platforms, networks and bodies. Volunteer Infrastructure is shaped by a range of actors including public, private sector and civil society, and a various levels, from global, regional, national, sub-national and community level.
The SWVR 2015 on transforming governance concludes that “Where governments have put in place structures to enhance volunteer engagement, they have been able to systematically leverage the power of volunteerism.” (SWVR, 2015). Volunteers are now recognized stakeholders in Agenda 2030, and volunteering as an important cross-cutting means of implementation across the SDGs. However a more detailed analysis of how volunteer structures can work in different contexts to maximize this contribution, and to shape policy and programmatic interventions, is required by UNV and others. It should also look beyond government roles in the era of transformative and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
In 2011, UNV commissioned a global research study on “Laws and Policies Affecting Volunteerism Since 2001” to consider trends and lessons in the development of supportive volunteerism policies and legislation. An overall review was conducted in seven regions, complemented by country specific case studies in each region. This research study further analysed considerations in drafting and implementing volunteerism laws and policies and highlighted the need to tailor them to specific local, national and regional contexts.
Furthermore, for the SWVR 2015, regional updates were also prepared giving an overview of volunteering trends at regional level. A number of other mapping and other resources from UNV and partners have looked in more detail (e.g. at country level) or are forthcoming (e.g. FORUM research on enabling environment for multi-stakeholder partnerships on volunteerism).
The purpose of this paper is therefore to update, synthesise and sharpen existing data to provide a paper on the situation regarding Volunteer Infrastructure globally. This includes a review of the current evidence base on VI/volunteering enabling environment, designing and overseeing a mapping of current VI situation at global and national levels, bringing these two elements together to highlight key trends in this regard.
In terms of approach, in order to conduct the country-level mapping, UNV proposes that the consultant should commission a simple country survey to be completed by UNV staff and volunteers in each country, which would provide basic figures on key policies, laws, schemes and initiatives. This would then be augmented by secondary data review and analysis.
Key areas that the paper should take into consideration beyond updating previous analysis are not limited to, but should include:
Emerging areas of volunteer infrastructure: The 2017 paper should move beyond government-supported laws, policies and schemes to consider other national/major types of structures to support volunteerism including digital infrastructure and the role of private sector. National digital networks and online platforms, for example, are being used in different ways to promote, share opportunities and give visibility to volunteering efforts. Corporate volunteer schemes are now well-established in many contexts, and may give rise to meta-structures and initiatives.
Southern data. Previous research is largely biased towards higher income countries. As much as possible the analysis should look to provide better coverage both developing and middle-income countries and implications for volunteer structures.
Implications for development impact: When analyzing trends, analysis should look beyond the promotion and support to volunteering for its own sake, to assess the evidence and relevance of aspects of volunteer infrastructure for development impact according to the context. Since the evidence base for VI impact is limited, particularly in the global south, the research should be well-grounded in a wider understanding of enabling environment for open and democratic governance, giving the opportunity to reflect upon the value and nature of aspects of VI for maximum impact to peace and development.
Gender equality and inclusion: Analysis should also include the implications of VI and VI trends for the inclusiveness of volunteerism across the different contexts, and in particular the role of VI to shape the contribution of volunteering to towards gender equality.
Duties and Responsibilities
Indicative structure of the paper to be developed (approx 15,000 words)
- Background and introduction to key issues and terms
- Evidence review on volunteer infrastructure (updated literature review, evidence mapping)
- Data on national volunteer infrastructure gathered through regional and country mapping. Where possible this should include 2-3 visual presentations of data (maps, charts) in basic Office programme that UNV can develop to be used online and in the report. Information on
- Data on national laws relating to volunteering
- Data on national policies on volunteering
- Data on national volunteering schemes (e.g. citizen service)
- Data on national coordinating bodies or platforms on volunteering
- Data on significant national digital infrastructure
- Basic analysis, overview and trends of VI data.
- Emerging issues and trends. Include 3-4 case studies linked to resilience theme (deeper dive) on areas of agreed interest covering diverse contexts (e.g. conflict/post-conflict, south-south cooperation on VI, gender and VI).
- Implications and recommendations for research, practice, and policy around VI.
- Include a full reference list (bibliography) of documents cited in the text, using Author-Date reference format (see reference citation guidelines in the annex). In addition, highlight 20-30 key references on the identified topic (with at least six references coming from the global South).
Deliverables
- Outline of paper approach, themes, sources and workplan submitted for review 15th July 2017
- Production and submission of tools and materials for commissioning survey on volunteer infrastructure 25th July 2017
- Submission volunteer infrastructure evidence and data (sections 1 -3) and basic analysis of data regarding coverage 31st August 2017
- Submission trends, analysis, implications and conclusions (sections 4-6) 30th September 2017
- Full draft of report completed and submitted 15th October 2017
- Final draft of report completed and submitted 30th November 2017
Competencies
- Excellent knowledge of volunteerism policy and legislation globally
- Research & writing skills, such as demonstrated through having successfully formulated background papers, campaign materials and case studies.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Knowledge generation (survey) data summary (information presentation) and management skills.
- Ability to work independently.
Required Skills and Experience
- Education; Advanced university degree (Master's and above) in social, political, or economic sciences.
- Experience; At least 7 years' relevant experience in research and policy in international peace and development;
- Experience of research and policy engagement on related issues (volunteerism, enabling environment for
- volunteering and citizen engagement, research on development impact). Demonstrated expertise in
- commissioning surveys and analyzing data. Previous published materials on volunteer infrastructure an asset.
- Language requirement. English. Other UN languages are an asset.
Application procedure:
Applicants must provide a technical and financial proposal.
The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components of its implementation.
The financial proposal shall consist of all-inclusive lump sum for the whole duration of the contract period, which shall include the consultancy fee, costs of living, costs for insurance, etc. The financial proposal shall contain a breakdown of these costs and indicate the number of off-days the consultant wants to take during the contract period (if any).
The lump sum/contract price is fixed regardless of subsequent changes in the cost components.
Criteria for Selection of the Best offer:
The selection of the best offer will be based on the combined scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted – 70% , and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%.
Key selection criteria are
• Demonstrated track record writing and publishing on volunteerism infrastructure particularly policy and legislation (30%)
• Proven experience in research and policy analysis on democratic governance (15%)
• Proven research and analytical skills (15%)
• Experience working on the global south (10%)
• Financial proposal (30%)
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via the UNDP website. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this ToR and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above. Applications should contain: A brief cover letter, a short summary of relevant qualifications a short technical proposal and financial proposal (using the Confirmation of Interest Form, see link below). Please scan all the documents onto one and paste into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. A current completed and signed P11 form/ UN Personal History Form in English. Blank form can be downloaded from www.sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc
Please also include your CV. Contact details for 3 references. Please make sure you provide all requested materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All documents should be scanned and attached in one pdf format document.
Any queries should be sent to procurement@unv.org with 081486: SWVR 2018 Thematic paper 2 - Volunteer Infrastructure in the subject line
The Confirmation of Interest (COI) template can be downloaded at the following link:
https://www.unv.org/basic-page/procurement-information
Companies can also apply. Should consultants apply as a team, they must apply as one legal entity.
We look forward to receiving your proposal.