UNDP Jobs - 73472- IC for Conduct of Empirical Research to Identify L

IC for Conduct of Empirical Research to Identify Linkages between Corruption and Violent Extremism in Asia-Pacific Region

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2017

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months

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

In recent years, the world has witnessed new waves of violent extremism that have taken the lives of many innocent people. While security and law enforcement approaches are necessary to manage and respond to the threat of violent extremism, these measures will not be sufficient in and of themselves to reduce the prevalence and potential impact of violent extremism over the long--term.

The prevention of violent extremism requires security measures to be complemented with additional measures based on socio--economic causes and solutions, anchored in robust analysis of the diverse local drivers of violent extremism. UNDP’s conceptual framework consists of 11 interlinked building blocks forming a theory of change that explains how development can help prevent violent extremism. Enhancing the fight against corruption and widespread impunity is an important component of that strategy. Countries or local communities that make a solid effort to reduce the petty and grand corruption that fuel people’s perceptions of injustice provide a visible sign that causes of inequality and marginalization are being addressed. UNDP strategies at the national level aim to design new initiatives (including fast track projects to address immediate challenges) and also include an analysis and adaptation of UNDP and other major existing portfolio of projects, examining how they may positively or negatively influence the drivers of radicalization and violent extremism.

The Anti--Corruption for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies (ACPIS) project is guided by the strong link between governance, peace--building and development. This link is the focus of UNDP’s global strategy on ‘Preventing Violent Extremism through Inclusive Development and the Promotion of Tolerance and Respect for Diversity’, which advocates a comprehensive development response to addressing radicalization and violent extremism. The strategy acknowledges that the prevention of violent extremism needs to go beyond reactive security concerns and that it will not be possible to deliver peaceful, just and inclusive societies when corruption continues to deprive many people of important development dividends. This global strategy calls for action to address the development related causes of this threat, such as perceptions of injustice, human rights violations, social--political exclusion, widespread corruption and the sustained mistreatment of certain groups.

Corruption is arguably one of several factors that, over the long--term, contribute to an enabling environment for violent extremism either acting as an enabler or a driver of violent extremism. While little empirical evidence exists about this dynamic, particularly in the Asia--Pacific region, anecdotal evidence indicates that corruption contributes to an enabling environment for violent extremism in at least two ways:

weakening law enforcement efforts by undermining the capacity and integrity of law enforcement agencies, including police, border protection, prosecutors, courts and prisons (see, e.g. Louise Shelley, Dirty Entanglements: Corruption, Crime, and Terrorism, 2014); and

stoking anger towards the state and other groups by perpetuating citizens’ marginalization, offending their sense of justice and undermining their dignity (e.g. Sarah Chayes, Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security, 2015).

Initial studies have shown that there is an increasingly widespread perception in Muslim communities in

Philippines that Imams are not equipped enough by their own training to help young Filipino Muslims cope with critical issues such as the Bangsamoro peace process, Islamophobia, discrimination, narco politics/drugs, and the preservation of Islamic values amidst external influence and western youth culture.In order however to be able to address the capacity gaps and review the whole training programs for the Muslim regious leaders, it is important to first establish the baseline information of the existing capacities of the Imams and the respective training programs that they have been through. Thus, the project will need to procure the services of a consultant who will conduct a baseline survey that will be done in key cities in the country where there are substantial muslim population. The objective of this consultancy is to collect/analyse data at the country level, elaborate country specific case study and human interest story.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of UNDP Country Office focal pointor the Team Leader of the RPBU and the ACPIS team based in Singapore and in close coordination with the lead international consultant, the incumbent will be contracted to carry out the following tasks:

Attend preparatory regional workshop to be held in mid--August, 2017 to agree on research elements of the consultancy
Draft country case study and human interest story and revise, as needed
Finalize country case study plans in consultation with the lead international consultant, UNDP staff and other experts designated by UNDP
Gather country level data and carry out initial analysis of the data per study plans
Carry out interviews, surveys, focus groups discussions per study plans
Consolidate all the information and submit to UNDP in a timely manner.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverables/ Outputs (review and approval required from Team Leader of RPBU)

-Country Case Study and Human Interest Story

-Country Case Study Plans

-Analysis Report on Gathered Country Data

-Project Terminal Report

Competencies

Competencies

General knowledge and good understanding of issues related to governance, anti--corruption and preventing violent extremism;
Track record of conducting country level research;
Ability to gather, analyze and present data and evidence in a clear and understandable format;
Strong analytical, research and English written skills;
Ability to work independently, against tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience:

At least seven years of experience in policy analysis or relevant research at national level;
Experience of working at the regional level or contributing to the regional level research is an asset;
Track record in data collection and analysis using software such as STATA, SPSS, SAS etc, especially as it relates to development and/or governance with a specific focus on anti--corruption, preventing violent extremism or related area;
Experience in different data collection methodologies, including conducting focus group discussions, surveys, interviews, etc.;
A sound knowledge of country’s political and socio--economic context, ongoing reforms particularly as they relate to the fight against corruption and preventing violent extremism;
Excellent English communication, writing and editing skills.

Education:

At least a Master’s degree in development studies, public administration, law, political science, journalism, international relations, or related field would be preferred for the person leading the research, whether s/he be an individual consultant or the head of an organization’s, research institute’s team.

Language Requirements:

Excellent oral and written English.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants are requested to submit in one file the following documents to procurement.ph@undp.org.

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability that indicates the all-inclusive lumpsum contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided; If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references including letters attesting to the capacity of the individual to carry out the research
A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work
A cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable for the work
Excerpt of no more than 10 pages of 1--2 relevant previous research samples