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). Currently we are preparing the next SWVR for 2018 which focuses on Resilient Communities: The role of Volunteerism in a Turbulent World.
This consultancy will be managed by the research specialist in VKIS as part of the overall SWVR project.
2. MAIN OBJECTIVES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED WORK.
Under the guidance of the VKIS policy 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 10-15,000 words (excluding references) that will inform the main SWVR report and subject to meeting UNV publication standards would be published as a stand-alone thematic paper in 2018, launched as part of the State of the World’s Volunteerism project.
Focus of the research topic
The frequency and intensity of instability and fragility is on the rise in many countries. Such fragility is a result of global issues ranging from irreversible climate change impacts and natural disasters, to conflict and the dislocation of people – creating multiple vulnerabilities even in those countries that have been considered financially and politically stable. We know that the greatest development deficits occur in countries that experience conflict and post-conflict situations. On the other hand, demographic trends and growing inequities as a result of current prosperity/economic models are also contributing to national and global instabilities.
Fragility and instability make communities more vulnerable, often having to heavily rely on their own resilience to prepare, respond and to deal with crises, from sudden shocks to protracted political and environmental stresses on life and livelihoods. Volunteers in the community are often the first to extend support in the event of destabilization and disasters. Yet this happens while the enabling environment for volunteerism itself can be at risk – from the deterioration of local resources and capacities themselves affected by crisis, to the spaces for delivery of effective support particularly in authoritarian contexts where access to information about disasters is highly sensitive and community activities tightly controlled once the official state response kicks in, to the power dynamics of local, national and international governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental actors.
Local community volunteers are often expected to play a service delivery role, while options and opportunities to shape decision making, hold parties to account (government and aid agencies) remain patchy. Access to training, support and funding mechanisms are likely to vary - with international volunteers and/or formal and organized volunteers more able to tap into the structures and support that they need both short and long-term. The gendered dimensions of the burden of response, as well as access to support, recognition and decision-making opportunities remain significant.
Under the Grand Bargain , which commits to raise at least 25% humanitarian funding to national and local actors by 2020, and given increasing focus of the role of national actors as the primary duty bearers for protecting populations, the role of volunteers at community, sub-regional and national levels can be seen as a critical aspect of challenging the cycle of dependence and disempowerment. Volunteer movements, harnessed effectively, can provide an important resource for building national and local capacities, and accountability systems that address inequalities and human rights violations that are often the root causes of instability within and between countries. Done well, they can also extend participation and shape opportunities for women, excluded and marginalized groups.
As such there is a need to understand how to best strengthen the contribution of volunteerism to humanitarian efforts, and to harness complementarity through development of policy, practice and investment, as part of a wider resilience agenda. This includes ensuring recognition for local volunteerism and how it can be better nurtured and supported for long-term resilience through more effective investment in community preparedness, prioritization of particular areas of vulnerability, and matching of vulnerable areas with volunteer groups, in order to reduce the burden of risk. A continuing question is how local volunteers can better link up with and benefit from the evolving landscape for international volunteering, particularly South-South volunteering, as for example demonstrated in the Ebola response, Nepal Earthquake response and through intiatives such as the White Helmets Commission .
On the more positive side, there is a need to understand how the spirit of volunteerism that is evident in many communities under extreme stress can be supported and nurtured, so that volunteerism remains a property of resilient communities, rather than a short-term survival response which leads to burnout among already vulnerable groups.
The purpose of this paper is therefore to review key aspects of the global humanitarian system (structures, mechanisms, principles and norms) in 2017 to identify what is currently being done to foster positive and sustainable volunteerism in humanitarian action, and to identify potential gaps and challenges which the UN and others should address. This includes reviewing progress since the 2016 WHS on relevant initiatives (e.g. Network for Empowered Aid Response), Charter4Change and Global Partnership for Preparedness); Sector standards and approaches, particularly the Core Humanitarian Standard ; UN’s own coordination, funding and accountability mechanisms for humanitarian assistance, to understand how they can better work to nurture primarily local volunteerism in humanitarian action through capacity building, protection and empowerment, as well as any other emerging themes such as digital infrastructure to support volunteer engagement in disasters or corporate volunteering. Global initiatives and incentives to support national governments and other authorities engage with disaster affected populations through volunteering is of particular interest, as a primary relationship which has the most significance for longer-term resilience building and community empowerment.
Though there is not a lot of specific literature on volunteers per se , there are a number of relevant research and policy pieces, dialogue and conversations on the role of communities in humanitarian action which can be examined from the perspective of volunteerism . These can be complemented by volunteer literature, bearing in mind the bias towards international and formal volunteering. All analysis should look at implications for different and marginalized groups, particularly the burden borne by women and vulnerable groups in emergencies, and the scope for their empowerment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Indicative structure of the paper to be developed:
- Background and introduction to key issues and terms
- Evidence review on the role and contribution of volunteerism in humanitarian response
- Information and trends on key global initiatives to support local volunteerism for humanitarian action to date
- Emerging issues, challenges and gaps from a review of the humanitarian system.
- Recommendations for research, practice, and policy including concrete entry points in current dialogues and initiatives.
- 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 ten references coming from the global South).
Deliverables
- Outline of paper approach, themes, sources and out line submitted for review - 15th September 2017
- Submission full draft report for feedback - 20th October 2017
- Second draft submitted for feedback - 17th November 2017
- Full final report submitted - 30th November 2017
Competencies
Excellent knowledge of humanitarian policies, standards, practices within and outside the UN system including developments under the World Humanitarian Summit initiatives
• Research & writing skills, such as demonstrated through having successfully formulated background papers, campaign materials and case studies.
• Strong analytical skills including gender analysis.
• 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 policy engagement on related issues (volunteerism, enabling environment for volunteering and citizen engagement, humanitarian research and policy). Language requirement. English. Other UN languages an asset.
Applicants have to 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
• Proven experience in research and policy analysis on international humanitarian system (35%)
• Demonstrated track record writing and publishing on volunteerism and related issues (participation, engagement, accountability, capacity building) (25%)
• Experience working on the global south (15%)
• 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 73593 - 0082201: SWVR 2018 Thematic paper 3 - Volunteerism in Humanitarian Systems in the subject line
The Terms and Conditions and 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.