UNDP Jobs - 74606- Research Team Leader– Situation Analysis of Region

Research Team Leader– Situation Analysis of Region and State Hluttaws

Location :

Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, Mon, Tanintharyi, and Shan Regions and States, Myanmar, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

09-Oct-2017

Application Deadline :

28-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

09 October– 15 December 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

(total 45 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

The 2008 Constitution established a bi-cameral parliament (‘Hluttaw’) at Union level with a Lower House (‘Pyithu Hluttaw’), an Upper House (‘Amyotha Hluttaw’) and a Joint House (‘Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’), and 14 uni-cameral Hluttaws at Region and State level. The Hluttaws began their first terms in 2011 and as new institutions, key priorities were clarifying and strengthening the roles and responsibilities of MPs and the structures and functions of the Hluttaws. The Hluttaws’ administrations provide support to the functioning of the Hluttaws’ bodies and provide the services the MPs require to fulfill their functions. Since 2017 the 14 Region and State Hluttaw administrations are part of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw administration. The Union and Region and State Hluttaws deliberate matters of common interest and parliamentary development in the framework of the Myanmar Parliamentary Union (MPU)

In a survey of Union Hluttaw Members in 2015 at the end of the first term, many elected members acknowledged they had little understanding of how legislatures could best contribute to an effective system of government. The survey also highlighted that despite gains in capacity, parliamentary support staff also require increased knowledge and skills to provide high-level support and advisory services to MPs and Hluttaw committee members.

The functioning and practices of the Region and State Hluttaws and their challenges have not yet been documented in a comprehensive manner[1]. But UNDP’s engagement with Region and State Hluttaw MPs, Speakers and the administrative leadership has shown that the practices of how the 14 Region and State Hluttaws fulfil their functions vary, in particular with regard to how they structure their relations with the government and external actors and in how MPs work for their constituents. Unlike their Union Hluttaw peers Region and State Hluttaw MPs spend more time working on their representation duties in their constituencies.

Since 2013, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) have supported the Hluttaw-led institutional change agenda focused on building the Union Hluttaw Parliament into a strong and effective democratic institution.

UNDP’s approach to strengthening the Region and State Hluttaws has been to support the Hluttaws’ institutional development, which is the prerequisite of effective Hluttaw work, and to facilitate the exchange of practices and peer-to-peer learning amongst MPs and staff. To this end, UNDP has also supported the professional development of the Speakers, Committee Chairs, and MPs. UNDP has fostered learning through exchanges of practices and experience among Hluttaws and by providing Hluttaws with opportunities to coordinate their development.

[1] The only dedicated study about the Region and State Hluttaws analyzes different aspects of the work and functioning of 8 Region and State Hluttaws during the first Hluttaw term, from 2011 -2015 and reviews internal arrangements and the legislative output of the Hluttaws. Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation, Performance Analysis: State and Region Hluttaws (Local Legislatures) 2010-2015. An earlier report reviewed broadly the governance arrangements at Region and State level but did not devote much attention to the Region and State Hluttaws. The Asia Foundation, State and Region Governments in Myanmar, September 2013

Duties and Responsibilities

Rationale of the Situation Analysis

As per attach TOR.

B.Expected Outputs and Schedule of Delivery

As per attach TOR.

C.Roles and responsibilities

As per attach TOR. http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=40894

D.Administrative and Logistical Arrangements

As per attach TOR. http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=40894

E.Duration and Commencement of the Assignment

As per attach TOR. http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=40894

Competencies

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=40894

Required Skills and Experience

A.Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

Advanced university degree in law, social sciences, international development, economics, or human rights
Experience in conducting research in the field of governance or law
Experience working with senior public officials
Experience in parliamentary strengthening in Myanmar
Experience in policy or advocacy in Myanmar
Experience in local governance, community rights or peace-building in Myanmar

Please check detials information at# http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=40894