Background
COVID-19 is an unprecedented health and development crisis that jeopardizes India’s tremendous gains in reducing poverty and improving access to livelihoods and social protection for 1.3 billion people. As a global pandemic that threatens to deepen inequalities and undo progress on sustainable development and humanitarian responses more broadly, COVID-19 is already devastating individuals, families, communities, economies and infrastructure.
Government of India has proactively dealt with the emerging crisis and announced several measures for the welfare of the population affected by the COVID crisis. Eleven inter-ministerial Empowered Groups were formed by the Prime Minister to oversee India's response, and a USD 22.5 billion relief package was announced, including insurance for frontline health workers, increased subsidies for food grains, and cash transfers for the poor, vulnerable women and daily wage earners. Under the National Mission for Financial Inclusion, 200 million women will receive Rs 500 (approx. USD 6) per month for three months, and wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) have been increased from Rs 182 (USD 2.4) to Rs 202 (USD 2.7) a day, potentially benefitting 136 million families. Through the National Social Assistance programme, an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1,000 (USD 13.3) will be provided to 30 million poor senior citizens, widows and disabled people to support rural livelihoods. The Government is also providing Rs 2,000 (USD 26.6) in cash assistance to 87 million farmers and has urged State Governments to facilitate provision of assistance to construction workers.
Emerging evidence on the impact of COVID-19 suggests that women’s economic and productive lives will be affected disproportionately and differently from men. Across every sphere, from health to the economy, security to social protection, the impacts of COVID-19 are exacerbated for women and people who are differentially abled. The compounded economic impacts are felt especially by them as they are generally earning less, saving less and holding insecure jobs. COVID-19 is not only a challenge for global health systems, but also a test of our human spirit. Recovery must lead to a more equal world that is more resilient to future crises. Fiscal stimulus packages and emergency measures to address public health gaps have been put in place in many countries to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Women will be the hardest hit by this pandemic, but they will also be the backbone of recovery in communities. It is crucial that all national responses place women and girls - their inclusion, representation, rights, social and economic. Putting women and girls at the centre of economies will fundamentally drive better and more sustainable development outcomes for all, support a more rapid recovery, and place us back on a footing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work
Government of India has ensured that the benefits reach women through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts which was launched for the universal access of financial services for the poor. Under the partnership of Ministry of Women & Child Development and United Nations Development Programme in India, a pan India research study is proposed to analyse the evidence based effects of the economic stimulus package under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana on women and differentially abled. The study also will provide insights on the upcoming social and economic stimulus packages being planned by Government.
UNDP is interested to engage an independent consultant on retainership basis for a period of four months to design the research question, create the sampling strategies etc. Consultant Research will be supervised by the Development Economist. The consultancy will be for 30 working days as per the requirements of the study.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Undertake detailed secondary literature review
- Articulate the questions that the study will attempt to answer. Based on this, clearly outline the study design, specifying the approach to addressing the purposes of the studies and towards answering the question.
- Design questionnaire for the research study to be conducted for understanding the evidence based effect of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and other amnesty schemes of direct benefit transfer and/ or cash transfers on women households directly or indirectly affected by Covid-19.
- Design questionnaire for other COVID related Studies by UNDP as and when required
- Any other technical support for the research design as and when suggested by supervisor
Key Deliverables
The expected deliverables are:
- Inception Report describing the main approaches and methodologies capturing the strategies, data collection methods and tools with criteria for selecting participant/ key informants of the study and suggested locations and schedule for the study
- A Detailed set of questionnaires relevant to the purpose of the study
- Justification of the sampling technique to be used for research study
Competencies
- Experience in undertaking policy-oriented studies and identifying the challenges and opportunities for women with a framework of amnesty interventions and women development
- An understanding of direct benefit transfer and cash transfer based development measures in India with an understanding of implications of social and economic processes pertaining to women’s economic empowerment and development.
- Experience in conducting research studies with field visits to the interior parts of India and interacting with the different communities in a focus group mode apart from other techniques
- Experience of conducting desk reviews and review of latest studies, policies and programmes is utmost priority
- Experience in using participatory, gender sensitive methodology and research tools with special focus on designing questionnaires
- Experience in designing questionnaires.
- Excellent knowledge of government programmes and schemes , especially PMGKY.
- Fluent in English and Hindi
- Team-worker, excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
- Strong results orientation, strategic thinking, flexibility and a client-oriented approach
- Knowledge of key gender inequality issues in India
Required Skills and Experience
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in Statistics, economics, business management or any other related discipline from a reputed institution/ University
Experience
- Minimum 3 years of relevant research experience in designing and conducting surveys in the areas of economic and social inequalities in developing or developed countries
- Excellent knowledge of substantive and policy issues related to the gendered impact of economic and social policies and development
Term of Contract
UNDP would like to engage the consultant on a retainership basis as and when required. Initially a contract of 30 days which can be utilised over a period of four months will be issued. However, the immediate deliverable is the PMGKY impact study questionnaire described above.
Payment Terms
Payment will be initiated on the days of work associated with designing of the questionnaires in two equal instalments
Functional Competencies:
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
- Experience working with the Central and/or State Government department/ or International agencies required
- Functional research skills with attention to detail and academic vigour, with competency in conducting national level research)
- Excellent demonstrated documentation skills vis-a-vis MS Office Suite and prior experience in developing concept notes / reports / project plans
Communication skills
- Good communication, interpersonal skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity
- Works as a team member
Evaluation Criteria
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
• Technical Criteria weight - 70%.
• Financial Criteria weight – 30 %
Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation)
- At least three years of experience of coordinating research works- 20%
- At least two years of experience with the Central and/or State Government agencies and managing multiple stakeholders - 20 %
- At least two research publications at the national level - 20%
- At least one research publication on Gender related topic – 10%
Financial Criteria: (30% of the total evaluation) based on the total all-inclusive lump sum amount for professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement
Financial Proposal:
Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their daily fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same.
Documents to be submitted by Consultants
- Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor Assignment
- Updated and signed P-11 form for ICs
- No Financials ( Daily Fee) to be submitted at this stage
Note:
- Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed.
- Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval
- Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual