Background

Many communities in Jamaica are vulnerable and face challenges due to multiple human insecurities. The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is committed to addressing these human insecurities in order to promote social and economic development while protecting the natural environment as articulated in the Vision 2030 Jamaica: National Development Plan (Vision 2030). It is also recognized that the complexity and interconnectedness of the human insecurities require a multi-sectoral, multi-dimensional and multi-level approach that is prevention-oriented, people-centered and partnership driven.

In an effort to address the diverse human insecurities in a comprehensive and holistic manner, the Joint United Nations (UN) Team comprising the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP _), Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) and UN Women are partnering with the GOJ to implement the three-year “Strengthening human resilience in Northern Clarendon & West Kingston” Programme under the “Delivering as One”

approach.

 A comprehensive human security analysis revealed a wide range of threats and insecurities facing communities in Jamaica. The indicators of human insecurity are reflected across the portfolios of UN Agencies, justifying the need for an integrated approach to reduce vulnerabilities. The joint programme will allow for enhanced coordination and streamlining of resources and efforts to attain common programme objectives in the target communities.  Four priority areas emerge as the most prevalent and best suited for a joint UN programme, namely:

• Economic insecurity – expressed in the form of poverty and unemployment, especially among youth and in particular women, and low levels of rural development 

• Environmental insecurity – seen in vulnerability to natural hazards and the need to strengthen resilience to climate change and improve management of the use of natural resources such as water and land

• Personal insecurity – expressed in the forms of political and community insecurity because of the high levels of crime in West Kingston

• Health insecurity – due to limited infrastructure for and access to basic services such as water and sanitation.

The three-year programme which is supported by the United Trust Fund for Human Security (UN-TFHS) is aimed at enhancing resilience and human security of communities in Northern Clarendon and West Kingston in Jamaica. It will also seek to mainstream the human security approach in development strategies and support improvement in the policy and regulatory framework in water resources management.

This will be achieved through four key objectives:

Objective One: Local and community governance bodies strengthened to design and oversee interventions to address insecurities

Objective Two: Enhanced economic, food and nutrition security in selected communities

Objective Three: Improved environmental health and water security at the community, local and national levels

Objective Four: Institutional capacity for integration of Human Security Approach strengthened

Rationale for Consultancy

This consultancy will support the preparation of a systemization case study on the human security approach (HSA) and will be undertaken on by two individual consultants (1 Lead Researcher and 1 Technical Officer)

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultants are expected to:

 a) Prepare a systematization case study on the human security approach being implemented in selected communities of West Kingston & Northern Clarendon.

b) In close collaboration with national counter parts, prepare a systematization case study to document the mainstreaming of the human security approach (HSA) in UN Country Programme Documents and in broad national development planning. The consultant will also document lessons learned, experiences and best practise gleaned in the implementation of the HSA. The case study should enable the transfer of knowledge on the HSA and should clearly identify key processes, structures and challenges that will facilitate the replication of the HSA in development planning in Jamaica.  The case study will also address the issues affecting sustainability of the human security model. In addition, the case study will include a resource mobilization strategy to replicate the model across other communities along with a costed monitoring and evaluation plan.

Competencies

The consultants should possess the following competencies:

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards; Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences. Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment; ability to exercise sound political judgment;

Functional Competencies

• Outstanding communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to write reports, conduct consultations and interviews and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
• Good knowledge of the UN system;
• Outstanding communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to write reports, conduct consultations and interviews and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
• Ability to review and synthesize large amounts of information rapidly, and to distinguish major trends from minor details;
• Ability to conceptualize and analyze problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
• Technical competence in undertaking complex analysis which involve use of mixed methods;
• Familiarity with statistical data and knowledge of human rights and gender equality approaches;
• Ability to respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work under time constraints;
• Ability to share knowledge and experience and provide helpful feedback and advice.

Required Skills and Experience

Please note consultants are expected to indicate which role they are submitting a bid for:-

1. Lead Researcher:

Academic Qualifications:-

Minimum Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, Disaster Risk Management, Urban Planning, Geography, Climate Change, or other relevant discipline.

Experience:-

·        At least five (5) years’ experience in natural resource management and in particular disaster resilience/preparedness or disaster risk management.

·        Extensive experience in conducting research (quantitative/qualitative) and writing research reports

·        Minimum of 3 years of experience in the Caribbean region, specific experience in Jamaica preferred

·        Sound knowledge and understanding of the development context in Jamaica, knowledge of the Caribbean region would be an asset

·        Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders at multiple levels (grassroots/community, national, regional)

·        Excellent written and spoken English, strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly.

·        Experience working with UN or other International Development Partner would be an asset

2.       Technical Officer:

Academic Qualifications:-

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, Disaster Risk Management, Urban Planning, Geography, Climate Change or Social Sciences related field

Experience:-

·        Minimum 2 years experience in natural resource management and in particular disaster resilience/preparedness or disaster risk management

·        Minimum one years ‘experience in conducting quantitative/qualitative research

·        Excellent written and spoken English, strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly.

·        Sound knowledge and understanding of the development context in Jamaica, knowledge of the Caribbean region would be an asset

·        Experience working with UN or other International Development Partner

Important information for submission of bids:- 

UNDP will provide responses by uploading them in the system.