UNDP Jobs - 87977- Research Consultant (3 positions)

Research Consultant (3 positions) - Sri Lankan Nationals only

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2019

Application Deadline :

18-Oct-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year

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

Office on Missing Persons (OMP) established under the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and Discharge of Functions) Act No. 14 of 2016 has a primary mandate to provide an appropriate mechanism for searching and tracing of missing persons, and to clarify the circumstances in which such persons went missing and their fate. The OMP’s mandate extends to persons that went missing in connection with the conflict which took place in the Northern and Eastern Provinces or its aftermath, in connection with political unrest or civil disturbances or as an enforced disappearance. The OMP’s mandate further includes members of the armed forces or police who are identified as missing in action. The OMP’s mandate requires it to collate data relating to missing and disappeared persons obtained by processes presently being carried out or which were previously carried out by other institutions, organisations and Government departments.

Scope and Objectives

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chair of the OMP, the Research Consultants are expected to collate and analyse existing, publicly available documents relating to missing and disappeared persons. The assignment will be desk based in Colombo and will not require any travel to the field.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research Consultants will be required to:

Collate documents including court records, media reports, governmental and non-governmental reports, academic literature, maps and images related to circumstances in which disappearances have occurred in Sri Lanka.
Prepare comprehensive background reports and short research memos, that includes an analysis of the contexts and circumstances in which disappearances have occurred. Such reports may include pattern analysis of the circumstances of disappearances, and an analysis of social and environmental factors relevant to the circumstance of disappearance.
Provide recommendations related to the research findings.
Research Consultants will be required in some circumstances to work under the direction and supervision of a Senior Research Consultant.

Timeframe

The timeframe of the assignment is 12 months, with the possibility of an extension of the term depending on the OMP’s requirements.

Institutional Arrangement

Chairperson and/or delegated Commissioner of the Office on the Missing Persons will directly supervise the Consultant.
The Consultant will be based at the Office of on Missing Persons Office in Colombo.
Consultant is expected to maintain a time sheet, and submit a monthly progress report (approved by the direct Supervisor) to the Programme Cooridnator of UNDP.

Competencies

The Consultant Profile

The prospective consultant should have the following functional and technical competencies;

Knowledge of court system, judicial proceedings and documents generated during judicial proceedings;
Experience as an intern or apprentice at a legal chamber or with a practicing lawyer; and or research experience related to the OMP, human rights or disappearances;
Excellent written and oral communication skills;
Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural teams and work in different cultural contexts;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Computer proficiency including professional office software packages (Microsoft Office);

Required Skills and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in law, and knowledge in the field of human rights and or disappearances;
Attorney-at-Law preferable;
Minimum of 2 years of legal or research experience;
Proficiency in English and Sinhala or Tamil, and knowledge of all three is desirable.

How to Apply

The application should contain:

Duly filled Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;

Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional). The offers will be evaluated based on the profile and qualifications will be weighted a max. of 75%, and the price offer which will be weighted a max of 25%. The highest scoring candidate will be selected.
Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

Financial Proposal

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (___________) at Daily rate of LKR (__________);

Amount in words: (LKR_________________________________________________________________)

Please use the Annex 2 of the Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability to furnish the financial proposal.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Daily Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, return travel from home to office, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. The UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel that deemed necessary to carry out the work of the TOR outside the duty station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

Payment for Services

The payments will be based on the number of days worked and delivery of the key outputs as per the agreed workplan with the direct supervisor. Therefore progress reports, certified time sheets and invoices will be required to process the payments. The consultant is requested to log the number of days that he/she works, and to share the same with the direct supervisor at the conculsion of each month for certification and onward sharing with UNDP.