Background

Ex-combatants following the civil conflict

Following the end of the war in 2009, there was an urgent need to address the adversities faced by ex-combatants in reintegrating to civil society and to uplift their socio-economic conditions. Reintegration of ex-combatants is a complex challenge as they were significantly affected by the 30-year long conflict, and many of them had never really experienced a normal pre-war life. Ex-combatants were deprived of formal education, employment and vocational training during the conflict and faced challenges with finding employment. Women ex-combatants, in particular, face stigma due to their involvement in the war and are worried about returning to their communities. Many former combatants experience psychological trauma and find it difficult to adjust to civilian life. There is also the issue of the resistance from the local community against the return of ex-combatants and a reluctance to integrate these individuals into community life.

Reintegrating ex-combatants into society is key to ensure that such individuals do not backtrack into anti-social activities, which would be detrimental to the peace-building process in the country. Therefore, targeted interventions are key to supporting ex-combatants to reintegrate into society, develop sustainable livelihoods and contribute overall to peace-building and reconciliation efforts in the island.

Rehabilitation and reintegration programmes: successes and gaps

The Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation was established in 2010 to lead the Government’s rehabilitation efforts for ex-combatants in collaboration with relevant government institutions. Reintegration programmes were designed to address the multiple issues faced by ex-combatants including a range of interventions such as vocational and livelihood support; educational programmes; social, community and family rehabilitation; psychological therapies and cultural programmes. Several programmes were implemented under the Government Agent / District Secretariat and they have allocated staff to work in this field.

Official statistics indicate that 12,186 beneficiaries had been reintegrated into society to date(1). There are also a number of undocumented ex-combatants who have not been officially rehabilitated. Vocational skills training (such as in agriculture, construction, food processing, carpentry, beauty culture – especially for women etc.) were a key part of rehabilitation programmes as beneficiaries expressed a strong desire for vocational training.

However, rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-combatants face continuing challenges with accessing livelihood opportunities and community acceptance.

In Northern Sri Lanka, employment opportunities are scarce especially in remote interior villages, and income and livelihood levels remain low. Lack of specialized vocational skills, business skills training and enduring stigma against ex-combatants make it even more difficult for those trying to restart civilian life and build community ties. Government statistics highlight that 16 percent (1,340 out of 8,224) of the rehabilitation beneficiaries that have been recorded are unemployed (2). The national unemployment rate is 4.4 percent, but it is much higher in the Northern districts of Jaffna (7.0%) and Kilinochchi (6.3%) (3)

Although previous programmes have provided skills to ex-combatants, a large majority of them remain idle. The proposed programme aims to support such individuals to utilize their vocational skills by addressing gaps in previous livelihood assistance programmes and providing specialized technical assistance; support in business planning, marketing and management and provision of productive inputs and infrastructure as required.

Addressing unemployment concerns of ex-combatants by facilitating opportunities to join the labour force is critical to the success of any rehabilitation programme. Economic security and increased social interactions will in turn help beneficiaries re-integrate to society. The communities too will be more likely to accept former combatants that are contributing to society, thereby promoting greater social cohesion.

Finally, although Government staff support rehabilitation initiatives, more work needs to be done to increase the capacity of Government officials working on re-integration programmes. Capacity building to enhance the skills of government staff working on rehabilitation and livelihood support programmes for ex-combatants will help ensure a long-term and comprehensive reintegration policy.

Rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants through this second level of livelihood support, complemented by capacity building programmes targeted at Government staff inform this project’s strategy to strengthen peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in the country.

Project Design and Strategy

Against the above-mentioned backdrop and considering UNDP’s experience in livelihood assistance, entrepreneurship development and reconciliation in the war affected areas, this sub-project proposes two key components:

1. Enhance the abilities of National, Provincial and District Officials to work on reconciliation and livelihood support programmes for rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-combatants;
2. Create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-combatants.

Therefore, a few areas of intervention are proposed, with the aim of benefitting an estimated 120 ex-combatants/families as direct beneficiaries.

Furthermore, understanding the sensitivity of mobilizing ex-combatants and obtaining data on ex-combatants and related support services; the proposed project and activities will be implemented by entering in to an Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Ministry of Resettlement (MoR) and monitored by Government Technical Departments and UNDP field officials. The project will be implemented by working directly with GAs of respective districts and enterprise development support will be modeled on UNDP’s YED model.

Scope and Objectives

UNDP intends to recruit a National Consultant to provide Business development services ( BDS)  in the area of technical, planning and implementation support to livelihood development. In addition, the consultant will liaise between the UNDP, government officials and the participants of the programme, to ensure effective coordination, progress monitoring and reporting. Given the fluid operational context, the scope, management and reporting arrangements as well as deliverables of this contract may change based on the context and the requirements to complete the project objectives as identified by UNDP’s Policy and design Specialist. Any such proposed changes will be discussed in advance with the Consultant and communicated in writing, thereafter.

(1) Bureau for the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Reconciliation and North and East reconstruction;

(2) https://reliefweb.int/report/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-s-rehabilitated-ex-combatants-struggle-adjust

(3) Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2016, Department of Census and Statistics, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs  

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant’s responsibilities include:

• Provide technical support to design livelihood development programmes, especially enterprise development programmes;
• Provide technical inputs when designing courses for vocational training programs;
• Provide business development services at an individual and group level when required;
• Conduct workshops and presentations to develop the technical and interpersonal skills required to be successful in chosen careers of participants;
• Identify the talents and capabilities of participants so that they can be provided proper guidance when selecting vocational training programmes;
• Conduct training workshops targeted at government officials (e.g.: Development officers) to develop their capacity to successfully manage livelihood development programmes;
• Provide effective and efficient management and coordination support in relation to the programme, to strengthen the cooperation between UNDP staff, government officials and the programme participants;
• Identify the market opportunities and establish linkages with local market and private sector;
• Support with financial reporting, monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Expected Outputs/Key deliverables:

1. Technical inputs provided during the design phase of the project by conducting scoping / field research (At least 2 field visits per month);
2. Project implementation monitored monthly according to the agreed workplan and the progress towards goals evaluated in mid-term and end of project (Regular field visits – at least 2 per month);
3. Technical inputs provided to design the vocational trainings courses and to assure the quality of the training programmes;
4. Proper guidance provided to the ex-combatants in the selection of proper vocation and vocational trainings to improve their chances of success;
5. Positive rapport established among the stakeholders including provincial government and central government officials working related to ex-combatants;
6. Final report submitted, which includes the description of initial needs/gaps of the programme, strategies employed to address these needs, the goals which were reached during the project life, and any required improvements to the programme;
7. Four workshops to be completed on creating business plans and the development of business skills, targeting the beneficiaries of the programme;
8. Two training sessions targeting government officials on the development of business and marketing skills of beneficiaries. 

Time Frame

The envisaged timeframe of the consultancy is a maximum of up to 15 days per month between 1st February 2019 and 30th September 2019.

Competencies

The Consultant's Profile

The prospective Consultant should have the following competencies;

Functional Competencies:

• Good understanding of the principles of enterprise development and marketing;
• Good understanding of reconciliation and human development issues;
• Good understanding of the principles of finance and economic issues faced by small businesses, would be an added advantage;
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work deliverables;
• Excellent communication and networking skills;
• Good research and analytical skills;
• Good presentation skills;
• Good judgement and maturity.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications & Experience:

• A master’s degree in development studies, social sciences, economics, commerce or other relevant fields and 5 years minimum works experience; A bachelor’s degree with additional experience will also be considered;
• Demonstrated experience in working on livelihood development programmes, preferably in the North and East;
• Demonstrated experience in roles that involve leading, mentoring and training individuals;
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating professional workshops;
• Previous experience in working with officials at all levels of government;
• Previous experience in working in enterprise development and/or vocational training;
• Demonstrated experience in delivering presentations and speeches in a professional setting;
• Ability to work independently, complete tasks in a timely manner, and work collaboratively with others.

Language:

Good oral and written communication skills in English as well as Tamil is required. Being trilingual would be an added advantage

How to apply

To apply please access UNDP jobs site http://jobs.undp.org

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a  brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
• 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;
• Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer, and a brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP;

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (To be sent to consultants.lk@undp.org  seperately)

All inclusive Lump Sum Fee : LKR (                                          )

Amount in words Rs (                                       )

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 by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, any additional HR costs (as required) such as translators and field assistants, communication costs such as telephone/internet usage, printing costs, return travel from home to office, stationery costs, ad-hoc 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 outside of this TOR and Duty Station on an actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diems 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.  However, this is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

The consultant will be reimbursed for the actual number of days spent in achieving the expected outputs/deliverables which will be certified by the UNDP Technical Specialist: Peacebuilding and Reconciliation.