UNDP Jobs - 90094- Consultant for developing a perception study of at

Consultant for developing a perception study of attitude of host communities on returning foreign terrorist fighters, including women and children, in selected Western Balkans countries/territories in the Western Balkan Counter-Terrorism initiative

Location :

Home-based with missions

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

20-Feb-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 24 February 2020 – 8 May 2020

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 60 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

UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is UNDP’s main knowledge and advisory hub for the countries serviced by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS (RBEC). Through its regional programme, the IRH provides advisory support and knowledge management services to UNDP Country Offices in Europe and Central Asia.

UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) prioritizes governance and peacebuilding as the key to strengthening the social contract between the people and the state in realizing resilient and sustainable development. Sustainable Development Goal 16 frames the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provision of access to justice for all, and the building of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels as a priority for the 2030 development agenda. To contribute to this overall goal, the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster in UNDP IRH works regionally and at country level on, among other things, strengthening human rights and the rule of law, supporting conflict prevention and preventing violent extremism.

“Western Balkans Counter-Terrorism initiative” has its roots in regional ministerial framework of the Brdo Process, where the ministers of interior from the Western Balkans region showed a strong and clear political demand for a more coordinated action in this field. This initiative represents a process aimed at strengthening cooperation of the European Union and its neighborhood, whose security has essential implications for the security of the EU. Overall goal of the initiative is to improve the security in the Western Balkans and the EU by preventing and combating violent extremism and terrorism, whether by enhancing community resilience to violent extremism, improving prevention and combat against violent extremism, improving counter-terrorism cooperation and coordination between law enforcement and intelligence services in the countries of Western Balkans and Kosovo*, or developing coordinated approach for combating violent extremism for all WBCTi partners. Initiative is connecting number of international, non-governmental or national actors and institutions engaged in the issue in the region or abroad and it represents an EU-supported effort to respond to developments related to terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization phenomena in the Western Balkans. This initiative is connecting several organizations as partners like International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNDP, Regional Cooperation Council or OSCE. Implementing organization is Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), complementing the wide spectrum of partners of the initiative.

With the above in mind, UNDP IRH is looking for a company to support the GPB team with a perception study of attitude of host communities on returning foreign terrorist fighters, including women and children, in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* and Montenegro.

Location: Home-based with missions to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo (1 mission per country, each mission max. 5 days)

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the assignment is to prepare and field a quantitative and qualitative survey in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo* and to make the results available in the form of a finalized research product available to UNDP. The data, that are subject to the collection and analysis based on the questionnaire (developed by the Contractor) will provide information about the attitudes of host communities and their perception of returning foreign terrorist fighters in their communities. This perception study will represent a pillar, future interventions might build upon.

Specific objectives include the following:

Creating final methodology of the planned survey based on the proposed methodology and inception report,
Designing the questionnaire and translating it into local languages,
Constructing a survey sample,
Piloting the questionnaire in all countries participating in the perception study in order to test the questionnaire and the overall methodology of the survey,
Selecting the interviewers and providing them with necessary training,
Fielding the survey,
Analyzing collected information and data and subsequent processing,
Preparation of fieldwork reports for each country with disaggregated data in electronic form in tables,
Preparation of overall synthesis report.

Deliverables and Timeframe

Deliverables and estimated timeline:

Deliverable 1 (15 %) by 6 March 2020: Inception report – This deliverable will have form of a maximum 20-page desk review of current situation of the issue of host communities’ perception of returning foreign terrorist fighters, existing methodologies, tools and data sets. The inception report will provide information on existing data sets on the issue of perception of host communities of returning foreign terrorist fighters, including women and children. Based on the information obtained and processed in this phase the methodology will be updated, which will be part of the report, as well as updated timeline, risk mitigation strategy and work plan.
Deliverable 2 (20 %) by 20 March 2020: 30-page report from piloting and application of the methodology in specific population groups – pretesting/piloting the survey in predetermined settings for further improvement of the methodology. This report will include results obtained during the piloting of the survey and the adjusted final version of methodology considering the lessons learned during the piloting activities.
Deliverable 3 (45 %) by 17 April 2020: Survey rollout in 4 countries and report of progress of the survey – selecting and training of the interviewers is in the competencies of the Contractor. The survey will be conducted according to the final methodology delivered with the previous deliverable. ; 50-page (maximum) draft report and two-page executive summary of the results of the survey with disaggregated data by each country and gender drawing comparisons across respondents and providing the UNDP with desired data.
Deliverable 4 (20 %) by 1 May 2020: Final report – 40-page (maximum) analysis of the results of the survey with disaggregated data by each country and gender, drawing comparisons across respondents and providing the UNDP with desired data.

Each deliverable as stated above is required to be delivered to UNDP IRH Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader in satisfactory quality and in a timely manner. Each deliverable and change in the questionnaire and the survey methodology have to be accepted by UNDP IRH Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader.

Copyright

All information and products produced by contractor under this project will remain property of the UNDP.

Monitoring and reporting requirements

The Contractor will work under the supervision of UNDP IRH Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader and in close coordination with the focal points at UNDP Country Offices.

The Contractor shall comply with the system of monitoring, evaluation and quality control, implemented by the UNDP. All necessary information, reports, statistics, electronic and paper version of the reports should be prepared and submitted for clearance by UNDP within the agreed period of time.

The Contractor has to consult with UNDP on all the steps of the process and proceed to next step only upon obtaining an approval on the accomplished step. The Contractor should arrange its activities based on the principle of constructive co-operation. It is mandatory to take into account all proposals of UNDP.

After the pilot test of the questionnaire, the Contractor shall provide UNDP IRH with a report on the quality of the piloted questionnaire identifying misleading questions and any other problems experienced during the pilot data collection exercise submitted to the Project.

After the completion of all activities, the Contractor is to submit to the UNDP IRH the Final Report, containing a brief description of the work performed and the deliverables. Final Report should also contain information related to the overall organization and execution of the survey, data entry and on organization of the output files highlighting any notable difficulties, challenges and deviations from the original plan, and any other notable occurrences.

UNDP requirements for Analytical Reports

It is mandatory for the report structure to include: a cover page, table of contents, glossary of terms, introduction, executive summary, text of the report, conclusion, recommendations, annexes. Annexes should be duly numbered, all tables should contain references to sources and be numbered, as well as there should be references to them in the text of the report.

The report should contain a bibliography and list of web-resources, if relevant. The final report should take into account UNDP analytical standards and standards for writing reports. The report format (layout, text borders, format of charts and tables, format of titles, subtitles and main text, etc.) should provide for a convenient reading of the document and be in line with basic requirements to design (aesthetics) of such kind of documents. The Report should be logical and understandable and have a limited number of specialized terms. The Report should also have a clear structure and be broken into sections (subsections).

The survey shall be carried out objectively without consideration of interests of any parties. All points of view related to the events and processes shall be provided and compared.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf, SPSS output files or other formats accepted by UNDP).

Management arrangements

The Contractor will work under the supervision of UNDP IRH Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader and in close coordination with the focal points at UNDP Country Offices.

The Contractor should ensure the reference to the UNDP.

The implementation of services will be monitored in accordance with the working plan, but UNDP IRH reserves the right to request information about the current state of progress at any stage. The final decision on the evaluation of the work delivered by the Contractor will be made by the UNDP IRH Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader.

Competencies

Ethics & Values:

Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity;
Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
Excellent oral and written skills to develop knowledge products in specified areas.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

Creating synergies through self-control tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Functional Competencies:

Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
Strong intercultural skills and communication;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
Ability to work independently.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent or PhD in social sciences, political sciences, international development, international relations, management, anthropology, statistics or related field.

Experience:

At least five (5) years of experience in project management or leading research teams, international consultants,
At least five (5) years of field experience in design of qualitative and quantitative data collection in field methodologies, tools, and training,
Minimum three (3) years of experience of research or programming on counter-terrorism issues,
Confirmed experience in designing and producing knowledge products in different formats is required,

Language skills:

Excellent oral and written proficiency in English is required (C2 CEFR level)
Knowledge and familiarity with Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin and/or Serbian will be considered a strong asset (B2 CEFR level).

Evaluation of Applicants

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposals. The award of the contract should be made to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who receive min 70% of points in desk review (Criteria A-D) will be considered for written samples evaluation. Only candidates who receive min 70% of points in technical evaluation (Criteria A-E) will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Criteria A – (desk review) At least five (5) years of regional field experience in design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies, tools, and training – max. 8 points;
Criteria B – (desk review) At least three (3) years of experience of research and programming on the issues of terrorism and counter-terrorism, particularly in the region of Western Balkans – max. 8 points;
Criteria C – (desk review) Experience with the UN or international organizations – max. 6 points;
Criteria D – (desk review) – Quality and adequacy of proposed methodology of the survey and questionnaire – max. 7 points.
Criteria E – (written samples) – Experience in designing and producing knowledge products in different formats – max. 6 points;

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Application procedure

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into a single PDF attachment as the system only allows one document to be uploaded).

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application
Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc)
Sample report(s) authored/coauthored by the candidate that is relevant to this assignment (sample(s) can be submitted as .pdf together with other attachments
Proposal of methodology planned for the survey, including specifications on the target group, survey sample, size of the sample and information about the selection of interviewers and their training procedure
Proposal of questionnaire that will be used in the survey to obtain data on the perception of returning foreign terrorist fighters in their host communities.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director.

Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

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* References to Kosovo shall be understood in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).