Individual Consultant to provide carry out assessment of PVE project and provide recommendations for future steps – Reference No. IC/PVE/2021/77 – For Sri Lankans only

In 2020, the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub and the European Union initiated two joint projects in that aim to address the root causes of violent extremism and promote tolerance and respect for diversity in Maldives and Sri Lanka. While this engagement was established to implement two different projects, the regional element of the engagements are considered joint activities that are implemented from UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.

The overall objective of the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) project in Sri Lanka was to support the government and other key stakeholders in understanding and preventing violent extremism, building community resilience, and promoting peace and tolerance. The project was organized under three outputs aimed at reducing and preventing violent extremism. The in- country work to address the root causes of violent extremism was based on national research and led by UNDP Sri Lanka Country Office within the framework of UN country-level strategy on PVE.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in some delays to the work implemented by the CSO partners operating in the North, East, Western and Southern provinces. The pandemic has limited CSO access to communities in remote areas of the country with minimal or no access to the internet and digital technologies. This meant that establishing safe spaces of dialogue and interactions become particularly challenging. The pandemic also affected research and knowledge-generation work; the primary data collection process for the PVE and hate speech research relating to the drivers of extremism was especially impacted

In this context, UNDP is seeking to hire a Consultant to assess the knowledge gained and lessons learnt through the PVE project in Sri Lanka and to provide strategic guidance for future work going forward.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The Consultant’s main responsibilities are as mentioned below:

• Carry out a knowledge generation and lessons learnt exercise of the PVE project in Sri Lanka with regard to three areas.

1. Responses to drivers of violent extremism and spread of hate speech in Sri Lanka- review of the CSO portfolio
2. Addressing economic drivers of violent extremism- Social entrepreneurship programs implemented by CSOs
3. Non-violent communication programs for preventing spread of hate speech and VE

• Based on the findings make recommendations for areas of improvement and provide strategic guidance on PVE programs going forward

A special focus should be on ways in which the project has been able to engage women and youth in the interventions and the challenges and the way forward.

TASKS:

It is proposed that the consultancy is divided into 3 principle tasks, which are as follows:

Task 1 – Desk review

Following the initial briefing from the UNDP Sri Lanka Country office, the Consultant will conduct a detailed review of all relevant programme documents produced during implementation. Documentation includes, but is not limited to – programme document, annual work plans, programme reports, monitoring and evaluation reports, implementation reports, policy documents, research reports etc.

Upon review of documentation, the Consultant will submit a detailed work plan for the next steps, including: a plan of how the assignment will be carried out, a list of interviewees; tentative dates and locations of visits planned; interview questions and dates for the briefing/de-briefing sessions. The Consultant is expected to carry out the assessment of the PVE project using a qualitative approach complemented by 2-3 case studies on selected interventions.

Task 2 – Assessment- Knowledge and Lessons Learnt

Upon approval of the work plan the Consultant is expected to carry out a knowledge and lessons learnt exercise for the PVE project, using a qualitative approach complemented by 2-3 case studies on selected interventions.

The assessment should be carried out with regard to three main areas.

• Engagement with Civil society organisations
• Engagement with participating State institutions
• Research carried out under the PVE project
• Creation of knowledge hubs related to PVE

The knowledge and lessons learnt exercise can be carried out via the following.

• Direct interviews with programme partners of the PVE project, stakeholders and beneficiaries. (Including CSO partners and beneficiaries of interventions carried out by CSOs)
• Interviews with key regional-level stakeholders.

Once the interviews are completed, the Consultant will analyse data and information collected and draft a report including main findings and recommendations for activities to be included in any proposed interventions going forward. A contextual analysis of the environment in which the PVE project was carried out should also be included.

Task 3 – Submission of assessment report

The Consultant is expected to submit an assessment report capturing findings and recommendations.

A draft of the report will be submitted for feedback and review. The minimum structure of the evaluation report (to be written in the English language) is the following:

• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Methodological approach
• Findings; Lessons learnt and knowledge generation through the project
• Recommendations for future programme interventions
• Conclusions
• Relevant annexes

The draft report should contain the positive or negative, intended or unintended, changes brought about by the programme and identify factors which facilitated or impeded the realization of intended objectives.

A briefing session will be organised with the country office for the Consultant to present the findings and recommendations, as well as propose a forward-looking vision for the way ahead.

Management Arrangements

The consultant will report to the Technical Specialist, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

Duration of Contract

The assignment duration would be: 25th November 2021 – 30th December 2021

Technical work

• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Ability to write well-structured, analytical reports in English.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work deliverables.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Good judgment and maturity.
• Excellent team work skills.

Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with key stakeholders,
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, disability and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Education & Experience

• Masters degree in social sciences, humanities, law, human rights, economics, public administration, project management, development or related field
• At least 5 years of experience in project management/programme evaluation
• Experience in one or more of the following areas an asset: human rights, security, Combating Violent Extremism, socio-economic assessment, law and policy, peace and conflict analysis, women and youth empowerment, capacity building of local communities and local authorities, NGOs and civil society organizations in sensitive conflict prone areas;
• Demonstrated experience in working with Multi-Stakeholders including UN agencies would be an advantage
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Fluency in English and Sinhala/Tamil

Evaluation Method and Criteria Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points)

Overall technical evaluation criteria:

Details of evaluation criteria and marking scheme:

Part 1: Relevance of Education:

Part 2: Relevance of experience

Part 3: Special skills

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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 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.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: [email protected] stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._____________________________________________________)

Please refer the below link to access the template for Financial Proposal

Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

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 Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, board and lodging, 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. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diem and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 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 travel 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.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on work completed/ progress certified by the Programme Manager UNDP.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and qualified women are encouraged to apply.