National Consultant to carry out Perception Survey to assess youth engagement with state and nonstate actors towards building cohesive communities – Sri Lankans only

The project “Engaging Young Leaders to Promote Healthy Settings for building Cohesive Communities in Post-COVID Sri Lanka” is a joint project being collectively implemented by WHO, UNDP and UNV which aims to improve access to opportunities for young aspiring leaders to meaningfully engage in promoting social cohesion and development that will enhance their political and civic representation. This will enhance their recognition in the society and help them to build trust on state processors. In this regard, the project will identify young leaders from already existing youth leadership platforms, particularly from politically vulnerable areas of conflict and social marginalization, in the country and capacitate them through training and mentoring and facilitating space their constructive engagement in the society through resource mobilization for promoting social cohesion through healthy settings.

The project employs a “Healthy Settings Approach” as a vehicle for guiding the selected leaders to identify how they can contribute to achieve societal needs of promoting social cohesion and conflict prevention. A ‘healthy setting’ is defined as ‘a place or social context in which people engage in daily activities in which environmental, organizational, and personal factors interact to affect health and well being’. As such, by employing a healthy settings approach, the project aims to enable young people to identify and influence their day to day surroundings, including personal factors that affect community well being. This will be achieved through youth led designing and implementation of gender sensitive Community Action plans to address a geographically defined problems affecting social cohesion and creating space for policy dialogues that will contribute long term systemic transformation

The project also promotes volunteerism as entry points for young people and help them to determine their own priorities, set their own agendas and engage with youth or other actors pursue their aspirations whilst helping others in the society.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

Against this background, the UN is looking to commission an independent external local consultant to conduct a comprehensive survey on perceptions of youth towards engagement with state and non-state actors in promoting Peace and Social Cohesion in post-COVID Sri Lanka.

The main objective of this assignment is to understand the current status and perception of youth with regard to engaging with diverse stakeholders at the regional and community level in promoting safer and more cohesive environment during the COVID and post-COVID context in Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the perception of youth about their roles and responsibilities in promoting peace and social cohesion.
2. To assess the perception of youth about what constitute personal and communal well-being.
3. To assess the youth perception on the role and responsibilities of state and non-state institutions to promote social cohesion and well-being.
4. To assess the youth motivations and perceptions towards community engagement through volunteering, collaborative leadership, and their potential impact

METHODOLOGY

The consultant should propose the methodology to deliver each of the deliverables listed below, including a detailed breakdown of the steps he/ she would follow, to ensure a participatory and effective process. The methodology should adhere to the prevailing COVID – 19 context in Sri Lanka. For the survey a range of innovative methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, are expected to be used, from which suitable methods will be customized according to the needs, including the current COVID 19 situation. A list of all anticipated information and input required from WHO, UNDP and UNV to support the process should be included.

The assignment should be carried-out in close consultation with relevant state and non-state, UNDP, WHO and UNV since it is a joint project as well as other relevant national stakeholders including development partners, donors, civil society and sample selections of beneficiaries. A participatory methodology

combining qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis modalities such as literature review, interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, mapping exercises etc. should be used as appropriate per indicator. The collected data and information are expected to be triangulated using with relevant sources using appropriate methodology.

Since the project has been proving coverage for 25 districts and nearly 750 youth participants, the survey is intended to use the purposive sample for the selection of the district and youth participants. The purposive sample should be at least 40% of the entire coverage. The purposive sample should consider the balance of the diversity such as geography, ethnicity, Gender and Disability.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS/ DELIVERABLES:

1. Consolidated Inception Report outlining the work plan, methodology and timelines

The consultant should develop and submit a comprehensive inception report, which should include the work plan with timeline and clear methodology (sampling methodology and tools including survey questionnaires), identification of focus groups, proposed to conduct the survey. The report should not be more than 10 pages with font size 11.

Deliverable: Inception Report

Approximate Time frame: 5 working days from signing the contract.

2.   Presentation of preliminary findings of the survey

The consultant should present the preliminary finding of the survey to the commissioning UN agencies and the team organized by them. The presentation should be comprehensive capturing the all the relevant verified facts and figures gathered through the survey. The preliminary findings presentation is subject to revision by the commissioning UN agencies.

Deliverable: A presentation of the preliminary findings of the survey.

Approximate Time frame: 20 working days from the approval of the inception report.

3.   Consolidated Final report of the survey.

Based on the feed backs received on the draft report and the preliminary findings presentation from the commissioning UN agencies, the final report should be finalized. The final report will be considered as the property of UN with the copyright. The final report should not be more than 30 pages with font size 11, which should also include the follow contents;

1. Executive Summary
2. Background of the survey
3. Methodology and the participants of the survey
4. Findings (With verified facts and figures)
5. Recommendations
6. Conclusion.

The contents and the data described in the report can be used only when the approval is obtained from the respective UN agency and/ or cited very clearly

Deliverable: A consolidated survey report on situation in engaging youth with state and non-state actors in promoting peace and social cohesion in post-COVID Sri Lanka.

Approximate Timeframe: 10 working days from presentation of the preliminary findings.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant is responsible to carry out this exercise as proposed, while working in close coordination with relevant Government partners and WHO, UNDP and UNV. While WHO, UNDP and UNV will introduce the consultant to partners, the consultant will take independent responsibility for all coordination, communication and travel arrangements.

The independent Individual Consultant is required to conduct the survey using feasible methodology. The consultant is required to work in close collaboration with the commission UN agencies focal points.

The consultant would need to demonstrate strong technical knowledge and expertise in the areas of Youth, Development, Peace and Social Cohesion. Additionally, the consultant should demonstrate expertise in monitoring, evaluation, statistical analysis, and communication of data, with proven experience conducting research, surveys and complex data gathering as well as experience working with institutions specific to the area. The consultant should also have a strong understanding of gender equality and sensitivity as well as language capability to produce high quality reports in English and interact comfortably with local audiences

In addition, the following requirements are desirable:

1. Strong networks on the ground with government, and other relevant sectors.
2. Substantive experience working on youth, development and Peace related initiatives in Sri Lanka will be an added advantage.

Education:

• Minimum education of master’s degree in Social Sciences/ Statistics, Youth and Development and/or Peacebuilding, or relevant discipline
• Qualifications, including specialized trainings or certifications program on statistics/ evaluation and surveys.

Professional experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in designing and leading surveys and evaluations on Youth, Development and Social Cohesion in a peacebuilding context, including with analysis in relation to gender equality;
• Experience in conducting and managing surveys of projects in Sri Lanka and/or South Asia highly desirable;
• Proven knowledge and understanding of M&E methodologies, including qualitative; quantitative data analysis skills and participatory data collection approaches;
• Proven ability to produce high-quality reports and manage diverse perspectives in communications and consultations with relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Knowledge of national and local contexts and governance systems and legal and policy frameworks and previous experience engaging with UN agencies, donors and high-level government stakeholders, and CSOs are preferred;
• Demonstrated capacity to work as a team;
• Excellent written and spoken English and representational capacities.
• Fluency in either of the national languages Sinhala or Tamil.

SELECTION METHOD:

Selection will be based on an open and competitive bidding process. Interested applicants with the capacity to execute the scope of work described above should submit a detailed and realistic proposal, including a methodology and work plan, along with a rationale as to why it would be the best way to carry out the scope of work. The information provided in the scope of work is not prescriptive and the UN remains open to interested bidders elaborating and presenting what they consider to be the most appropriate methodological approach and work plan to achieving the desired results. However, the decision as to the final methodology to be followed in the report will rest with the UN.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION AND DEADLINE

Interested candidates are requested to submit an electronic application containing the items listed below to [email protected] no later than 14 days from the advertisement. The financial proposal should provide professional fees as a lump sum amount for each deliverable, as well as travel-related costs. The submission package should include:

• Cover letter outlining relevant experience (s)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Proposed preliminary survey methodology based on the criteria and context noted above.
• Financial proposal specifying proposed fee based on each deliverable, and travel-related costs* as per the following template. The applicant can submit 2 different financial proposals indicating different methodologies as a) Executing the exercise physically and b) Executing the exercise virtually.

Required corporate competencies of consultancy:

• Comprehensive knowledge on the UN’s norms and standards; and human rights-based approach.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.

• Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (______________________________________)

Amount in words: (LKR_______________________________________________________________)

Link for Financial Proposal Template

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 the 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, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, 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 submission of original bills/invoices and prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdium 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 to arrive at the duty station or as an essential 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 into the financial proposal above. A medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payment will be made upon completion of the following milestones verified by the Peacebuilding Specialist of UNDP.

Deliverable 1: Consolidated Inception Report: 30% of the total contract upon the submission of inception report.

Deliverable 2: Presentation of Preliminary Findings: 30% of the total contract value upon completion of the presentation of preliminary findings of the survey.

Deliverable 3: Consolidated Final survey Report: 40% of the total contract value upon submission of the consolidated final survey report.