Location : Home-based
Application Deadline : 19-Oct-10
Type of Contract : SSA
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Nov-2010
Duration of Initial Contract : 5 months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 5 months
Under UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre(APRC) is to provide dedicated, real time support to 25 Country Offices(COs) in the region and closer integration with partner at the regional level. The Regional Centre mainly focuses on support to Democratic Governance Energy & Environment, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Poverty Reduction with an overarching effort on achieving the Millennium Development Goals and HIV/AIDS. The Regional Centre also provides support to UNDP country offices in a number of cross-cutting areas, including capacity development, ICT for development, public-private partnerships and mine action.
Under UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, the Human Development Report Unit (HDRU) located at the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre leads the work on the flagship Asia-Pacific Human Development Report (APHDR) series. APHDRs are independent policy advocacy documents supported by UNDP as outcomes of multi-stakeholder participatory processes. The central mandate of the HDRU is to produce Regional Human Development Reports (RHDRs) for Asia-Pacific to support advocacy and capacity development on critical regional development concerns.
The APHDRs deal with long-term development concerns that are important for several countries, have cross-border dimensions, and contain sensitivities that are better addressed at a regional rather than country level. These reports help UNDP engage with larger external audiences on such issues. The previous APHDRs are:
* HIV/AIDS and Development in South Asia
* Promoting ICT for Human Development: Realizing the Millennium Development Goals
* Trade on Human Terms: Transforming Trade for Human Development in Asia and the Pacific
* Tackling Corruption, Transforming Lives: Accelerating Human Development in Asia and the Pacific
* Power, Voice and Rights: A Turning Point for Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific
The theme of the forthcoming APHDR is climate change. How Asia-Pacific responds to climate change will influence peoples’ quality of life, not just in the region, but also elsewhere. What the region is able to accomplish now also has profound implications for the well-being of future generations. Many of the climate change-related events and their human development impacts are cross-border in nature, for example, droughts, floods, food insecurity, climate change induced migration, and so on. Individual countries’ policies and actions will impact upon neighbouring or nearby countries on issues such as energy, security, and trade policies. Climate change requires global coordination backed by national actions.
The HDRU is now in the process of commissioning background research to inform the forthcoming Report. All issues considered in the technical background papers will be analysed from a human development perspective and will be relevant for the developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Technical background papers and other research provide the raw material from which the APHDR is fashioned.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objective of the Assignment- Technical Background Papers
The consultants are required to produce high quality research papers in the following thematic areas. There are nine technical background papers to apply for. Prospective applicants should provide a cover letter along with their application demonstrating how their qualifications and experience make them competitive for one or more of the thematic papers listed below. Detailed content for each paper will be shared and discussed with shortlisted candidates.
Paper 1: Climate Change, Growth and Human Development
Paper 2: Energy and Poverty in the Context of Climate Change
Paper 3: Climate Change and Water: Impacts to Health and Human Consumption
Paper 4: Climate Change, Water Productivity and Management
Paper 5: Climate Change, Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture (focus on food security)
Paper 6: Climate Change Fueling Resource-Based Conflicts
Paper 7: Climate Change, Location Security and Migration
Paper 8: Climate Change and Technology: Innovation, Transfer, Trade, Diffusion and Cooperation
Paper 9: Climate Change and Ecosystem Services
Scope of Work
The Consultant will undertake a survey of the literature for Asia and Pacific (list of countries to be provided) . Analysis should focus on a 20-40 year (e.g., scenarios up to 2050) timescale – though some discussion of implications in the longer term is encouraged, detailed and carefully referenced analysis focusing on this timescale should be prioritized.
The Consultant will review the material from a human development perspective, to explore how issues concerned with energy use and production impact everyday people’s freedoms, choices, opportunities and decisions to lead the lives they value. The Consultant may wish to consider using, for example, the SEEP Principles (sustainability, equity, empowerment, and productivity) as a point of reference for this, but not necessarily being restricted by it alone. The Consultant should attempt to draw micro-macro links between people’s livelihood and macro-economic implications for ‘people-centred’ and ‘pro-poor’ policy formulation as much as possible. As the Asia Pacific Human Development Report is an important advocacy tool, the paper will have to build on evidence-based knowledge and identify policy implications, main messages, gaps and recommendations to various stakeholders (what can governments do? What can civil society do? What can the private sector do? What can people in their individual capacities do?) for further work.
Note on methodological approach: IPCC terminology, units and methodology should be drawn from as much as possible. When presenting analyses and discussion of predicted impacts, please be clear of the time scales being discussed (e.g., 10-20 years from present; 2050; latter part of 21st century). If making cross comparisons, these temporal units should be taken into consideration to ensure coherence.
In addition, ‘boxes’ or case studies to illustrate examples and best practice in co-operative natural resource management addressing climate change in the region should be provided.
Deliverables/Output
The Consultant is expected to submit:
* A first cut of the outline / table of contents, indicating the structure of the paper in two weeks from commission of the work. The draft outline will be reviewed internally by the Team and feedback will be provided to the consultant.
* First draft of the paper by 15th January 2011 including a comprehensive bibliography and proper in text referencing system (guidelines will be provided). The draft will be reviewed internally by the HDR Unit and feedback will be provided to the consultant.
* Revised full draft by 1st March 2011, with a maximum of 25,000 words including an executive summary of not more than 2,000 words. The revised draft will be reviewed internally as well as externally and feedback will be provided to the consultant.
* Final paper by 1st April 2011.
The paper will not be deemed completed until feedback from UNDP or others designated by UNDP is fully addressed.
The deliverables will be the property of UNDP and copyright will be vested with UNDP.
Provision of Monitoring and Progress Control
The consultant will report to the HDRU Regional Programme Coordinator or designate.
Prospective applicants should provide a cover letter clearly stating the thematic paper demonstrating how their qualifications and experience make them competitive for one or more of the thematic papers listed in section 2 along with a detailed resume and UN Personal History Form (P11).
Competencies
* Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
* Treats all people fairly without favoritism
* Outstanding analytical skills
* Excellent command of English
Required Skills and Experience
* Advanced university degree (PhD preferred) in environmental/development economics, natural resource management, ecology, development studies, political science, sociology or directly related area, or a relevant combination of academic qualification and extensive research experience in a related area.
* At least 7 years of work experience with a thorough understanding of human development. A geographical focus on the Asia-Pacific is a distinctive advantage.
* Familiarization with rights- or community-based environment issues and research linked to climate change.
* Proven record of publications in peer-reviewed academic journals.
* Previous working experience with the United Nations, Governments, and other civil society sectors is desirable.
Apply Now at https://jobs.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?job_id=19390