Vetted Experts Roster: Sustainable Development: Roma Inclusion

Background

The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is UNDP’s main knowledge and advisory hub for the Europe and CIS Region (ECIS). It aims to connect the region to a global network of development experts, to build knowledge and capacity, and to forge partnerships to meet the development challenges of a large and diverse region. IRH also aims to capture and spread development successes and best practices in the region and to improve the impact of UNDP’s work through effective communications and advocacy.In order to achieve these aims, the IRH employs a team of in-house policy advisers and specialists, backed by an extensive roster of outside experts. Regional programme advisers and specialists provide demand-driven advisory services, access to knowledge, and technical backstopping to ECIS country offices. Their specific services include diagnostic missions, on-site support to UNDP Country offices principally in programme identification and preparation, evaluations, expert referrals, capacity development, training and applied research. They may also be responsible for leading and managing the regional practice work through communities of practice (COP) in their respective areas of expertise.The Sustainable Development Team provides support to the process of nationalizing, implementing and monitoring the global 2030 sustainable development agenda. UNDP IRH invites applications from qualified experts to establish a roster of consultants to work on various consultancy assignments in the region.  The SDT launches a competitive process to create a pool of qualified experts/consultants in following areas: 

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 
• Poverty and Inequality, 
• Employment and Inclusive Growth, 
• Private Sector and Trade, 
• Social Protection and Social Inclusion
• Roma Inclusion
• Green economy
• Human Development

Roma Inclusion Roma are among the most deprived people in Europe. Many of the 10-12 million Roma who live in Europe still live in poverty. Around 80% earn less than is necessary to meet their most basic needs. Two thirds of young people- a majority of them are women – are unemployed or out of school. Discrimination and prejudice are important drivers of Roma exclusion which need to be tackled systematically. Roma poverty, which involves multiple deprivations, requires a comprehensive human development response, involving both Roma and other communities. Expanding people’s choices and opportunities to live a life they value is the sustainable foundation of any Roma-targeted intervention. This is what human development is about—and human development underpins UNDP’s work. There are three dimensions to UNDP’s work on Roma inclusion:

• The generation of comprehensive, comparable regional data on the status of Roma exclusion and data-driven policy research;
• Operational support to national, local, and sectoral institutions focusing on Roma Inclusion; and
• Designing and implementing local development initiatives to benefit Roma communities.

Comprehensive socio-economic data on the status of Roma exclusion Reliable data and solid analysis are prerequisites for evaluating the extent to which Roma in Europe can access their rights. It also serves to inform policies designed to improve access to these rights. UNDP has more than 15 years of experience in data collection about the situation of Roma, and over this period has produced numerous analytical reports and introduced innovative conceptual and methodological approaches. The Roma Inclusion Working Papers series, based on the regional (multi-country) 2011 survey data, culminated with the design and application of a multidimensional poverty index (MPI)—an innovative approach to conceptualising and analysing the situation of Roma. A number of country specific reports further contextualise programming interventions. Collection and analysis of these data make possible the identification of specific drivers of Roma exclusion (so that relevant and targeted approaches can be developed) and the monitoring of progress within and between countries over time. Operational support to national, local, and sector-specific institutions focusing on Roma InclusionThe multidimensional nature of Roma exclusion calls for integrated and people-centred solutions. This was the aim of the recently completed Regional Facility for Roma Inclusion in the Western Balkans which supported the operationalization of national Roma integration strategies by strengthening the infrastructure implementing programs at the central and local levels. Roma exclusion stems not just from a lack of financial resources, unemployment, sub-standard housing, or poor access to social services. It is a combination of all these factors. It is further reinforced by prejudice and discrimination, specific behavioural traits, limited opportunities for Roma to participate in political processes, limited access to justice, segregation, etc. The practical implication of this complex mix is that Roma exclusion should be addressed in a complex way, in a territorial context. In applying this approach, UNDP selects the most disadvantaged areas of a country (defined using a range of socio-economic indicators), and covers everyone in these areas. In practice, these areas are those with high concentrations of Roma populations.In FYR Macedonia, UNDP supported the establishment of 12 Roma Information Centres (RICs) in municipalities with the highest percentage of Roma inhabitants. RICs are in constant communication with the Roma population to provide information, advice, and referrals to relevant institutions. The RICs facilitate access to social protection services, employment, health, housing, education, and legal documentation. UNDP’s “Reintegration of Roma Returnees in Serbia” project is currently providing better access to employment, education, and housing for Roma who were denied asylum in the EU. Four out of five registered returnees under the readmission agreement are Roma. Local governments’ capacity for dealing with readmission of this scale are limited, and new models for sustainable reintegration are needed. UNDP is implementing a new round of regional Roma survey in Western Balkans and Turkey, supported by EU/DG Near in collaboration with the World Bank and in consultations with Fundamental Rights Agency, Regional Cooperation Council/Roma Integration 2020 Project and UN Agencies.The focus of this intervention is a comprehensive quantitative survey covering living conditions, employment, income status, access to health and education services, personal documentation, and other key dimensions determining the status of Roma in society and their ability to access socio-economic rights. The quantitative data will be supplemented by qualitative studies on five key aspects of Roma exclusion: the obstacles to integration of returning Roma migrants from EU member states; barriers to accessing personal documents; barriers to the employment of Roma and experience of labour market discrimination; gender roles and the experience of gender-based violence and early marriages; and the extent to which Roma communities experience environmental deprivation, i.e. live and work in hazardous and/or unhealthy environments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Consultants selected for the Roster will be working with Istanbul Regional Hub and/or UNDP Country Offices on various assignments related to Roma Inclusion. Final agreement on operational reporting lines will be made during the contractual tasks negotiations. The range of tasks typically expected includes:

• Supports in-depth research, and analysis of data about socio-economic, political and cultural position of Roma in Western Balkans and Turkey, using human rights based approach;
• Provides advice and strategic technical inputs in the design and implementation of programme/projects in above areas with a view of promoting of inclusion of Roma and addressing structural/institutional barriers
• Supports design, implementation or evaluation of projects within thematic area
• Supports capacity development of national counterparts (governmental institutions, civil society organization, private sectors) through high quality training and coaching;
• Contributes to the partnership building and resource mobilization efforts for regional and country level initiatives;
• Contributes to developing a methodology and guidelines on use of quantitative and qualitative data about Roma in support of implementing Leaving No One Behind within 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda;
• Contributes to collection, systematization analysis  and dissemination of Roma data sets for countries in the region using UNDP’s, international and national data sources;
• Contributes to the preparation and facilitation of workshops, conferences, expert or other high level policy forums commissioned by UNDP within thematic area;
• Contributes to the development of toolkits, guidelines, publications, infographics, knowledge products and advocacy messages.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum Master’s degree at least in one of the following fields:  Social Science, Political Science, Development Studies, Public Policy, Human Rights, Economy
• Relevant training in public policy oriented research, use of SPSS and STRATA will be considered an asset

Experience:

• At least 5 years of proven and recent experience with Roma inclusion policies and interventions in the ECIS region; of which at last 2 years of direct, hands-on experience working with and in Roma communities will be considered and asset;
• Knowledge of and experience with results oriented and outcome level monitoring and evaluation
• Proven experience in designing and conducting trainings on topics of monitoring and evaluation or use of data to formulate advocacy messages for  governmental actors and civil societies;
• Experience working with programme approaches of major institutional actors involved in Roma inclusion;
• Experience working with EU funding instruments in Enlargement and EU Neighbourhoud Policy countries
• Experience working with participatory, qualitative, action oriented  research methods
• Experience with social statistics, proficiency in software packages (such as SPSS, STATA) is an asset

Language skills:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in languages spoken in Western Balkans region is an asset

Computer and application skills:

• Full IT literacy is a must

Proven drafting and formulation skills (based on the record of existing publications focused on employment and inclusive growth related areas) – max. 10 points (candidates can provide links to written samples of their work in relevant areas or send as attachment together with the P11 form, preferably in English. Publications in one of the languages spoken in Western Balkans language will also be accepted).Evaluation of Applicants

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The inclusion into the Vetted Roster of Experts will be offered to those individual consultants whose offers have been evaluated and determined as (a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and (b) having received high scores specific to the solicitation. Technical Criteria – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points:P11 review: 60 points Only highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the CV desk review (who will score at least 70%) will be considered for drafting and formulation skills evaluation.

• Relevance in education – max. 5 points
• Years of professional experience with Roma inclusion policies and interventions in the ECIS region – max. 10 points: 
• Years of direct, hands on experience with and in Roma communities, asset - max. 5 points;
• Relevance of experience with results oriented and outcome level monitoring and evaluation – max. 2,5 points
• Relevance of conducting trainings on topics of monitoring and evaluation or use of data to formulate advocacy messages for governmental actors and civil societies – max. 2. 5 points
• Relevance of familiarity with programme approaches of major institutional actors involved in Roma inclusion – max. 5 points
• Experience with EU funding instruments in Enlargement and EU Neighbourhoud Policy countries: 5 points
• Experience working with of participatory, qualitative, action oriented research methods and their use for action oriented analysis and policy making – max. 10 points
• Experience with social statistics - max 5 points
• Proficiency in software packages (SPSS, STATA)– max. 5 points
• Fluency in English in combination with any other languages spoken in Western Balkans region – 5 points

Only candidates who will receive at least 70% of points in technical evaluation (desk review and evaluation of written samples) will be considered for financial evaluation.Financial Criteria – 30 % of total evaluation – max. 30 points.Contracting Arrangements:Successful candidates will be included into UNDP RBEC Vetted Experts Roster for Area of Roma Inclusion for the period of 3 years. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs. During this period, IRH which manages the roster, can regularly follow up with consultants as well as UNDP offices in ECIS on their assignments. Financial proposal (daily fee in USD) provided by the consultant is the all-inclusive maximum daily fee payable and is bound to the period of 3 years (unless the consultant applies to the roster during its re-opening). Profiles of roster members will be published at UNDP internal platform and accessible to UNDP IRH and Country Offices.Where a request for services arises, the UNDP IRH or UNDP office will share a specific Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific services, outputs and timeline for that assignment with consultant(s) matching the requested profile and consultants will be requested to provide a price offer. A consultant offering a best value for money will be contracted.Payments:Payments will be made as specified in the actual contract upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• 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 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); please upload the P11 instead of your CV. 
• Financial Proposal* in USD – specifying all-inclusive maximum daily fee

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor (e.g. fee, health insurance, office supplies, communications, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 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.orgGeneral 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.