CONSULTANT – MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT EXPERT-Vacancy,UNDP,USA

Post:CONSULTANT – MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT EXPERT
Location :     New York
Additional Category    Millennium Development Goals
Type of Contract :    Individual Contract
Post Level :    International Consultant
Languages Required :    English 

Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    01-Jul-2013
Duration of Initial Contract :    6 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :    6 months
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Application Deadline :    24-Jun-13
Background

UNDP is the global development network of the United Nations, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges and assisting them to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Poverty Group (PG) of the Bureau for Development Policy is the institutional anchor of UNDP’s work on poverty reduction and MDG support, with gender equality and capacity development as cross cutting themes. Led by the Practice Director, the Poverty Group (PG) provides core services designed to support global, regional, national and local efforts to reduce poverty and reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These include technical and policy advice, policy analysis and advocacy and knowledge brokering.

UNDP conceives of development as a process of enlarging people’s choices to realize their potential and enjoy the freedom to lead lives they value. Migration, both within and beyond borders, can expand people’s choices– in terms of incomes, accessing services and participation, for example -- but the opportunities open to people vary from those who are best endowed to those with limited skills and assets. These inequalities, which can be compounded by policy distortions, have implications for human development.

There is a range of evidence about the positive impacts of migration on human development, through such avenues as increased household incomes and improved access to education and health services. There is further evidence that migration can empower traditionally disadvantaged groups, in particular women. At the same time, risks to human development are also present where migration is a reaction to threats and denial of choice, and where regular opportunities for movement are constrained.

National and local policies play a critical role in enabling better human development outcomes for both those who choose to move in order to improve their circumstances, and those forced to relocate due to conflict, environmental degradation, or other reasons.

Migration is therefore of relevance for traditional areas of work by UNDP such as poverty reduction and the MDGs, governance, energy and the environment, HIV/AIDS. UNDP is involved in several migration-related initiatives at the global, regional and country levels. These include the UN-EU joint Initiative on Migration and Development and membership in the Global Migration Group (GMG).

Duties and Responsibilities
Working under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Inclusive Globalization, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting UNDP’s activities associated migration and development related activities, including assisting with programmatic and advocacy activities arising from the follow up to the Human Development Report 2009 on ‘Overcoming Barriers: Mobility and Human Development.

In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

•     Ensure the timely execution of a UNDP commissioned study on ‘diaspora investment’ and oversee the work of the research consultant;
•     Ensure the timely execution of a UNDP internal stock-take and strategy development exercise on ‘human mobility’ and oversee the work of a research consultant;
•     Support the establishment of a UNDP internal network on human mobility;
•     Support UNDP preparations for and representation at the 2013 UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development;
•     Support UNDP’s partnership with IOM on “Mainstreaming migration into national development strategies” through the compilation of practical guidance materials for UN country teams;
•     Support UNDP participation in the Global Migration Group and the World Bank’s KNOMAD project;
•     Support ongoing donor relations and resource mobilization efforts of the IGT on migration.

 Deliverables

•     Country research and synthesis reports for the diaspora investment study completed;
•     Stock-taking of UNDP’s work on migration and displacement completed and main lessons summarized for dissemination within the organization;
•     A network of UNDP staff involved in migration and displacement related work set up;
•     Organization of a preparatory/side-event for the 2013 HLD;
•     Preparation of briefings and talking points for UNDP senior management on migration;
•     Regular liaison with IOM counterparts on the project on “Mainstreaming migration into national development strategies”; compilation of practical tools developed during the pilot phase of the project and dissemination to UNCTs;
•     Support UNDP’s participation in KNOMAD and GMG meetings; preparation and coordination of UNDP inputs and follow-up; and
•     Development of IGT project proposals for prospective funders.

Travel

The Expert Consultant is expected to undertake three missions to Geneva (Switzerland) during the course of the assignment. If other travel is required to perform tasks identified in these TOR, travel-related expenses will be reimbursed by UNDP, based on the current practice and UNDP rates.

Schedule of payments

Payments shall be made in installments upon satisfactory completion of the assigned work described above.

Evaluation method

Best value for money approach; the financial proposal will account for 30% and the technical proposal will account for 70% of the total evaluation score.

Competencies

•     Previous work experience with the UN and familiarity with the UN system desirable;
•     Familiarity with UNDP’s mandate and the concept of Human Development;
•     Field experience with UNDP or related development organization desirable;
•     Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
•     Excellent writing and analytical skills;
•     Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi disciplinary team;
•     Excellent organizational skills.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

    Post-graduate degree in a development-related field (15%).

Experience:

    Substantive experience in migration and development policy issues (25%);
    A minimum of 5 years of work experience in an international development context (20%).

Language:

    Excellent oral and written command of English;
    Proficiency in other UN language is an asset (10%).

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.
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=38286