Senior Researcher - Climate Security and Violent Extremism in Africa

Jun 20, 2020 | UNDP
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The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves.

The UNDP Oslo Governance Centre (OGC) is UNDP’s Global Policy Centre for policy development and applied research with an overarching focus on democratic governance and peacebuilding in crisis, conflict and transitional contexts. It engages with Norwegian, Nordic and other partners from the South in undertaking applied research and developing policy options and tools for governance support in post-crisis and post-conflict environments, in order to find practical solutions on the ground. One of the priority areas for the OGC is the advancement of the research agenda on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE).

UNDP's approach to PVE aims to address two related trends: the rise of violent extremism, and the governance of increasingly diverse and multi-cultural societies. At the heart of UNDP's approach is a belief that better governance in diversity will lead to societies better prepared to deal with violent extremism as outlined in UNDP's strategy on 'Preventing Violent Extremism through Inclusive Development and the Promotion of Tolerance and Respect for Diversity'.

The significant implications of variability in global climate over the recent years has been adequately documented. Projected impact including from predicted rise in sea levels, adverse weather conditions, expansion of desertification, land degradation, reduction of arable land, strain on infrastructure, pressure on fresh water systems, will place significant strain on the ability of peoples to secure their livelihood systems, increase vulnerabilities and fragility and could occasion movement of populations either in search of livelihood options or as a result of displacement (IPCC, 2019). In a similar vein, UN Security Council resolutions S/RES/2408 (2018) and S/RES/2349 (2017) makes mention of the interface between climate change and regional/national stability in the Horn of Africa and the Lake Chad Basin regions specifically and calls for action including partnerships within both contexts. While it may be possible to draw a direct correlation between inter-communal conflict and climate security due to scarce resources, it is more challenging to draw the same direct correlation to violent extremism, due to the multiplicity of violent extremism drivers, including political grievances, marginalisation, etc. That said, it has been acknowledged that climate change can play the role of threat multiplier. Within this context:

1. What interlinkages exist between climate security and violent extremism in Africa?
2. Are there any examples of interventions that have taken into account climate security and PVE? If so, what are the lessons learned and best practices from these interventions.
3. What recommendations can be made at both policy and programmatic levels to address climate security and PVE.

Schedule of Payments

The consultant will be paid with a lumpsum at the completion of the consultancy.  The consultant must submit a payment certification form to be approved by UNDP OGG. 

Travel

No travel is foreseen for this consultancy.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should provide the following documents and information by email to: oslo.governance.centre@undp.org:

• CV or P11 and a statement of interest indicating all past experience for similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc;
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability which also includes a brief description (not more than 300 – 500 words) of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
• Submit two recent relevant writing samples: one in English.
• Subject line of email should read: Consultancy – PVE & Climate Security

Submission of Financial Proposals:

Note that only shortlisted applicants will be requested to submit a financial proposal

The financial proposal should be submitted in USD using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780 

The proposals should be sent via email to oslo.governance.centre@undp.org with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal PVE and Climate Security” by set deadline. Proposals received after the deadline may be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive professional daily fee, and include a detailed breakdown of the cost. The term ‘all-inclusive’ implies that all costs (professional fees, assignment related travel expenses, communications, tax, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal.

Criteria for selection:

Only those candidates who meet the minimum level of education and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the consultancy. The shortlisted candidates will be scored based on a review of their functional competencies and other criteria as described above. Shortlisted candidates will also be invited for interviews.

• Combined scoring method: where the qualifications and competencies will be weighted a max of 70% and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted a max of 30%.
• Method: cumulative analysis method will be used to evaluate proposals.

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive / compliant / acceptable; and 
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria weight: 70 points (70% of total obtainable scores):

Only those candidates who meet the minimum level of education and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the technical evaluation. The technical evaluation will include a desk review and may also include interviews with shortlisted candidates.

The technical evaluation of shortlisted candidates will be done on the basis of a review of the following:

• Experience of working in the area of climate security (20p).
• Work experience in governance, conflict and/or violent extremism in Africa (20p).
• Proven track record in producing conflict and peace building research and policy papers, including for UNDP (20p).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (10p.)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) are deemed technically qualified.

Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points maximum):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

The award of contract will be made to the individual consultant who receives the highest combined score out of the weighted technical and financial criteria as specified above

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The consultant will provide support to OGC’s PVE work in the areas of research:

Research will be split into 20 days desk-based research and writing:

• Conduct desk research to collect secondary data and identify existing gaps:

• Conduct interviews, meetings, and gather relevant information;
• Drafting research paper on agreed PVE area of interest to UNDP;
• Provide policy recommendations, based on the research, that are in line with UNDP principles and approach to PVE.

The consultant will be responsible to deliver:

1. Initial concept note, which will include proposed methodology, data sources, interviewees and focus area (to be approved by OGC before continuing);
2. Forward looking 10-page policy brief on the relationship between violent extremism and climate security in Africa (Font in Calibri size 11; using UNDP referencing style);
3. Transcript of key interviews and meetings conducted at distance during research;
4. List of policy recommendations based on research;
5. 700-900 word blog/op-ed on main research paper and findings.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Direct on the ground experience in researching issues related to conflict/extremism/development/security/human rights;
• Knowledge and understanding of the UN’s work on preventing violent extremism;
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and editorial skills.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, and partner organizations;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Knowledge of the UN system;
• Excellent understanding of international development and preventing violent extremism issues.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree (or additional 5 years of experience) in international development, communications, political science or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years' of working in the development or counter extremism field;
• Mix of academic and practical experience in working on violent extremism;
• Excellent knowledge of the political, economic, social and security situation in different regions;
• Proven ability to write papers that straddle the academic and implementation worlds;
• Ablility to produce conflict and peace building research, policy papers and training materials conflict dynamics and peace and security capacities;
• Excellent writing and communications skills.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.