Mali: Consultant, National Expert Specializing in Indigenous Populations and Local Communities

Mar 7, 2021 | UNDP
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The Mopti region has attracted considerable attention in recent years from government and international actors engaged in the development and stability of the country. Since 2015, this region has become a hotbed of insecurity where the jihadist threat, military operations, inter-community violence and conflicts between herders and farmers converge. As the State does not demonstrate effective authority and does not exercise a monopoly of force in this region, chronic insecurity reigns there and compromises the prospects for peace, socio-economic development and respect for the Rule of law. Violence between pastoralist and farming communities in the Mopti region is mainly due to competition for land and water resources. Land is needed to maintain economic livelihoods amid climate change, changing demographics, outside ideological influences, an ongoing jihadist insurgency, and political manipulation by local elites. Rising tensions between farmers and pastoralists exacerbate a fragile security environment in central Mali.

It is urgent to articulate immediate recovery interventions and long-term sustainable development in accordance with the Strategic Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development (CREDD 2019-2023) of the Government of Mali for the sustainable management of natural resources, the strengthening of the resilience of communities and vulnerable groups, the consolidation of peace and social cohesion to cope with external shocks.

Faced with land degradation and the negative impacts of climate change on the ecosystem, conflicts in the Mopti region are aggravated by competition for natural resources between farmers and pastoralists, weak governance, the fragility of the State, inequality and widespread insecurity with the emergence of militias

Historically, in the Mopti region, conflicts between farmers and pastoralists are traditionally resolved by local customary mechanisms and traditional agreements (Djowro) for the management of pastures (bourgouttières) and agricultural land. Increasingly, however, the system for regulating access to pasture has collapsed or traditional authorities are restricting access. There is currently an acute competition between groups of pastoralists and between pastoralists, rice farmers and fishermen. As pastoralism conditions have deteriorated in the surrounding areas (on the plateaus and in the dry areas of the Seeno, Gurma and Mema rivers), pastoralists are now more numerous to move to the interior delta during the dry season which cannot no longer bear it. 

In order to reverse the degradation of natural resources, the deterioration of traditional management mechanisms and to mitigate the effects of climate change, inter-community conflicts and violent extremism, the government of Mali, with the help of its partners, the UNDP and the GEF, propose to develop a project on the sustainable management of natural resources (land, water, fish, pastures), reconstruction and strengthening of livelihoods for the consolidation of peace and social cohesion. 

It is within this framework (PPG), the UNDP is looking for a national consultant (NC) to assist an international consultant (IC) in supporting the Government of Mali to prepare a project document (ProDoc) in order to access funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through UNDP. 

Main objectives of the mission:

The objective for the specialist is to support the international consultant in safeguards to formulate documents related to environmental and social safeguards, in particular concerning issues related to indigenous populations. in the development of the project document “Climate security and sustainable management of natural resources in the central regions of Mali for the consolidation of peace”.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of responsibilities / Scope of work:

The national expert on indigenous peoples and local communities is responsible for compiling and assessing relevant information on local communities, their cultures, including beliefs and practices (both traditional customs and how people adapt to new or changing circumstances), paying particular attention to land uses (as far as they are relevant to the current project) and all of their interactions with the natural environment, as well as their interactions with external actors (such as government and private companies); and suggest the incorporation of all this information into the relevant sections of the project document and annexes. He / she will serve as interface between the PPG team and local communities and will provide crucial support in engagement and consultations with local communities. He / she will work closely with the PPG team leader, the international environmental and social safeguards expert, the gender expert and the national team to ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French. PPG team and local communities and will provide crucial support in engagement and consultations with local communities. He / she will work closely with the PPG team leader, the international environmental and social safeguards expert, the gender expert and the national team to ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French. PPG team and local communities and will provide crucial support in engagement and consultations with local communities. He / she will work closely with the PPG team leader, the international environmental and social safeguards expert, the gender expert and the national team to ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French. He / she will work closely with the PPG team leader, the international environmental and social safeguards expert, the gender expert and the national team to ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French. He / she will work closely with the PPG team leader, the international environmental and social safeguards expert, the gender expert and the national team to ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French. ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French. ensure that all aspects of project activities are based on a full understanding of local communities and that these communities understand and approve of the project design. The consultant will be an anthropologist or other social scientist with a deep understanding of local cultures and preferably speak local languages, in addition to French.

Deliverables:

  • Inception report and strategy with methodology and updated timeline 30% 5 days
  • Report of preparatory studies and technical examinations 50% 20 days
  • Report on relevant contributions to the project document and annexes 20% 10 days
  • Total: 100% 35 days

Contribute to the inception report and support presentation and discussion during the inception workshop

  • Preparatory studies and technical reviews: Prepare inputs and support the required analyzes / studies, as agreed with the GEF PPG team leader and the international expert on social and environmental safeguards, in particular
  • Prepare a baseline assessment of local communities in the project area, including their socio-cultural diversity, land use practices, crops and interactions with their natural environment (e.g. through agriculture, hunting, l mining, etc.) and convert this analysis into concrete elements for the design of the project; 
  • Analyze lessons learned from previous GEF and other donor projects in the country and the Sahel region with respect to engagement with local communities; 
  • Collect and analyze data on the impacts of conflicts and insecurity in the Mopti region for indigenous populations and local communities in the areas targeted by the project;
  • Identify the appropriate indicators and objectives of the results framework with regard to the impacts of the project on local communities; collect baseline data for relevant indicators; choose the means of measurement; and define the objectives, the main risks and the assumptions related to these indicators; 
  • Assess the possibilities and priorities of the project to strengthen the management and conservation of forest landscapes in the target area through engagement with local communities, as well as to support to the greatest extent possible the needs, aspirations and the priorities expressed by local communities in terms of socio-economic development and the extent and forms of their engagement (s) with other stakeholders and with nature, while taking into account the risks associated with insecurity; 
  • Actively support the engagement and consultations of the PPG team with local communities;
  • Provide active support to the international safeguards expert in order to implement an FPIC (Free, Previous and Informed Consent) approach, in particular for indigenous populations. This could involve conducting several field visits (or other relevant consultation method given the security situation) for each potentially affected community in the target areas; 
  • Assess institutional capacities and weaknesses with regard to the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making during the implementation of the proposed activities. 

Support for the formulation of the project document and mandatory and project-specific annexes: Make contributions from the perspective of taking into account indigenous populations and local communities and support the development of final deliverables of the PPG, as agreed with the PPG team leader and the international safeguards expert. 

 

Validation workshop: 

  • Technically contribute to the validation workshop; and
  • Support any necessary post-workshop revisions, if applicable.

Monitoring / Reporting Requirements:

The national consultant:

  • will work with a team of international and national consultants and under the guidance of the international consultant - PPG team leader
  • Engage regularly with Supervisor, other team members and UNDP Country Office via email and Zoom / Teams / Skype as needed
  • is bound by the duties of neutrality, confidentiality and reserve implied by his position as a consultant to UNDP.

The deliverables will be approved by UNDP Mali.

  • Planned travel locations (if applicable): Bamako, Mopti and Ségou
  • Assignment Start Date: March 15, 2020
  • Duration of the assignment / or end date (if applicable): 35 days until October 2021
  • Administrative arrangements: The national consultant will provide his workstation (laptop, Internet, telephone, scanner / printer, etc.) The national consultant will be based at home, with missions in Mopti; Travel expenses and any DSA incurred will be reimbursed by UNDP Mali.

Competencies

The national consultant must demonstrate proven capacities in terms of facilitation, teamwork and great adaptability. He will also have to:

  • Demonstrates integrity by shaping the values ​​and ethical standards of the United Nations;
  • Promote the vision, mission and strategic objectives of UNDP;
  • Demonstrates sensitivity and adaptability in matters of culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
  • Treat all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as to work collaboratively with a team;
  • Ability to respond to customer requests constructively;
  • Excellent proposal writing skills;
  • Have a spirit of initiative;
  • Be open and have a great listening capacity;
  • Have the ability to work in a team and in a multicultural environment;
  • Development and operational efficiency;
  • Ability to support the identification, formulation, implementation of development programs and projects;
  • Ability to communicate with government departments and civil society, local authorities and other actors in the field;

Experience and qualification requirements:

Education:

  • Master’s degree or higher degree in a relevant field, such as anthropology or social sciences and other similar disciplines;

Languages:

  • Fluency in fluent French is essential as well as excellent writing, synthesis and communication skills

Professional experience :

  • At least 5 years of demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement and field research, targeting in particular indigenous peoples and local communities;
  • Knowledge and demonstrated experience in the implementation of the FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) approach
  • Demonstrated knowledge of UNDP and GEF procedures for environmental and social safeguards is an asset;
  • Experience in stakeholder engagement in conflict zones, in particular Mopti is an asset;