Researcher: International Public Finance and Post-2015 - Home-based

How to finance the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has emerged as a central question of recent discussions on international development. The UN’s intergovernmental committee of experts on sustainable development financing recently published its final report which provides an overview of the contemporary development financing landscape and points to new opportunities to leverage more resources in support of sustainable development. In July 2015, Addis Ababa will host the 3rd UN conference on financing for sustainable development. The conference will assess progress made on financing the ‘old’ MDG agenda as well as look at how the international community can best support the new post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

The expert committee’s report underscored that all sources of finance will need to be mobilized – and used more effectively – in support of sustainable development. These include domestic and external, public and private sources of finance. The report points to recent expansions in international private finance and suggests that more efforts are needed to orient a larger proportion of these flows towards internationally agreed sustainable development objectives. It also points to the continued need for development aid and other forms of international public finance and that private for-profit financing will be difficult – and even impossible – in some areas. It underscores that all sources of finance should be seen as complements, not substitutes, and the international community needs to find ways to ensure that different forms of finance work together more coherently.

In a recent joint paper, UNDP/ODI argued that despite the anticipated increased role for the private sector in development in the post-2015 period, and increasing domestic resources, international public finance (IPF) will still have a vital and unique role to play in the future. IPF has many specific characteristics which differentiate it from other forms of finance. These characteristics mean IPF will have a vital role in underpinning sustainable development efforts in the post-2015 era.  The paper suggested however that international public finance needs to evolve in response to changing times; investment priorities need to change, more countries need to contribute resources to IPF in a stable and predictable manner and allocation mechanisms need to be made more efficient, accountable and representative.

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International Consultant - Researcher in Gender and EMBs - Cairo

Elections give people a voice in the democratic process. In Egypt, the electoral process is an essential step in the transition period to consolidate the path to democracy. Within this context, the UNDP Electoral Project will cooperate with the Government of Egypt in the area of elections with a focus on a) strengthening public outreach and voter information on the parliamentary elections; b) strengthening technical and operational capacity of national electoral authorities to conduct 2011 and future elections; c) incorporating lessons learned and best practices of the 2011 elections in the subsequent elections processes; and d) increasing access of women and rural dwellers to their citizenship rights in the 2011 and future elections.

Gender inequalities within electoral processes are common all around the world, strengthened by and connected to the social, cultural and economic barriers facing women in most societies. Gender issues affect all aspects of an election. There are numerous barriers to women’s participation and representation in political and electoral processes. Although women took a very active part in initiating the political transition, their representation at decision-making and elected positions remain low in Egypt, as elsewhere around the world. Causes for low representation are diverse, and vary across regions and countries.

Gender sensitivity of the election management body (EMB) is receiving increasing attention, as it was observed that differential gender needs were often overlooked in analysis, planning and implementation of electoral activities. From their position and responsibilities, EMBs can be pivotal not only in the implementation of electoral processes, but also through the formulation of recommendations to legislators and decision-makers for inclusive participation in electoral processes.

Their internal gender sensitivity and balanced gender representation is a major aspect.  Also, EMBs have large experience and knowledge to draw and advise on addressing local constrains to women participations as voters, candidates and electoral administrators. They may also leverage their position as expert and key practitioner to advice on legislation and procedures.

In this context, UNDP Electoral Assistance Project in Egypt is organizing an international conference on gender and electoral administration in December 2014. Several preparatory activities are taking place in the run up to conference, including a study tour and a research on gender sensitivity in electoral administration in Egypt.

The present research on the legal framework of the Electoral Administrative Bodies and gender will showcase good practices and lessons learned from other countries. Presentation of the research during the December conference will provide participants with solid information on comparative experiences, thereby supporting the ongoing dialogue on the establishment of a new permanent EMB in Egypt.

In particular, the paper will list existing gender sensitive EMBs and clarify how gender mainstreaming impacts EMBs performance and work. The paper will also analyze specific case studies, with regards to the relevance, challenges and bottlenecks in the implementation of gender mechanisms within EMBs.

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Cambodia-China Trafficking Situation Study Researcher - Beijing

Since 2012, there have been increasing reports of Cambodians trafficked to China for forced marriage. Desk research analyzing reports in the Chinese media has revealed a range of migration patterns from Cambodia to China, with the number of Cambodian brides marrying Chinese men increasing. In 2013, the government of China initiated a nationwide operation to combat cross-border trafficking crimes. UNIAP/UN-ACT has supported the Ministry of Public Security in China to investigate such cases by providing translation services, with translators recruited from universities supporting investigation in the different languages. This project has found that incidences of Cambodian women in forced marriage situations appear to be increasing, and in more significant numbers than other nationalities expected.

Reports indicate patterns of exploitation and abuse within a broader flow of marriage migration, which complicates effective law enforcement. Some women came with the expectation of marriage to a Chinese man, the broker providing a service, and only reported to police on finding the economic situation of their husband different from what they imagined, with no abuse. In other instances, the women were offered a job in China by the recruiters, only to find on arrival that they were to be controlled and traded as brides, sometimes including physical abuse. According to government, media and NGO reports, Cambodians trafficked to China including for forced marriage have so far been identified in 11 provinces in southern and eastern China.

There are currently no ‘informal’ mechanisms in place between the two governments to deal with human trafficking between Cambodia and China, but a bilateral MoU process presently undertaken is set to intensify their joint efforts.

Since 2012, there have been increasing reports of Cambodians trafficked to China for forced marriage. Desk research analyzing reports in the Chinese media has revealed a range of migration patterns from Cambodia to China, with the number of Cambodian brides marrying Chinese men increasing. In 2013, the government of China initiated a nationwide operation to combat cross-border trafficking crimes. UNIAP/UN-ACT has supported the Ministry of Public Security in China to investigate such cases by providing translation services, with translators recruited from universities supporting investigation in the different languages. This project has found that incidences of Cambodian women in forced marriage situations appear to be increasing, and in more significant numbers than other nationalities expected.

Reports indicate patterns of exploitation and abuse within a broader flow of marriage migration, which complicates effective law enforcement. Some women came with the expectation of marriage to a Chinese man, the broker providing a service, and only reported to police on finding the economic situation of their husband different from what they imagined, with no abuse. In other instances, the women were offered a job in China by the recruiters, only to find on arrival that they were to be controlled and traded as brides, sometimes including physical abuse. According to government, media and NGO reports, Cambodians trafficked to China including for forced marriage have so far been identified in 11 provinces in southern and eastern China.

There are currently no ‘informal’ mechanisms in place between the two governments to deal with human trafficking between Cambodia and China, but a bilateral MoU process presently undertaken is set to intensify their joint efforts.

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National Researcher, FSV/GBV National Survey-PNG - (Open to Papua New Guinea (PNG) Nationals only) - Port Moresby

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)Duration of Initial Contract :220 working days over a 12 month periodFamily and Sexual Violence (FSV)/Gender Based Violence (GBV) remains a key development challenge in PNG, and has been prioritized in regional and national development plans, polices and strategies. Prevalence studies indicate that violence against women in the Pacific is amongst the highest in the world. Based on anecdotal reports, small-scale surveys and perceptions of violence (including from the HIES, 2010-11), violence against women in PNG is understood to be unacceptably high.

In the last few years, the Government of Papua New Guinea with support from the development partners including the UN Gender Task team have been supporting the design and implementation of initiatives addressing Gender Based Violence at various levels. These initiatives have been aligned to the National Policy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment 2011-2015, which focuses on 3 main components; i)Women Equality and Representation; ii) Women Economic Empowerment; and; iii) Gender Based Violence and Vulnerability. Specific GBV interventions have been in the areas of capacity building for service providers, awareness raising, and engagement of key stakeholders including the Police and the Justice System in stepping up the delivery of services to survivors of Gender Based Violence.
A key achievement has been the passing of the Family Protection Bill (2013); its implementation will need to be secured through all existing and new interventions related to GBV/FSV.
Some of the challenges related to the work on FSV/GBV have been the scattered data on FSV and limited coordination; two important areas to secure measurable and sustainable change.
Through support from the United Nations and DFAT, the government of PNG, in cooperation with NGOs, FBO and the private sector, will be rolling out a national driven FSV initiative aimed at institutionalizing a strong coordination, implementation and monitoring system to achieve effective prevention of FSV. The initiative will facilitate a review of existing data, carry out a gap analysis, and secure additional data to provide a more comprehensive review of the nature and prevalence of FSV/GBV incidents. Updated mapping of the existing interventions and their effectiveness will also secure a better insight as to where and how to support interventions that can address the much needed transformational interventions across PNG. UNDP will support the relevant government agencies, NGOs and FBOs to identify and establish a high level mechanism that will secure coordinated and effective interventions by taking the lead in developing a comprehensive and inclusive national GBV/FSV strategic frame-work. The implementation component will be supported by a strong monitoring and evaluation framework, along a funding mechanism that will allow long-term support to service delivery across PNG. The work will also include an extensive national awareness and advocacy component. Existing communication strategies will be reviewed and new ones will be developed to reflect the impact of social media whilst also reviewing innovative approaches to reach more remote localities and persons with limited literacy capacities.
An enhanced holistic approach, following the establishment of a high level national coordination and monitoring entity should facilitate a unified approach with much far reaching impact.With the above overview, UNDP is looking for a National Researcher to be responsible for the implementation of specific components from the FSV project. The National Researcher will be under the direct supervision of the Principle Researcher and FSV advisor (Team Leader), who is designing, managing and undertaking research and training to support the development and implementation of the project.
Under the direct supervision of the Principle Researcher and FSV advisor (Team Leader), who is designing, managing and undertaking research and training to support the development and implementation of the project, the National Researcher will perform the following roles:In close collaboration with National Statistics Office, take lead in the process of analyzing Demographic and Socio-Cultural data from censuses, surveys, and other related statistics needed to extend the data base and to update assumptions of Gender Based Violence projections;In collaboration with national research and other relevant government and non-government entities finalize a draft report on existing qualitative information pertaining to FSV/GBV;Design and roll out a mapping exercise of current FSV/GBV interventions and their effectiveness in Papua New Guinea with the support of the GoPNG, UN Gender Task Team, Family Sexual Violence Action Committee, and their respective sub-national partners and stakeholders and consolidate findings in draft report;Review the Survey questionnaire for additional data collection on the prevalence of FSV/GBV with the support of NSO and the Technical Working Group to address gaps pertaining to quantitative data;Backstop on and assist in the recruitment process and training of interviewers and enumerators for the Survey and the qualitative component, under direction of the Team Leader and technical consultant;Assuring the accurate and correct collection of data in the field with interviewers and enumerators as directed and guided by the Team Leader; and well as providing supervision support  to Regional Coordinators, enumerators and supervisors on data collection; andProvide support to the Data Analysis Expert on analysis, and lead the process of drafting the report, guided by the Team Leader. 

Duration:

The duration of the assignment is 220 working days (10 months over a 12 month period).Experience in provision of organisational operational support; Ability to learn new operational/procurement requirements particularly policies and guidelines easily to deliver tasks. Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant information for the preparation of quality outputs; Excellent organisation and coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the consultants. Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.
An advanced university degree in a development related area Social Science, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Health or Epidemiology.At least 8 years of relevant experience with demonstrated track record of having undertaken or led research on social and behavioural sciences from gender perspective;Experience in undertaking research on women's studies; and must be able to demonstrate track record of independent Research/ Publications;Expertise in research methodology; with experience of working closely with government department, social sectors and research institutions is desirable;Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based and data management systems; and ability to deal with large data-sets & primary data;Familiarity with research, assessment and survey methodology and tools including experience in field work and documentation;Experience in undertaking research in Papua New Guinea will be an asset.
Fluency and proficiency in English;Knowledge of Pisin and Motu will be added advantage.
Interested applicants are to submit a proposal for this consultancy.When submitting your proposal, please be guided by the attached Request for Proposal (RFP) and the Terms of Reference (TOR). Proposals may be submitted on or before 08 May 2014. 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.

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