Risk Data Analyst- PVE and Social Cohesion - For Sri Lankans only

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

Sri Lanka, a country in transition after a 26-year-old protracted civil war and is presently threatened by the gradual spread of both ‘acute’ and ‘chronic’ forms of violent extremism and prevalence of online and offline hate speech. According to some studies since the end of the war there had been more than 600 cases of extremist violence targeting minorities culminating in the April bomb attacks which killed over 290 people and wounded at least another 500. In the meantime, the spread of hate speech has been targeting ethnic or religious groups, their beliefs, culture, economic engagements etc. and has undermined the delicate post-war peacebuilding process. Online social media, in particular, has been identified as a tool used to incite violence, spread fake news, myths, anger and hatred. The current COVID-19 crisis, political and societal reaction to some of the government response may further conflagrate existent underlying conflict dynamics between ethnic and religious groups.

UNDP Sri Lanka has partnered with the Crisis Risk and Early Warning team (CREW) in the UNDP’s Crisis Bureau and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) Sri Lanka to build a Crisis Risk Dashboard that will provide data analytics on trends across several dimensions of vulnerability specific to the Sri Lankan context. However, more detailed insights are needed regarding the dynamics of conflict within the region. Specifically, UNDP Sri Lanka needs more information regarding the type, intensity, location, and drivers of conflict through mulit- dimensional risk analysis to further understand sub-national drivers and guide more context and conflict-sensitive interventions to mitigate conflict risks.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The analyst will be based in Colombo and work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Technical Specialist (Reconciliation and Peacebuilding). He/she will work closely with two research assistants, the UNDP CREW team in New York and the UN RCO colleagues led by the Reconciliation and Development Advisor. The analyst’s primary responsibility will be to support data analysis and generation of knowledge products through the CRD’s datasets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

• Provide monthly analysis brief on risk trends through data and news reports collated by the CRD
• In collaboration with the UN RCO and CREW teams, support the production of monthly risk indicators and bespoke knowledge products.
• Advise on sourcing and integrating of new data sources for the CRD
• Liaise with and support key civil society partners on a monthly basis to ensure timely access to data for analysis, support improvement of data collection methods and quality control
• Work in partnership with the RCO and CREW team to integrate research outputs in Sri Lanka into the Crisis Risk Dashboard infrastructure.

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged timeframe of the consultancy is 8 months, starting in March 2021

Competencies

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English, including excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as a working knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

The prospective consultant should have:

• Postgraduate Degree in a relevant field such as peace and conflict studies, risk studies, politics or international relations.
• Strong research background with at least three years of post graduate experience in quantitative and qualitative research in the field of conflict studies, public policy, international relations or politics.
• A deep understanding of the Sri Lanka’s national context including social, political, economic dynamics and familiarity with public policy.
• Experience in developing analytical reports and concise briefs of complex subject matter in English.
• Familiarity with data science products and data analysis tools (e.g. STATA, SPSS) would be an added advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief description on how you will approach and conduct the work and include an annexed writing sample or extract no more than 1000 words.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR.
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: [email protected] stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR ( )

Amount in words: (Rs. )

Please use the link Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability to furnish the financial proposal.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station), honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by the Technical Specialist, Reconciliation and Peacebuilding

Payment Milestones will be as follows:

• March - 01st analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• April - 02nd analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• May - 03rd analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• June - 04th analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• July - 05th analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• August - 06th analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• September - 07th analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• October - 08th analytical brief developed using the Crisis Risk Dashboard, research advice, identification of knowledge products and civil society support services - 10% of Payment
• October - End of Assignment report - 20% of Payment