Lead Researcher for the Uganda National Human Development Report- UN Job Vacancy

 Job title: Lead Researcher for the Uganda National Human Development Report on Climate Change, Kampala

 Location :      Kampala, UGANDA
Application Deadline :    14-Feb-11
Additional Category    Environment and Energy
Type of Contract :    SSA
Post Level :    National Consultant
Languages Required :
    English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    28-Feb-2011
Duration of Initial Contract :    6 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :    6 months

Closing Date: Monday, 14 February 2011


Background

The Government of Uganda and UNDP is in the process of preparing a National Human Development Report (NHDR) on Climate Change. The Report will establish a conceptual framework for understanding the linkages between climate change and human development. It will present original research into the impacts of climate change on human capabilities and opportunities, and discuss appropriate strategies for adaptation and mitigation, at household, community and national levels. An integral part of the NHDR process will be to bring different, sometimes dissonant, groups together, to enhance local capacities and to support the formulation of policies that reflect the needs of diverse stakeholders. The NHDR on Climate Change is being prepared in accordance with six core principles following corporate policy guidelines to produce high-quality reports:

    * National/regional ownership through a process that draws on national/regional actors and capabilities throughout the preparation, yielding a product firmly grounded in the country's past and existing development plans. This seeks to ensure relevance.
    * Participatory and inclusive preparation that gathers together diverse actors as active partners. These include government, non-governmental, academic and non-academic players, both men and women, different ethnic groups, and so on. This seeks to build consensus.
    * Independence of analysis through objective assessments based on reliable analysis and data. Reports are not consensus documents; they are independent publications in which the authors take ultimate responsibility for the points of view. This seeks to generate respect.
    * Quality of analysis that centres on people and makes global, regional and local connections. It uses quantitative and qualitative data to support policy arguments, and to measure and monitor human advances. This promotes strategies for human development.
    * Flexibility and creativity in presentation through attractive visuals, fluid language and a creative style that will engage the interest of the target audience. This seeks to maximize impact.
    * Sustained follow up that generates awareness and dialogue, and influences national development actions. This seeks to makes the report's voice heard.

The Government of Uganda and UNDP are looking for a Lead Researcher to complete the NHDR on Climate Change according to these principles.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Lead Researcher will have as overall responsibility the preparation of the Uganda NHDR on Climate Change according to the principles outlined above. Specifically the tasks will include:

    * Conduct a comprehensive literature review on human development and on climate change, and establish a conceptual framework for linking the two in manner that is specific to Uganda and relevant to the larger regional context.
    * Critically review, edit and improve on the research already carried out on the impacts of climate change, and adaptation strategies, under the NHDR project.
    * Prepare a draft annotated outline of the NHDR using existing materials and outlining key gaps to be filled with new research notably in areas such as linkage between climate changes and empowerment/agency, the responsiveness and effectiveness of current policies, institutional frameworks and political processes.
    * Prepare a detailed and updated budget for the finalization of the NHDR.
    * Prepare terms of reference for and guide researchers commissioned for specific analytical works.
    * Set up a inclusive process of consultation (with the Government focal point, non-state actors, development partners including a formal technical steering committee chaired by the Lead Researcher) and a rigorous process of peer-review (with technical and policy experts in Uganda and abroad including specifically UNDP's Human Development Report Office), to ensure national ownership on one hand and high quality analysis on the other hand.
    * Pull together the various analytical pieces into a cohesive and comprehensive report complete with executive summary, narrative chapters, tables, graphs, and extended annexes with human development indicators and methodology.
    * Produce consistent and coherent strategies for climate change policy formulation, development and implementation.
    * Identify innovative programs and propose implementation mechanisms, including scaling-up existing programs that have proved to be successful.
    * Propose avenues for influencing national policy debates. Lead the dissemination process and the policy discussions with a view to making Uganda a more climate resilient society.

Deliverables

The key deliverables by the Lead Researcher will be:

    * Final Uganda NHDR report; copy-edited, lay-outed and printed.
    * Three to five additional research papers in selected areas
    * Edited volume of background papers using the research prepared under the project.
    * Five policy briefs with highlights from the research and findings.
    * Presentations to disseminate the report and its findings.

Duration and timing:

The preparation of the NHDR is expected to take a period of 6 months beginning in January 2010, which a possible break to allow for commissioned research to be completed. The final report is due in by April 2011.

Reporting

The Lead Researcher will report to the Commissioner of the Economic Policy and Development Research Department in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as the UNDP Senior Economist, and will be required to provide regular updates on progress of works to the senior managements of both the Ministry and UNDP.

Competencies

The Lead Researcher is expected to:

    * Have a firm understanding on the human development paradigm, its analytical foundations, application and measurement;
    * Be an authority on climate change and social issues in Uganda;
    * Have a strong track-record of in peer-reviewed technical and policy-oriented publications;
    * Be an effective advocate of, and able to articulate, and agenda for social and economic change;
    * Excellent communication and report drafting skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience:

    * Advanced university degree preferably a PhD in the appropriate fields such as environmental economics, agricultural economics or environmental science.
    * Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in the field of environment with a specific focus on climate change.
    * Experience in conducting research with multidisciplinary teams and in working with government officials and UN agencies.
    * Experience in using large data sets for econometric analysis, macro- and micro-economic modeling and empirical analysis.
    * Availability and willingness and personal initiative to travel and engage in field work at community level.
    * Excellent analytical, research, report writing and capacity building skills
    * Fluency in English is required.

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.

To Apply
https://jobs.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?job_id=21469