Вакансія: Local Budget Expert (Social Protection)

Background

Host agency: The OHCHR/HRMMU was deployed on 14 March 2014 to monitor and report on human rights situation throughout Ukraine and to provide recommendations to the Government and other actors to address human rights concerns. The HRMMU currently has presences in Kyiv (capital), Donetsk and Luhansk (areas controlled by the armed groups), Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Mariupol and Odesa. Despite persistent denial of access to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (hereinafter Crimea) by the Russian Federation authorities controlling it, HRMMU monitors human rights situation in Crimea from mainland Ukraine – in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 68/262 – and using a framework of analysis based on international human rights and humanitarian law, pursuant to the General Assembly resolution 71/205 and 72/190.

Organizational Context & Project Description: More than seven years since its onset, the violent conflict in eastern Ukraine continues, distressing the country. The conflict affects 4.4 million people, taking a heavy toll on ordinary civilians. HRMMU has recorded cases of grave conflict-related human rights abuses, including torture, ill-treatment, abductions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, summary executions, and sexual violence. The conflict has led to dramatic country-wide human, social and economic losses, all aggravated by persistent corruption and systemic human rights challenges, including insufficient accountability for human rights violations, a judiciary lacking independence and the absence of effective remedy for victims. In addition, the territories under the control of armed groups have experienced a breakdown of the rule of law, resulting in serious human rights violations, with no mechanism for victims to seek redress. Increasingly, HRMMU noted a shrinking space for civil society, with an atmosphere that is not conducive to the enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and religion.

As a major change in 2020, and incorporating indivisibility approach among all human rights, HRMMU works on establishment of system for monitoring and reporting on impact of conflict-related policies and the COVID-19 crisis on enjoyment economic, social and cultural rights of individuals and groups in vulnerable situation in Ukraine. This will help to address issues of social and economic inequalities in the context of the UN sustainable development cooperation framework. Such approach builds on the core SDG concept of equitable development for all, ‘leaving no one behind’ and the key message to ‘reach the furthest behind first’, as well as addressing gender as a cross-cutting issue.

Please see OHCHR’s Public Quarterly and Thematic Reports with specific recommendations on the human rights situation in Ukraine for additional information accessible at:

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/UAReports.aspx

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Project at HRMMU and in close cooperation with the HRMMU’s Human Rights Officers, the incumbent will within delegated authority be responsible for the following tasks within the HRMMU project “Human rights budgeting for social protection at the local level in Ukraine”.

• Develops the research design and methodology to conduct human rights-based sectoral analysis of local budgets with focus on social protection spending (budget allocations and expenditure) and vulnerable groups.
• Researches and collects relevant information to produce a human rights-based sectoral budget analysis of spending on social protection at the local level in Ukraine from a variety of data sources (e.g. legislative acts,  policy documents, public budget documents, implementation reports, internal and external audit reports, court registers, NGO reports, interviews with relevant stakeholders, social service providers and users, information requests to authorities, press publications).
• Analyses the collected data and prepares a narrative research report, accompanied by tables with data and information compilations for infographics, and recommendations to the local authorities on how to integrate human rights into the budgeting process, in particular in relation to social protection.
• Timely responds to comments to the report provided by the Head of the Project.
• Presents the report to HRMMU and partners.
• Conducts capacity-building activities on the public budget process at the local level in Ukraine for HRMMU staff.
• Advises on HRMMU advocacy strategy aimed at the local authorities on how to integrate human rights-based approach to the budgeting process.

DELIVERABLES/ WORK SCHEDULE

The Local Budget Expert (Social Protection) will be responsible for the deliverables listed below:

1. An outline of the research design, methodology and data collection plan to conduct the human rights-based sectoral analysis of local budgets with focus on social protection spending (budget allocations and expenditure) conducted through case studies of 10 selected local communities (rural and urban). The design, methodology and plan should be based on should be based on a preliminary desk research and mapping and include measurable and recognized indicators of social protection performance. – 10 working days, deadline – 13 August 2021
2. A report on human rights-based sectoral budget analysis of spending (allocations and expenditure) on social protection from the local level budgets in 10 selected communities in Ukraine (25 pages). The report examines to which extent the budget allocations on social protection aim at realizing the economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to social protection in particular, by respecting non-discrimination (and not leaving anyone behind), and providing appropriate, effective and adequate allocations for immediate realization. The budget allocations are compared against the current social protection policies/programmes/plans and any indicators that such programmes/plans might have to show how the budgets contribute to the realization of human rights commitments outlined in such programmes/plans as well as in general  impact poverty gap and inequality reduction. The report also examines to which extent the budget execution (expenditure) on social protection respects human rights principles of non-discrimination (including if there are any groups that are left behind) and underexpenditure, wasteful expenditure and leakage (e.g. resulting from corruption) are avoided. By studying the budget allocations and expenditures, the report also examines if they commit to progressive realization/non-retrogression. The report will be also covering the sources of funding for the social protection (local income, transfers from regional and/or state budgets). The report will also contain recommendations to the local authorities on how to integrate human rights into budgeting for social protection. – 55 working days, deadline – 25 November 2021
3. Compilation of information (tables) for each of the selected communities that will be used by HRMMU to produce infographics that show:

• share of social protection spending per capita in a given year and within a multiannual period (for at least three past years)
• Expenditure on social protection by function (sickness/health care, disability, old age, survivors, family/children, unemployment, housing, and social exclusion, etc)
• share of social protection budget allocations in the overall local communities’ budgets
• spending on services for homeless persons per capita of the overall population per year
• spending on community-based social services for persons with disabilities and older persons vs. institutionalization care, also per capita of the overall population (and/or persons with disabilities and  older persons population)
• spending on means of rehabilitation, personal assistive devices and hygiene items for persons with disabilities
• spending on services for victims of gender based/domestic violence and trafficking
• spending on social housing
• spending on other vulnerable groups programmes
• spending on (primary) health services
• and/or any other specific indicators that can show the expenditures for social protection (e.g. social workers/health care workers per capita per community, etc). –

5 working days, deadline – 12 November 2021

1. A brief containing recommendations for HRMMU’s advocacy strategy on how to promote the integration of human rights into the budgeting process. – 1 working day, deadline – 15 October 2021
2. A two hours training session and instruction materials for HRMMU’s staff on the public budget process at the local level in Ukraine aimed to develop better understanding of budgetary process at the local level in Ukraine (legislation, roles of different actors, existing data sources) and approaches to analyse figures in governments’ budgets and financial reports (e.g. sectoral analysis of the budget). – 4 working days, deadline – 15 November 2021
3. Presentation of the report to HRMMU staff and partners – 3 working days, deadline – 14 December 2021

Indicators to measure  social protection performance Implications for EC programming. Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development. European CommissionJanuary 2017Concept Paper N° 5Tools and Methods Series. https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/t-and-m-series/documents/indicators-measure-social-protection-performance

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM Knowledge of public finance and budgeting process at the local level in Ukraine; Deep understanding of economic and social rights related concerns in Ukraine; Understanding of social protection policy in Ukraine; Good understanding of the decentralization reform in Ukraine;  Good capacity to collect data from a variety of sources and analyse large amounts of data; Good capacity of analysis and synthesis; Good capacity to draft research reports; Good capacity to conduct trainings; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

COMMUNICATION Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

PLANNING AND ORGANISING Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

TEAMWORK Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

The Consultant shall meet the following qualifications:

Education: Required Degree Level: Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in economics, law, human rights, political science, sociology or any other relevant disciplines related to human rights, social protection or local governance/public finance. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience, at the minimum a completed Bachelor’s degree and 2 additional years of extensive relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in local governance, human rights, political affairs, economics, law or related area is required.

Experience in budget analysis at the local level in Ukraine is required.

Experience in conducting research, analysing data and drafting reports is required.

Experience in social protection in Ukraine is desirable.

Experience in economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the right to social protection and/or integrating human rights into budgeting, is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian (both oral and written) is required.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

• Motivation letter
• CV (preferably with a list of publications)

Financial Proposal – Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including number of anticipated working days).

EVALUATION

Evaluation criteria:

• Educational background – 10 points max (10 pts. – PhD; 5 pts. – MA/Specialist degree; 3 pts. – Bachelor degree);
• Relevant professional experience – 60 points max, including below:

1. Experience in budget analysis at the local level in Ukraine (25 pts. – 5 years and more, 15 pts. – 3-4 years, 10 pts.-  1-2 years)
2. Experience in conducting research, analysing data and drafting reports (20 pts. – 5 years and more, 10 pts. – 3-4 years, 5 pts.-  1-2 years)
3. Experience in social protection in Ukraine (5 pts. – 5 years and more, 3 pts. – 3-4 years, 1 pts.-  1-2 years)
4. Experience in economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the right to social protection and/or integrating human rights into budgeting (10 pts. – 5 years and more, 5 pts. – 3-4 years, 2 pts.-  1-2 years)

Maximum available technical score – 70 points

Evaluation method :

Cumulative analysis
Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
* Technical Criteria weight: 70%
* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation
The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:
30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].
The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.
Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, office costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services.).
Payments will be made upon confirmation of OHCHR on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

Please follow the below link to apply:

https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=100042