Header

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: LEAD FACILITATOR TO CARRY OUT POLICY IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

Background

The mandate of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is enshrined in the human development paradigm that empowers people by expanding their freedom and choices to determine their own life and future. UNDP has long experience working on democratic governance, which constitutes one of its four corporate Practice Areas.

Following the adoption of the UN Common Understanding on a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) within the UN System, UNDP has played a key role in developing and implementing training manuals on HRBA and resources. In the area of indigenous peoples, UNDP was pioneer in establishing a first regional programme in Asia and the GEF Small Grants Programme implemented by UNDP which provides support to a large number of indigenous peoples’ organizations.

UNDP is on the ground in practically all developing countries and holds the coordinating role of the UN Country Teams in many of them, as such putting UNDP strategically placed for concerted UN advocacy on indigenous peoples’ rights. With the Human Development Reports, UNDP is highlighting crucial issues related to cultural diversity, peace, development and equity.
The Human Rights Service Line at the Democratic Governance Group is implementing the UNDP Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme that is supporting catalytic activities for the promotion of indigenous and minority rights in various countries. The Global Human Rights Programme has supported, among others, the establishment and activities of the UN - Indigenous peoples and afro-descendants Consultative Council in Nicaragua, which is playing an instrumental role in the implementation of Convention 169 in the country.

UNDP adopted a Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Peoples in 2001. The UNDP Policy was the first Policy of its kind in the UN system and contained standards in line with human rights principles that are enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007). In some countries, UNDP has built upon or contributed towards the formulation of other Policies, including State policies, in the area of biodiversity or traditional knowledge.


In 2006 the Oslo Governance Center commissioned a study on indigenous peoples’ issues and UNDP. The study contained a number of recommendations to UNDP. One recommendation is that UNDP should adopt a proactive strategy for establishing effective and results-oriented partnerships with indigenous peoples with a focus on the following areas:

  • Recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights from a human rights-based approach.
  • Strengthening the capacities of those bearing the duty to fulfill such rights.
  • Awareness building.
  • Advocacy and policy advice (including the exchange of knowledge and experiences).

In 2008, the UNDG adopted the UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues with the purpose of assisting the UN Country Teams and Agencies at the country level to work with indigenous peoples as well as mainstream and integrate indigenous peoples’ issues in programmes, operations and processes. In 2010, with the view to address some of the challenges mentioned above and to incorporate key provisions from the UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, UNDP developed and integrated a Section on Indigenous Peoples in its internal Policies and Programmes Operations and Procedures (POPP).
Since the adoption of the UNDP Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Peoples in 2001 there has not been any review or evaluation. Taking into consideration important developments in the area of indigenous peoples’ rights, UNDP will undertake a policy impact assessment that will identify key bottlenecks, challenges and opportunities and guide the work of the organization during the next years for greater effectiveness and impact. The impact assessment report will serve as input to the UNDP Strategic Plan.

Objectives: - The objectives of the Impact Assessment are the following:

  • Assess and document the impact of UNDP policies, processes and programmes among indigenous peoples.
  • Assess the level of implementation of UNDP policies, including the Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Peoples, and identify bottlenecks for greater implementation.
  • Recommendations on future actions and strategy to sustain and strengthen results towards the advancement of indigenous peoples’ rights.

Methodology (will be further elaborated in Inception Report) - The approach to the assessment process will emphasise the following:

  • Challenges encountered by involved staff in the field in implementing UNDP policies pertaining to indigenous peoples based on above mentioned areas of focus.
  • Strategy, and suggestions on how to overcome the barriers identified.
  • Results achieved and good practices as identified by external partners, in particular by indigenous peoples.
  • Assessments should to the degree possible be made in a participatory way, including representatives from indigenous peoples.

A method of triangulation will be applied combining desk study, consultations and interviews with resource persons as well as visits to projects and programmes. The main elements of the methodology will be through Desk study - Compilation and analysis of information available:

  • Quantitative data on scope of UNDP projects and programmatic frameworks, including Country Programme Documents, with focus on indigenous peoples in the period 2007-2011. This will include a mapping of UNDP relevant projects.
  • Qualitative assessments of the support rendered - review and evaluation reports

Identification of global trends of relevance to indigenous peoples and the work of UNDP, including but not limited to:

  • Aid Architecture - Climate change
  • Consultations and interviews with resource persons
  • This will include, among others, a selected list of indigenous leaders, government officials, bilateral agencies, UNDP and UN Agencies.

It will include the following activities:

  • Mini-workshop with key organizations in Latin America.
  • Mini-workshop in New York (December 2011/January 2012), which will serve to present initial findings.

Visits to projects and programmes:

  • Visits will be undertaken to selected countries to be identified jointly with the lead facilitator. The selection will take into consideration a combination of countries where UNDP has large and relevant projects and experience but also countries where indigenous peoples’ issues are embedded in other projects and do not have specific focus. This selection may include Namibia, Kenya, Congo, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Russia.
  • The assessment will be based on (i) desk studies, combined with interviews of key persons within and outside UNDP, combined with (ii) programme/project visits, interviews in the field and interviews with key staff.

Thematic aspects to be addressed:

  • Integration of indigenous peoples’ issues in MDG processes and mechanisms.
  • Integration of indigenous peoples’ issues, including indicators, in UNDP programmatic frameworks.
  • Adequacy of UNDP management policies and procedures to engage with indigenous peoples.
  • Development of partnerships with indigenous peoples at the country level and consultation process that are aligned with the right to self-determination.
  • The inclusion of indigenous peoples’ rights in the application of the human rights –based approach to development.
  • Existing awareness and capacity among UNDP staff on policies related to indigenous peoples.
  • Evidence of how UNDP projects have contributed to greater promotion of indigenous peoples’ rights, with particular focus on improved living conditions, stronger indigenous institutions and participation in national policy making, Strengthening the capacity of the representatives of IP in the context of international negotiations

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities:

The Lead Facilitator will work with a co-facilitator consultant, reporting to the Human Rights Advisor at the Human Rights Service Line, Democratic Governance Group of Bureau for Development Policy, UNDP. The Lead Facilitator will be responsible to ensure timely and quality deliverables in line with the outputs and content identified below.

The assessment will focus on practical aspects of policy implementation and in particular the second section of the UNDP Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Peoples and the Programmatic section of the UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues.

The following aspects will be included in the assessment:

  • Strengthening of indigenous peoples’ rights. Assess results achieved. This includes UNDP’s collaboration with the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues; the Special rapporteur; the Expert Mechanism and the Inter-Agency Support Group, as well as human rights institutions at the country level.
  • Inclusion of indigenous peoples’ rights and issues in UNDP development programmes and processes. Assess level of inclusion and results achieved in each UNDP practice area and programmes and projects supported by UNDP at the HQ, regional and country levels, including programmatic frameworks like the UNDP Strategic Plan.
  • Inclusion of partnership, communication and accountability mechanisms to strengthen the engagement with indigenous peoples. This dimension will also take into consideration the development and application of safeguards and accountability mechanisms in programmes undertaken jointly with other international organizations and partners, in particular with regard to climate change and REDD processes. Within accountability mechanisms the assessment will place emphasis on the role of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the internal UNDP liaison committee on indigenous peoples’ issues.

Competencies

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the human rights work of UN agencies and UN human rights machinery including the human rights-based approach.
  • Proven experience in analytical research and drafting on human rights’ issues.
  • Strong interpersonal and advanced communications skills
  • Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to work independently and ensure deliverables within deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently, against tight deadlines

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in human rights, law, political science, international relations, development studies or a related field.

Experience:

  • 10+ years post-graduate experience working with indigenous peoples around the world on issues pertaining to the promotion of their rights.
  • Excellent knowledge of human rights norms and standards and the human rights machinery.
  • Strong knowledge on the development context and the UN system including at the country level.
  • Proficiency in the usage of computers, office software packages and web-based applications.

Language:

  • Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in English. Knowledge of Spanish and French will be a strong asset.


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.