Application Deadline : 25-Aug-21 (Midnight New York, USA)
Time left : 12d 13h 53m
Additional Category : Management
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required :
Arabic English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 08-Sep-2021
Duration of Initial Contract : 160 WD (8 months)
Expected Duration of Assignment : 8 months
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.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Background
Since the fall of the former regime in 2011, Libya has been embroiled in a series of crises that have created political, social, and economic challenges, especially for some of the most vulnerable populations. Coupled with falling oil prices, an UN-backed oil embargo amid a growing COVID-19 pandemic the economic backdrop of Libya continues to look bleak for many who are losing or have lost their livelihoods.
This complex scenario is further compounded by the presence of armed militia gangs in key locations, which continue to play a destabilizing role in the political and social fabric of Libya, especially in the border areas to the south. Often the interests of these gangs typically coalesce with those of violent extremist groups, especially in the economic arena. For many young men (and sometimes women) these economic interests often present themselves as a way out of a challenging socio-economic predicament, which can often lead to their involvement in cross-border illicit crime (human trafficking, drug smuggling and arms proliferation). However, it has also led to the recruitment of youths by violent extremist (VE) groups. The peculiar vulnerabilities of marginalized youths, especially in border communities, constitute a gateway for organized crime and violent extremist groups to enter and operate both in and from Libya. Once in their areas of operation these VE groups develop and disseminate VE messages to their target audiences, which is the main strategy they use to recruit operatives.
Counter Violent Extremism Messaging
VE groups tend to focus on a mix of ideological, political, moral, religious, and social narratives, based on a range of real or imagined grievances. Delivery methods may vary; however, the main focus is on a range of multimedia tools and techniques (pictures, video, music) in high volume and spread across a number of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram to name only a few. VE messages are comprised of compelling stories and arguments delivered by charismatic individuals designed to influence a generation of young people who use electronic devices as their main source of information and interaction with others. The narratives provide a simplistic, unifying ideological structure, which combines facts with half-truths and misinformation.
Key messages and strategies may vary from group to group but there are a number of common messages and calls to action; such as: (i) Duty – to protect, avenge, stand up for, defend ones brothers and sisters; (ii) Victimisation – you and your people are the victims of aggression and need to stand up to it: (iii) Religious reward – God rewards those who fulfil their obligation to defend their faith; (iv) Personal Identity – real men / true believers are willing to use resistance and violence; (v) Belonging – it is important to be part of the group taking on the aggressor; (vi) Sense of purpose – to give your life meaning it is necessary join the struggle; and (vii) Adventure – joining the struggle is an heroic adventure and will bring you fame,
Counter-VE messaging campaigns encompass a wide range of communication activities, including: (i) public diplomacy; (ii) strategic communications by governments: and (iii) targeted campaigns. These activities are designed to raise awareness in communities and foster key relationships between government and communities, discredit the ideologies and actions of violent extremists, offer alternative narratives focusing on positive engagement and to directly counter violent extremist messaging. In addition, improving digital literacy and critical consumption among target audiences is crucial, which should be supported by the Government of Libya through schools as well as youth and community organisations. Strategic counter VE messaging need to be centralised and coordinated within government structures, either through a dedicated unit or by assigning lead status to a single unit or department.
It is essential to identify credible CSO’s and NGO’s as key partners in the campaign and to make adequate skills, capacity, and funding investments in such partners. Effective counter VE campaigns rely on accurate and clear information. Centralised information gathering and ensuring scalability will ensure that partners have the information, analytics, and the audience profiling that is needed. Sharing of good practice, resources and capacity is critical for success and this can be facilitated by national and local stakeholders. However, national and local authorities must demonstrate political will to address VE and overcome challenges of resources (human and financial), bureaucracy and follow through on commitments made to vulnerable communities.
Broader PVE considerations
An effective and informed National PVE Strategy – adhering to regional, national, and local considerations – involving the coordinated dissemination of counter violent extremist messaging at the municipal/ local governance level, in schools as well as at the communal and religious levels. This will help stem the tide of youth involvement in illicit trade and their eventual recruitment by VE groups. Therefore, at the local level, a coordinated PVE strategy will be implemented along (but not limited to) four distinct yet interrelated pillars / activities:
Livelihood and Engagement: (only in the 5 border municipalities, under the cross-border pilot project):
Livelihood: Carry out an analysis in each context (vulnerabilities and opportunities), develop a strategy (for UNDP), and recommend programs (for UNDP)
Adult media literacy: Develop curriculum, carry out training. Work with local CSOs and with religious and traditional authorities
Education:
Children and youth media literacy: Develop curriculum, carry out training with schoolteachers
Dialogue, debate, and critical thinking skills: Develop curriculum, carry out training with schoolteachers
Potential extra-curricular activities?
Local Governance:
Help Municipal authorities assess their weaknesses
Help Municipal authorities devise a strategy to mitigate local PVE drivers and integrate it in their development plans;
Community outreach: Counter VE messaging
Develop a context-specific counter-messaging strategy.
Train local religious and traditional authorities and help them deliver counter-VE messages
The present consultant may contribute to the work of any of the above four pillars but will be primarily assigned to the work of pillar IV (Community outreach).
Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, and under the supervision of the Development Programme Specialist, the consultant shall be responsible for the following duties
These explain the specific activities related to each deliverable (output) listed under section 2
Conduct a desk review of the current political, governance, security, cultural, demographic (disaggregated by sex and gender) and socio-economic profile of the targeted municipalities (i.e., Al Kufra, Murzuq, Sebha, Ghat, and Zuwara, Bani Walid and Misrata) and communities (with a specific focus on the presence and activities of VE groups and organised criminal gangs and their recruitment of vulnerable youths)
Conduct a mapping of national and local key stakeholders in the development and dissemination of counter VE messaging
Design and implement community focus group discussions to ascertain the following:
Mapping of VE messaging: Conduct a mapping of VE messaging and the mediums of communication in each target community
Development of counter VE messaging: Detailed development of counter VE messaging that is tailored for each of the targeted communities
Mediums of delivery: Develop communications strategy to disseminate counter VE messaging to target audience
Impact analysis: Outline the expected changes intended for the targeted recipients of the counter VE messaging
Monitoring and evaluation framework: Monitoring and evaluation strategies for the dissemination of the counter VE messages and their impact on the targeted members of the community
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.
Functional Competencies:
Ability to think conceptually and flexibly, capacity to adapt, innovate, and propose multiple options.
A team player with good interpersonal skills
Ability to practice courtesy and diplomacy with high-rank officials.
Time management skills.
Enjoy sensitivity for research and academic integrity.
Ability to work well under pressure and stressful environment
Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
Building support and political acumen
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualification:
At least an advanced university degree in Global Security, Political Science, Research and Statistics, Mathematics, Development Studies, Education or another closely related field;
Experience:
Minimum of 5 years of experience working on counter VE messaging and VE issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.
At least 7 years of experience in a wide range of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief activities;
Languages:
Strong written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:
Applications without i) financial offer, ii) P11 form, and iii) Documents mentioned under Technical Proposal will NOT be considered for evaluation.
The financial proposal should be in the provided format (i.e Annex 3- OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP);
Firms are not eligible for this consultancy assignment (open only for national individual consultants).
An incomplete application will not be considered, it will be disqualified automatically.
Please complete the Statement of Health form and submit it along with the proposal
Please complete the Vendor form and submit it with the proposal
Note: While submitting your proposal via email please put the reference no. IC-UNDP-21-035, without reference no. proposal shall not be accepted.
ANNEX
ANNEX 1- TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR)
ANNEX 2 – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
ANNEX 3- FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE
Annex 4- Health Statement form
Annex 5- Vendor registration form
Detail Terms of Reference, P11 Form, Financial Proposal Form, and other relevant documentation can be found in the following link:
https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=81956
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