Consultant - Improved Knowledge and Skills in Small and Medium Enterprises Development To Support Bakassi Returnees And Host Communities at UNDP

Additional Category: Management
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant

Background
Consequent upon the October 2002 International Court of Justice ruling on the international boundary dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria, the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) recognized the need for confidence building measures between and among the populations affected by the demarcation (an estimated 170,000 people in Nigeria), in order to secure peace and cooperation between the two States.

The Nigeria United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and United Nations Civilian Observers (UNCO) undertook a Joint Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) with Nigeria specialized agencies in December 2011. This mission was aimed at getting first-hand knowledge of the returnees' needs, resulting from the conflict, the demarcation exercise and the poor environmental conditions and economic status of the host communities. Affected communities were visited in seven locations from three States: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State.

Key findings of the mission highlighted serious socio-economic challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, poor health conditions, lack of public services such as potable water, energy, health and education facilities, agriculture, fisheries, livestock services. In addition, issues of human security and social protection, including gender based discrimination and violence, rule of law and justice, feature prominently as key priorities.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and its agencies, the host States and local governments have implemented various programmes to assist the returnees to settle down. However, the enormity of needs and priorities to be addressed required more concerted effort by the people and government of Nigeria, as well as the international community. Collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the UNCT resulted in the articulation of a programme document to serve as the basis for future interventions from the FGN as well as from partners.

The programme, Returnee Community Focused Reintegration (RCFR) programme, is organized according to the four main components viz:

• Livelihoods, resettlement and reintegration;
• Access to basic services;
• Security and protection of human rights;
• Infrastructure.

For each of the above component, priority projects have been determined in the diverse locations assessed, directed at the returnees in the various camps and in their respective host communities. The thrust of this programme is advocacy to the FGN and the States, and implementation of pilot projects, which is expected to be replicated and ultimately lead to bigger projects by the FGN, the States and the LGAs, with other partners'

The specifics of these pilot projects would need to be defined in such a manner that the overall objective of settling returnees and creating conducive living environment in host communities for people affected by the ICJ Judgment is achieved. This would require the services of a consultant to articulate.

Objectives

• The overall objective of the study is to provide a fully costed project document, containing an action plan, for providing sustainable means of livelihood for individuals displaced by the ICJ judgement, through improving their knowledge and skills in small and medium enterprises. The study is expected to cover host communities in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom and Benue States.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review all available documentation, by the UN system, Federal and State Governments, as well as other donor agencies on resettlement of persons affected by the 2002 ICJ judgement;
• Identify existing sustainable livelihood opportunities in host communities of the three states;
• Identify challenges faced by individuals in such communities for engaging in small and medium scale enterprise businesses;
• Review existing state and local government public accountability processes and identify those that could hamper and/or improve engagement of individuals in small and medium scale enterprises;
• Identify capacity building initiatives, for both the private and public sector, that would ensure a conducive environment for operation of small and medium scale enterprises in host communities;
• Review existing conflict resolution and management mechanisms and processes in the host communities, with emphasis on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR);
• Identify the role and/or potential of the civil society in serving as watchdogs in the host communities;
• Based on the results of the above, items (a) - (g), design a fully costed project with clear action plan(s) that would contribute immensely to creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for individuals in the host communities.

Reporting and Deliverables

• The consultant is expected to achieve the above objective by undertaking literature review and field work to selected host communities and interacting with them, using appropriate Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools.

The consultant will be responsible to submit the following reports:

• Inception Report - detailing work plan and working strategy submitted not later than 3 days after commencement of the assignment;
• A Draft Report - highlighting progress made and draft costing and action plan(s), to be submitted not later than 20 days after commencement of the assignment. This document would be subjected to review by the UNCT;
• A Final Report - to be submitted at the end of the assignment and containing agreed amendments and suggestion to the draft report.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A minimum of first Degree in the Social Sciences and a Master's Degree in any Development related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years progressive work in programme development with special focus on poverty alleviation and development.
• At least 5 years cognate working experience on local level development, peoples' participation in governance, public accountability and procurement etc at sub-national levels;
• Strong understanding and knowledge of development and participatory approaches is a must;
• Evidence of previous engagement in areas of similar to the current assignment.

Competencies:

• Strong understanding and knowledge of development and participatory approaches is a must;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills in English;
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.

Language:

• Excellent writing and reporting skills in English.