Following the end of the 26 year old armed ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka in 2009, the country continues to face challenges on the path to achieving economic and political stability and social cohesion as a nation state. In April 2019 the country witnessed a series of terror attacks targeting a number of Churches and hotels. Although the investigations into the incident is still ongoing for the first time, Sri Lanka was identified globally as a potential hotspot for the spread of violent extremism. Moreover, the subsequent outcome of the 2019 Presidential election indicated that the people were seemingly opting for more securitized than secularized state reforms amidst the fear psychosis created by the incident.
In the meantime, online media has increasingly become very popular among both the civil and political societies as well as the general public as the space for freely expressing their political views, ideologies and their stand on numerous social, economic as well as cultural issues in the country. Between January 2018 and January 2019, over 400,000 Sri Lankans became first-time internet users. During the same period, half that number also became social media users. With this increase there has also been an increase in the spread of online hate speech, misinformation, fake news and myths sparking new concerns regarding underlying tensions between the country’s multiple religious and ethnic groups. Overtime, these may become detrimental for promoting peace and social cohesion in the country while being also used for mobilizing different ethnic or religious groups to advocate or engage violence. Increased accessibility to a wide array of virtually available information and the emergence of online media influencers will have an impact on shaping the way people think, express views and act at the same time
Given this country context, there is a need to collect more relevant data targeted at contextualising and understanding the growing influence of online sphere in Sri Lankan politics and the society at large.
UNDP Sri Lanka at this juncture seeks to conduct 3 political economy analyses (once in three months) on the use of the online sphere in Sri Lanka. The reports are intended at informing advocacy and policy efforts to strengthen more ethical and productive use of this growing space to promote peace and stability and influence development processes in the country. The first of these reports will include analyses of online space at the time of the pre-post Easter Sunday attacks, the presidential election, the upcoming general election. The second and third will assess the ensuing online media trends affecting development and peace in the country. Based on the periodic findings the researcher shall also provide technical expertise in support of CSO and government engagements in promoting productive and more ethical use of the online space in Sri Lanka for political, economic as well as social development.
The Social Media Political Economy Lead Researcher and her/his team (not exceeding two) will work under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist- Reconciliation and Peacebuilding with the support of the Peace and Development Advisor at the RCO office.
SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the consultancy is to provide in-depth periodic political economy analysis of the online media space that will inform policy and advocacy as well as project efforts to promote more safe, ethical and productive use of online networks and tools in the country. The researcher and her/his team will also provide advisory support to UNDP and capacitate selected civil society partners as well as government partners to engage in these efforts.
The researcher will conduct the following activities under the supervision of the Technical Specialist- Reconciliation and Peace building and work in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator’s Office
Key Deliverables
The consultant will be responsible for delivering:
TIMEFRAME
The period of the assignment will be from 1st August to 15th May 2021
THE CONSULTANT PROFILE
The Lead researcher will form and work with a gender balanced team of experts (not exceeding two) and should possess the following expertise and qualifications:
Education:
Experience:
Language:
The Lead researcher shall form a team not exceeding two members with the following;
HOW TO APPLY
The application should contain:
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (___________) at Daily rate of LKR (__________); Amount in words: (USD_____________________________________________________________________________)
Please use the Annex 2 of the Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability to furnish the financial proposal.
Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, return travel from home to office, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. The UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel that deemed necessary to carry out the work of the TOR outside the duty station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.
For an Individual Contractor who is of 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.
PAYMENT FOR SERVICES
The payments will be based on the delivery of the key outputs as per the agreed workplan. Therefore, monthly reports highlighting the progress made against the key deliverables (please refer section C above) and invoices will be required to process payments. The consultant is requested to share the same with the Project Coordinator- Peacebuilding with a copy to the Technical Specialist- Reconciliation and Peacebuilding at the conclusion of each month for certification and onward sharing with UNDP.
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
This vacancy is archived.