JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Editor-in-Chief
“People-Centred Analyses” Report, Issue Nov. 2008

1. Background
The project “Strengthening evidence-based policy processes” in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia aims to contribute to more effective policy-making in the country through the preparation processes of the “People-centred Analyses” report series. The objective of the report is to provide professional in-depth analyses and forward-looking policy options based on regular monitoring of citizen’s perceptions of key social, economic, governance and inter-ethnic developments, of issues that affect their lives.
The “People-centred Analyses” report and its analyses will focus increasingly on human development implications of socio-economic and other developments, shifting away from its predecessor (Early Warning Report)’s focus on security and stability concerns.  Each publication will be built around a set of recurrent topics of “social cohesion”, “quality of governance” and “ethnic cohesion”.  A unique theme will be selected for each publication, with the very first one being “social inclusion”.  The new reports will continue to draw on the outcomes of public perceptions surveys but will also build on other official statistical and administrative data. (the overall approach of the report series would be found in the Project Document, available upon request).
The People-centred Analyses issue Nov. 2008 will continue to examine the trends and social inclusion aspects as initiated from its first issue of March. 2008. This issue, however, will examine on territorial disparities and the concept of regional development in the Macedonian context. The Report will be built on the results of an extended survey, an adapted set of questionnaires based on the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), and selected trend questions from the previous People-centred Analyses.
The envisaged survey (planned for July 2008) is a representative, questionnaire-based household survey covering a wide range of topics which will allow measurement of different dimensions of quality of life, both objective and subjective elements, and enable an accurate picture of the social situation in the country. While the standard EQLS aiming at EU level analysis and too small to allow for detailed analysis of sub-groups or below country level, the Report’s survey will extend the sample (EQLS sample of 1000 households) to about 3000 households in FYR Macedonia and include boosters of ethnic minority groups. The data obtained will be used extensively for in-depth analysis of regions and sub-groups (such as different age groups, family typologies) in FYR Macedonia.
The current project is implemented with the South East European University of Tetovo (SEE University) being the Responsible Party, who will coordinate the production of the Report, provide research support and promote independent research and collaboration with other research and think-tank institutions in promoting the concept of “People-centred Analyses”. 

Information on the previous People-centred Analyses report is available at http://www.undp.org.mk/Default.asp?where=news&id=403&start=1

 

2. Scope of work

The Editor-in-Chief is expected to provide methodological and conceptual guidance to the team of national experts and contribute to the writing and edition towards the finalisation of the Report. The Editor-in-Chief is also expected to provide guidance on the application of the methodology and data analysis.

3. Specific Duties and Responsibilities
The Editor-in-Chief will report directly to the SEE University while regularly report to UNDP on the progress and issues. S/he has the responsibility for the overall contents, logical consistency and messages of the report as well as for the substantive coordination of the team (having the individual authors’ inputs on time and maintaining the production schedule)
Specific tasks that the Editor-in-Chief to undertake will include the following:
Methodological guidance to the authors

• Conceptualize the topic and present to the national experts;
• Consolidate ideas and develop into full the concept of the Report in coordination with national experts;

• Assist national experts in brainstorming and identifying the key issues and hypotheses for examination and the drafting of each chapters;
• Provide methodological guidance, including questionnaire, sampling design and lists of indicators;
• Together with a national expert, write the introductionory chapter which is the conceptual part of the report (eg. introducing the concept of Regional Development, Quality of Life, its measurement and disparity implications towards social cohesion and social inclusion, the concept and possible adjusted approach for FYR Macedonia, etc.)..

Review and comment draft versions

• Read and comment initial drafts, request additional inputs, analyses and changes;

• Review the chapters’ drafts submited by the national experts and submit to the Editorial Board with initial comments and suggestions.

• Communicates with the Editorial Board and peer review group receiving their comments and decides which of them should be reflected and how;
• Communicate with authors on the drafts submitted and make sure the requested changes are reflected in the improved drafts;
• Edit draft versions and assist the author to adapt the writing styles to the Report’s standards;

Consolidate and produce the final full draft of the report;

• Edit and consolidate draft chapters and the individual inputs into consistent text;
• Provide synthesis and additional writings for the final chapter (Conclusion or Recommendation) and Executive Summary;
• Review and edit annexes;
• Finalize the full draft of the Report draft and ensure the draft is approved by the Editorial Board;
• Review and comment on the draft layout of the publication. Advise the SEE University on the final publication;

Provide guidance on data analysis

• Review the data collected from the survey and statistical sources. Communicate with the SEE University and the data collection agency to ensure the methodological consistency;
• Provide guidance to the SEE University on data analysis, indicator computation and data presentation (under the responsibility of the South East European University);
• Advise national experts on the use of data in analyses of different chapters.

Advise on the preparation of the launch

• Advise on the promotional events and dissemination strategy;
• Advise on the preparation of the Report’s messages (eg. information sheet, leaflets and brochures);
• Guide and prepare the national experts on presentations at public events;
• Participate in the launch and deliver presentation on the concept and methodology of the Report (the promotional events might be organized at several university as well as press conference);
• Contribute to the promotion of the Report through networks and advocate high-profile decision-makers and academia;

The above tasks should be undertaken in ensuring the goals of the report: high standards of accuracy, fairness, and balance in analyses and writing, objective and high quality of evidence-based research and analyses, analyses are of original and reflect endigenous perspectives while free of policial bias.
  
4. Expected outputs

• The specific concept and methodology for this Report Issue developed. The basic concept of the People-centred Analyse and its methodology (including list of indicators) should be customized to reflect the specifics of the particular topic (quality of life);

• Introductory chapter written with the elaboration of the regional development/quality of life concepts from international perspectives;
• Written comments and suggestions to individual authors’ inputs;
• Final full draft of the Report, including Annexes, produced and approved by the Editorial Board;
• Power point presentation on the main findings of the report and prepare  national experts for presentation at the launch events;

 

5. Necessary qualifications

• Strong background in economic, political science or other relevant fields;
• Knowledge of social policy issues particularly social inclusion and regional development in the context of EU enlargement;
• Competence in applied statistics, and sound knowledge of analyzing sample survey data;
• Good knowledge of transition challenges and Macedonian reality in particular;
• Excellent editorial and writing skills with a proven record of solid analytical non-biased and non-partisan publications;
• Experience in managing multi-authors publications;
• Excellent command of English language. Knowledge of local languages is desirable.

6. Timeline and duration
Total 30 working days which include on-based and missions. These 30 working days will be distributed for the period between June and November 2008, with the intensive period is expected in September and October 2008.
At least 10 working days should be allocated to in-country missions where the consultant will work on the spot with national experts and the SEE University. This will be allocated as following:

• 4 working days for methodology and concept with national experts (June 2008);
• 4 working days for discussion and advising on the first draft of the Report (September 2008);
• 2 working days for public presentations at the launch events (November 2008).

6. Other information

The engagement of the consultant for this assignment will be administrated by SEE University. A consultancy contract will be prepared between the selected candidate and SEE University.

The total compensation for the consultancy will be made in form of a lumpsum payment, which will be made in two instalments (mid-September, upon the review of the first draft of the Report, and end of November, completion of the assignment). The compensation amount will be discussed on a competitive and negotiable basis.   

In addition, the project will cover expenses for the missions, which include return economy flight tickets and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) in accordance with UN policy (the current DSA rate is USD 158 per day spent in the country – overnight stay).

Interested candidate should send CV directly to the Project Coordinator, Ms. Shenaj Hadzimustafa at s.daut@seeu.edu.mk. Candidates are advised to send sample(s) of the writing/editing work in related topics in the application, and indicate the expected remuneration (in USD).   

Deadline for the expression of interest is 1st June 2008.

 

 

The Research Office of the South East European University announces a

CALL

for research projects for academic year 2008/2009

The deadline for submission is 31 August 2008. The Research proposals should be submitted to the Directors of the Research Centres at each faculty.

Therefore, projects must be submitted to the following Centres Directors:

1. Ali Pajaziti, PA Faculty

2. Bistra Netkova, Law Faculty

3. Mirolub Shukarov, BA Faculty

4. Mustafa Ibrahimi, Teacher Training Faculty

5. Azir Aliu, CST Faculty

By September the 15th 2008, the Research Councils of each Faculty Research Centre, along with designated representatives, should become familiar with the research proposals, consult with the submitters (project coordinator) and have gathered final first draft copies of research proposals.

This academic year approval will get only the research project that will be co financed also by other sources.

Proposals that are not adequate and fall well below the criteria are to be rejected and handed back to the submitter with a letter of explanation for why it has been rejected. Accepted research proposals are to be presented at the Committee for Research for discussion. This Meeting is expected to be held by the end of September, 2008 and the final approval will be by Pro Rector for Research in October.

It is asked that the Research Council prepare seven copies of each proposal to hand out at the Meeting of the Committee for Research. Outcomes of the Meeting of the Committee for Research will be presented in form of 'Minutes to the Meeting'. These minutes will be delivered to each Member Representative and then forwarded to staff concerned.

Attached are common guidelines and the application form for research project proposals in Albanian, Macedonian and English.

For any questions or assistance, please consult with Representatives of the Faculty in the Research Committee, Members of the Research Committee and/ or address them to Research Office.

Common_Guidelines_for_Projects_eng.doc
Project_proposal_form_2008_eng.doc

Kind Regards,

Research Office

 

Call for Papers: 31 August 2008

Issue with emphasis on human rights

Dear all,

The call for papers for the SEEU Review is now open until 31 August 2008. We encourage all those who are researching in the human rights in any field e.g.  right to life, right to education, right to freedom of expression, media, right to property, freedom from torture, right to a fair trial etc. Also very welcome will be the papers regarding to the practical issues such as education in human rights, embedding human rights in the curriculum in all subjects.

SEEU_Review_guidelines_en.doc