JOB DETAILS.

Under the overall supervision of ESCAP, the contractor is required to provide inputs to the international consultant to support the revision of the national action plan on ageing. Outputs to be delivered a. Assist the international consultant in preparing the draft of the revised action plan to implement the national policy on ageing by sharing relevant background documents on the situation of older persons with the international consultant; conducting background research and providing comments on the draft policy. b. In collaboration with the Government of Maldives, support the organization of a national stakeholder consultation and prepare substantive inputs to the consultation, including preparing the agenda, presentations, etc. c. Take notes during the stakeholder consultation on the revised action plan to implement the national policy on ageing and prepare a report of the consultation. d. Assist the international consultant and Government of Maldives in the finalization of the revised action plan to implement the national policy on ageing; support the Government in all internal follow-up action on the revised policy on ageing. Performance indicators Timely support provided to the international consultant and the Government of Maldives, as judged by ESCAP and the Government of Maldives.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Maldives is a small island developing state (SIDS) of middle income, with a total population of 527,000 people in 2024 disbursed over 188 islands. Resulting from rapid socio-economic developments, including demographic change, the Maldives is ageing rapidly. In 2024, older persons (60 years or over) accounted for 7.5 per cent of the population of the Maldives, and by 2050 the number is projected to more than quadruple to 32.3 per cent. (United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision, custom data acquired via website). Because of a very rapid ageing process, the time to shift policies is very short, pointing out the need for urgent action. This rapid change has implications for the entire country. In particular, it will affect social protection, protecting the rights of older persons, addressing ageism, and providing long term care and health care. The Maldives expressed its strong commitment to implement the Madrid International Plan of Action and the outcomes of the fourth Asia-Pacific Review an Appraisal of the Madrid Plan of Action. Older persons often face specific challenges to their rights, age discrimination, increased dependence on others, reduced autonomy and sociocultural expectations all play a role in creating barriers to social participation and meaningful engagement of older persons. As such, ageing can come at the cost of withdrawal from one’s family and the community. Such situations can increase the vulnerability of older persons in our community, if specific policies are not created to address and prevent this at all levels, including the family, institutional and community level. The National Elderly Policy of the Maldives was endorsed on 5 April 2018 with the objective of understanding the social and economic obstacles faced by the elderly, providing social protection to the elderly, increasing social participation of the elderly within our communities, and promoting the well-being of the elderly through the facilitation of elderly persons as engaged members of their families and communities.

The National Policy is set within a rights-based framework. The Government has been working on updating the National Policy on Ageing, making it in line with recent commitments, such as the outcome document of the Fourth Asia-Pacific Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Based on the National Policy, a National Action Plan had been formulated in 2019 which includes a framework of action for the attainment of the national policy. The Strategic Plan served as the primary policy framework and planning document on older persons in the Maldives. The National Action Plan now needs to be adapted to be in line with the revised National Policy on Ageing. ESCAP is supporting the Government of the Maldives in revising the National Action Plan. A contractor with knowledge of the local context of Maldives will be hired by ESCAP (short-term contract) to support the Government of the Maldives and the international consultant (hired by ESCAP) to support the revision of the action plan and to organize stakeholder consultations.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree (MA or higher) in social sciences, demography, or related required. Experience in supporting policy processes and stakeholder consultations in Maldives required. Knowledge of the socio-economic and political context of the Maldives required, in particular familiarity with issues concerning population ageing and gender issues.

Knowledge of and work experience in demographic trends, in particular population ageing and implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing is desired. Excellent inter-personal skills and experience in policy processes as well as the preparation of action plans is required.

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of written and spoken Dhivehi is desirable.