TERMS OF REFERENCE

DIIR PUBLICATIONS RESEARCH PROJECT

Background

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) was established in 1959 and is composed of seven departments based in Dharamshala, India. It is the democratically elected governing institution of the Tibetan people. In addition to looking after the welfare of the Tibetan community in India/Nepal/Bhutan, the CTA’s political mandate is to support the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet. The external communications responsibility of this mandate is largely carried out by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR).

The priorities of the DIIR are:

• Drawing the international community’s attention to the current human rights situation inside Tibet and prompting specific actions;
• Development of compelling and engaging multi-platform communications;
• To implement CTA’s global communications strategy, including external communications with partners (e.g. Tibet Support Groups, Tibetan Associations, Settlement Officers, parliamentary committees for Tibet), other stakeholders, and the media);
• Ensure clear and consistent communications about CTA and its mission with key audiences, including advocates and champions, the political and academic communities, NGOs (e.g. human rights, environmental) major multilateral organizations (e.g. UN, EU), government officials and policymakers (foreign affairs, international aid agencies), and the media (international, Tibetan, Chinese).

Consulting Project

Since its inception in 1972, the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of CTA has published hundreds of books and pamphlets in English and Tibetan. However, due to the lack of comprehensive documentation system and storage of publication, DIIR does not currently possess many of its own publications, both in paper and digital format.

The proposed research project seeks to register, document and store all DIIR publications for future reprints and reference. The information will be compiled through various libraries, organizations and personal book collections.

Consulting Project Objectives

This research project will establish a unified documentation system in DIIR. DIIR plans to store all its publications, both in paper and digital format, for future reference, reviews and reprints. The important publications will also be made available in digital format for online access.

To this end, it seeks to engage the service of a researcher to research past DIIR publications and locate and secure a copy to identify which publications need to be revised and republished.

Consulting Project Requirements

• Identify and contact individuals and organization libraries which may hold DIIR past publications
• Acquire original copy of rare DIIR publications
• Acquire hard copy and digital format of DIIR publications
• Compile findings on research with a comprehensive list of DIIR publications
• Assess DIIR publications and recommend which book needs to be revised and/or republished

Scope of Consulting Project

Area

• Dharamshala
• Delhi
• Dehradun
• Darjeeling
• Sikkim
• Varanasi

Organization

• Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dharamshala
• Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi
• Songtsen Library, Dehradun
• Non Governmental Organisations
• Offices
• Private Collections

 Deliverables

• Activity report to DIIR after every 2 weeks
• A comprehensive list of DIIR publications (Tibetan and English)
• Original copy of all the publications (Tibetan and English)
• Copy of publications in digital or paper format (Tibetan and English)
• A consolidated written report with research findings and recommendations
• Assessment and recommendation for revision, review and republish of books or pamphlets of DIIR, CTA

Consultant Qualification

• Minimum qualification: Undergraduate degree
• Fluent in spoken and written English & Tibetan
• Minimum 3 years of research or related experience, preferably in publication
• Capacity to work independently
• Willing to travel to different places
• Good interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with publication principles
• Good knowledge about books on Tibet related issues
• Familiarity with digital storage and scanning

Duration of Assignment

 3 Months (January, 2015 – March, 2015)

Expenses

Travel of the consultant to the above given areas for research will be covered by CTA.Per-diem for 1 person for three months equivalent to INR 50,000/- will be disbursed in three installments of INR 10,000/- at the start of the month and INR 20,000/- each at the end of the following months. Expenses for any additional individual must be covered by the consultant.

To claim travel expenses, original tickets are required.

Remuneration

30% of the payment will be made after the submission of the first report. The second installment of 30% payment will be made after the submission of fourth report. Final 40% of payment will be made upon completion of project and submission of deliverables.

Submission of Offer of Service

Interested parties are invited to submit a CV including consulting fees, a letter explaining your qualifications for the post, your understanding of the research mandate, and two references (with contact information) who are familiar with your past research work to [email protected] by 31st December, 2014.

 

Budget

 100,000 Rupees