Background

UNDP Sri Lanka’s Flagship Portfolio on SDG16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions brings together inclusive governance and peacebuilding work under one umbrella. The Portfolio is implemented by UNDP as part of its Country Programme and the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework and enables the provision of cohesive and integrated support to the Government of Sri Lanka.

This includes improving the effectiveness, responsiveness, and accountability of key institutions to deliver people-centered services; promoting inclusive, and participatory decision-making processes; and strengthening peace and reconciliation. Specifically, the portfolio contributes to the achievement of SDG 16+ targets, thus also enabling achievement of all SDGs. The portfolio intervenes across four inter-related thematic pillars: Voice and Representation, Rights and Justice, Strong and Efficient Institutions, and Social Cohesion.

Background to the initiative

The Sri Lankan Government has an obligation to take all possible steps to promote and protect human rights and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues its efforts to promote compliance with Sri Lanka's treaty body obligations through legislative and policy reform. The MOFA is vested with the responsibility to steer the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism set up under the Human Rights Council.

Complying with Sri Lanka’s treaty body obligations is an important component in this endeavour, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is in the process of promoting such compliance through various initiative including legislative and policy reform, including the designing and formulation of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) which needs to be developed for the year 2023. A fresh consultative process is therefore required to inform and enable the formulation of a new NHRAP for the next five-year period. In formulating a new NHRAP, the MOFA is keen to not only draw upon Government inputs through the respective line ministries and institutions, but to also draw on external expertise and consultation with relevant UN agencies, CSOs and development partners.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

Against the above background, UNDP is looking to recruit a Human Rights consultant to support the MFA.

He/she will be responsible for the below:

a) To work with relevant officials of the UN & HR Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordinate with stakeholders to undertake a review of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) for 2017-2022, assess its implementation with a view to developing a multi-sectoral National Human Rights Action Plan for the next term (2022 -2027) in promotion and protection of all human rights, in line with the international treaty body obligations to which Sri Lanka is a party to.

b) Review the primary documentation related to the assignment in order to identify the areas of intervention and the key players to be involved in the process of developing the National Human Right Action Plan.

c) Conduct a comprehensive consultative process with the relevant Government institutions and officials of as well as the wider human rights community including civil society and other vulnerable groups on human rights concerns and priorities.

d) As part of the consultative process, carry out field visits targeting institutions and communities to have a firsthand understanding of the human rights situation and in recommending how the plan will factor the human rights concern of different locations and interests.

e) To consult with relevant Government and other stakeholders in developing immediate, short-term and long-term objectives for the duration of the NHRAP.

f) Develop and submit a draft NHRAP (2022- 2027) which will be subjected to technical reviews and stakeholder’s consideration in a validation workshop, and incorporate comments emerging for the reviews and stakeholder’s consultations and finalize assessment report.

g) To develop a comprehensive costing plan and budget for the National Human Rights Action Plan indicating anticipated sources of funding for the NHRAP from government and development partners as well as highlight funding the deficit gap that requires that mobilization of resources.

h) To develop mechanisms to support and monitor the implementation of the NHRAP by outlining clear results and outcomes milestones, targets and specific interventions that will be carried out in the role out of the NHRAP. This also needs to include a detailed monitoring framework with specificity on types of monitoring activities, the frequency of monitoring, officials or institutions responsible for each monitoring activities and reporting.

i) Regularly update Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP on progress in the development of the action plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The Consultant is responsible for the below:

• Effective coordination among all the relevant stakeholders in the NHRAP process
• Coordination and logistical support in organizing activities/meetings
• Quality reports and other written content under specific areas and themes
• Public consultations are organized according to UN standards and procedures.

TIMEFRAME

The assignment should be completed within 12 months of the assumption of duties.  

Competencies

The prospective consultant should have the following competencies and qualifications.

Competencies

Technical competency

• Consultant should possess the abilities, skills, and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed.
• Respect for people: Consultant respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to be flexible and respond to changes to text/layout as part of the review and feedback process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people, including diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations
• Participate effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment
• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships.
• Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to achieve the planned results.

Results

• Proven delivery of high-quality results, in a timely manner.
• Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic

Master’s Degree in Law, social science or other related fields of study with a strong link with human rights

OR

A Bachelor’s Degree in Law, social science or other related fields of study coupled with 5 years relevant experience.     

Experience 

• 10 years of professional experience working on issues related to development and human rights
• Strong familiarity with the Sri Lanka context, and especially recent policy and legal developments
• Strong reputation with key high-level Government counterparts and good networks in the area of human rights.
• Previous experience with assessment, evaluation, preferably of issues relating to human rights
• Excellent writing skills and proven ability to produce quality reports on a timely manner

Special skills

• Fluency in Sinhala/Tamil and English/ understanding in disability and gender mainstreaming
• Proven experience working in a team.

Selection of an Individual Consultant

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points)

Overall technical evaluation criteria:

Details of evaluation criteria and marking scheme:

Part 1: Relevance of education:

Part 2: Relevance of experience in area of specialization:

Part 3: Special skills

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Application

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal using the below Annex II  separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.  Failing to provide correct vacancy number & Position would be a disqualification

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum amount: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Annexes

• Annex I - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions
• Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

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 Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, board and lodging, 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. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diem and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 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 to travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on work completed/ progress certified by the Senior Technical Specialist, of the JURE Project. The consultant would need to attach a progress report when requesting payment. 

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.

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.