UNDP Jobs - 37227- International Consultant for conducting a workshop

International Consultant for conducting a workshop on covering of human rights of people with disabilities by Media representatives

Location :

Home-based with one two-day mission to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-May-2013

Application Deadline :

06-May-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

10 working days in May/June 2013

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are currently implementing a joint project entitled “Strengthening the national capacity of Turkmenistan to promote and protect human rights”. This project started in September 2009 with duration of 46 months.

The overall objective of the project is to engage the Government of Turkmenistan on its duty and capacity to comply with its international human rights standards and to improve the knowledge and capacity of rights holders to claim their rights. The main implementing partner is the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan.

One of the activities foreseen under the project entails the conducting of training for journalists on covering the rights and interests of people with disabilities in line with the Convention on the rights of people with disabilities in the media. Turkmenistan was the first Central Asian country to accede to the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) in September 2008 and ratify its Optional Protocol in 2010 without any reservations. Over the last 4-3 years, accession to the Convention has resulted in changes in legislations, policies and existing practices. However, these changes are not automatically translated into practice. Often, it is hard to change the peoples’ mind and attitude towards people with disabilities. Each member of a society has his/her role to play in ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy their full and equal rights. To sensitise the whole society with respect to the rights and needs as well as constraints and limitations of persons with disabilities, the journalists have to cover the disability issues widely. To do so, the journalists themselves need to be properly trained and equipped with necessary knowledge and skills to highlight the constraints and limitations the people with disabilities face in their everyday life.

The need for involvement of mass media in the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities is acute. As a response to the request and acute need of the national partners, activities aimed at developing capacity of media representatives to cover human rights of people with disabilities is envisaged in the Annual Work Plan of the project for 2013.

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the overall objective of the Project, and under the supervision of the Team Leader/Human Rights Specialist of the EU/UNDP/OHCHR project, an International Consultant will be tasked with the following:

Design and facilitate a two day workshop on covering of human rights of people with disabilities by media representatives. The workshop should also touch upon effective methods of information delivery. The estimated number of participants would be 30 and would include media representatives from the provinces of Turkmenistan and the capital city Ashgabat.
Preparation of handout materials for the workshop aimed at enhancing the journalists’ knowledge on the Convention and the rights contained in it. In order to do so, the Expert will use, as a resource base, the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities, guidelines as well as the handbooks prepared by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Handout materials should be prepared and submitted 1 week prior to the workshop, preferably in Russian.
Preparation of reference/information material for programme on health on the national TV channel for the purpose of promotion of human rights of people with disabilities by the means of media, preferably in Russian.
Preparation of a mission report that includes recommendations for further steps to enhance knowledge and capacity of journalists to report on human rights issues.

Outputs:
In accordance with the duties listed above, the International Consultant is expected to deliver following four major products:

Handout materials aimed at enhancing the journalists’ knowledge on the Convention and the rights contained in it;
A two day workshop on covering of human rights of people with disabilities by media representatives, including effective methods of information delivery;
A package of reference/information material on the issues of persons with disabilities for programme on health on the national TV channel;
Mission report and recommendations

Deliverables and timeframe

Preparation of handout materials for the workshop for media representatives on rights of persons with disabilities (Location: Home based). Timeframe: 3 days, May 2013
Delivery of a two day workshop on covering of human rights of people with disabilities by media representatives (Location: Field work). Timeframe: 2 days, May 2013
Preparation of package of reference/information material for programme on health on the national TV channel (Location: Home based). Timeframe: 2 days, June 2013
Preparation of mission report (Location: Home based). Timeframe: 3 days, June 2013

Payment Conditions

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy.
Payment will be released in two installments: 50% (deliverables 1+2) and 50 % (deliverables 3+4) – upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by the Project Team Leader/Human Rights Specialist.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies

In depth knowledge of UN human rights system, treaties and mechanisms
Excellent training, facilitation and communication skills
Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines
Good understanding and practice of capacity development
Diplomatic skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as law, political science, international relations or a related field with a particular focus on human rights

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant working experience - working in or with the media in communicating human rights, the rights of people with disabilities in particular
Experience in capacity and institution building in the area of human rights, in particular targeting journalists
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia an advantage

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and spoken English. Fluent Russian advantage.

Submission of applications

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
A brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work
Financial proposal: All applicants shall submit a detailed, carefully considered and justified financial statement based on a lump sum specifying (1) a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement and (2) any other possible costs (including vaccinations, travel to and from the mission, dwelling, etc.).

Evaluation Criteria

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria.
Maximum score is 100.
Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30% - maximum 30 points.

The technical evaluation (70%, or max 70 points) will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:
Education: 5 pts
In depth knowledge of UN human rights system, treaties and mechanisms: 15 pts
Relevant working experience: 18 pts
Relevant experience in capacity and institution building in the area of human rights, in particular targeting journalists: 22 pts
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia: 5 pts
Fluency in Russian: 5 pts

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation - max 30 pts

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Additional requirements for individual contractor
Individual contractors shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.

FC: 30079