UNDP Jobs - 49421- Expert on Human Rights

Expert on Human Rights

Location :

Home Based Consultancy with 3 Day Mission in Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

7 working days, including a 3 day workshop

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

In 2014 the Parliament of Georgia adopted National Human Rights Strategy (NHRS) 2014-2020; the Government of Georgia adopted a two-year Action Plan for the Implementation of NHRS for 2014-2015. The NHRS was developed by the joint activities of all branches of the power with very active involvement of CSOs and international community. The NHRS and AP reiterate the commitments of Georgia under international human rights instruments and create mechanisms for more efficient protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Among other commitments enshrined in the NHRS and AP the Government of Georgia stated its readiness to prepare and submit reports under UN human rights instruments.

Georgia is a state party to the various multilateral international treaties in the field of human rights adopted under the auspices of the UN that provide an obligation of the Government of Georgia to submit periodic State Reports on the implementation of the above treaties to the respective Committees (treaty-based bodies specially designated for that purposes by the corresponding treaties).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (MFA) as a coordinating body on reporting under international instruments established an Inter-Agency working group (WG) on reporting. The WG includes Members of the Government, Parliament of Georgia, Constitutional Court of Georgia, and Supreme Court of Georgia. International Legal Relations Department of the MFA is responsible for coordinating/leading the work of the WG.

In support of the MFA and WG, UNDP Georgia launches 4-month project “Capacity Building of Georgian inter-agency working group on reporting under international treaties”. The initiative is implemented within the frame of Sida-funded project:” Governance Reform Fund” (GRF).

Duties and Responsibilities

The assignment envisages the below tasks:

Conduct training on the UN human rights mechanisms and bodies, state obligations under UN human rights instruments, practical implementation of UN human rights treaties, including importance of state reporting for implementation of human rights instruments, inter alia:

In pursuance to the general aim of the training, the expert is expected to develop detailed training agenda and methodology to fit the WG context; The agenda shall be presented to the MFA for the approval;
Develop necessary presentations and materials on human rights mechanisms and bodies, state obligations under UN human rights instruments, practical implementation of UN human rights treaties, including importance of state reporting for implementation of human rights;
Highlight gender aspects of human rights;
Facilitate training;
Develop training report.

The purpose of the training is to give the knowledge to the WG members on the following:

Introduction to UN treaty Based bodies:

Human Rights Committee (CCPR);
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR);
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD);
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW);
Committee against Torture (CAT);
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT);
Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC);
Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW);
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD);
Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED).

Introduction on the UN human rights instruments (see the List below). General Introduction to the UN Charter based bodies:

Human Rights Council;
Universal Periodic Review;
Commission on Human Rights (replaced by the Human Rights Council);
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council;
Human Rights Council Complaint Procedure.

Presentation on the state obligations under UN human rights instruments and importance of state reporting for implementation of human rights instruments.

Cooperation of the State with Ombudsman and NGOs in the state reporting process – overview of the best practices and best approaches.

The training should cover the following issues:

The process and importance of the Consideration of State party reports; including general guidelines on the reporting;
Concluding observations; importance and practice of implementation of the concluding observations by the parties, including statistical information;
Procedure of Consideration of individual complaints;
Procedure of Conduct inquiries;
Adoption of general comments;
Brief introduction of relevant UN web-site and UN database.

List of UN Human Rights Instrument binding for Georgia:

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
Convention on the Rights of the Child;
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance;
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty;
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women;
Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict;
Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

The trainer will conduct a pre- and post-workshop evaluation and provide a report including chapters on:

Background of the workshop; Training material (in PDF and/or CD-ROM format);
Methodology applied during training;
Analysis of group involvement and their potential and specific areas of improvement.

Deliverables:

Training curriculum and materials;
1 day training on the UN human rights mechanisms and bodies, state obligations; under UN human rights instruments, practical implementation of UN human rights; treaties, including importance of state reporting for implementation of human rights instruments;
Mission report containing information on accomplishments and scope of work as well as respective recommendations.

Management arrangements:

International Law Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia will be responsible for assisting the International Consultant in acquiring relevant documentation, data and evidence; provision of proper work conditions. UNDP PCU will be responsible for arrangement of logistical issues.

Timeframe of the evaluation process:

The entire assignment will be undertaken within up to 7 working days out of which 1 day is expected to be spent on the delivery of training and remaining 6 days – for preparation of training materials and reporting.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis method.

Offerors will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors not meeting any of minimum qualification requirements will be automatically disqualified. Only offerors obtaining minimum 40 points as a result of the desk review will be considered as qualified offerors and invited for the interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview) will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.

Financial Proposals

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
Ability to conduct trainings, coach people and provide constructive feedback.
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational);
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in and with teams;
Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Law or social sciences with specialization on human rights (minimum qualification requirement - 10 points).

Experience:

Strong expertise and minimum five years of extensive experience in the area of human rights, including working experience at the UN human rights bodies (minimum qualification requirement - 5 years – 10 points; more than 5 years –20 points);
Experience in conducting trainings on human rights mechanisms and bodies, state obligations under UN human rights instruments, practical implementation of UN human rights treaties, including importance of state reporting for implementation of human rights instruments (minimum qualification requirement - 15 points);
Experience in developing training materials (5 points);
Offerors with an academic background and/or working experience in UN Human rights institutions will be given preference.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English (both written and verbal).