UNDP Jobs - 49773- International Expert to Conduct Advocacy Training

International Expert to Conduct Advocacy Training for Staff of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives

Location :

Male', MALDIVES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

05-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 weeks - 24 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 weeks - 24 working days

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

Since 2004, Maldives has been undergoing a series of reform initiatives introduced by the Government. The new Constitution of 2008 established a system of democratic governance and provided for the separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. However, the transition to democracy has been difficult with the country facing significant challenges in consolidating initial progress. As part of the national efforts towards democratization there has been significant focus on promoting human rights and strengthening the justice sector. UNDP has been a key partner in providing support to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) to improve its capacity for the protection and promotion of Human Rights in the country.

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives was first established on 10 December 2003 as an independent and autonomous statutory body created by a Presidential Decree. With the ratification of the 2008 Constitution HRCM became an independent body created under the Constitution.

According to the Human Rights Commission’s Act of Maldives (Act number 6/2006) the Commission is mandated to work towards fostering the spirit of human rights by protecting, preserving and promoting them. In this regard, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) staff engages in advocating for the alignment of government policies with international human rights principles. The HRCM also works towards building a community that is aware of standards and principles and responsible for upholding values. However, the capacity of HRCM officers to build comprehensive advocacy strategies and lobbying tactics is limited.

Although the Commission has been engaged in various awareness building activities over the years, the staff has had limited training and knowledge of advocacy tools and tactics as well as strategizing for advocacy efforts to promote human rights.

In this respect, UNDP seeks to support the capacity development of HRCM staff to develop advocacy strategies for wider community awareness as well as stakeholder lobbying for specific issues.

As such, UNDP and HRCM require the expertise of an international expert to provide support to strengthen capacity of HRCM to develop effective advocacy strategies and public awareness campaigns.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the UNDP and the direction of HRCM, the international expert will conduct a training that will contribute to the following:

Develop skills in building public awareness campaigns, understanding the steps and process of building a public awareness campaign;
Improve skills in choosing advocacy priorities, setting measurable objectives, mapping target audiences and developing partnerships for advocacy;
Increase Skills in lobbying for change within government and state institutions;
Increase Skills in lobbying for policy change during the legislative process through parliament;
Evaluating effectiveness of advocacy campaigns;
Develop Skills in framing messages.

Further to the training the international expert is to assess the capacities of HRCM staff and within HRCM, and develop a Guidance Manual for human rights advocacy in the Maldives that would assist HRCM staff in devising strategies for effective Human Rights advocacy in the Maldives

Expected Outputs/Deliverables:

An initial report highlighting the experts approach to conduct the assignment as well as a work plan for the assignment;
Assessment of Capacity of Human Rights Commission to conduct effective advocacy campaigns;
Training for HRCM staff on Advocacy;
Manual for Human Rights Advocacy.

Institutional arrangement:

The consultant will work on a daily basis within the HRCM and under the technical guidance of the HRCM. He/she will report to the Project Coordinator of Result Area 2 of IGP. Weekly briefing meetings will be held with ARR Governance.

Duration of the work:

The duration of this assignment will 3 weeks in country, and 1 week remotely to finalize the manual starting in November 2014. Total number of working days is 6 days per week.

Duty station:

The duty station will mainly be in Male’, Maldives.

Scope of the financial proposal and schedule of payment

The consultancy fee will be in a lump sum inclusive of travel and accommodation to be paid in installments corresponding to deliverables. You are required to submit a breakdown of the fees, DSA and Air ticket.

Required documents

The application must include a letter of interest to undertake this task, P-11, and a proposal for fees. To download P11, kindly please visit the link http://www.mv.undp.org/content/maldives/en/home/operations/jobs/. Please combine all the documents into one and upload.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Inter-personal skills;
Exceptional analytical skills, solution oriented program design skills;
Research and evaluation skills including ability to synthesize information;
Excellent oral, and effective presentation and report-writing skills;
Ability to work under with minimum supervision, while meeting deadlines;
Demonstrated ability of timely completion of assignments;
Excellent social and communication skills;
Strong facilitation skills;
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural settings;
Excellent computers skills required.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters or Advanced Degree in development studies or social sciences.

Experience

At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in conceptualizing, designing and implementing successful, evidence-based advocacy strategies.

Language Requirements

Fluent in written and spoken English is required.