UNDP Jobs - 55044- International Consultant in the Area of Rights of

International Consultant in the Area of Rights of Voters with Disabilities

Location :

Home-based, with 1 mission to Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

10 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

UNDP Moldova Democracy Programme/Elections (further referred as Programme) is a multi-year institutional development programme that supports strategic development of the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova (CEC) with the aim to strengthen the capacity of electoral administration to deliver professional, transparent and efficient electoral processes. Overarching goal of the Programme is to improve the democracy in Moldova through modernization of the electoral processes, through free and fair elections representing the will of the people and which are fully in line with the international standards and best practices. This objective is to be reached through support in development of the capacities of electoral administration on central, regional and local levels to deliver inclusive and professional elections improved and gender and human rights mainstreamed.

Whilst a number of results have been achieved in the area of human rights, a number of issues remain to be addressed further. There is need to continue working on extending the number of polling stations equipped with access ramps for wheelchair-bound voters and with facilities for voters with vision impairments. Moreover, there are certain groups of Moldovan citizens, such as persons with mental disabilities, who do not have the right to vote based on a final court decision. In this regard, assessment of and discussions about possible amendments to the Moldovan Electoral Code enabling all Moldovan citizens, regardless of their mental capacities, to fully participate in the political processes should be undertaken. In this context, CEC requested the Programme support in development of policies and administer elections in line with international human rights standards. As a result of this activity the CEC will also be able to provide proposals to electoral legislation and other policy documents to improve access for disabled persons to elections.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expected output for the international consultant’s assignment is (hereinafter referred as “Consultant”) to consult CEC and the Programme in human rights area, namely with respect to voting rights of persons with disabilities.

The Consultant is expected to:

Conduct a desk review of the existing in house legal framework, policies and regulations related to the rights of voters with disabilities and international commitments of Republic of Moldova;
Participate in meetings with the Programme, CEC and other relevant stakeholders;
Provide comments and suggestions for improvement of the draft CEC regulation on ensuring the right and access to vote of persons with disabilities;
Prepare and deliver one day training on best international practices on ensuring participation of persons with disabilities to elections;
Refine and document a Facts Sheet on ensuring the right to vote of persons with mental disabilities.

Background material will be sent in advance and it is expected to be reviewed by the Consultant prior starting his/her mission in Moldova. The Programme will assist with contacting and arranging for meetings with stakeholders, developing the agenda of the training and facilitating the logistics/organization of the training event.

Time frame and Institutional arrangements

The timeframe for the work of International Consultant is tentatively planned through April – May 2015. Concrete schedule is to be mutually agreed in advance between the Consultant, CEC and the Programme. Consultancy will involve 10 days of work, 4 (four) of which to be spent in Moldova.

Payments will be done in two installments: 30% after approval of Deliverable 1 and 70% after approval of Deliverables 2 – 4 by the UNDP Electoral Specialist.

The assignment is to be finished by no later than 31 May 2015.

Management Arrangements

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Programme and the CEC under direct supervision of the UNDP Electoral Specialist.

Note: For complete information about this vacancy, including detailed tasks and responsibilities, full and detailed description of the evaluation procedure which will be applied, as well as the UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract, please refer to the Terms of Reference, the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice published at the UNDP Moldova website, Jobs Section:http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs/.

Competencies

Demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and to present ideas clearly and effectively;
Demonstrated understanding of international electoral standards and principles;
Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Law or related field. PhD in legal field will be an advantage.

Experience

At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in the field of human rights;
At least 3 years of proven experience in organizing, facilitating and conducting seminars, trainings and round tables with state institutions/agencies/organizations, especially related to elections, voting rights and voters with disabilities;
Practical election administration, elections technical assistance or election observation experience will be an advantage.

Lanugage:

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of the Romanian or Russian will be an asset.