UNDP Jobs - 58276- International Consultant to Support in Preparation

International Consultant to Support in Preparation of the Common Core Document

Location :

Home-based With 1 Mission to Turkmenistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

August 2015 - September 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan is implementing a project entitled ‘Development of legal capacity and institutional mechanisms’. The project is focused on engaging the Government of Turkmenistan on its duty and capacity to comply with its international human rights obligations and implementing recommendations of human rights treaty bodies, including the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The main implementing partner of the UNDP project is the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan (NIDHR). As part of its mandate, the Institute undertakes research and provides human rights consultations to citizens. The project follows the establishment of an Interdepartmental Commission for monitoring the implementation of international human rights instruments (IC) on the basis of a Presidential Decree in 2007. The mandate of this Interdepartmental Commission (IC) is to coordinate the activities of relevant organizations, ministries and agencies to implement the international legal obligations of Turkmenistan in the area of human rights. In addition, this IC is mandated to prepare the national reports on progress towards the realization of international obligations in the field of human rights for submission to relevant human rights mechanisms; to monitor national legislation of Turkmenistan for compliance with international human rights norms and prepare proposals to amend the legislation of Turkmenistan to conform with international human rights standards and principles.

One of the objectives of the project is to provide technical consultancy to the NIDHR on reporting to the UN human rights treaty bodies. In order to achieve this, UNDP is looking for a consultant to provide technical advice to the IC in preparation of the common Core Document.

An international expert will be hired to facilitate the workshop, share good practices of preparing the Core Document and provide technical advice to the finalization of the updated common Core Document.

Turkmenistan has since 2008 submitted its common Core Document, its report under the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, its initial report to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and its initial report to the Human Rights Committee. Turkmenistan is expecting to report under United Nations Convention against Torture UNCAT in July 2015. Later in October 2015 Turkmenistan is expected to submit its regular report to the Committee of the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. In accordance with the Compilation of guideline on the form and content of reports to be submitted by states parties to the international human rights treaties (HRI/GEN/2/Rev.6, 3 June 2009) Article 17 “Reports under the revised reporting system will consist of two parts: the common Core Document and the treaty-specific document.” Turkmenistan is planning to submit the Core document to both Committees.

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the above mentioned objective of the project and under the supervision of the Project Manager and Portfolio Manager, the International Consultant (IC) will have the objective of transferring knowledge and expertise to the national counterparts in preparation of the Common Core Document.

To achieve the objective, he or she will work together with NIDHR to produce the following:

Make presentation for NIDHR and to the members of the Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission on international best practices on Core Document that will cover;
Harmonized guidelines on reporting under the International Human Rights Treaties, including the guidelines on the Core Document;
Structure and style of the Core Document;
Contents of the Core Document including the descriptive part and data that are expected to support the reported evidence.

Provide consultations to the National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan to the methodology of updating the Core Document. Provide suggestions/recommendations for revisions/additions of the specific parts of the draft Core document.

Prepare specific recommendations to the finalization process of the Core Document with desk-review.

Prepare a Final report for the both assignments, including comprehensive description of the recommendations to the National common Core Document.

Deliverables and Timeframe

Deliverable # 1

1 day consultations with the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan on best practices with regard to the preparation of Core Document. These consultations will be part of a 4-day mission to Turkmenistan.

Location and duration:

Turkmenistan and home-based - 1 working day.

Deliverable # 2:

Conduct 3-day workshop for the Working Group. Submission of the mission report to UNDP.

Location and duration:

Turkmenistan and home based - 3 days.

Deliverable # 3:

After receiving the draft of the National Core Document, review and provide suggestions/recommendations to the NIDHR. Submission of the final report.

Location and duration:

Home based - 11 days home-based.

Payment conditions

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy.

Payment will be released in two installments: 1st installment - 30% (deliverable 1), 30% (for deliverable 2), and 2nd installment 40% (for Deliverable 3) – upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

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

Knowledge of and extensive experience working with UN human rights mechanisms;
In depth knowledge of common core documents format, styles, and latest best practices in the preparation of the core documents required;
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;
Cultural sensitivity;
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 7 years of working experience in capacity and institution building in the area of human rights, the experience in the development of the common Core Documents;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia is an advantage;
Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance is an asset.

Language:

Excellent written and spoken English;
Fluent Russian is an asset.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

Proposal:

Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Provide a brief methodology (1-2 pages) for the assignment. However, the specific design and methods for the workshop will be jointly determined from consultations among UNDP Turkmenistan Democratic Governance program unit, the expert, and the national partner (NIDHR) about what is appropriate and feasible to meet the goals of the technical seminar.

Financial proposal in a form of the Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability. Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs.

Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Completed P11 form, which would include a description of previous experience of the candidate in similar projects, and contact information of individuals who are ready to make appropriate recommendations (form P11 can be downloaded from the website at http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc). Please use the P11 form, and not a self-designed resume.

Financial proposal

The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including.

A daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement;
Travel (to and from the missions);
Per diems;
any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.).

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Technical Criteria weight: 70% - maximum 70 points,
Financial Criteria weight: 30% - maximum 30 points.

Evaluation criteria with maximum points:

Education - 10 points;
Relevant working experience related to the preparation of the Core Documents - 15 points;
Methodology - 10 points;
Results of Interview - 10 points;
Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance - 5 points;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia - 5 points;
Fluency in English - 10 points;
Fluency in Russian - 5 points.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor

Recommended contractors aged 62 and older, and if the travel is required, 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.