UNDP Jobs - 58544- International Consultant to Support National Insti

International Consultant to Support National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights in Preparation of Turkmenistan’s VIII and IX periodic Reports to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

Location :

Home Based with 1 Mission to Turkmenistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

12-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 - 30 September 2015

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

17 working days in September (tbc)

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

Together with the National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan 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 national partners in preparation of the CERD periodic reports.

Turkmenistan ratified the Convention in 1994, and in 2004 presented the combined initial to fifth periodic reports. The Committee’s Concluding Observations to the I-V reports pointed out that “[the Committee regrets, however, that the report, which lacks detailed information on the practical implementation of the Convention, does not fully comply with the reporting guidelines.” One of the major reasons for poor quality was the lack of national capacity. In 2007 Turkmenistan has submitted its VI and VII reports to the Committee. The reports received much higher appreciation of the Committee, however it was pointed the need for further improvement in quality is still needed.

The next reports on CERD are to be submitted in October 2015. NIDHR approached UNDP with the request to provide expertise to assist the Institute in preparation of the periodic reports to CERD that are currently being prepared by the Institute and the Working Group.

An international expert will be hired to conduct a three-day workshop to provide methodological support to produce quality periodic reports under CERD; and build the capacity of the experts of the Institute of Democracy and Human Rights (NIDHR) and Working Group (WG) under the Inter-ministerial Commission on Treaty Bodies in the area of human rights, in particular the CERD.

UNDP is planning to engage expert with the hands-on experience on country reporting to conduct a round table with the NIDHR and the WG experts and provide further remote consultations.

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 periodic report on CERD.

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

Conduct an in depth review of the concluding observations provided to Turkmenistan by the CERD in 2007;
During the mission to Turkmenistan, conduct consultations with the National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan on the methodology and the process of preparing the VIII and IX periodic reports based on the guidelines for the CERD-specific document (CERD/C/2007/1);
Conduct 3-day workshop for the members of the Working Group of the Interministerial Commission on the Treaty Bodies covering the methodology and the guidelines for the CERD specific Document. During the workshop prepare the matrix on the status of implementation of 2007 concluding observations of the CERD to Turkmenistan;
Provide suggestions/recommendations for effectively addressing in the VIII and IX national reports the recommendations made by the Committee in last concluding observations;
Prepare and submit to UNDP the Final report that will cover the results of the mission and the recommendations/suggestions provided on the draft VIII and IX national reports to CERD.

Deliverables and timeframe:

Deliverable one:

Conduct in depth review of the concluding observations provided to Turkmenistan by the CERD in 2007.

Duration:

3 days, home based.

Deliverable two:

1 day consultations with the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan on the methodology and the process of the preparation of periodic report on CERD. These consultations will be part of a 4-day mission to Turkmenistan.

Duration:

1 day, Turkmenistan.

Deliverable three:

Conduct 3-day workshop for the Working Group. Submission of the report during the mission to Turkmenistan. Based on the results of the workshop, prepare the matrix on the status of implementation of 2007 concluding observations of the CERD to Turkmenistan.

Duration:

3 days, Turkmenistan.

Delivetable four:

After receiving the draft periodic report, review and provide suggestions/recommendations for improvements to the NIDHR. Submission of the final report.

Duration:

Home based, 10 days home-based.

Expected outcome/results:

One day consultations with NIDHR to agree on the methodology and the process of preparing Turkmenistan’s VIII and IX national reports to CERD are conducted;
Thre days workshop for the members of the Interministerial Working Group is conducted;
A matrix on the status of implementation of the 2007 concluding observations is prepared based on the draft report prepared by the national side;
The comments and suggestions for the improvement to the draft report are prepared on the basis of the Committee’s reporting guidelines and based on the draft report and submitted to UNDP and NIDHR.

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: 60% (for deliverables 1, 2, and 3), and 2nd installment 40% (for Deliverable 4) – 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 ICERD, CERD and its reporting procedure;
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; Experience in capacity and institution building in the area of human rights, in particular in relation to ICERD, CERD and its reporting procedure;
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.

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

Technical Proposal

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment. However, the specific design and methods for the workshop will be 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 with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.); Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs;
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.

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.).

Evaluation Criteria

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis basis. 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; and
Having received the highest score – out of 100 points.

Out of the maximum score of 100 points, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30% - maximum 30 points.

Technical evaluation (70%, or max 70 points) will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

Education – 10 pts;
Relevant working experience related to the preparation of the reports on CERD – 15 pts;
Methodology– 10 pts;
Results of Interview – 10 pts;
Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance – 5 pts;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia – 5 pts;
Fluency in English – 10 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 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.