UNDP Jobs - 59562- International Consultant to Conduct a Study of LGB

International Consultant to Conduct a Study of LGBTI CSO Engagement with the Universal Periodic Review and other United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mechanisms in 12 Countries

Location :

Home Based with Expected Travel to Some of the 12 Countries, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

21-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

8 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

September 2015 to May 2016 with maximum of 90 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 Being LGBTI in Asia programme (BLIA-2), under UNDP, seeks to increase the capacity of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) civil society organizations (CSOs) to effectively mobilize, advocate, and contribute to policy dialogues and community empowerment activities in the Asia Pacific Region. BLIA-2 also seeks to improve the capacity and action of governments and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to develop Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and Intersex related protective laws and policies.

A key entry point towards achieving these goals is to increase the capacity and engagement of LGBTI and wider civil society engagement in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, as well as other United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mechanisms (UNHRMM). This includes the submission of reports, engaging in dialogue, monitoring, engaging with broader CSOs and NHRIs on submissions, and optimizing monitoring the implementation of UPR recommendations.

UNDP believe that the absence of strategic, informed and consistent engagement by CSOs with the UPR process and other UNHRMMs represents a loss of opportunity and may be a vital entry point for achieving the key outcomes of BLIA-2. Therefore a research study that provides knowledge of current strategies, levels of engagement, innovation, best practice and lessons learned will provide the knowledge base for future capacity building of CSOs in this area.

This research study is part of a wider UNDP strategy of engagement with LGBTI CSOs and NHRIs that is in direct response to the ‘ESCAP Roadmap to 2015’. The ESCAP Roadmap is a regional framework to support the implementation of international and region-specific commitments on HIV and AIDS agreed upon in the Asia-Pacific High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Assessment of Progress against Commitments in the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the Millennium Development Goals. One of the elements of the ESCAP Roadmap was the organization of national multisectoral consultations on policy and legal barriers to universal access in accordance with ESCAP resolution 67/9 as well as participatory and inclusive national reviews on the implementation of ESCAP resolutions 66/10 and 67/9. On 28-30 January 2015, the Asia Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on HIV and AIDS was convened by ESCAP, in cooperation with UNDP and UNAIDS along with other relevant United Nations entities. The Meeting endorsed the Regional Framework for Action on HIV and AIDS, reaffirming the continued commitment to work on these issues beyond 2015 and calling for greater regional cooperation to accelerate progress towards meeting the global commitments, and increased collaboration among government ministries in partnership with civil society and key populations.

In accordance with the Roadmap and the Regional Framework for Action, UNDP in partnership with APF and the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) convened a Workshop on the Role of NHRIs in Promoting and Protecting the Rights, including Health of LGBTI People in Asia and the Pacific held 24-25 February 2015 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. During this workshop participants agreed on a Joint Programme of Action and Support on the Role of NHRIs in Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in relation to SOGI for the period 2015-2017. Recommended actions of this Joint Programme of Action included capacity-building and research activities on human rights violations and discrimination based on SOGI.

In order to achieve the above aim and to increase the capacity of CSOs to engage with UPR and other UNHRMM mechanisms, UNDP in partnership with the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), proposes to commission a study which will review the inclusion of LGBTI issues in current human rights reporting mechanisms and related follow-up recommendations. In addition, the study will review the current level of LGBTI and civil society engagement, the forms and outcomes of engagement, as well as overall capacity of these groups to engage with NHRIs and other UNHRMM.

The study will focus on the ten (10) ASEAN countries - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, plus two (2) additional countries China and Timor Leste.

As a key component of the research process, UNDP will convene as a two-day partnership and UNHRMM capacity building workshop in Bangkok, Thailand on 21-22 September 2015. After consultation with key partners, UNDP will invite some 20 participants from the APF secretariat, ASC, the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), ARC International, OHCHR and other key partners.

Managed by UNDP, the research study will be primarily undertaken and coordinated by an international research consultant with additional support from ASC and APF. By providing support to the key research consultant, ASC will benefit from increased engagement in research methods and practice.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of assignment

To conduct a review of the inclusion of LGBTI issues in current human rights reporting mechanisms and related follow-up recommendations. To draft an agenda and moderate the two-day partnership and UNHRMM capacity building workshop in Bangkok, Thailand on 21-22 September 2015

Scope of Work

Develop a workplan and methodology for the review study;
Conduct a comprehensive review of engagement by LGBTI and broader CSOs with UNHRMMs on SOGIE and intersex issues in the selected countries;
Convene national level focus groups discussions made up of key stakeholders;
Analyse the current level of LGBTI and civil society engagement, the forms and outcomes of engagement, as well as overall capacity of these groups to engage with NHRIs and other UNHRMM;
Document proposed strategies undertaken by LGBTI groups and other CSOs in successfully including SOGIE and intersex issues through UNHRMMs;
Produce 12 country specific briefs outlining engagement with UNHRMMs in each of the selected countries;
Produce 1 regional level study on UNHRMM engagement and outcomes;
Develop an Agenda for the two-day partnership and UNHRMM capacity building workshop (Bangkok, 21-22 September 2015);
Moderate the two-day partnership and UNHRMM capacity building workshop in Bangkok on 21-22 September 2015;
Produce a peer reviewed journal article and submit it for publication.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advanced knowledge of SOGIE and intersex issues;
Demonstrated knowledge of Human Rights and the UPR and other UNHRMM processes;
Proven capacity to moderate a multi-stakeholder partnership meeting;
Previous experience working with the UN, development partners, civil society organizations.

Client Orientation:

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client;
Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree (Masters Level) in Human Rights, Law, Sociology, or other relevant field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience.

Language:

Proficiency in oral and written English.

Duty Station:

Expected Travel to Some of the 12 Countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Viet Nam).

Final Products:

The Consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables:

Research Methodology and Work plan Outline produced;
Agreed number of documented National Level Focus Group Discussions held;
Draft Agenda produced for two-day partnership and UNHRMM capacity building workshop;
Regional level two-day partnership and UNHRMM capacity building workshop held and moderated;
Regional Research study reviewing the country specific engagement and outcomes submitted;
12 country specific briefs submitted (in English);
1 peer reviewed journal article submitted.

The Consultant will be guided and supported by a UNDP appointed regional project coordinator, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub in Thailand and UNDP country office, or designated UNDP national partner.

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Control

The consultant work closely together with a UNDP appointed regional project coordinator. The consultant will be supervised by UNDP Policy Advisor, HIV. Human Rights, Law & Sexual Diversity.

The consultant is expected to provide the final report to UNDP BRH in Bangkok, Thailand

For detailed information, please refer to Annex I: Term of Reference (TOR).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Interested individuals must submit the following documents /information to demonstrate their qualification, experience and suitability to undertake the assignment.

All below supporting documents must be part of the detailed CV and uploaded as one document:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV or P.11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Financial Proposal

The contract will be based on lump sum payment including Professional Fee. The financial proposal will specify the lump sum professional fee (with breakdown of daily fee x number of working days). The payments will be made to the Individual Consultant based on the completion of the deliverables indicated in the TOR. To submit Financial Proposal, please use Template of Submission of Financial Proposal Template provided in Annex IV.

Any required travel related to the assignment will be agreed with UNDP separately and compensated according to UNDP rules and regulations. UNDP may arrange air ticket or the Individual Contractor may need to arrange air ticket by his/her own and the Economy Air Ticket Cost shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceed the price quoted by UNDP’s travel agent. The Individual Contractor shall receive living allowance and Terminal Expenses in locations as assigned according to UNDP Rules and regulations. The living allowance rate in locations shall be agreed prior to travel.

Evaluation

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) 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%;
Financial Criteria weight; 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

UNDP P.11 Form can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Please find more details on website: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=24914