Historique

BACKGROUND

Following many changes in context in Sri Lanka since 2015, and the universal commitment made in September 2015 to ensure the achievement of sustainable development by 2030, UNDP embarked on a process of re-defining the alignment and strengthening the design of its access to justice/ rule of law, human rights, Parliamentary support and peacebuilding portfolio.

UNDP from 2017 will support Sri Lanka with innovative programmatic and operational design and implementation of priority actions identified in key policy frameworks and plans. To this end, UNDP will work in collaboration with several stakeholders, including government, semi-government, civil society, private sector, UN agency and development partners and through increased engagement with the people of Sri Lanka, on the above mentioned inter-linked and complementary thematic areas of focus, to provide integrated and high quality technical advisory and support services.

Against the above-mentioned backdrop, UNDP Sri Lanka seeks to recruit a Consultant  to assist in its support to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).

 

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES  

  • The objective of this assignment is to assess the conditions, standards and practices of the prisons system in Sri Lanka, evaluate them against  internationally accepted norms and standards on Human Rights and Rights of Prisoners, to enable HRCSL to make recommendations to respective government authorities to improve the same;
  • The Consultant is expected to focus on the areas of prison management, standards and  rules/regulations/statutes pertaining to rights of prisoners and other relavant areas in consultation with the HRCSL. The Consultant is expected to develop the final methodology of the study under the guidance of the HRCSL.

 

 

Devoirs et responsabilités

RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant shall be expected to;

i. Review organogram, existing laws, rules, regulations and other documentation applicable to the functions of the prison system and prison management in Sri Lanka;

ii. Review the exisiting laws and regulations pertaining to the rights of prisoners in Sri Lanka in comparison with international human rights norms and exsiting laws pertaining to rights of prisoners and highlight area which need improvement;

iii. Review existing literature produced by the Department of Prisons on prison management and the conditions and the rights of prisoners;

iv. Identify proceduers and practices employed by the Department of Prisons in Sri Lanka and evaluate those against the international standards and good practicecs;

v. Visit the required 25 - 35 prisons in order to evaluate the conditions of prisons and the conditions in which prisoners live;

vi. Make necessary arrangements for travel/accomadation on his/her own to visit the required prisons;

vii. Consult relevant prison authorities, including the office of the Commissioner General of Prisons, the offices of the Superintended of Prisons and other relavant officers as required;

viii. Evaluate the conditions of prisoners in Sri Lanka against the internatitonal standards and norms on Human Rights and the Rights of Prisoners;

ix. The consultant shall address  issues faced by female prisoners and recomedation to address same;

x. Conduct interviews with HRCSL officers when necessary;

xi. The consultant is expected to incooperate adjustments/amendemts as suggested by the HRCSL.

 

HRCSL’s responsibilities:

  • The study has to be carriedout  under the overall guidance, supervision and coordination of HRCSL;
  • The Consultant shall be guided and instructed by the Commissioner in charge of the project;
  • HRCSL will obtain authorizations  from prison department for meetings with prison officials, prisoners and also to enter and visit prison premises as required;
  • HRCSL will make necessary arrangments to organize transport and accomadation for the Consultant and researchers.Transport cost for prison visits will be absorbed by the HRCSL through  the project.

Expected Output/Deliverables

The following deliverables and outputs are expected from the Consultant:

  1. Identify existing laws and regulations that are inconsistent with Fundemtnal Rights guaranteed under the Constitution and internaltional standards, norms of Human Rights;
  2. Analysis of local conditions and standards of prisons - based on visits, interviews with prisoners and prison management staff. The consultant shall provide montly brief updates on the status of the assignment to both the  HRCSL and UNDP;
  3. Identification of existing gaps within the prison system of Sri Lanka against given subject areas explained above, after gaining a thorough understanding of the conditions of prisons;
  4. Prepare detailed reports of each prison visited;
  5. Make recommednations for improvement of prison conditions and rights of prisoners;
  6. Prepare and present the draft report (including the above 1 – 5) to the HRCSL for review and feedback;
  7. Incorporate any suggesstions,amedments and recommendations made by the HRCSL into the report and finalize the report with definite recommendations for prison reforms in close consultation with HRCSL officials;
  8. Present the finalized report to the HRCSL.

 

TIMEFRAME

  • Duration of the assignment is seven months. The final report shall be presented to the HRCSL prior to one week of contract expiration.

 

Compétences

CONSULTANT PROFILE    

  • The consultants will be identified based on a strong Human Rights and legal background and relevant experience in similar studies, analytical skills and educational qualifications with at least 7-10 years of experience in similar assignments;
  • Fluency in English and Sinhala both oral and written, is a necessary requirement, fluency in Tamil will be an added advantage.

 

COMPETENCIES

a  Technical competencies

  • Knowledge and experience in Human Rights, prisoners rights or related issues;
  • Analytical ability, reserch and writing skills; 
  • Thorough understanding of prison operations, rules and regulations pertaining to prisonors in Sri Lanka, international norms, standards, good practicecs in prison management.

b.  Partnerships

  • Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues.

c.  Results

  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

 

Qualifications et expériences requises

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Masters degree in Human Rights or Law with strong practical knowledge of Human Rights, prison reforms and prison operations; a combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive knowledge in human righs may be accepted in lieu of the Masters degree.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
  • Updated CVs of the Consultant and required researchers/research assistants with qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
  • Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
  • Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: procurement.lk@undp.org  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL  

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

Amount in words: Rs.

Note:

The consultant may retain services of  researcher/s or others as relavant. All and any expenditure relating to such persons including their professional fees must be factored  in the financial proposal. UNDP will not make any additional payments for any such services obtained by the Consultant and the Consultant remains solely responsible for their services and payments.  

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs

other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts. 

 

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

The selected Consultant shall receive payment in three installments from UNDP as follows, upon HRCs acceptance of the deliverables and UNDP certification of deliverables: 

15% upon completion of deliverables (1) – (2);

45% upon completion of deliverable (6);

40% upon completion of deliverable (8).