Background

Important Notes:

All necessary information including Complete Terms of Reference, Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement Notice Number IC-047/13:

http://www.iq.undp.org/ProcurementNotices_Overview.aspx

Proposals should be submitted to the following e-mail address no later than COB 27th of June 2013 (Amman Time +3GMT):

Applicants should download the application documents (presented in compressed file) from the previously mentioned link for UNDP Iraq – Procurement notice web site, complete and sign them, and send the scanned copies to the email account above by or before the deadline of this post.

• Applications with NO financial offer or MISSING P11 form or the required documents for the technical evaluation will NOT be considered for evaluation;
• Applications WITHOUT Annex 3 for submitting a financial offer instead of other format will not be considered due to the need of Annex 3 for the ease of comparison of the received offers. All the necessary information for this post (TOR, Deliverables, Target dates, etc. are presented in the procurement notice documents) therefore, applicant MUST download it to apply for this post;
• Do not send only CV to the Email account mentioned above WITHOUT Annex 1, 2, 3, 4, Cover Letter and Methodology (If Requested) as it will considered as incomplete application;
• The documents are available in PDF (the Procurement Notice, Annex 3, 4 and 5) and Word 2010 (Annex 1 and 2) format; this is the only format available and it will not be provided in other formats;
• Applicants need to use Adobe reader, Word 2010, zipping software (WinRAR) to be able to use and view the documents for this procurement notice;
• Each email should be less than 8 MB; emails over this size will not be received to the above mentioned account.

Introduction:

UNDP in close consultation with national counterparts is undertaking a series of interlinked and complementary interventions within a programmatic framework that aims to promote transparent participatory governance and strengthen human rights in Iraq. The framework has four outputs focusing on strengthening human rights and transparency through participatory governance mechanisms. The first output is to support the mandate and organizational structure of the Iraq High Commission on Human Rights (Human Rights Commission), including the establishment of sub-national commissions. The second output is to provide long term institutional development of the Human Rights Commission and its outreach capabilities through participatory governance mechanisms. The third output is to combat corruption through the promotion of accountability, integrity and transparency at all levels of government including support for the establishment of a new KRG Commission of Integrity. The fourth output is to utilize civil society organizations to promote participatory and transparent governance which includes financial and technical support to civil society organizations to enhance their engagement with parliament and a nationwide campaign on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

This assignment relates to the second and fourth outputs mentioned above, with the objective to facilitate the link between the Human Rights Commission and civil society through the establishment of a Human Rights Advisory Board.

Background:

The Human Rights Component of the project requires strategic partnership and full national ownership and commitment from different institutions, namely Iraq High Commission on Human Rights (Human Rights Commission), the parliamentary Human Rights Committee, and Civil Society. These strategic partnerships are evidenced from the fact that the Human Rights Commission is established and 14 human rights commissioners are voted for by the Council of Representatives (COR). Another major gain of this cooperation and support is the adoption of the Commission organizational structure, mission and vision of this constitutional institute.

The primary goal of the Human Rights component is to enhance the capacity of Human Rights Commission to enable the Commissioners to perform their duties, while working very closely with the Parliament and civil society to support a meaningful and effective engagement between all actors. A workshop with experts from South Africa, Morocco, Iraq Council of Representatives and UNOHCHR to facilitate and assist the establishment of the organizational structure of the Commission was organized in August 2012. The result of this workshop was the adoption of the mission, vision and organizational structure of the Human Rights Commission. A second workshop was organized in Egypt, targeting 14 Human Rights Commissioners, COR Human Rights Committee members and KRG Human Rights Board members, during December 2012which resulted in the adoption of a modality where the COR Human rights Committee, the Human Rights Commission and the regional mechanism will cooperate and interact on human rights issues. To ensure the sustainability of the work of the Human Rights Commission this project has provided support to develop the budget for the year 2012 and 2013. This has resulted in an approved budget allocation by the Iraqi Council of Representatives (Parliament) shifting from US$ 4 Million annual 2012 budget of the Commission and US$ 26 Million annual 2013 budget for the Commission. Both budgets are approved by the Council of Representatives.

The Civil Society component of the UNDP project is linked to this assignment as the establishment of the Human Rights Advisory Board is an initial steps towards a formalization of the interaction between Civil Society Organizations, the Human Rights Commission and parliamentary committees (Human Rights Committee and the CSO Committee). The civil society component will also, in parallel, issue small grants for Human Rights initiatives by CSOs and promote oversight and anti-corruption work among civil society in Iraq.

In December 2012, UNDP organized a first consultation event on Human Rights in Iraq with the participation of 22 national CSOs that were engaged in discussion with the Human Rights Committee and the Human Rights Commission. The roundtable resulted in a set of recommendations on how CSOs can be supported to effectively interact with the COR Human Rights Committee and the Human Rights Commission, upon its establishment, towards human rights promotion and protection in Iraq. The proposed consultancy assignment is a response to the results of this first round table.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The objective of the assignment is to facilitate the establishment of a Human Rights Advisory Board that will include civil society organizations, academics and human rights activists to support the work of the Iraq High Commission for Human Rights. The Advisory Board will meet with the Human Rights Commission and the COR Human Rights Committee to discuss human rights related affairs and bring a civil society perspective to enrich the human rights discussion in Iraq.

Scope of Services, Expected Outputs:

The consultant is expected to achieve the following outputs in a consultative manner with the Human Rights Commission, the COR Human Rights Committee and key representatives of civil society organizations, academics and human rights activists. Consultations are to ensure acceptability, ownership and sustainability of the Human Rights Advisory Board mechanism by all stakeholders. Working very closely with the Human Rights Commission will be essential to the success of this assignment.

The consultant will work autonomously (keeping UNDP regularly updated) and take the lead in facilitating the organization of all necessary meetings, events and round tables (venue identification, agenda design, invitation of participants, identification of speakers, facilitation during the event, etc.).

Output 1: Identification of Human Rights Advisory Board individual members:

• Propose selection criteria and method of CSOs, Academics and Human Rights Activists to be the members of the Advisory Board (including the identification of potential members to be presented to the Human Rights Commission);
• Proposing the inclusion of one representative of the CSO parliamentary Committee as observer and linking with them on this matter.

Output 2: Define draft terms of reference (ToRs) for the Advisory Board, including:

• Objectives;
• Working mechanism/ Standard Operation Procedures;
• Institutionalization of decisions;
• Follow up mechanism for decision implementation;
• Communication protocols (internally, with HR Commission and Committee, with UN and other Government parties);
• Promotion and outreach of the Advisory Board;
• Other relevant issues.

Output 3: Consult CSOs, academia and Human Rights activists on the draft Advisory Board ToRs by organizing and facilitating roundtables:

• Baghdad round table (already held on 8 Dec 2012, recommendations will be shared with the consultant);
• Erbil round table;
• Basrah round table;
• Final validation round table in Baghdad (for endorsement of the ToR by the Human Rights Commission and COR Human Rights Committee).

Note: UNDP will cover the cost of organizing the round tables directly from the Human Rights project component.

Output 4: Co-facilitate initial meetings of the Advisory Board (at least 2 meetings with the Human Rights Commission):

• Ensuring progressive hand over of the organization and facilitation of regular meeting to the Human Rights Commission and Advisory Board members;
• Mobilize the Human Rights Commission to cover the necessary costs for the regular meetings of the Advisory Board.

Output 5: Promotion of the Human Rights Advisory Board experience:

• Present the Human Rights Advisory Board experience to a selected number of parliamentary Committees to promote further replication in other thematic areas;
• Present the Human Rights Advisory Board experience to a selected number of CSOs and Human Right activists to promote active involvement of the civil society at large;

Note: UNDP will cover the cost of organizing the round tables directly from the Human Rights project component.

• Produce a brief promotional document presenting the Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Advisory Board mechanism for further promotion.

Note: UNDP will take care of the design part of the promotional document and promote its circulation directly.

Deliverables and outputs:

While UNDP will be responsible for the logistic costs of the participants. The Consultant Under the direct supervision of the requesting unit is requested to produce for the following deliverables:

• 1Proposal for selection criteria, selection method and identification of potential member candidates of the Advisory Board presented to the Human Rights Commission;
• Draft Terms of Reference of Advisory Board (with relevant annexes) approved by the Human Rights Commission;
• Organization of 3 round tables for consultations and round tables reports (including attendance lists);
• Meeting agenda, minutes and proceedings (including attendance list) signed by the Human Rights Commission and the Advisory Board;
• Report on both presentation events (including attendance list);
• Promotional document endorsed by the Human Rights Commission and the Advisory Board.

Competencies

Key Performance Indicators during implementation of Services

• The Human Rights Commission is satisfied with the level of interaction with the Consultant;
• CSOs, Academics and Human Rights activists are satisfied with the facilitation provided by the Consultant;
• UNDP Iraq is kept well informed and initiatives are consulted before reaching out to stakeholders;
• Deliverables are produced with quality and in a timely manner;
• The consultant practices a highly participatory approach to its work ensuring local ownership and sustainability of the outputs produced at all times;
• The Human Rights Advisory Board is established and functioning by the end of the assignment.

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:

• Understanding of the mandate of the Iraq High Commission for Human Rights an advantage;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Experienced working in a post conflict environment an advantage;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Self-reliant and able to work as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful environment;
• Ability to develop innovative solutions – encourage and contribute creative solutions to address challenging situations;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Human Rights Bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced university degree (Master Degree or PHD) would be an advantage.

Work Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional experience relevant to human rights;
• Experience in human rights activism, human rights legislation and/or with human rights institutions in Iraq;
• Experience working with civil society organizations, parliamentary committees, and government institutions in Iraq;
• Experience facilitating consultative processes within democratic governance activities in Iraq;
• Experience in working for the UN or other international development organisations an asset.

Skills:

• Competent in usage of MS Office programmes (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the Internet;
• The candidate should be able to work in hardship conditions;
• The post requires considerable cultural and political sensitivity.

Language:

• Fluency in Arabic both written and oral (advanced Level);
• Fluency in English both written and oral (advanced Level) would be an advantage.

The Consultant should provide documented examples from previous assignments of proposed personnel related to deliverables in this Terms of Reference;

Documents to be included when submitting the Proposal:

Technical Proposal:
(Which will include the following):

• Signed Template Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal. (Please use Annex 1);
• A letter explaining why he/she considers himself/herself the most suitable candidate for the work;
• Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references. Please Use the attached (P11 Form Only) CV Form – Annex 2 attached. UNDP-Iraq reserves the right to disqualify any of CVs who are not compliant with the requested form;
• Sample reports of previous work in English;A language assessment will be conducted [if needed] for the purpose of verifying influence in English.

Financial proposal:

The financial proposal will specify a total lump sum amount and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. A breakdown of this lump sum amount is to be provided by the IC candidate. Total Fees: Please use Annex 3 – Financial proposal form.

All necessary information including: Complete Terms of Reference, The Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement Notice Number IC-047/13:

http://www.iq.undp.org/ProcurementNotices_Overview.aspx

Proposals should be submitted to the following e-mail address no later than COB 27th of June 2013 (Amman Time +3GMT):

FC:  30000