Antecedentes

UNDP is the UN's global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. As a founding Cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and guided by the health-related MDGs, responding to HIV is one of the organizations’ priorities. Under the UNAIDS division of labour, UNDP is responsible for leading the UNAIDS response in addressing dimensions of AIDS relating to: development planning and mainstreaming; governance; and human rights, gender and sexual diversity. UNDP is also responsible for providing support to governments and national human rights and justice institutions, and CSOs in their efforts for the implementation of policies and programs that protect the human rights of people affected by HIV and other marginalised and excluded segments of the socities. This is an integral part of UNDP’s mandate for the promotion of rule of law and human rights
   
While globally the number of new HIV infections is decreasing, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) is one of two regions in the world where new HIV infections are still on the rise, with the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV)  having reached 1.6 million [1.2–1.8 million] by 2013. Mortality from AIDS has also experienced an estimated 22% increase in the region over the period 2005-2012. The Russian Federation and Ukraine, the two most populous EECA countries, together account for almost 90 percent of newly reported HIV cases. Levels of treatment in the region are low with approximately 25-35 percent of the adults in need of antiretroviral therapy receiving it. With the 2013 revision of the WHO Treatment Guidelines, that now recommend earlier start of treatment, this percentage is likely to be even smaller. While there has been a significant improvement in the legal environment relevant to HIV in the region, certain gaps still persist. The Global Commission on HIV and the Law, an independent international expert body to which UNDP served as secretariat identified such shortcomings which hinder the protection, upholding and fulfillment of the human rights of people living with, or affected by HIV. These gaps include, but are not limited to: breach of confidentiality, stigma and discrimination, criminalization of transmission, criminalization of the behavior of key populations, and others. At the same time, the Commission emphasized the improvement the region has experienced, also in terms of opportunities to protect the human rights of people living with HIV.

In cooperation with governments, other UN agencies, international organizations, and civil society actors, UNDP works to develop the capacity of national legislators, government offices and civil society actors on matters of HIV and the Law. In the framework of these initiative UNDP, partners and associates have created a Regional HIV Legal Network or free legal aid providers who provide quality services to people living with HIV, people affected by HIV and key populations most at risk of HIv infections. Initially launched under the auspices of the regional project on “HIV, Rights and Universal Access in Eastern Europe” supported by the European Union, the Network has spread and now also covers two countries in Central Asia. The Network has a web-portal that provides legal information related to HIV in the covered countries and region, as well as a system for anonymous complaint submission, which connects the claimants with a qualified free legal service provider in the country (http://hiv-legalaid.org/)

In an effort to further support the development and professional growth of the Regional HIV Legal Network and to further strengthen the quality of the services  provided, UNDP seeks an international consultant to develop a case study for the Network, that demonstrates the positive social impact of the Network’s work and justifies future investment in this entity. The Consultant is also expected to develop a Code of Conduct for the Regional HIV Legal Network that is custom-tailored to the specifics of working with people with HIV, and representatives of key populations, most at risk of HIV infection.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the supervision of the HIV, Health and Development Team Legal Specialist (Supervisor), the Consultant shall:

As part of the immediate preparatory work:
  • Develop a detailed work plan for research and drafting the case study and the code of conduct materials;
  • Develop a timeline for the consultancy and submit as soon as possible to Supervisor.
Draft a case study and accumulate evidence materials on the Network impact, including web statistics. Submit the draft together with recommendations for improvement of the Network to the Supervisor.

Draft a Code of Conduct for working with people living with HIV and key populations most at risk of HIV in English and Russian and submit for discussion with the Network member organizations.
  • Document the discussions and recommendations provided by the members and reflect them in the revised version of the Code of Conduct.
  • Submit a revised version for approval by the Supervisor – in English and Russian.
In the process of implementation of her/his tasks, the Consultant is expected to liaise and work in close collaboration with the Regional HIV Network Coordinator.

Deliverables:
  • A work plan and timeline;
  • A case study and compilation of evidence materials;
  • A Code of Conduct.
20% of agreed amount (lump sum) payable upon delivery of  work plan and its acceptance by Supervisor.
80% of agreed amount (lump sum) payable upon delivery of case study and compilation of evidence materials and Code of Conduct and its acceptance by Supervisor.

Competencias

Corporate competencies:
  • Commitment to the principles set forth in the UN High Level Declarations on HIV and AIDS;
  • Adherence to strict confidentiality and protection of medical secrets, privacy and anonymity of people living with, or affected by HIV.
Functional competencies:
  • Very good understanding of the HIV response systems and legal systems of the region as evidenced by experience/scholarship;
  • Very good understanding of the legal and practical aspects of HIV and co-infections in the region;
  • Very good understanding of work of non-state actors – civil society organizations, networks, community groups and others;
  • Excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently and in a team, strict adherence to completing assigned tasks in a timely manner;
  • Quality-oriented professional, constructive approach to obstacles and delays in planned performance;
  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Academic Qualifications/Education:
  • Masters’ degree (or higher) in law, public international law, or another relevant field.
Experience: 
  • Five or more years of relevant regional experience in the field of law, human rights and public health;
  • Experience in working with legal aspects of HIV issues is an advantage. Experience in national/international defense of human rights of people with HIV is an advantage;
  • At least two years of experience in evaluating projects and drafting case study documents and other similar materials;
  • At least two years of experience in training of law practitioners (other lawyers, paralegals, clinic students);
  • Experience in developing and drafting codes of conduct, guidelines, manuals on legal aid;
  • Experience in reporting and contributing to reports.
Language skills:
  • Fluency and ability to communicate in English and Russian.
Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and a financial proposal of lump sum, in US$, which includes all consultant’s costs except missions.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 50 points
  • Academic background (education, courses, additional qualifications) - max. 10 points;
  • Relevant work experience drafting case studies - max. 15 points;
  • Relevant work experience manuals and codes of conduct - max. 10 points;
  • Relevant work experience training law practitioners - max. 10 points.
  • Language skills - max. 5 points
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 21.5 points

Application procedures
:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:
  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
  • 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* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other relevant expenses) with the exception of travel expenses related to missions. Travel costs related to missions, if any, will be paid by UNDP in accordance to UNDP rules and regulations;
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.