Background
In 2017 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is launching a joint project with the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan entitled “Cooperation in implementation of the NHRAP for 2016-2020 in the area of rule of law and the access to justice”. Current project will aid the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan in implementation of its obligations under the Constitution of Turkmenistan, National Human Rights Action plan for 2016-2020, and Sustainable Development Goals that Turkmenistan undertook upon itself in the area of rule of law and access to justice.
In January 2016, the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan on Human Rights for 2016-2020 was approved by a Decree of the President of Turkmenistan. The National Plan of Action is a result of collaboration between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is largely based on the recommendations that Turkmenistan received as the result of the Universal Periodic Review in 2012, as well as recommendations of the other UN human rights Treaty Bodies.
The NHRAP includes several actions pertaining to the mandate of the Supreme court, Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor Office and others: conducting training sessions for judicial officers, law enforcement officers and civil servants, in particular on civil and political rights, providing free legal assistance, in particular to vulnerable groups, improvement of national legislation on Bar Association, improvement of work on handling appeals and petitions of citizens, and others.? UNDP has committed to providing support to the Government in quality implementation of these actions and through them strengthening the Government’s ability to provide services to the population in the area of rule of law, as well as ensuring better access to justice for the population of the country.
One of the specific activities of the NRHAP is “Conducing needs assessment for long term sustainable judicial training programme and/or establishment of the judicial training institute/centre for judges and court staff with the aim of achieving high standards of judicial performance”. In view of the above, UNDP Turkmenistan is planning to design and deliver a comprehensive review of the training programme for the judges and court staff and organize the roundtable to present the results of the review.
Duties and Responsibilities
In accordance with the overall objective of the project and under the supervision of the Project Manager, International Consultant will develop a methodology to review the training programme of the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan with the aim of improving it to meet the best international standards to ensure high standards of judicial performance.
The assignment will consist of the development of a detailed methodology of the review of the key documents relating to the training program of the Supreme Court as well as development of relevant recommendations for its improvement. The recommendations will be presented at the concluding roundtable with relevant national counterparts responsible for the training programme.
Therefore, UNDP is looking for a consultant to provide high level technical expertise for this assignment.
In line with the above-mentioned objective of the assignment and under the supervision of the Project Manager and Project Specialist, the International Consultant (IC) will have the objective of development of a detailed methodology to review the training program. To achieve the objective, he or she will work together with the Project Manager to produce the following:
- Action one: Prepare a detailed methodology of the review of the judicial training program;
- Action two: Conduct a review of the training program of the Supreme Court;
- Action three: Conduct interviews with relevant staff of the Supreme Court involved in the training program;
- Action four: Review the training material on its conformity with international best practices on sustainable judicial training program;
- Action five: Prepare a detailed report on the review of the training program, including recommendations for its enhancement;
- Action six: Present at the roundtable in Ashgabat the findings based on the report and recommendations;
- Action seven: Prepare and submit to UNDP the Final report that will cover the results of the missions and the recommendations/suggestions provided for further work on ensuring the creation and maintenance of the sustainable judicial training;
Deliverables and timeframe:
Deliverable 1 prepared through action 1:
- Proposal with a detailed proposed methodology;
Location: Home based. Number of days: 5.
Deliverable 2 prepared through actions 5 and 6:
- 25 day mission to Turkmenistan; conducted interviews with representatives of the Supreme Court and reviewed the relevant training program;
- Detailed report on the conclusions of the review, including recommendations for further enhancement of the training program;
- Prepare a presentation based on the report and recommendations for the roundtable in Ashgabat;
Location: Ashgabat. Number of days: 25 days.
Deliverable 3 prepared through action 7:
Final consultancy report on consultancy assignment (mission, training conducted) with recommendations.
Location: Home based. Number of days: 4 days.
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: 50% (for deliverables 1 and 2) and 2nd installment 50% (for deliverables 3) – 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 judicial training centers;
- 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 international law and human rights.
Experience:
- At least 7 years of working experience in institutional capacity in the area of human rights, rule of law and access to justice to judges, attorneys;
- Experience in development of training manuals, courses, and guidebooks as well as conducting trainings on human rights protection mechanisms for judges, attorneys and justice administration;
- Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance is an asset;
- Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia is an advantage.
Language requirements:
- Fluency in Russian;
- English - working level.
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, in particular the methodogy for development of the manual;
- 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 amount. 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 of proposals:
Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology. 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, 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 in the area of international law and human rights – 20 pts;
- Relevant working experience of at least 7 years – 20 pts;
- Methodology – 20 pt;
- 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 – 10 pts;
- Fluency in Russian – 15 pts;
- Fluency in English – 10 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.