Sri Lanka enacted a Right to Information (RTI) law in June 2016. The RTI Act 2016 and the rules and regulations issued under the RTI Act became fully effective in February 2017.The law is anticipated to have a major democratizing impact on how government functions and how it interacts with the citizens. It creates a key entry point for strengthening transparency and accountability in government and public finance, addressing corruption, and ultimately contributing to participatory, effective and equitable governance.

The RTI Act requires all public authorities to maintain its records duly catalogued and indexed in such form as is consistent with its operational requirements in order to facilitate the citizen’s right of access to information as provided for in the Act.

The COVID19 pandemic and implementation of measures to contain the spread and provide relief assistance to people has demonstrated the importance of proactive disclosure of information in all three official languages and in a format accessible by all public (for example: including those with disabilities). Lack of information during the COVID19 lockdown in all three official languages, and in formats that are user-friendly to people with disabilities created difficulties for people.

With Sri Lankan government geared towards ensuring digital transformation of the public sector by 2024, RTI law, especially section 15 on public institutions disclosure of information, would be vital for ensuring that the digital transformation is “people-centric”(a core priority of the national policy framework) and that services are accessible by all. The digital transformation also makes it easier for consolidation and dissemination of information through social media, and mobile phones.

The proposed project will work with the identified public institutes to develop strategies to implement Proactive Disclosure Policy and Record Management Guidelines under the guidance of RTIC. This initiative will contribute to enhance institutional capacity to strengthen the right to information of general public and consequently it contributes to establish SDG 16 and 17 accordingly.

This initiative will be implemented as part of UNDP Sri Lanka’s SDG 16 portfolio and will build upon the investments made by UNDP Sri Lanka towards building institutional capacities at national and sub-national levels for citizen engagement in policy making, policy prioritization and implementation. Proposed activities will be operationalized through ongoing partnerships with the parliament, provincial and local authorities, and selected ministries. Current activities (supported under SDG 16 portfolio, Capacity Development of Local Governments) focus on institutional development (including supporting with digital systems). The activities proposed under this initiative will assist in expanding UNDP’s engagement and gain traction for enhancing inclusiveness and responsiveness of institutions.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assignment is to provide focused technical support to Right to Information  Commission to operationalize Proactive Disclosure Guidelines and Record Management Guidelines in line with Section 15(h), among selected public institutes. This initiative will address selected government authorities in its Phase (1) under the guidance of the RTIC.   The technical framework will be crafted by the Consultant upon consultations with respective authorities and RTIC.

The respected consultant(s) shall be expected to

1. Assist Right to Information Commission (RTIC) to liaise with the required government institutions to implement identified proactive disclosure guidelines.
2. Assist Right to Information Commission (RTIC) to liaise with the required government institutions to implement identified provisions of record management guidelines.
3. Build the capacity of RTIC to take the lead on implementing the identified proactive disclosure guidelines, including recommendations on any new cadre that need to filled for this purpose.
4. The Consultant is required to identify and finalize suitable proactive disclosure mechanisms in consultation with respective authorities
5. The Consultant is expected to work with the staff of RTIC as appropriate to enhance their capacity in future monitoring
6. The Consultant is required to identify and finalize suitable record management mechanisms in consultation with respective authorities
7. Minimum three institutes from each of following category have been identified for the Phase 01
   • 7 Ministries- Health, Education, Women, Urban Development, Home Affairs, Defense, Provincial Councils & Local Authorities
   • 6 Departments- Land Registrar, Inland Revenue, Labour, Prisons, Pensions, Police
   • 6 Authorities- Central Environment, Medicines Regulatory, Vocational Training, Tourism Development, Urban Development, Road Development
   • 5 Corporations- Agriculture Export Development, Transport, Electricity, Fisheries
   • 5 District and Divisional Secretariats.

The following deliverables and outputs are expected from the consultant(s):

1. Conducting meetings (virtually/in person) with above identified government entities and convey the purpose of implementation of proactive disclosure guidelines along with the record management guidelines- Deliverable: Minutes of meetings by 4th Week-10%;
2. a) Development of a strategic action plan (including time frame) where RTIC takes over implementation of the proactive disclosure / record management guidelines b) Identification of RTIC officers in consultation with the senior officers of RTIC  for future monitoring of this initiative -Deliverable: Strategic action plan, time frame and HR plan by 6th week-15%;
3. Advising relevant government institutes on implementation of proactive disclosure policy and record management guidelines b) Proposing strategies to implement proactive disclosure guideline/record management guidelines in consultation with identified government authorities c)Identification of relevant mechanisms to implement said guidelines depending on nature of the services of relevant authorities -Deliverable: Brief report (endorsed by RTIC) on advise provided, strategies and mechanisms developed, feedback received and next steps by 8th Week-15%;
4. Conducting meetings (virtual/in person) with the respective government authorities and RTIC to monitor the progress of implementation of proactive disclosure guidelines/record management guidelines -(1)Deliverable: Minutes of meetings, including outcome summary and next steps by 12th Week-15%;
5. Conducting meetings(virtual/in person)  with the respective government authorities and RTIC to monitor the progress of implementation of proactive disclosure guidelines/record management guidelines (02)-Deliverable: Minutes of meetings, including outcome summary and next steps by 16th week-15%;
6. Conducting meetings(virtual/in person)  with the respective government authorities and RTIC to monitor the progress of implementation of proactive disclosure guidelines/record management guidelines -(03)Deliverable: Minutes of meetings, including outcome summary and next steps by 18th week-15%;
7. Submission of a report to the RTIC  on status analysis of implementation of proactive disclosure mechanism/record management guidelines- Deliverable: a) Report endorsed as accepted by RTIC b) Brief presentation of key outcomes and next steps to UNDP by 20th week-15%.

TIME FRAME

The proposed duration for this assignment is five months.

THE CONSULTANT PROFILE

The prospective consultant should, as a minimum, have the following functional and technical Competencies:

• Excellent understanding on operationalization of State Sector / public administration sector;
• Excellent knowledge in government procedures ;
• Excellent knowledge in project management skills will be an advantage.

General

• Strong analytical skills, and an ability to distill key messages;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Partnerships

• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships;
• Provides constructive and helpful inputs and feedback to the overall process;
• Demonstrated ability to engage with government and non-government actors at the highest levels.

Results

• Proven delivery of high-quality results, in a timely manner.
• Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.

Education:

• Masters/high academic qualifications in a related area;
• LLB or Attorney-at-law with 10 years of experience.

Experience:

• Strong experience in multi-stakeholder coordination with results;
• Senior experience in the field of public administration;
• Experience in the field of human rights, including right to information .

Languages:

• Excellent written English and Sinhala/Tamil language skills.

HOW TO APPLY 

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

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 CV to include 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;
• Technical proposal including suggested methodology to achieve the above-mentioned deliverables, and timeline;
• Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer, and a brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP;
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Note: 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 Daily Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, 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 and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 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 into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT OF SERVICES

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished and corresponding number of workdays put in towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.