Background

UNDP Lao PDR:

UNDP Country Office (CO) works with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP). UNDP CO’s work is focused on the provision of technical expertise and policy advice to the Government at all levels to implement the national strategies and plans and to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Governance Unit, UNDP Lao PDR:

The UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2017 – 2021), approved by the UNDP Executive Board, is currently being implemented. The Country Programme is anchored in its four broad priority pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequality, (2) support to UXO institutions for clearance, building (3) resilience and environmental sustainability, and (4) capable and more responsive governance.

The UNDP CO’s work on responsive governance focuses on public administration reform for improved access to social services, strengthening access to justice, and enhanced public participation in the Government decision-making. The Governance Programme includes support to justice service delivery; policy, and capacity-building support to the National Assembly and People’s Provincial Assemblies; as well as the implementation of the Government’s initiative on decentralization (Sam Sang Directive). In addition, the Governance Unit has a strong focus on supporting the Government in domesticating and implementing Lao PDR’s international human rights obligations.

Inclusive Development, UNDP Lao PDR:

UNDP globally and in Lao PDR is committed to an inclusive approach to development that benefits all and ensures that no one is left behind. In 2015, UNDP adopted the Social and Environmental Standards (SES), which include an overarching principle to mainstream the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and disability inclusion to all the UNDP’s development programming and operations. That means that the UNDP’s projects and activities in every CO should further the realization of human rights, including the rights of persons with disabilities, as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights instruments, particularly the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

UNDP Lao PDR has a strong institutional commitment to mainstream HRBA and disability issues in its work across all four Units/priority pillars. The Governance Unit works to build the capacity of both duty-bearers to meet their obligations under the international human rights treaties that Lao PDR is a party to, and right-holders to claim their rights.

In 2021-2022, the Governance Unit has been supporting the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW) and the National Committee for Disabled People and Elderly (NCDE) in preparing their 2022 First Country Review under the CRPD Convention, ratified by Lao PDR in 2009. As part of the CRPD Review process, the Governance Unit has been providing capacity-building and technical support to OPDs and disability service centers to develop and already submitted their independent Monitoring Report to the CRPD Committee in May 2022, as well as taking the lead in preparing the UN Country Team (UNCT) parallel submission which was submitted to CRPD in June 2022. The Governance Unit aims to support the MoLSW/NCDE, OPDs, and UNCT in the further implementation and monitoring of the Concluding Observations and Recommendations from the 2022 CRPD Country Review.

OBJECTIVE

The national consultant will cover activities related to disability inclusion, supporting the MoLSW/NCDE, OPDs, and UNCT in the further implementation and monitoring of the Concluding Observations and Recommendations from the CRPD Review, as well as issues related to ethnic diversity and inclusion of other marginalized and vulnerable groups.

The consultant is expected to support the successful delivery of activities in inclusion under the Governance portfolio of UNDP Lao PDR by contributing to the organization and logistics of events, drafting and review of documents, preparing basic research, the production and dissemination of communication, engaging with partners and beneficiaries, monitoring the implementation of activities, support coordination amongst partner, among other tasks. The consultant will provide support to projects to mainstream inclusion and ensure UNDP Lao PDR can fulfill its mandate in providing technical and financial support to the Government of Lao PDR, CSOs, business and other actors, with a focus on governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

The national consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Governance Unit Team Lead and working directly with the Governance Unit project teams and other relevant staff and partners.

The successful applicant will be expected to be responsible for the following:

Task 1: Support the delivery of activities on disability inclusion.

  • Develop the Disability Inclusion Workplan for the Governance Unit for 2023.
  • Support the MoLSW/NCDE to develop draft of the National Action Plan to implement the recommendations from CRPD Committee.
  • Support OPDs and disability service centers to modify their four years joint action plan to monitor the recommendations from CRPD Committee.
  • Develop disability project proposal for disability inclusive employment.

Task 2: Support the delivery of activities on ethnic group inclusion.

  • Support the hosting of an ethnic inclusion forum to bring together different ethnic groups to explore ways forward for strengthening disability inclusion through network building, research and other activities.
  • Support hosting of consultation on ensuring ethnic inclusive responsible business practice in Lao PDR.
  • Support capacity development programme for non-profit associations working on ethnic inclusion.

Task 3: Mainstream D&I in Governance Team projects.

  • Support to finalization of D&I Guidebook for businesses.
  • Support the development of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion plan for the STEPS.
  • Support finalization of new phase of Community Radios Project Document to ensure D&I focus.

Task 4: Administrative, translation and document review support

  • Support in carrying Lao-English translation, quality review of documents, and other tasks related to D&I.

Competencies

  • Skilled usage of computers and office software packages, including Microsoft Teams

Required Skills and Experience

  • Graduated in Development Studies or related fields
  • Candidates with diplomas, and without graduating with a bachelor degree, can compensate with additional 3 years of work experience 
  • 3-5 years of relevant experience in inclusion, international development or related field
  • Experience working in Lao PDR, including on Disability Inclusion, ethnic inclusion, and community participation and volunteering an asset  

Language :    Professional English and Lao

 

Requirements for submission of proposals 

All interested and qualified International or National Individual Consultants should apply online using the following links: 

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.undp.org/laopdr/jobs

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below 

1. TOR (Annex I)

2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II 

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

1. Technical Proposal 

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; 

            (ii)  Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work 

                  schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable; 

2. P11 Form Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services; 

3. Financial proposal:  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template  Offerors Letter to UNDP

Instructions for online submissions: 

  • Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically. 
  • Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully. 

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails: surith.sengsavang@undp.org