National Consultant–Communication & Capacity Building

Background

The Human Rights Programme (HRP) is a new initiative undertaken by UNDP, Bangladesh supported by a consortium of donors. UNDP has developed the Human Rights Programme to complement but not limited to support previous work of National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRCB). The new Human Rights Programme is designed to contribute to build the capacity of existing human rights architecture in Bangladesh. The programme supports the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRCB), as well as other government institutions or agencies including law enforcing agencies, CSOs, media and other relevant to improve human rights practice and culture across the country. The Human Rights Programme has five outputs. Out of five outputs, output 1 is designed to support the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRCB) to deliver on its mandate. This is complemented with output 2 which is designed for enhanced capacity of civil society and community-based organisations to engage in human rights advocacy and awareness raising. Output 1 has largely been designed based on the lessons learnt, best practices, project final evaluation of the Bangladesh National Human Rights-Capacity Development Project (BNHRC-CDP). With that HRP aims to support NHRCB in human rights research, monitoring & handling of complaints of human rights violations, data collection, fact-finding, reporting of human rights issues together with reporting to UN human rights treaty bodies etc. In addition, HRP has undertaken responsibility to implement Output 1 & 3: Rule of Law, of the Community Recovery & Resilience Project (C2RP). C2RP is under the Early Recovery Facility (ERF) project under the Climate Change, Environment & Disaster Management Programme. ERF is aimed at promoting national ownership of the post disaster early recovery process through the fullest possible engagement of national and local authorities in the planning, execution and monitoring of recovery actions with UNDP assistance. ERF supports the national and local government in developing policies and plans for full recovery. Such support is being provided through systematic assessment of recovery needs, coordination amongst various agencies, preparation of an early recovery plan/framework, and human resource support wherever necessary. It promotes equality, social inclusion, and transparency in promoting recovery policies and plans. It advocates people’s participation in recovery planning and promote policies and programme which do not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, recovery preparedness plan, and advocate for the allocation of resources in support of early recovery activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of the assignment

The National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh was constituted by the enactment of the National Human Rights Commission Act (NHRC) 2009 in light of the ‘Paris Principles’ with the aim of promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh. As per Section: 12 of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009, the key functions of the NHRCB is to raise awareness and to provide human rights education and training, human rights and research and policy advocacy and monitoring and inquiry, suo-moto or on complaint submitted into any allegation of violation of human rights. Since inception NHRCB has been receiving complaints on the alleged violation of human rights, had inquired onto including suo-moto and has been making recommendations to the Government to appropriate action. It is expected that to reach these focused goals, one of the core arears of the work of NHRCB is to outreach to the regional level. NHRCB has already established regional offices in Khulna and Rangamati. In addition, NHRCB is in the process of establishing the regional office in Cox’s Bazar to work with the host community who has accommodated an influx of more than 670,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar since August 2017. The Commission has been pro-active in addressing human rights violations beyond boundaries. It has demonstrated efforts relating to Rohingya crisis in focusing on long-term and short-term possibilities to find a durable solution as well as to work in the region with the cost community to address the human rights issues, tracking of risk of conflicts between the host community and Rohingyas; and to introduce an early warning mechanism for local authorities and to reduce tensions and address risks of conflict.

Overall objectives:To support the implementation of the planned activities under the C2RP regional office in Cox’s Bazar of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRCB) to carry out its activities. 

Specific objectives:

Provide support during the establishment of NHRC field Office in Cox’s Bazar, data and information collection, documentation and reporting of human rights violations, and support capacities of the NHRCB as means of mitigating risks of conflict and violence by building forums, facilitating dialogues, consultations, training & workshops and awareness programme. Provide also support to the HRP for implementation of the planned activities for 2019.

Task 01- Monitor and analyze national and international media and share information with the Human Rights Programme and the Head office of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh and producing human rights reports and Form and maintain meaningful working relationships with various members of the local media and maintain liaison. Information, data collection & documentation of human rights issues and producing human rights reports. - Required days  21.50 days .- Required days  21.50 days

Task 02- Facilitate human rights awareness programmes & campaign and Support to generate ground information for tracking of risk of conflicts between the Rohingyas & the host community and introduce an early warning mechanism for local authorities;- Required days  21.50 days

Task-03; Support to fact-findings and inquiry of the human rights violations and Build the common forum with the law enforcing agencies, local administration (UP), DC office, school, multi-ethnic/religious leaders, CSOs, HRDs, youth group in the region; - Required days  21.50 days

Task-04; Support to facilitate inter-community and inter-faith dialogues to reduce tensions and address risks of conflict and Receiving & handling human rights violations complaint as per instruction- - Required days  21.50 days

Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

The National Consultant – supporting the implementation of the activities under C2RP, will be working with the Investigation & Human Rights Expert, HRP of UNDP, Bangladesh and the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh. C2RP will also provide necessary logistic support if required.  The contractor will work under the guidance of the NHRCB and HRP and under the direct supervision of Chief Technical Advisor of HRP. The contractor will work closely with the NHRCB for substantive aspects of the assignment and also keep close contact with the Project Manager of C2RP.The HRP Official will put at the contractor’s disposal all available materials and necessary information for tasks achievement and will facilitate the meetings, as needed.

Timeframe and deadlines and Duty station:The assignment will be for 4 months in cox’s bazar

Reporting authority:The Consultant will directly report to Chief Technical Advisor of HRP and to the C2RP Project Manager for coordination. The incumbent will be paid on deliverables basis.

Travel:All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit ( C2RP Project+ HRP ) and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel and DSA:No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Deliverables linked with payment: 

Deliverables	Days required	Payment Schedule
01. Develop and submit a plan of activities and develop tools to monitor and analyze national and international media for sharing information with the Human Rights Programme and the Head office of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh.	21.5 days	25% within 1st month of the contract
02.  Prepare and submit a partnership strategy and identify the local print and electronic media including the potential actors. Collect iinformation, data, documentation and analyse the human rights issues and submit the reports and Prepare and submit report on the facilitation of human rights awareness programmes & campaign;	21.5 days	25% within 2nd month of the contract
03. Prepare and submit report generating the ground information, tracking of risk of conflicts between the Rohingyas & the host community. Develop and introduce an early warning mechanism for local authorities and Conduct and submit reports on the fact-findings and inquiry of the human rights violations;	21.5 days	25% within 3rd month of the contract
04. Submit a report on building the common forum with the law enforcing agencies, local administration (UP), DC office, school, multi-ethnic/religious leaders, CSOs, HRDs, youth group in the region and Prepare a mechanism and submit report on the   facilitation of inter-community and inter-faith dialogues to reduce tensions and address risks of conflict and Submit the final report considering all the achievements made during the period of assignment.	21.5 days	25% within Final month of the contract

Competencies

Professional Competencies

• Strong background in law and international human rights; Demonstrated knowledge of human rights issues in Bangladesh;
• Excellent writing, IT and communication skills.

Behavioral Competencies

• Good interpersonal skills;
• Ability to take initiative and promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships to facilitate work goals;
• Demonstrable capacity to build knowledge through using various sources;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work, effective problem solving, self-improvement, analysis and synthesis;
• Openness to change and ability to responds positively to feedback and differing points of view and integrates & updates accordingly; adaptability, creativity;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Exhibit strong teamwork skills in a complex environment.
• Confident in demonstration of work;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Minimum master’s Degree in law/human rights/mass communication/journalism/international relation/peace and conflict or any other related field in social science.

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of experience in human rights or communication; experience working with CSOs, Media and CSOs.
• Experience facilitation human rights training and conduct workshop as well organising event for community people.
• Experience of working at the community level.
• Experience in human rights research, data collection, analysis, fact-finding, investigation.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Chittagonian language and ability to writing report as required.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages-

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Lodging, meals and transport cost for field visit related to this assignment will be paid by the project as per UN standard.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel and DSA:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis-

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1 Educational Diversification and academic range minimum Master’s in law/human rights/mass communication/journalism/international relations/peace and conflict or any other related field in social science. – Max 10 Points
• Criteria 2- Number of years’ experience in human rights work research, communication, networking and report writing skills.– Max 20 points
• Criteria 3-Experience of conducting FGDs, KIIs, data collection and analyzing, organising workshop, conference and also ability to work in a conflict setting arena- Max 15 points
• Criteria 4-Fluency in written and spoken English and Chittagonian language- Max 15 points
• Criteria 5-Working experience on UN agencies/donor agencies/national or international organizations; - Max 10 points

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks)

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below.

The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/

Where:

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Proposers who shall not submit below mentioned documents will not be considered for further evaluation.

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; P11 can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
• Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; b) a brief methodology, on how you will approach and complete the assignment, including a tentative table of contents for the final report; and c) a list of similar assignment with topic/name of the assignment, duration, role of consultant and organization/project
• Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.