Consultancy - Consultation, Research and Knowledge Resource on Parliaments and Hate Speech Governance Team/BPPS

Background

Hate speech and disinformation are now common around the globe. In countries with populist or authoritarian leanings, they are, in many circumstances, becoming the default modality for political discourse and campaigning. They have been blamed for deepening societal polarization, contributing to distrust in political institutions and discouraging public engagement of the vast majority of the population.

The impact of hate speech and disinformation on the political process is increasingly understood as contributing to violence and extremism, yet this causal path is wide-ranging and lacks understanding. For example, with the public debate moving increasingly online, the growing use of artificial personas – trolls and bots – poses broader governance and security concerns about online hate speech becoming a key vector for the undermining of democracy.

In an increasingly polarized world, political figures play a lead role in setting the tone for public debate, not only through policies but also discourse. Research shows that when politicians use hate speech, political violence increases.

 

As people’s representatives, parliaments and their members are increasingly compelled to embrace effective means of public engagement and communication, including social media and other digital platforms, to deliver on their mandates and to reach and interact with their constituents. To uphold their responsibility as SDG 16 institutions to promote peace and inclusion, parliaments need to be aware of the implications of both online and offline hate speech on social cohesion and societal violence and understand their roles and responsibilities in this regard. These go beyond legislating in the online and offline sphere in order to reduce hate speech which incites violence and includes also a responsibility to refrain from and condemn such rhetoric. These go hand in hand with the need for citizen education and promotion of positive rhetoric. Finally, parliaments must be aware of the broader social, political and security implications of the new challenges, opportunities and responsibilities presented to them by online hate speech.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

Under the supervision of the Team Leader, PVE and Hate Speech Focal Point, and Project Manager, WPS and Parliaments, the Consultant is expected to produce deliverables of the following scope

Expected outputs and deliverables:

Phase 1: Consultation and research for building a knowledge base on the relationship between parliaments and hate speech, and for building the capacity of parliaments to address hate speech

The Consultant will be responsible for the designing and conducting a consultation process that will inform a methodology for further research aimed at creating a systematic understanding of (1) the relationship between parliaments and hate speech; (2) the roles and responsibilities of parliaments, their members and political parties in addressing hate speech; and (3) knowledge and capacity needs of parliaments and those working with them.

 

The Consultant will be tasked with the conception, design and delivery of the consultation, while UNDP will be responsible for the logistics (providing the online platforms and infrastructure; where appropriate, liaising with the consultation participants).

Upon conducting consultation with relevant stakeholders and experts, the consultant will develop a methodology for research that may address aspects including, but not necessarily limited to:

• Governance and resilience of the parliamentary institution (including safeguards on the use and promotion of hate speech in parliament)

• The core parliamentary functions of:

  • Lawmaking, oversight and convening (including the knowledge and capacity of MPs and parliamentary administration to understand, debate and contribute to the regulation, legislation and oversight of hate speech, its factors and consequences)

  • Representation (including e.g. the rules of public engagement of members of parliament; ascertaining and advocating the needs of constituents; partnerships with the media and civil society)

• Parliamentary peacebuilding (including e.g. civic education on hate speech, and promotion of digital literacy and inclusiveness)

• Inter-parliamentary and other international initiatives (including e.g. good practice and intelligence sharing, voluntary commitments, or partnerships for training and capacity building)

• Political party practices (including e.g. codes of conduct and voluntary commitments)

The methodology should propose an approach to:

• systematizing and structuring the understanding of the relationship between parliaments and hate speech;

• identifying knowledge gaps around the roles and responsibilities of parliaments, parliamentarians and political parties with respect to hate speech

• identifying key knowledge and capacity needs among relevant actors (parliaments, parliamentarians, political parties), including gendered challenges and needs

• collecting the necessary information (e.g. through developing a list of sources; the design of consultation modality, information gathering tools and questions; and working with UNDP to identify consultation participants within national parliaments, parliamentary development organizations, academia, civil society, and other relevant organizations)

  Upon approval of the methodology by the UNDP team, the next phase will start.

Phase 2: Research on parliaments and hate speech.

The Consultant will implement the methodology by carrying out research and additional consultation(s) with the identified stakeholders and experts. This may be coupled with desk review of (1) current policies, practices and key documents around parliaments and hate speech, (2) existing research that captures the knowledge, information and capacity needs of parliaments in this area, (3) relevant existing guides and training tools.

 

The Consultant will work closely with UNDP to identify case studies, good practice examples and recommendations for action to be featured in the consultation and/or research exercise. The research should feed into the strategy for developing the MPs and parliaments’ capacity to address hate speech.

Phase 3: Development of knowledge and capacity building resources

Based on the outcomes of the research and consultation, the Consultant will be responsible for developing the following resources:

1. an issue brief on parliaments and hate speech with the objective of drawing attention to and promoting a better understanding of the relationship between parliamentary actors and hate speech among relevant actors (including but not limited to parliamentary development partners, UN system entities, civil society and academia)

2. a training resource which will serve as a basis for facilitated workshops for parliamentary actors on addressing hate speech. The exact format, structure and content of the resource will be determined and agreed on with UNDP based on information collected during the consultation.

Deliverables and payment schedule

Deliverable	Approval	Payment
1. Research methodology based on the outcome of the consultation	Team Leader, Project Manager	16%
2. Consultation and research report	Team Leader, Project Manager	32 %
3.Knowledge and capacity building resources (issue brief and training resource)	Team Leader, Project Manager	52 %

Activities and timelineThe following activities and timeframes are proposed for this assignment:

Activity	Approval	Completed by	Days
Develop and submit a detailed workplan for the assignment with corresponding timelines, including a methodology for consultation	Team Leader, Project Manager	March 22, 2021	1
Undertake the consultation as per the workplan approved by UNDP	Team Leader, Project Manager	April 7, 2021	9
Develop and submit a research methodology based on the outcomes of the consultation exercise	Team Leader, Project Manager	April 7, 2021	1
Undertake research as per the methodology approved by UNDP	Team Leader, Project Manager	May 7, 2021	20
Submit a report of the consultation and research	Team Leader, Project Manager	May 11, 2021	2
Based on the outcomes of the consultation and research develop and submit an outline of an issue brief on parliaments and hate speech and a training resource for building the capacity of parliaments to address hate speech	Team Leader, Project Manager	May 21, 2021	7
Develop and submit a first draft of the issue brief as per the outline approved by UNDP	Team Leader, Project Manager	June 1, 2021	5
Develop and submit a second, revised draft of the issue brief integrating feedback on the first draft	Team Leader, Project Manager	June 11, 2021	3
Develop and submit a first draft of the training resource per the outline approved by UNDP	Team Leader, Project Manager	June 25, 2021	10
Develop and submit a second, revised draft of the training resource integrating feedback on the first draft	Team Leader, Project Manager	July 12, 2021	10
			Total working days: 68

Payment schedule

The method of payment is output-based lump-sum scheme. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive lump sum and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the service provider in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.

Payments will be made upon satisfactory achieved deliverables under each output and submission of time sheet in accordance with number of days worked as per the following payment schedule:

Deliverables/Outputs	Number working days	Target Due date	Payment (% of total contract amount)
Deliverable 1 Research methodology document based on the outcome of the consultation	11	April 7, 2021	16%
Deliverable 2 Report of the consultation and research process	22	May 11, 2021	32%
Deliverable 3 Knowledge and capacity building resources (issue brief and training resource)	35	July 12, 2021	52%
Total			100%

All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor. Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

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 costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent. The provided living allowance will not be exceeding UNDP DSA rates. Repatriation travel cost from home to duty station in Bangkok and return shall not be covered by UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Knowledge of UN, including UNDP terminology, language and style.

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, and partner organizations:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Excellent understanding of international development issues and knowledge of the UN

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to write in a clear and concise manner;

• Demonstrated ability to organise and structure information;

• Some understanding of democratic governance and sustainable development, etc.

• Excellent analytical and writing skills demonstrating fluency in English language;

• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail;

• Ability to be flexible and respond to changes as part of the review and feedback process;

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in law, political science, social sciences, development or other relevant disciplines is required.

Experience:

• At least 7 years’ experience in good governance required.
• At least 3 years’ experience working on hate speech and/or related areas such as social cohesion, inter-group relationships, political violence or societal polarization required
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in designing and conducting similar research and analyses required.
• Experience holding multi-stakeholder consultations desirable.
• Experience drafting UN reports and knowledge products is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset

Application Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment.

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references; and

• A methodology (between 1-2 pages long) on how the Offeror will conduct the work including a proposed Work Plan and approach in delivering the required outputs within the assignment period.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager.

• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; (excluding mission travel); living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.

• This consultancy is a home-based assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel.

• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. 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

• If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

• The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weigh 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

• Criteria 1. Demonstrable experience in good governance including an excellent understanding of the parliamentary institution and strengthening; Maximum Points: 140
• Criteria 2. Demonstrable experience working on hate speech and/or related areas such as social cohesion, inter-group relationships, political violence or societal polarization - Maximum Points: 210.
• Criteria 3. Relevance of experience in designing and conducting similar research and consultation exercises Maximum Points: 140; and
• Criteria 4. Description of the Offeror’s approach and methodology meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Terms of Reference – maximum points: 210.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

• p = y (µ/z), 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

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional arrangement

The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of Team Leader, PVE and Hate Speech Focal Point, and Project Manager, WPS and Parliaments and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop.

Payment modality

• Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.

• The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e., on a 7 hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

 

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org 

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.