The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh provides for the protection of human rights of all citizens. The rights to life, to liberty, to be treated in accordance with law, and to equality and non-discrimination are the fundamental human rights principles set out in the constitution, as are a range of civil and political rights. Key economic, social and cultural rights are also provided for as matters of state policy. In addition, to these national guarantees, Bangladesh is a party to the core international human rights treaties.

In this backdrop, important gains for human rights have been made in recent years. A number of statutory bodies are functioning as effective human rights watchdog mechanisms with much greater authority and independence than before. Social protection schemes have been extended to the majority of extreme poor. Legislations have been promulgated by the parliament to tackle domestic violence and sexual harassment as well as prevention of torture in custody and ensured access to legal aid for the poor and vulnerable justice seekers. New legislation to improve the protection of the rights of children and person with disabilities have also been enacted in line with the provisions of the relevant human rights instruments.

Bangladesh is a State party to all major international human rights instruments, including the Convention against Elimination of the Racial Discrimination, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); the Convention against Torture (CAT); and two of its optional protocols; the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and its optional protocol; the International Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (UNCAT); and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Encouragingly, Bangladesh has also ratified the Rome Statute (International Criminal Court) on 22 March 2010 and the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW) on 24 August 2011.

Engagement with treaty bodies is an integral component of ensuring the realization of human rights at the national level. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has sought the assistance of UNDP to build the capacity of MoFA to improve capacity for treaty body reporting based on the international conventions being ratified and signed by Bangladesh.

Scope of works: the scope of work would be focused on relevant reporting and review of Bangladesh’s initial state party report under several international conventions and treaty where the state part initial and next reporting is due. Until now Bangladesh has submitted its state party reports on most of the core human rights treaties and protocols. Bangladesh ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in September 2000. In 2014 UNDP supported MoFA to conduct the initial state party reporting on ICCPR. In this course, UNDP to provide support to MoFA in conducting follow-up to the periodic state party reporting of the HRC on ICCPR in 2022

• The main scope of work is to conduct technical facilitation towards preparing responses and state party review reporting on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
• The consultant will conduct the literature review and prepare questionnaire for the state party reporting, facilitate to conduct inter-ministerial meetings and civil society consultations and based on that will draft periodic report.
• The consultant will present the draft report to MoFa and UNDP. Based on the feedback provided by MoFA and UNDP on the draft report the consultant will finalize the report and submit.

In this course, Bangladesh will submit its state party reporting for ICCPR accordingly to the treaty bodies.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and ability to writing report is required.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Familiar with and shares the vision of human development as laid out in the flagship HDR series.

Functional Competencies:

• Encourages Knowledge Sharing and Learning.
• Disseminates specialized knowledge and experience.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on result for the client;
• Has demonstrable leadership skill;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Note: The individual consultant who does not meet the above eligibility criteria shall not be considered for further evaluation. Necessary documentation must be submitted to substantiate the above eligibility criteria.

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Evaluation Criteria Details

Max Score

Max weight

1

Educational qualifications

10

10%

2

Proven experiences in international law/human rights/treaty body reporting/ international dispute resolution, peace, and conflict.

25

25%

3

Relevant working experience on the international human rights standards/concepts of gender mainstreaming/ civil and political rights/economic, cultural, and legal rights of Bangladesh/Developing Countries.

25

25%

4

Prior experiences of working with UN agencies or international agencies and GoB

10

10%

Financial Evaluation

30

30%

Total

100 points

100%

Duration of the Work and Duty Station:

The assignment is for a total of 40 working days from its commencement, between October and December 2022. However, considering the current covid-19 global pandemic the timelines may be adjusted. The workstation would be based at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and if required at UNDP Country Office, Bangladesh.

Expected outputs/ deliverables:

The consultant should produce all deliverables by the dates. MoFA in collaboration with UNDP will take 2-3 working days to review the draft document and share feedback with the consultant. 

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 regulated by UNDP’s rules and regulations and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Payment Milestone linked with deliverables: