Contextual analysis and scoping study on legal awareness implemented by justice sector institutions - IC/JURE/2210/47

Consultant

Overview

Conduct analysis and develop a legal awareness strategy for justice institutions

You have:

• Attorney-at-Law and degree in law, criminology, human rights, social sciences, or related area
• At least minimum 10 years of progressive experience as a legal practitioner (official or unofficial bar)
• Proven experience in raising awareness on human rights and fundamental rights for at least 10 years
• Experience in conducting contextual analysis and/or contributing to analysis/studies relating to law
• Proven experience in actively engaging with multiple stakeholders including state and private sector actors
• Proficiency in spoken English and Sinhala/or Tamil and excellent writing skills in English
• Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

SPECIAL NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:

This specific Vacancy is managed via the new supplier portal system of UNDP which will in the future replace the online Job Application for Consultants / eTendering system currently in use. If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, you must subscribe following the instructions in the user guide. If you have not registered a profile with this new system, you can do so by following the link for Supplier Registration.

If you already have a supplier profile, please login to the Supplier Portal, then search for the negotiation using the reference number UNDP-LKA-00015, following the instructions in the user guide.

UNDP Sri Lanka’s Flagship Portfolio on SDG16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions brings together inclusive governance and peacebuilding work under one umbrella. The Portfolio is implemented by UNDP as part of its Country Programme and the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework and enables the provision of cohesive and integrated support to the Government of Sri Lanka.

Under this portfolio, UNDP in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a comprehensive Justice Reforms Programme (JURE Programme) supported by the European Union. The Programme contains a holistic package of support to the justice sector in Sri Lanka and is being implemented in close consultation and partnership with key justice sector institutions including the Judicial Service Commission, Ministry of Justice, Attorney General’s Department and Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka.

The overall objective is to contribute to an improved and responsive justice system in Sri Lanka. The specific outcomes intended to be achieved are as follows:

Outcome 1: Improved access to justice for all, in particular women, the poor and persons in vulnerable situations

Outcome 2: Improved accountability, transparency, and credibility of the justice system

Outcome 3: Improved efficiency and quality of justice

The project considers human rights and human rights-based approach, gender equality and women’s empowerment, public participation, quality data and data management, and partnership and innovation as crucial cross cutting themes, that will be adopted at each stage of the project interventions.

Background to the initiative

Awareness of the public on their rights, entitlements and legal protections available is a crucial component in improving access to justice. In light of this, UNDP in Sri Lanka seeks the support of a consultant to do a contextual analysis and scoping study of the institutions and the related rights, entitlements, and protection and remedial measures (including on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including fundamental rights) that need to be covered by a legal awareness strategy. At minimum the strategy needs to cover the Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Commission, Bar Association, Human Rights Commission (HRCSL), National Police Commission (NPC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Legal Aid Commission (LAC) and the National Authority for Victims of Crimes and Witnesses (NVWPA).

This analysis will provide the basis to develop a legal awareness strategy to be implemented across the justice sector, that will empower citizens to access justice. The strategy needs to target different segments of the community and must focus on creating customized awareness activities on rights, entitlements, and legal avenues available for citizens. The strategy will be implemented using innovative platforms and mechanisms ensuring outreach to those left furthest behind.

A. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

Objective

The objective of this assignment is to create the foundation/lay out the groundwork for a legal awareness strategy that could be implemented across the justice sector, which will lead to improved access to justice for all.

Scope of Services

The scope of services associated with this assignment can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. Conduct a contextual analysis and scoping study of the institutions and the related rights, entitlements, and protection and remedial measures (including on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including fundamental rights) that need to be covered by a legal awareness strategy

2. Conduct an analysis of the laws, rights, entitlements, duties that are timely and relevant to be prioritized for public awareness.

The analysis needs to assist the identification of the laws, policies, regulations, rights, entitlements, protection and remedial measures that need to be covered by the legal awareness strategy. The study needs to identify specific requirements that the strategy would need to consider in reaching out to vulnerable populations, including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.

This analysis needs to identify the existing (if any) strategies, approaches and methods used by the justice sector institutions to raise public awareness on their legal rights and avenues of redress. It also needs to identify any resource materials used (booklets, handouts, etc.) that have so far been developed and are accessible to the public.

The Independent Consultant is expected to propose their methodological approach to the analysis, with details of the number of focus group discussion, key informant interviews and consultative meetings that they will conduct to gather information for this analysis. At minimum the following stakeholders must be included into this discussion: Ministry of Justice, Attorney General’s Department, Legal Aid Commission, Bar Association, Human Rights Commission (HRCSL), National Police Commission (NPC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Legal Aid Commission (LAC), National Authority for Victims of Crimes and Witnesses (NVWPA), and Police. Different geographical areas need to be mandatorily covered to capture the needs of different stakeholders.

*The Individual Consultant is expected to collaborate with the Individual Consultant who will be hired to develop the strategy based on the findings of the study and the analysis. The Consultant is expected to brief he/she on the contextual analysis and scoping study.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expected deliverables

No.

Deliverable

% Out of All-Inclusive Lump Sum

Target date

1.

Inception report with the proposed methodology to conduct the contextual analysis and scoping study, including details of the focus group discussions, interviews and meetings

30%

05th November 2022

2.

Submit draft contextual analysis and scoping study for UNDP review and present the same to UNDP and the consultant working on the development of the strategy on legal awareness

30%

15th November 2022

3.

Present the findings to the relevant stakeholders

30%

05th December 2022

4.

Final contextual analysis and scoping study (English version with Sinhala and Tamil translations)

10%

15th December 2022

B. TIMEFRAME

The assignment should be completed within 2 months starting from October 2022 – December 2022.

C. CONSULTANT PROFILE

The prospective Consultant should have the following competencies and qualifications:

Competencies

A. Technical Competencies:

• Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities, skills, and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed.
• Respect for all persons: Consultant respects the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity.
• Language: Oral and written language skills in Sinhala and/or Tamil and English

B. Behavioural Competencies:

• Ability to be flexible and respond to feedback as part of the review process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people.
• Participate effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment with others.

C. 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Following are the minimum qualifications required for the selected consultant.

a) Academic qualifications

• Attorney-at-Law and degree in law, criminology, human rights, social sciences, or related area

b) Experience

• At least minimum 10 years of progressive experience as a legal practitioner (official or unofficial bar)
• Proven experience in raising awareness on human rights and fundamental rights for at least 10 years
• Experience in conducting contextual analysis and/or contributing to analysis/studies relating to law
• Proven experience in actively engaging with multiple stakeholders including the state and the private sector actors

c) Special skills

• Proficiency in spoken English and Sinhala/or Tamil and excellent writing skills in English
• Proven experience in working in a team

D. HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, you need to apply via the new supplier portal system of UNDP. Please subscribe following the instructions in the user guide. If you have not registered a profile with this new system, you can do so by following the link for Supplier Registration.

If you already have a supplier profile / after doing the registration, please login to the Supplier Portal, then search for the negotiation using the reference number UNDP-LKA-00013, following the instructions in the user guide.

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 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
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• FINANCIAL PROPOSAL as per the attached standard Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability

All Inclusive Lump Sum 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 Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) 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 per diem 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.

E. Evaluation Method and Criteria

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%) and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points)

Overall technical evaluation criteria:

Summary of Technical Proposal

Maximum Total Points

Part 1: Relevance of education

250

Part2: Relevance of experience (additional points for demonstrated experience in conducting similar studies and analysis)

250

Part 3: Soundness of the methodology

100

Part 4: Special skills (language)

100

Total

700

Details of evaluation criteria and marking scheme:

Part 1: Relevance of education:

No.Criteria

Maximum Points

1.1

Attorney-at-Law and degree in law, criminology, human rights, social sciences, or related area

250

Part 2: Relevance of experience in area of specialization:

No.

Criteria

Maximum Points

2.1

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience as a legal practitioner (official or unofficial bar)

150

2.2.

Proven experience in raising awareness on human rights and fundamental rights for at least 10 years

50

2.3

Proven experience in actively engaging with multiple stakeholders including the state and the private sector actors

50

2.4

Experience in conducting contextual analysis and/or contributing to analysis/studies relating to law

100

Part 3: Soundness of the methodology

No.

Criteria

Maximum Points

3.1

Alignment to TOR and strength of the approach

100

Part 4: Special skills

No

Criteria

Maximum Points

3.1

Fluency in Sinhala/Tamil and English

50

3.2

Proven experience in working in a team

50

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

I. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on work completed/ progress certified by the Senior Technical Specialist, of the JURE Project. The consultant would need to attach a progress report when requesting payment.

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org