Individual Consultant to Support Chapter 12 Commissions in Monitoring and Reporting of National Implementation of Zimbabwe’s Human Rights Obligations

Contract

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

Background

Background and Rationale

The establishment of the human rights treaty bodies and the evolution of the treaty body system is one of the greatest achievements in the efforts of the international community to promote and protect human rights. Treaty bodies are custodians of the legal norms established by the human rights treaties. Based on their legal commitments under the core international human rights treaties, States parties report periodically to the treaty bodies, which review legislation and policies and advise States on ways to achieve better compliance with human rights obligations. The reporting process was designed to be continuous and dynamic. States created the treaty body system and are the primary beneficiaries of its work. They bear the responsibility for implementing the substantive provisions of human rights treaties and ensuring that the system has a positive impact on the enjoyment of rights by individuals at the national level.

Regular periodicity of the reporting process and the national discussions and debates that should accompany the preparation and follow-up of reports is crucial to ensure the effective protection and promotion of human rights. Importantly, full compliance with reporting obligations facilitates continual follow-up and a focus on implementation. The Treaty body recommendations and general comments frequently constitute early warning and implementation guidance tools for States, provide an advocacy platform for national human rights institutions to contribute to a strong substantive basis for the UPR and the work of the Special Procedures.

Over the past decades, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have contributed to and participated in various aspects of the work of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and the UN human rights treaty bodies (TBs). One of the key responsibilities of NHRIs articulated in Part A.3. of the Paris Principles is the cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and the promotion of ratification of human rights treaties[1]. Such cooperation between the UN HRC, TBs and NHRIs can take the form of consultation and comments to the State Party report; drafting a NHRI report; planning and organizing consultations with CSOs regarding the work of the UN human rights mechanisms, including TBs; making oral presentations to the HRC, TBs and following-up on recommendations.

The Government of Zimbabwe has accelerated its international re-engagement approach with state party reporting increasingly becoming one of the strategies. As such, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Chapter 12 Commissions have a crucial role in encouraging the Government of Zimbabwe (and in many cases, helping them) to implement the recommendations generated by the mechanisms (alongside the recommendations of Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and relevant regional mechanisms).

The Chapter 12 Commissions contribute to addressing gaps between human rights standards and implementation, ensuring the rule of law, and fighting impunity primarily at the national level through monitoring of the environment and investigations . They then issue recommendations to the relevant institutions and follow up on those recommendations and hold authorities accountable with respect to their human rights obligations. Section 323 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe on Chapter 12 Commissions reporting to Parliament provide the Commissions with opportunities to make government accountable as parliamentarians are a useful channel of communication between the Chapter 12 Commissions and the government of Zimbabwe and help to ensure that their recommendations are properly considered by relevant public authorities.

The Chapter 12 Commissions occupy a unique role as interlocutor between Civil society and the State, helping mobilise and coordinate the monitoring and reporting efforts of domestic civil society. The UN Human Rights Council has recognised (e.g. in resolution 33/15) this role, encouraging NHRIs to ‘monitor, promote and support the implementation of accepted recommendations in their respective national contexts’. Any serious push to strengthen the implementation of recommendations from the UPR, TB, special Mechanisms, the chapter 12 Commissions themselves and to strengthen the credibility of the International and national Human rights systems by independently verifying implementation and impact, must leverage the unique role of NHRIs if it is to succeed. This means, building the capacity of NHRIs – including by exchanging good practice – so that they can better advocate for, monitor and report on the implementation of human rights recommendations.

Overall Purpose

To support the Chapter 12 Commissions in monitoring and reporting of national implementation of Zimbabwe’s International and domestic Human Rights Obligations and developing national capacities in, and knowledge of, the United Nations human rights system, in particular, the reporting process and the roles of different stakeholders therein; and in strengthening the capacity of Zimbabwe to fulfil its human rights reporting obligations and engage with (i) The Human Rights Councils Universal Periodic review, (ii) the United Nations human rights Treaty Bodies and (iii) the Human Rights Council’s Special mechanisms in a sustainable and meaningful way.

Objective

Support the Chapter 12 Commissions, particularly the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission in the monitoring of implementation of Zimbabwe’s International Human Rights Obligations and in the organization of the participation process with stakeholders and facilitation of consultative meetings, peer review, validation with any concerned parties.

Support the Chapter 12 Commissions in monitoring and reporting on implementation of Zimbabwe’s Domestic Human Rights obligations as highlighted in the Chapter 12 Commissions Annual Reports to Parliament.

Support the capacitation of the Chapter 12 Commissions, collection, compilation, analysis of information gathered on the Implementation of recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s International Human Rights Obligations.

The consultant will analyze the extent to which recommendations from the following human rights treaty bodies, international human rights mechanisms and Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures have been realized across thematic areas against the last report and observations, and factors enabling this as described in the treaty-specific guidelines:

• UPR;
• CEDAW;
• ICCPR;
• ICERD;
• ICESCR;
• CRC;
• CRPD;
• UNFCCC;
• Special Procedures Country visits.

Support the capacitation of the Chapter 12 commissions, collection, compilation, analysis of information gathered on the Implementation of recommendations emanating from the Chapter 12 Commissions themselves.

• the consultant will analyze the extent to which recommendations listed in the annual reports of each Chapter 12 commission have been realized across thematic areas;
• support the Chapter 12 Commissions in the drafting of a national progress report on the implementation of Chapter 12 commission recommendations as found in their Annual Reports to parliament.

Support the development of a toolkit for effective monitoring and reporting of the implementation of recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s International and Domestic Human Rights reporting obligations and visits by the HRC Special Procedures. In line with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’s publication “HUMAN RIGHTS INDICATORS: A Guide to Measurement and Implementation,[2]” The Toolkit should include a conceptual and methodological framework to translate human rights standards into universal indicators, and put forward guidance for monitoring a wide range of human rights. This approach assesses the links between policy cause and effect by examining how outcomes are correlated with underlying changes in structure and process.

The toolkit is also expected to address the following:

• role of Chapter 12 Commissions before, during and after reporting;
• strategies for Chapter 12 Commissions in preparing stakeholders report for Zimbabwe’s International Human Rights Obligations;
• strategies for the Chapter 12 Commissions on monitoring the implementation of the UPR recommendations;
• sther NHRI country experiences on the above.

Support the development of an Electronic dashboard that tracks implementation of recommendations including concluding observations emanating from human rights treaty bodies, Human rights Council, special procedures and from the Chapter 12 commissions themselves.

[1] GA Resolution 48/134, paragraph 3(d).

[2] https://www.ohchr.org/en/publications/policy-and-methodological-publications/human-rights-indicators-guide-measurement-and

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and Methodology

The consultant will implement the following tasks:

• Support the capacitation of the Chapter 12 commissions, collection, compilation, analysis of information gathered on the implementation of recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s International Human Rights Obligations;
• Support the capacitation of the Chapter 12 commissions, collection, compilation, analysis of information gathered on the Implementation of recommendations emanating from the Chapter 12 Commissions themselves;
• Draft a progress report [and associated abridged progress reports] on the implementation of recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s International Human rights reporting obligations and visits by the HRC Special Procedures Conduct;
• Draft a progress report [ and associated abridged progress reports] on implementation of recommendation emanating from the Chapter 12 commissions as highlighted in their Annual Reports to Parliament;
• Develop a toolkit for effective monitoring and reporting of the implementation of recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s International Human rights reporting obligations and visits by the HRC Special Procedures by the Chapter 12 Commissions;
• Develop an Electronic dashboard that tracks implementation of recommendations including concluding observations emanating from human rights treaty bodies, Human rights Council, special procedures and from the Chapter 12 commissions themselves.

Roles and Responsibilities

• ZHRC, the Chapter 12 taskforce and UNDP will oversee and guide the consultant. The assessment will be directly managed by the Chapter 12 taskforce and UNDP Team Leader Governance with support from the UN Spotlight Initiative inter-agency technical team;
• The Chapter 12 taskforce will be responsible for convening, coordinating and supporting the assessment in close collaboration with their commissions and other Justice Actors as well as other key national partners;
• UNDP will be responsible for convening, coordinating and supporting the assessment in close collaboration with the PUNOS Technical Coordination Unit;
• Consultant needs to comply with global and local PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) guidelines and standards.

Deliverables

• Inception Report (work plan & associated field work budget, Development of Ch.12 Commissions Task force, Details on Methodology to be followed, Bibliography of policies and other relevant documents reviewed, and Quality assurance and risk management strategies);
• Inception Meeting (Facilitation of inception meeting, of inception report, and Documentation of discussions and outcomes);
• Collection and Analysis (collection and analysis of missing/new information and data related to each instruments);
• Drafting of Progress report [And abridged progress report] (drafting of the report and in the organization of the participation process with stakeholders and facilitation of consultative meetings, peer review, validation with any concerned parties).
• Draft progress report and toolkit (Draft Progress Report, Toolkit & E-dashboard);
• Validation (Final Validated Progress Report & Toolkit);
• Launch (Launch of the Progress Report & E- dashboard on Zimbabwe’s Implementation of Recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s participation in the International Human Rights obligations they are party to).

Timing, Duration

The Assignment is expected to be completed in 60 working days over a period of 3 months.

Milestone Payment Schedule

• 30% upon completion of Inception Meeting and Submission of Inception Report outlining work plan & associated field work budget, Development of Ch.12 Commissions Task force, Details on Methodology to be followed, Bibliography of policies and other relevant documents reviewed, and Quality assurance and risk management strategies;
• 30% upon submission of Draft Progress Report, Toolkit & E-dashboard;
• 30% upon submission of Final Validated Progress Report & Toolkit;
• 10% upon Launch of the Progress Report & E-dashboard on Zimbabwe’s Implementation of Recommendations emanating from Zimbabwe’s participation in the International Human Rights obligations they are party to.

Competencies

• Commitment to UN core values, particularly human rights;
• Proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals;
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• Ability to work under pressure against strict deadlines;
• Ability to present complex issues persuasively and clearly;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in the field of human rights, international development, or law.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in the field of human rights;
• Extended knowledge and experience on the UPR, Treaty Body and Special Mechanisms processes;
• Experience of developing effective human rights monitoring mechanisms and tools;
• Working experience with human rights institutions and civil society organizations;
• Demonstrated professional capacity and experience in facilitating consultative processes with government, development partners and civil society at both national and regional levels.

Language:

• Good written and verbal communication in English.

Application Procedure

Interested Individuals are requested to submit a proposal on this platform which includes the following:

• A CV highlighting the relevant experience;
• A technical proposal showing how the task will be undertaken;
• Financial proposal and budget breakdown based on expected daily rates and initial work plan.

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

Incomplete applications will not be given consideration.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the ToR.

• Technical Criteria weight: 70%;
• Financial Criteria weight: 30%.

Selection Criteria

Technical Evaluation: Constitutes 70% of total evaluation:

Note: Only candidates who have obtained a minimum of 70 points (70%) on the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation: Constitutes 30% of total evaluation.

Please submit an all-inclusive lump sum price based on a daily fee. Financial proposals must be all inclusive and must be expressed in USD. The term "all inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred in discharging this assignment should be factored into the financial proposal.