International Consultant to Support the Development of the seventh Lao PDR’s State Party Report on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the CRC Optional Pro

Contract

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UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, support

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an Individual Consultancy: International Consultant to Support the Development of the seventh Lao PDR’s State Party Report on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the CRC Optional Protocols. The duration of this assignment is 35 working days spread over the period Oct 2022 to Feb 2023. The consultant can work remotely as necessary with 1 mission to Lao PDR for stakeholder meetings/consultations with the DPs. If the consultant cannot travel to Lao PDR for any reason, especially due to the COVID -19 pandemic, the consultant can participate the meeting/consultation remotely.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the International Consultant will work closely with the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and will work in close consultation with the NCAWMC and the national consultant (if available) to support the CRC report development process.

The consultant will have key accountabilities, duties and tasks are as follows:

Task 1: Complete a desk review of up-to-date information on the Government’s implementation of the CRC and its two Optional Protocols, including specific actions taken to implement the recommendations in the Committee’s previous concluding observations to Lao PDR in 2018. This will involve reviewing of the legislation and concerned literature; collecting and compiling inputs from relevant government counterparts, other key stakeholders and other relevant source from regional and global level.

Outputs 1: Desk review of up-to-date information, data document, research or study reports.

Task 2: Review and improve the draft 7th Lao PDR’s State Party Report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with the harmonized reporting obligations under the Convention. This will involve collecting and compiling comments/inputs from the government counterparts (especially the NCAWMC), development partners, UN agencies, INGOs/CSOs and children; and drafting and revising successive versions of the report to completion

Outputs 2: Lao PDR’s State Party Report (treaty-specific report) to the Committee on the Rights of the Child drafted in line with the harmonized reporting obligations under the Convention updated.

Task 3: Participate in a national consultation workshop (off-line or online), especially with the development partners, to discuss, review and input on a draft Lao PDR’s State Party Report on the two Optional Protocols to the CRC to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Meet with the individual organizations and partners (off-line or online) as needed for the finalization of the draft report. This will involve participating, collecting and compiling comments/inputs from consultations workshops and focused groups meetings.

Output 3: Data/information gathered and analysed through meetings or discussion with relevant stakeholders or informants. Draft report revised or finalized based on comments, inputs and recommendation from consultation workshop and individual meetings.

Task 4: Update the information in the Common Core document in accordance with the harmonized reporting obligations under the Convention including: general information about the State Party, the general framework for the protection and promotion of human rights, and information on non-discrimination, equality and effective remedies.

Output 4: Common core document updated and finalized in line with the harmonized reporting obligations under the Convention.

Task 5: Analyse and define key priority information and gaps issues related to the 7th Lao PDR’s State Party Report and Common Core document.

Output 5: key priority information and gaps issues of 7th Lao PDR’s State Party Report and Common Core document were collected and compiled

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in law, human rights, child rights, social sciences, social development or related field
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in conducting policy and legislative analysis in the field of human rights and/or child rights
• Demonstrated knowledge of the CRC reporting process and prior experience in supporting governments to develop and draft treaty-specific reports
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills and ability to establish good working relationship with the Government
• Excellent analytical and writing skills

Knowledge and Skills

• Solid knowledge of the human rights, child rights, social sciences, social development or related field
• Proven previous experience in writing high quality CRC report or related report.
• Knowledge of the country and the regional context is an asset

Competencies

• Analyzing
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Applying technical expertise

Languages

Excellent communication and write skills in English. (Evidence of prior write ups would be an asset).

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)

Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including:

• Consultancy fee for the entire duration of the assignment
• International travel to/from Lao PDR (if applicable). The travel cost shall be based on the most direct and economical fare
• Living costs

The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment -as part of the financial proposal submission.

The deadline for applications is 8 September 2022

Assessment Criteria:

A two-stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

Applications shall therefore contain the following required documentation:

1. Technical Proposal, including a cover letter, updated CV, and copies of 2 relevant evaluations performed earlier by the consultant.

2. Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown: Consultancy fee, travel costs (economy class), per-diem to cover lodging, meals, and any other cost related to the consultant's stay in Vientiane, including transportation inside the city and other costs. The travel (if involved) shall be based on the most direct and economy fare.

No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment:

a) Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %

• Advanced education degree. (30 points)
• 10 years of relevant experience in conducting policy and legislative analysis in the field of human rights and/or child rights (40 points)
• knowledge of the CRC reporting process and prior experience in supporting governments to develop and draft treaty-specific reports (30 points)

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Please find the TOR here: ToR International Consultant for VA.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.