Universal Periodic Review Report Consultant

Result of Service II. Objective of the Consultancy

Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator and technical guidance from OHCHR, the Consultant will draft the report on the basis of information provided by UN agencies, funds and programmes as per Annex I. The work of the Consultant will be supported by the Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) as necessary.

The consultant will provide a draft report to the UNCT based on information contained in UN reports, studies, documentary evidence as provided by UN agencies, funds and programmes, complimented by research on the human rights situation in Bahrain. The consultant will draw as necessary to provide sufficient analysis of the implementation status, identify challenges and new developments, including any emerging issue that may have not been covered by the previous UPR as well as issues raised by other mechanisms. The draft report will be consulted and approved by the UNCT as a whole and will be based on OHCHR guidelines for UN contributions regarding the UPR of the Human Rights Council provided in Annex II. Specific considerations to the format are as follows:

• Length - Report to prepared as a Word document must not exceed 5630 words. The cover page, endnotes and annexes will not be counted within the word/page limits of contributions.
• Use of endnotes - Only use endnotes to reference information. Endnotes should not include any substantive information therein.

• Numbering paragraphs and pages - For ease of reference, paragraphs and pages should be numbered.

  Work Location Bahrain/Online

  Expected duration 20 days consultancy during the period 20 February to 30 March

  Duties and Responsibilities I. Background

Human Rights are at the heart of the work of the United Nations. Within its broad mandate, the United Nations supports national systems for the promotion and protection of human rights, promoting and applying a human rights-based approach to development and engaging with the international human rights machinery. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Bahrain has been providing critical support to Bahrain in facilitating the implementation and observance of universal standards of human rights, fulfilling country reporting obligations, as required under the respective UN human rights conventions, and follow up to treaty body recommendations.

Established by UN General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 3 April 2006, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states. The UPR is a process driven by member states, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council (HRC), which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) services the mechanism from its headquarters in Geneva.

In April 2008, Bahrain was reviewed in its first UPR cycle by the UPR Working Group, where out of a total of 12 recommendations were received, of which Bahrain supported 9 recommendations and noted 3. In May 2017, Bahrain was subsequently reviewed in its second UPR cycle, where out of a total of 176 recommendations were received, of which Bahrain supported 145 recommendations and noted 31. In May 2017, Bahrain was reviewed in its third UPR cycle, where out of a total of 175 recommendations were received, of which Bahrain supported 139 recommendations and noted 36 (see Annex I for all recommendations).

Bahrain will be reviewed in November 2022 for its fourth UPR cycle. As such, the UNCT in Bahrain has been invited by OHCHR to prepare a report on the implementation status of the UPR recommendations in Bahrain.

The UNCT report will be considered an official United Nations document and publicly available. An international consultant is needed to support this process and the drafting of the report.

The UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) will ensure the overall supervision of the Consultant's work and technical guidance from OHCHR; liaising with UN staff and UNCT members during implementation of this assignment. The consultant will work from distance (online) with a possibility of travel to the country of assignment (Manama) if required. All logistical arrangements to Bahrain will be arranged by the RCO during the duration of the contract.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in human rights, international law, development studies or related field is requried. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: At least five years of professional experience in the area of human rights, international law or international development is required.

Previous experience working in a United Nations common system organization, international organization or non-governmental organization/projects on similar assignment is desirable.

Specific Expertise and Skills:

Good knowledge of the legal and institutional/policy framework of Bahrain, as it relates to its international human rights obligations.

Efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Strong analytical and drafting skills. Language: Excellent analytical writing and oral presentational English is required. Fluency in spoken and written Arabic is desirable.

Additional Information About the travel: In the case of a mission to Bahrain is assessed feasible given the travel constrains due to the Covid-19 pandemic, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging, and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, according to the rules and regulations of the United Nations.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.