Republic of Moldova

OHCHR National Minority Rights Consultant

Vacancy Number: Pr17/01525

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	25 Apr 2017, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	30 Apr 2017, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	01 May 2017
Reference to the project:	Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Expected Duration of Assignment:	May - December 2017, with a workload of up to 120 working days indicative
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online only, by following the “Apply online” link, no later than 25 April 2017. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: violeta.fetescu@one.un.org. UNDP will respond by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Personal History Form (P11) UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Background

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) represents the world's commitment to universal ideals of human dignity. It has a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights.

OHCHR in Moldova, led by the National Human Rights Coordinator, supports and advises the UN RC Office, United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Moldova, Government, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society and community groups in strengthening human rights and human rights based approach to development. The National Human Rights Coordinator is assisted in the accomplishment of this mandate by a team of staff and consultants.

According to the Country Note for the Republic of Moldova 2014-2017, the thematic priorities for interventions include: (1) countering discrimination, in particular racial discrimination, discrimination on the grounds of disability, religion, sexual orientation and other criteria; (2) combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; (3) strengthening the effectiveness of international human rights mechanisms and the progressive development of international human rights law and standards.

Scope of work

The Minority Rights Consultant under these Terms of Reference works under the guidance and supervision of the National Human Rights Coordinator, and in closest collaboration with other members of OHCHR team. The national consultant works in close collaboration with project partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders for the effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex program-related issues and ensuring information delivery.

Under the present Terms of References, the national consultant will:

Task 1: Assist in empowering and mobilizing for human rights action Moldova’s ethno-linguistic and religious minorities.

Human rights actions include a) independent monitoring over and reporting on human rights situation in Moldova, including to UN human rights treaty bodies and special procedures; b) meaningful and effective participation in development and advancement of national human rights policies and legislation; c) individual complaints and strategic litigation on cases of discrimination and other human rights violations to the relevant domestic and international bodies.     

Task 2: Facilitate OHCHR’s interaction with Moldova’s regions with high concentration of ethno-linguistic minorities, including autonomous region of Gagauzia and Taraclia district. In particular the consultant is expected to assist in connecting the mentioned regions to mainstream national human rights processes (such as development and implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan and other human rights policies), in developing the regional human rights actions plan(s) and mechanisms for their implementation, in raising awareness in the regions about the mandate and activities of the NHRIS - Ombudsperson’s Office and the Equality Council.     

Task 3: Assist in successful running of the mission of two minority rights officers from OHCHR Geneva in early May, by arranging the relevant appointments and providing informational support during this mission. 

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Requirements for experience

Education:

• University degree in law, human rights or other relevant discipline (Master’s degree – a strong advantage).

Experience:

• At least three years of professional experience at the national and/or international level in human rights work (work on minority rights – a strong advantage);
• Professional experience in work with minority groups, minority civil society organizations and/or minority community-based organizations;
• Experience of substantial engagement with UN human rights mechanisms (treaty bodies, special procedures, Universal Periodic Review, etc).

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written Russian and English (fluency in Romanian – a strong advantage);
• Knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, and Ukrainian, Romani or sign language is an asset.

Documents to be included

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Provide a detailed methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work.

2. Financial proposal;

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and the contact details of at least 3 reference persons.

Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are paid in equal installments and are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including fees, taxes, mobile phone calls, etc.).

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

 

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