Republic of Moldova

Team of 2 National Consultants on capacity building of national stakeholders in the implementation of the UNCRPD

Vacancy Number: Pr12/00252

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	23 Dec 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	01 Jan 2013
Reference to the project:	Joint UNCT for Human Rights Promotion and Protection Project
Expected Duration of Assignment:	18 months
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Now" button or by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org , no later than 23 December 2012. 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

In the Republic of Moldova, out of a total population of 3,559,54 there are more than 176,000 persons with disabilities.Despite the fact that within the last ten years the total number of population has decreased by 2%, the total number of persons with disabilities has increased by 20%. Mental and intellectual disabilities are among the leading areas of disability, occupying first five of ten positions. In 2010, approximately 60,000 persons were under psychiatric supervision. Of the total number of persons with disabilities in the country annual appreciation rate of primary disability is about 9%. Research indicates that persons with mental or intellectual disabilities constitute people who are vulnerable to exploitation, violence and abuse and other losses of human rights. During its first Universal Periodic Review (October 2011), Moldova committed to continue efforts to combat discrimination on grounds of disability. Also, the Government has committed to take active measures and remove legal and practical obstacles that prevent or limit the persons with mental or intellectual disabilities to fully exercise fundamental human rights on equal basis with others, as recommended by the Committee on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/MDA/2).

Challenges

Primary factors underlying the social exclusion of persons with mental and intellectual disabilities include: inadequate national legal and policy  framework contravening to the international standards of human rights, legislation permitting incapacitation on grounds of mental and intellectual disabilities in particular; social and attitudinal barriers to the exercise of human rights of persons with disabilities, in particular manifested unwillingness of the persons to make society more accessible for persons facing mental and intellectual disabilities; lack of support mechanisms for an independent and autonomous life in the community, which results into high occurrence of institutionalization and deprivation of liberty, often for long periods of time; systematic exclusion from mainstream education of children with mental or intellectual disabilities; lack of access to effective remedies for persons with mental or intellectual disabilities; weak or non-existent oversight and monitoring mechanisms for CRPD implementation; and non-existence of adequate peer support mechanisms and networks of (ex)users of psychiatry. Particular categories of disabled persons, including women, minorities and LGBT, may face multiple discrimination or exclusion.

Opportunities

The programme intends to build on and take advantage of the current achievements of the Republic of Moldova in advancing respect for the fundamental human rights and namely, through ratification of the CRPD in September 2010; strong political will to bring domestic law, policies and practices into line with international standards in the field of human rights of persons with disabilities, in particular as a result of ambitions for European integration; constructive dialogue between national authorities, broader engagement of civil society, social partners and representative organizations of persons with disabilities in addressing issues related to the rights of persons with disabilities.

On-going work the programme aims to build on

As a result inter alia of support from the UN family, in 2010, the Republic of Moldova ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Subsequent to ratification, UN agencies have worked extensively on supporting the effective implementation of the Convention, including:  the Parliament adoption of the Law on the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in late 2011. In November 2011, three ministries (Health; Justice; Labour, Social Protection and Family) initiated a Working Group to amend the Civil Code and provide supported decision-making according to CRPD Article 12 requirements.   Also in 2012, the Government agreed to decentralize psychiatric care and move to support in communities (Article 19), and this commitment is included in the national mental health program.  The Government launched in September 2011 the national programme of inclusive education targeting at educating all children together in general schools eliminating discrimination on grounds of disability.  In 2012, the Government adopted a comprehensive Law Ensuring Equality, inter alia for the first time establishing a requirement under domestic law of reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities; the UN is currently endeavoring to assist establishment of an equality body established under the Law.  There is evident Government commitment to implement in practice all the activities supported by UN in this project, creating a governmental action plan, resulting in adoption of legislation and policy documents by pillars in this submitted application. UNCT Moldova has also played a key facilitating role in bringing together civil society organizations first to support CRPD ratification, and now to examine options for the establishment of the CRPD Article 33(2) mechanism.

Scope of work

In order to achieve objectives the contractors shall:

• Support activities for creation and capacity building of (1) the CRPD implementation and (2) the independent monitoring mechanisms;
• Coordinate activities for building capacity of DPOs in participating and advocacy for their rights – for psychosocially disabled people to facilitate group meetings and DPO organization of users and survivors of psychiatry;
• Ensure an integrated and coordinated work in the social and health sectors for CRPD implementation;
• Support Ministry of Health in applying HR standards and integrated medico-social approach in health policies (assist the human rights and health working group in the MoH)
• Technically organize trainings on CRPD implementation, assist with the work administration and perform other tasks as required;
• One consultant will be selected as team leader and will coordinate the activities of the UNPRPD pillar on implementation of articles 33 and 29 in close collaboration with the human rights adviser (UNPRPD project coordinator). Basic management skills will be required from the team leader.

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

Requirements for experience

I.     Academic Qualifications:

• University or MA degree in Law, Education, Social Sciences or any other relevant field.

II.    Experience and skills:

• Minimum 5 years of proven professional experience in human rights, including familiarity with relevant international and regional human rights law;
• Profound knowledge of the UNCRPD;
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the national governance framework both at central and local level;
• Knowledge of the national institutional  and policy frameworks related to persons with disabilities;
• Minimum 2 years of proven experience in working with civil society, particularly with organizations working in the field of disability rights;
• Knowledge of international human rights standards and international recommendations for the Moldovan Government on the rights of persons with disabilities;
• Experience in drafting policy frameworks;
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building of national authorities and civil society;
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills;
• Good PC skills, ability to use the Internet;
• Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status.

III.   Language requirements:

• Fluency in Romanian, Russian and English. Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, and Romani, Ukrainian 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:

(i)    Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;

(ii)   Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable);

2. Financial proposal;

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

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 made 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.). The travel expenditures are to be approved in advance by the Project Manager and shall be covered from the Project budget.

 

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