National Consultant _ Advancing the Rights of LGBTQ + people in Lao PDR through non-discrimination law and policy (Lao nationality applicant only)

UNDP
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP Lao PDR
UNDP in Lao PDR works with the Government to build on the impressive progress in economic growth and poverty reduction that has been made over the past two decades. The proportion of poor people has dropped from 46 percent in 1992 to 23 percent of the population in 2015, and annual growth rates are above 7%.
However, these achievements have been accompanied by widening gaps between rich and poor, women and men, ethnic groups, and residents of different regions of the country. Poverty and near-poverty remain widespread in rural areas, standing at nearly three times the rate of that in urban areas. Ensuring that growth is achieved with equity and benefits poor people is central to UNDP’s role in assisting the country in a smooth graduation from Least Developed Country status.

Governance Unit, UNDP Lao PDR
The UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2017 – 2021) approved by the UNDP Executive Board is currently being implemented. The Country Programme is anchored in its four broad priority pillars – Inclusive Growth and reduced inequality, support to UXO institutions for clearance eventually leading to achieving the national SDG 18, building resilience and environmental sustainability and capable and more responsive Governance. UNDP’s Governance support focuses on 6 core areas of work reflecting the national priorities of the Government of Lao
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PDR: 1) Public administration reform to improve people’s equitable access to social services, 2) Strengthening the legal/justice sector and the rule of law, 3) Enhancing People’s Participation Through Community Radio, 4) Enhancing people’s participation in the decision-making process, 5) Ending violence against women and gender-based violence, and 6) Report to international mechanism on Human Rights of Person with Disabilities.

Right of LGBTI Persons
As part of the ‘Being LGBTI in Asia’ programme’, a regional programme based in the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, UNDP will introduce the programme in Lao PDR for the first time in 2021. UNDP Lao PDR will contribute to advancing good governance for the protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ people by first aiming to promote LGBTI diversity and inclusion (D&I) in business, as a key entry to point to combatting discrimination against LGBTI people.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Governance Unit, and overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, the National Consultant will be responsible for delivering research and multistakeholder dialogues on promoting LGBTI D&I in business, and developing a strategy for the advancement of the right of LGBTI people in Lao PDR for the next 2-3 year period, which will guide UNDP’s work in this area.
The National consultant will work in close collaboration with other members of the Governance Unit of UNDP Lao PDR, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, other bilateral Development Partners, civil society, and enterprises. Specific partners include the Ministry of Justice, and the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University of Laos.

Summary of the Key Functions:
– Pilot the adoption of the UN standards of conduct for business of the rights of LGBTQI+ people with selected businesses and report on experiences of pilots
– Develop a roadmap to the national policy and legislation on non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through consultation with national stakeholders
– Establish a long-term strategy for the advancement of LGBTQI+ rights in Lao PDR.

Task 1: Develop a a tool for inclusion of LGBTQI+ persons in businesses and workplace to be adopted by selected enterprises.
• Conduct research and review of the regulatory framework to identify possibilities of advancing incremental or comprehensive approaches to non-discrimination law to protect the rights of LGBTI people in the workplace, and to inform development of an LGBTI inclusion manual for Lao businesses.
• Conduct a survey on the on the experiences of LGBTI persons in business settings, including in recruitment and in workplace environments.
• Organize a business case studies on efforts pilot use of the manual developed and present at a consultative workshop.
• Ensure coordination with the relevant partners and the complementarity of stakeholders’ activities in direct relation with the activities described therein.

Task 2: Assist in the Roadmap on strengthening the national law and policy on non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
• Monitor the organization for the National dialogue with relevant stakeholders including policy makers, businesses, and representatives from marginalized and vulnerable groups on developing a Roadmap to non-discrimination law and policy in Lao PDR.
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• Provide technical assistance to develop the roadmap on strengthening the national law and policy on anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

Task 3: Develop strategic plan for advancing the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Lao PDR
• Consult Lao CSOs to identify priority areas in the advancement of the rights of LGBTQI+ people and develop a sustainable strategic plan.

Expected places of travel: Some limited travel around Vientiane Capital for community consultation and outreach.

PROVISION OF MONITORING & PROGRESS CONTROL

The consultant will be expected to submit a detailed work plan based on the TOR on which monitoring and progress will be evaluated throughout the assignment, including through weekly meetings. They will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the UNDP Head of Governance Unit.

*  Skilled usage of computers and office software packages

*  Fluent in English and Lao

* Master Degree’s or equivalent in: Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, Human Rights, Development Studies or another relevant fields

* At least 5 years of relevant experience in Lao PDR in advocating for the LGBTQI +

Requirements for submission of proposals:

All interested and qualified National Independent Consultant should apply on-line using the following links:

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html  or 

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available on the link below

1. TOR (Annex I)
2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II;
3. OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III
4. P11 Form

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

1. Financial Proposal as per Annex III “OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY” 

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

(ii)        Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable;

        2. P11 Form  Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services;

       Note: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Please refer to the payment terms  on section IX of the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. UNDP accept travel costs not exceeding of an economy class air ticket.

Instructions for on-line submissions:

1. Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically;
2. Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF file, however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above at one time;
3. Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected.