Individual Consultant (National Or International) to roll out training programmes on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and broader Business and Human Rights Issues – Reference No. IC/BHR/2021/63

In recent years, a rich dialogue has emerged around the role that businesses play in shaping our environment, well-being and security. On one hand businesses are celebrated for their contributions to sustainable development through various initiatives and on the other, there are instances where businesses have been criticized for promoting harmful behaviour, contributing to environmental degradation and putting profits before human dignity.

In recent months, this split-screen view of businesses has intensified as the COVID-19 crisis raises new questions about the role of business in times of crisis, and the conditions within which large corporations are responding under stress, through their business decisions.

Even before the COVID-19 virus grew into a pandemic, the regulatory landscape was rapidly changing. Governments had been passing legislation requiring large corporations to report on their human rights risk profile. Stock exchanges and securities regulators were already demanding greater transparency on non-financial risks. Litigation in some jurisdictions was already leading to greater levels of liability for companies operating in third world countries.

In this context, there has been a rejuvenated campaign to clean business operations and global supply chains of irresponsible behaviour. Consumers, shareholders, and investors are demanding that enterprises do more to minimize harms and maximize social dividends not only in times of economic expansion, but also as a response to present and future crisis. For this reason, there has been a significant push to make human rights due diligence practice mandatory for all businesses.

Programme background

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the socio-economic fallout that has followed in its wake, there are increased calls for a renewed commitment to decent work, environmental protections, rights to land and livelihood, and the rights of migrants, women, and indigenous peoples, under the framework provided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

Widely recognized as the world’s most authoritative, normative framework guiding responsible business practice, the UNGPs outline the roles and responsibilities of government and business to prevent and address human rights abuses in business operations. Among other things, the UNGPs provide that both government and business should ensure access to remedy to those individuals and groups that have suffered adverse impacts on their human rights in the context of business operations. Under the third pillar of the UNGPs, access to remedy can involve a range of remedies and processes, including judicial and non-judicial processes.

The EU-supported, Business and Human Rights in Asia: Enhancing Sustainable Economic Development under the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework (B+HR Asia) project facilitates the implementation of the UNGPs in 7 countries in Asia including, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

For responsible business practices to truly gain traction in Sri Lanka as elsewhere, the state and business must play their respective roles. Thankfully, the roles and responsibilities of the state and businesses have been clearly articulated by the UNGPs. Ensuring the UNGPs are understood more widely by people in policy circles and with decision making authority is a matter of first instance.

Scope and Objectives

Against this backdrop, UNDP Sri Lanka would like to roll out 02 training programmes on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to:

1. Raise awareness on the UNGPs and the broader Business and Human Rights agenda amongst key stakeholders – targeting primarily Government, Non-Government stakeholders and the business community.  
2. Create dialogue around how the UNGPs can be practically adopted in the Sri Lanka context and identify drivers as well as barriers to the B+HR agenda and move forward securing buy-in towards a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights being initiated (through group discussions as a part of the training).

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Submission of inception report with a detailed description of the work plan, timeline, partnerships that may require to complete the deliverables and possible challenges. The inception report should include a clear action plan to roll out the trainings, including how Government and Business partners will be reached and included as a part of the training.

*If the candidate is an international, they would be required to partner with an individual / local organization to ensure local language             requirements are met and trainings are contextualized.

• Rolling out of the training programmes with a minimum of 25 participants from the Government sector (ranging from high level to mid- level officials) and other.
• Submission of final report with results from post and pre training survey given to participants together with findings and recommendations that can inform future trainings of this nature.

Management Arrangements

The consultant will directly work with the Business & Human Rights Specialist UNDP while reporting to the Programme Manager UNDP.

Duration of Contract

The assignment duration would be 03 months: September 2021 – December 2021.

Technical, partnership and behavioural competencies

• A good understanding of the governance structure and functioning of Ministries.
• Strong background in human rights, and business and human rights and other issues.
• Experience conducting trainings of this nature with the Government and other actors.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, while also collaborating as part of a team.
• Proven networking, team building, organizational and communications skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with relevant government partners and other implementing agencies.
• Excellent verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Takes initiative and calculated risks and follows up regularly to drive successful implementation.
• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Human Rights, Economics, Political Science, or other Social Sciences, or closely related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of experience working on Business and Human Rights related issues, in policy, research or practice areas.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in training for government and other actors such as businesses and civil society actors.
• Proven experience in coordinating and arranging logistics for workshops/events.
• Previous experience with UNDP and other UN agencies is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Sinhala or Tamil is required.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points)

Overall technical evaluation criteria:

Details of evaluation criteria and marking scheme:

Part 1: Relevance of Education:

Part 2: Relevance of experience in area of specialization

Part 3: Special skills

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

How to Apply

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation, and overall suitability to this TOR.
• Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer, and a brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: [email protected] stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum amount: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Please refer the below link to access the template

• Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e., upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diem and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on work completed/ progress certified by the Business & Human Rights Specialist / Programme Manager UNDP. The consultant would need to attach a progress report / field travel costs (receipts) if applicable, when requesting payment. 

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and Qualified women are encouraged to apply.