International Consultant to conduct a review of educational programs, prepare recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights and deliver a two-day seminar for educators on the study of international experience

The Project “Assistance in the realization of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights for 2021-2025” consolidates the established constructive relationship between UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan in the implementation of the global Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030 (Agenda 2030) and the relevant SDGs adopted by Turkmenistan in September 2016.

The long-term goal of the Project is to assist the Government of Turkmenistan in the development of a system for the protection, promotion, and implementation of human rights in Turkmenistan by further improving the legislative framework in this area and its proper implementation in accordance with the country’s obligations under international treaties in the field of human rights and the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) for 2021 -2025.

The analysis of the NHRAP implementation for 2016-2020 provided some recommendations for the development of the subsequent Action Plan for the period 2021-2025, such as:

• expanding the role of civil society and the public during the plan development and implementation process;
• development of targets based on the achievements of the previous action plan, with particular attention to areas in which fewer achievements were recorded;
• development of qualitative indicators of progress and corresponding mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the plan;
• periodic review of the NHRAP to assess the level of implementation, gaps, and timeline, considering the possibility of amendments;

The Project “Assistance in the realization of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights for 2021-2025” aimed at strengthening the national system of protection, promotion, and realization of human rights in Turkmenistan by harmonizing laws and practices in accordance with the country’s international human rights obligations has three main components:

• Component 1: Assistance in the implementation and monitoring of the implementation of the activities of NHRAP for 2021-2025;
• Component 2: Studying international experience and building the capacity of members of the Interagency Commission for the preparation of national periodic reports to the UN human rights treaty bodies to fulfil Turkmenistan’s international obligations in the field of human rights;
• Component 3: Promotion of human rights education at various levels of educational institutions and professional training courses;

Following Component 3 of the project, this Terms of Reference lays out the goals and objectives set for an international consultant who in close cooperation with the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan, and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and Program Analyst, will:

1. Conduct a review of educational programs to prepare Recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and introduction of Master`s degree (LL.M) on Human Rights at the Faculty of International Law of the Institute of International Relations of MFA of Turkmenistan (IIR);
2. Develop an Agenda of a two-day workshop with the related materials, presentations, and handouts on the study of best international practices of integration educational materials on human rights education for Bachelor`s and Master’s degree programs for the workshop participants (faculty members of IIR and other Institutes and Universities, representatives of the Ministry of Education and members of Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring Compliance with Turkmenistan’s International Commitments in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IAC));
3. Conduct a two-day workshop on the study of best international practices of integrating human rights education to  the curriculum of Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree Programs in Turkmenistan;
4. Organize and conduct a debriefing session for the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan.
5. Provide UNDP with the Recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and Master`s degree programs of the IIR and other Institutes and Universities in Turkmenistan, as well as a report to reflect the results of the assignment for UNDP to further assist in the integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and Master`s degree programs of the IIR and other Institutes and Universities in Turkmenistan.

Results and Timing:

• A review of educational programs to prepare Recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights to curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and introduction of Master`s degree (Master`s degree) at the Faculty of International Law of the IIR conducted (11 days);
• An Agenda, related materials, handouts, and presentations for a two-day online workshop developed (4 days);
• A two-day workshop on the study of best international practices of integrating human rights education to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and Master`s degree Programs in Turkmenistan conducted (2 days);
• A debriefing session for the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan organized and conducted (1 day);
• Recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree Programs of the IIR including other Institutes and Universities in Turkmenistan, and a report to reflect the results of the assignment for UNDP to further assist in integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and Master`s degree Programs of the IIR and other Institutes and Universities in Turkmenistan prepared (2 days);

Location: home-based (online). Number of days: 20 days, October – November 2021.

Payment Conditions:

This is a lump sum contract that should include all costs required to produce the above deliverables. The payment shall be released via a bank transfer in one installment. 100% upon submission and UNDP formal acceptance of the deliverables mentioned above.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of and extensive experience working with National Human Rights Institutions;
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and communication skills;
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, in a clear style tailored to match the audience;
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Diplomatic skills;

Education:

• Master`s degree in international law, human rights;

Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels with National Human Rights Institutions, UN agencies and other international human rights organizations on education programs on human rights;
• Experience in working on reviewing implementation of the Recommendations of UN agencies or other international human rights organizations, developing Recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and Master`s degree Programs;
• Experience in capacity and institution building in international standards for the integration of educational materials on human rights in line with UN agencies` requirements;

Language requirements:

• Fluency in Russian and English.

Submission of applications:

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

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• A proposed methodology for the assignment with description of approaches for the development of Recommendations for the integration of educational materials on human rights to the curriculum of Bachelor`s degree and introduction of Master`s degree (LL.M) on Human Rights at the Faculty of International Law of the Institute of International Relations of MFA of Turkmenistan;
• Cover Letter which contains a brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form can be found at   http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html. The UNDP will enter an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amount. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
• Personal CV form including experience in similar projects and contact details of referees;

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant and
• Having received the highest score – out of 100 points.

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% – maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will consider the following as per the scoring provided:

• Master’s degree in international law, human rights – 15 pts;
• At least 10 years of working experience progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels with National Human Rights Institutions, UN agencies and other international human rights organizations on education programs on human rights – 30 pts;
• Methodology – 25 pts;
• Fluency in Russian – 20 pts;
• Fluency in English – 10 pts;

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians and shall be paid by the consultant.