Terms of Reference for the Organization of Staff Capacity Building Training on Human Rights Monitoring for the technical staff of the Commission

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission

1           Introduction

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is a national human rights institution established in accordance with Article 55(14) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) through Proclamation No 210/2000. The establishing law gives the EHRC extensive mandates to promote, protect and work towards the realization of human rights in Ethiopia. The Commission is a young institution building its capacity so that it can meet its mandate of promotion and protection of human rights in Ethiopia. For this purpose the Commission is supported by the Government and is one of the beneficiaries of the Democratic Institutions Programme (DIP).

 The Democratic Institutions Programme (DIP) is a five-year, multi-donor program in support of the PASDEP theme goal to develop a fully operational democratic, accountable and responsive constitutional federalism, ensuring citizens empowerment and participation. The intended outcome of the programme is to enhance the overall capacity of the Commission and make it compatible with international standards for national human rights institutions including the Paris Principles.

Recognizing the need to ensure that staff responsible for the design and implementation of programs keeps abreast of developments in key areas of human rights theory and practice, the EHRC has scheduled a series of trainings and workshops to be implemented in the year 2009. One of the activities that the EHRC has planned to undertake under the DIP is a professional human rights monitoring training for the staff of the Commission.

2          Background and Justifications

The EHRC is a key human rights actor responsible for promoting, protecting and enforcing the fundamental rights of citizens and peoples of Ethiopia as enshrined in the FDRE Constitution and international human rights instruments. It is thus axiomatic that the design and implementation of the Commission’s programs as well as organizational decision-making be guided by the values, principles and normative standards of human rights. In line with its organizational vision, mission and values the EHRC particularly strives towards:

-        enhancing the capabilities of rights-holders to claim their rights through a participatory and empowering programming and governance framework;

-        building the capacities of key actors responsible for the realization of human rights through partnership across sectors and levels of intervention; and,

-        contributing towards addressing the structural causes of non-realization of recognized rights.

Successful undertaking of these essential tasks calls for, among other things, a shared understanding of the international and national human rights frameworks in Monitoring Human Rights.

3          Objectives

The general objective of the assignment is to equip the staff of the Commission with a professional knowledge and skill in human rights monitoring.

Within this general objective, the specific objectives of the planned training on HRM are:

-        Building consensus on conceptions and applications of Human Rights Monitoring approaches among staff of the EHRC;

-        Enhancing the capacity of EHRC staff to design and implement Human Rights Monitoring  in their respective areas of responsibility.

-        Facilitating the development of an organizational policy document on Human Rights Monitoring relevant to the institutional and operational context of the EHRC through a participatory process;

-        Identifying potential challenges and opportunities in the adoption and implementation of a Human Rights Monitoring tool within the EHRC.

The training is also expected to lay the basis for and contribute towards planned organizational development activities such as development of operational manuals for complaints handling and code of ethics for the staff. In general, the training would contribute towards strengthening the capacity of the EHRC and ultimately enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact of its programs.

4          Scope

The assignment involves conducting/facilitating a participatory training on Human Rights Monitoring that would assist the Commission use accurate information in its impartial monitoring role. The organization engaged for the purpose would thus be expected to conduct the following tasks:

-        Review of the conceptual understanding of Human Rights Monitoring approaches among key international, regional and national human rights institutions.

-        Identifying the basic features and characteristics of good practice in the adoption and implementation of a Human Rights Monitoring tools for regional and international human rights institutions with particular emphasis on national human rights institutions; and,

-        Coming up with concrete proposals for the development of a Human Rights Monitoring tool for the EHRC relevant to its organizational profile and operational context.

5          Training Schedule and Proposed Thematic Focus

Based on the outcome of the above tasks, a training workshop will be organized. The overall duration of the training workshop shall be a maximum of Seven days and shall be decided in consultation with the organization that will be selected to handle the task.

In relation to the thematic scope of the training workshop, the following indicative outline is proposed for the HRM module:

This list of topics/issues seeks to provide the trainers/consultants on the generally expected scope of the training workshop. However, the specifics may be modified as appropriate in consultation and approval by the EHRC.

6          Approach & Methodology

The training process is expected to be participatory, learner-centered and problem solving in the best traditions of human rights education. In as much as practicable, the trainers should actively engage training participants through activities designed to maximize on existing potentials and experience sharing with inputs/lectures limited to brief presentations to provide essential information. For this purpose, the use of brainstorming sessions, small group discussions, and plenary sessions based on practical cases/experiences is highly recommended. More dynamic methods such as role plays, visual tools, and other interactive techniques should also be considered wherever appropriate.

6.1        Deliverables

The selected institution should deliver the following outputs:

-        A manual on Human Rights Monitoring by National Human Rights Institutions

-        Handouts on issues covered and activity worksheets for participants

-        Power point presentations on each topic/issue covered

-        Proposals for the development of a Human Rights Monitoring conceptual, programming and governance framework for the EHRC

6.2      Role of EHRC

The EHRC will provide the selected trainers/consultants with information relevant to the training program and secretarial services/facilities upon request. The Commission will also be responsible for transportation of the trainers and stationary/supplies for participants as well as training facilities for the duration of the training workshop.

6.3      Proposed Profile of Trainers

Trainers/consultants( at least two) to be assigned by the selected institution to conduct the training shall have a minimum of graduate qualifications in an area of study directly relevant to Human Rights Monitoring. In addition, the trainer/consultant should have extensive experience in organizing and facilitating participatory training workshops on a relevant area of human rights monitoring and have an up-to-date grasp of current human rights and development practice. The trainers are preferred to have an experience in working closely with national Human Rights Institutions.

6.4      Timeframe

The training on shall be conducted for a maximum of Seven days. The number of days may be increased or decreased in consultation with the selected institution.

Evaluation Criteria

Technical proposals will be rated as per the following matrix. A firm will have to score a minimum of 70% to be considered for the next step. Financial evaluation will be conducted for the qualified and responsive technical proposals (i.e 70% and above). The responsive and qualified firm with the lowest financial proposal will be issued a contract.

Submission of Technical & Financial proposals

Qualified and interested Firms should submit their Technical and Financial proposals in separate sealed Envelopes to the following address no later than 30 November 2009:

UNDP Ethiopia

Procurement Specialist

ECA Compound Old Buld.

Vacancy No: RFP/046/2009

Fax: 251 11 5514599 / 5515147

P. O. Box 5580, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia