Switzerland: Consultancy - Development of a Human Rights-based Approach

Organization: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 17 Oct 2014

Background

The IPU Strategy sets as one of its objectives the introduction of a human rights-based approach to the Organization’s work.

A rights-based approach is a means of protecting and empowering human beings and enhancing the capacity and accountability of public institutions – including parliament – that have an obligation to ensure the respect, promotion and fulfilment of their rights. The introduction of a rights-based approach in all of its work areas should strengthen the IPU’s ability to promote and protect human rights in a comprehensive and consistent manner.

The growing linkages between the IPU’s work areas and their complexity, the ongoing discussions about the post-2015 development agenda and the place of human rights in that architecture, and the review of the IPU’s logframe template with a view to further enhancing its usefulness for reporting on and increasing the impact of the IPU’s work, underscore the need to advance quickly towards the adoption of a human rights-based approach.

Human rights principles are currently integrated into the IPU’s work in an ad hoc manner; a systematic approach is thus lacking. This may be partly due to the fact that IPU staff are not necessarily familiar with key human rights principles and terminology. Another reason is that there is no clarity as to what a human rights-based approach would actually mean in practical terms for the IPU at the institutional, policy and operational levels.

The consultancy aims therefore to promote a deeper understanding among IPU staff about human rights and the development and usefulness of a human rights-based approach. It is also intended to propose the building blocks for such an approach and make recommendations as to how it can be integrated at the institutional, policy and operational levels.

In doing so, the consultant will draw on the experience of other organizations that have already adopted a rights-based approach. He/she will also draw on lessons learned in the development, adoption and implementation of the IPU’s Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Plan of Action for Gender-sensitive Parliaments as they constitute a comparable in-house exercise of producing an organization-wide policy affecting both substantive and procedural aspects of the IPU’s work.

Assignments of the consultant

· Conduct, under the direct supervision of the Manager of the Human Rights Programme, research on and provide an analysis of, the use and impact of rights-based approaches by other organizations, in particular those similar to the IPU in scope and focus;

· Foster an informed debate among IPU staff on the rationale, objectives and scope of a rights-based approach;

· Submit and present a report: (i) containing the results of research into the use and impact of human rights-based approaches adopted by other organizations; and (ii) proposing concrete elements for an IPU rights-based approach and recommendations as to how the approach can be integrated at the institutional, policy and operational levels.

Timeline (11 work days in November/December 2014)

· Discussions between the consultant and key IPU staff (if possible face-to-face or or by conference call or Skype) to further define the exact scope of the consultancy, possible challenges, and the expected results (half day);

· Study of relevant IPU documentation, hold face-to-face discussions with IPU staff and facilitate group discussions and brain-storming sessions (three days);

· Production of the report mentioned under “assignments” (7 days);

· Presentation of the report to all IPU staff (half day).

Follow-up and future steps in developing a human rights-based approach for the IPU

The key findings and recommendations of the consultant will provide the basis of an informed discussion among the IPU’s bodies and its membership.

Competencies of the consultant

· Professionalism: good knowledge of the field of human rights in general and concrete experience in researching and/or contributing to the development of rights-based approaches by organizations which, like the IPU, cover human rights among many other areas; some knowledge of the role of parliaments in protecting and promoting human rights;

· Communication: good drafting ability and communication skills, both written and oral;

· Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

· Results-oriented, uses initiatives to achieve planned results within time and applies sound judgment in solving problems;

· Fluency in spoken and written English or French. Working knowledge of the other language.

Qualifications and experience

· Advanced university degree in political science, law or human rights; or relevant combination of academic qualifications and extensive professional experience;

· Demonstrated previous experience of research into and/or conceptualizing human rights-based approaches;

· Demonstrated ability to perform self-directed research and write clearly;

Dates and conditions

The consultancy will be home-based. If the consultant does not reside in Geneva, the IPU will cover the expenses related to visits to IPU Headquarters. The consultant will be paid a daily rate for the assignment, which should be carried out over the months of November/December 2014. Applicants are kindly asked to quote their daily rate in their application.

How to apply:

Those persons interested in the consultancy and who meet the above-mentioned criteria are requested to send their applications, comprising a resume and a cover letter, to postbox@mail.ipu.org by 17 October 2014.