Consultant To Identify Gaps And Challenges Facing Persons With Disabilities At The Legislative And Procedural Levels

A.      Background and Introduction OHCHR and the European Union Delegation in Lebanon have signed an agreement to implement a project entitled “Assisting Lebanon in Implementing UPR and Recommendations Made by Other International Human Rights Mechanisms” aiming at assisting Lebanon in improving its implementation rate of accepted UPR recommendations and enhancing its record in providing timely reports to the treaty bodies. The project seeks to address longstanding gaps within the national legislative and policy framework on human rights protection, the low implementation rate of existing human rights laws and policies and delays in establishing human rights structure.   The project includes activities related to supporting the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) in revising the 220/2000 law to fit with the international convention on the rights for people with disabilities (CRPD). This activity will capitalize on the efforts of MoSA to amend the 220/2000 law and to develop a package of legal amendments that is accessible and easily disseminated which would support the advocacy efforts of MoSA in this regard.     OHCHR therefore seeks to obtain the services of an individual consultant who can revise the content of 220/2000 law, analyze the gaps from legal and procedural perspectives and come up with recommendations for legal amendments that are in line with the CRPD.    B.      Problem Statement The human rights situation in Lebanon is heavily linked to its fragile political situation. The country has experienced decades of protracted political uncertainty and stalled development, and while certain freedoms, such as freedom of expression and association are generally relatively well respected, human rights violations in civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres are evident.   To overcome these challenges, Lebanon’s domestic human rights system must be strengthened, both by ensuring a solid legal and policy framework, as well as strong institutions to ensure implementation of its international human rights obligations.   The National Committee for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) was established pursuant law 220/2000 and was entrusted with preparing the general policy on disabilities among other areas. While NCPD has managed to move many issues forward, the Committee still faces several challenges including structural and the capacity to implement law 200/2000.   While targeting national institutions to ensure higher conformity with international human rights standards, this activity will ensure that the existing national mechanism, “NCPD” and civil society organizations working on the rights of persons with disabilities are allocated the proper support to further align the law 220/2000 with international human rights standards and the CRPD, in addition to ensuring that the general public awareness on the rights if persons with disabilities is enhanced.    C.      Duties and Responsibilities The consultant shall review the 220/2000 law and the CRPD, identify and analyze the legislative and procedural gaps and provide a package of legal amendments required for aligning national legislation, including law 220/2000 with international standards and UPR recommendations.  The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UPR project manager.   D.      Expected Outputs and Deliverables The consultant shall:  Prepare a report analyzing the gaps and challenges facing the implementation of 220/2000 law related to the persons with disabilities, and advising MoSA on the required legal amendments to 220/2000 to meet the international standards and CRPD; Organize and facilitate, a national one-day workshop to present the findings to OHCHR, MoSA, and civil society organizations working on the rights of persons with disabilities, in addition to the concerned national and international stakeholders;   E.       Indicators to Evaluate the Consultant’s Performance Performance indicators are:  The quality and timely delivery of the described tasks in the present terms of reference; The submission of a final comprehensive report detailing the achieved outputs and deliverables.   F.       Contract and Duration 15 working days spread over six weeks period. The successful candidate should be able to take up her/his duties as soon as the contractual documentation has been finalized.   G.     Duty Station Beirut.   H.     Qualifications University degree, preferably advanced level, in law, human rights or directly related social sciences;  At least 5 years relevant and professional experience including extensive knowledge of the Lebanese and international legislations related to persons with disabilities; Knowledge of the legal systems as well as socio-economical and geo-political drivers in Lebanon will be highly desirable;  Proven quantitative and qualitative research and drafting skills;  Multidisciplinary skills and the ability to communicate effectively;  Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;  A high standard of professionalism;  Fluency in Arabic (written and spoken) with excellent drafting and communication skills.     I.        Application Interested parties must submit the following documentation:  A comprehensive curriculum vitae including three contactable references (certified copies of qualifications may be requested from successful applicants);   A detailed implementation plan/ technical proposal in accordance with the scope of work, expected outputs and deliverables provided for herein. Financial Proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.   The submitted plan will be evaluated in terms of the quality of complete coverage of all aspects of the terms of reference, timeliness in relation to research, analysis and production of a draft report as well as compliance with qualifications as provided for herein.   J.        Required Expertise and Submission Evaluation   All applications will be assessed against the following criteria:   Requirements Weight Education of the consultant Minimum first university degree, (preferably advanced level) in law, human rights or directly related to social sciences 20 Capacity, expertise and experience of the consultant At least 5 years relevant and professional experience including extensive knowledge of the Lebanese legislation related to persons with disabilities;     20 Understanding of the activities requirements/objectives Sound understanding of requirements reflected in the presentation of reviewed literature 10 Knowledge and experience in analyzing national and international legislations Extensive knowledge of the Lebanese and international legislations related to persons with disabilities;   20 Value for money The value that OHCHR will receive from the consultant 30   K.      Payment Schedule In full consideration for satisfactory completion of services as provided for in these terms of reference and subject to receipt of deliverables as provided for herein, OHCHR shall pay the consultant: 20% upon signature of contract and approval of the inception report;   50% upon completion of the final report; and 30% upon presentation of the findings and organizing the national one-day workshop.   L.       Applications Deadline The deadline for submission of applications is 20 July 2017. Applications should be submitted to OHCHR through the following e-mail address: shojeij@ohchr.org.