Pakistan: Consultant: Expert Human Rights Trainer (local position)

Consultant: Expert Human Rights Trainer (local position)

Position Location: Pakistan, with travel to the provinces

Contract Period: August/September 2016

Deadline for the applications : 4 August 2016

Background

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a human rights mechanism which allows for the assessment of United Nations member states on the basis of their human rights commitments outlined as part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), international humanitarian law, human rights treaties and the UN charter.

Pakistan’s third UPR cycle is due to take place in November 2017 during which the state will have an opportunity to demonstrate to the international community the progress it has made against recommendations received in its UPR of October 2012. The UPR cycle takes place at a critical juncture for Pakistan given that in 2017 Pakistan as part of its status under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) will also be expecting release of the second GSP+ Pakistan’s compliance assessment report prepared by the European Union. This is particularly important given that as part of the GSP+ status Pakistan is required to demonstrate compliance with 27 international treaties which include seven core human rights treaties.

DRI’s Pakistan office is implementing the project “Supporting Advocacy for Human Rights in Pakistan Phase II” funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project aims to build domestic constituencies and political will for democratic and human rights reforms using the specific incentive of GSP+. DRI generates broad awareness about this incentive scheme specially its link to democratic governance and human rights. The project will work with policy-makers and civil society to shape a debate on the priority reforms on Pakistan’s progress.

Training Objectives and Content

As part of GSP+ monitoring, civil society is invited to play an integral role through its contribution of information and alternative reports on Pakistan’s human rights compliance to the EU. Similarly, civil society holds a role in the UPR process with permission to submit individual or joint reports reflecting the country’s human rights performance. In sum, the UPR process offers a unique opportunity for civil society and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) to be involved in an exchange of information and public debate on human rights. During Pakistan’s second UPR (2012) there were 22 individual and 15 joint submission reports however follow up by civil society organizations to recommendations accepted by Pakistan as part of its first UPR in 2008.

In order to enhance stakeholder awareness and capacity to play an active role in treaty implementation, the UPR process and GSP+ monitoring on the one side and to coordination on priority reforms on the other side DRI will undertake four one-day trainings with CSO’s and government representatives to explain

a) the international human rights system

b) GSP+ and its compliance requirements

c) the UPR process with a particular focus on reporting formats and requirements.

In detail, the training shall indicatively comprise the following:

Session 1: Overview of the international human rights system

• Brief introduction to the international human rights treaty system


• Brief discussion on treaty bodies including the reporting and review system


• Brief overview on Pakistan’s obligations and reporting status under each treaty

Session 2: Brief introduction of GSP+

• Brief introduction of GSP+ and compliance requirements and its linkage to human rights obligations, its reporting mechanisms and CSOs’ particular role in monitoring

Session 3: Understanding and utilising the UPR Process

• Develop knowledge of civil society members and government officials regarding the UPR process, its principles, objectives and schedule


• Provide information on reporting procedure, format and guidelines under UPR including guidelines for state reports, CSOs’ input to state reporting, shadow reporting, and advocacy


• Comparison on how UPR differs from other treaty reporting and monitoring cycles


• Hands on exercise to work on the UPR/Treaty reporting formats


• Evaluate Pakistan’s compliance with UPR recommendations and its abidance to human rights principles and mechanism


• Develop a discussion on priority issues ahead of the UPR review in 2017

Session 4: Familarization with Resource Guide

• Introduction of the resource guide and its content


• Familiarisation on utilisation of listed contents in the resource guide

Target audience and duration of the training

• At least 20 to 30 participants from civil society representing journalists, human rights activists, lawyers, civil society organisations and where possible include members from the civil society working group on GSP+ which DRI has established under the project. This will also include participants from relevant government departments -primary focus will be human rights ministry officials, law and justice ministry officials, officials from the treaty implementation cell


• Four one day trainings (Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Training Outcome

As a result of these trainings

• Participants are expected to have enhanced awareness regarding the international human rights system, its relevance for the Pakistani context, and the UPR and GSP+ mechanisms. Participants have resources to track the implementation of recommendations that are suggested under both mechanisms and linked with domestic state obligations.


• Independent human rights monitoring mechanisms will be strengthened and sustainable


• In case of joint trainings for government and CSOs, the following additional outcomes will be achieved:


• Established CSO and government interaction and engagement will be strengthened


• Future collaboration between civil society and government efforts will be initiated.


• Government becomes aware of the role provided to civil society and its room and need for engagement in the UPR process.

Responsibility of Consultant/Trainer

• Develop the training methodology and agenda;


• Develop presentations and training materials on the international human rights system with a particular focus on UPR, GSP+ and possibilities for CSO engagement;


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  Develop toolkit/resource guide that can be used by CSO after the training; the resources may include, but not limited to:

  
  


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  Process and ways for submitting UPR report including links for web cast of the UPR process

  
  


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  Check lists for UPR reporting,

  
  


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  Links to websites to get help in writing URP report,

  
  


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  List of organisations, websites and other resources which can provide secondary information about various human rights issues and information on international human rights treaties and their reporting status,

  
  


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  Samples/links to good CSO submissions in UPR process.

  
  


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  Develop pre and post training evaluation questionnaires;

  
  


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  Facilitate four training sessions (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa);

  
  


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  Develop a comprehensive post training report/training manual, which includes evaluation of the trainings and lessons learnt.

  
  

Qualifications:

• University degree in Human Rights, Law, Social Sciences, Humanities or equivalent;


• At least 10 years of professional experience in human rights, international law or relevant field;


• Familiarity with international human rights law, norms and mechanisms;


• Conceptual clarity on human rights in Pakistan including the legal framework and the institutional set-up;


• Experience in developing and/or reviewing country reports on human rights compliance under UPR. Experience of participating in previous UPR cycles or other treaty reviews will be an advantage;


• Knowledge on GSP+ desirable;


• At least 5 years of professional experience in conceptualizing and conducting trainings including development of according guidelines and materials;


• English business fluent (spoken and written);


• Excellent Urdu language skills, at least spoken.

The consultant contracted to undertake this assignment will be fully responsible for the timely and quality delivery of all outputs outlined in these Terms of Reference.

Duty station: Assignment will require travel to provincial cities across Pakistan.