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Terms of Reference

 ‘Reviewing existing Sindh Human Rights Commission Act and come up with Revised Act for Sindh Human Rights Commission’

 

Introduction

 

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, our programs address critical issues affecting Asia in the 21st century—governance and law, economic development, women’s empowerment, environment, and regional cooperation. In addition, our Books for Asia and professional exchange programs are among the ways we encourage Asia’s continued development as a peaceful, just, and thriving region of the world. Through a continuous presence in Pakistan since 1954, The Asia Foundation has developed deep ties and valuable expertise on local, regional, and international issues. With a staff that is almost entirely Pakistani, and an extensive network of local and regional partners in both government and civil society, the Foundation's projects reach throughout the country, and range from large, nationwide programs to very small, local initiatives.

 

Objective and Scope of the Assignment

 

The situation of human rights in Pakistan is complex as a result of the country's diversity, large population, its status as a developing country and a sovereign, Islamic republic as well as an Islamic democracy with a mixture of both Islamic and secular laws. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and all the fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan 1973.

Sindh Human Rights Commission is a statutory set up under The Sindh Protection of Human Rights Act 2011 which was notified on 30.4.2013 body notified on 9th May 2013, and has been actively working since then. There is no doubt that Province of Sindh has taken a lead in this and also in pro-women legislation but implementation of these also is a must.

 

 The Commission during the last two years has developed its website issued First Annual Report and second is being finalized. It has held several Workshops on the issues of women, children and other burning subjects. It has conducted training of more than hundred law officers and prosecutors. But all this has been possible with the help of donors as it has no budget provided in the Act but receives only Grant in Aid of ten million from the Sindh Government.

 

Small spaces of two rooms have been provided. The Law provides for a secretary of the Commission but no secretary was provided. There is hardly any staff and as the finances are weak the Commission is unable to employ people of the status that it needs. Out of two permanent members only one is working and other members are all honorary.

 

To strengthen the commission, necessary budget allocation is necessary. Further there must be mandatory clauses for staff, space, payment of approved salaries and other essentials. It is also necessary to assure continuity of commission at the expiry of its term of three years.

 

In light of above there is a great need to review the Act by experts and stakeholders so that commission can work according to its mandate as an independent body.

 

Focus Areas for Indicators:

 

The assignment is expected to have a revised Act/bill drafted for Sindh Human Rights Commission.

 

  • To review the Act and identify the gaps in the existing Act.
  • Consultation with the key stake holders in the province to discuss the gaps and get clarity on how to address those gaps in the amending/revised Act.
  • To draft a revised Act/Bill for strengthen the commission, by putting all the mandatory clauses for staff, space, payment of approved salaries, functions and powers of the Commission and other essentials.
  • Presenting the bill to a closed group seeking their input for a better legislative input and incorporating their suggestions afterwards for the final Act/bill to be presented in the assembly.
  • Presenting the Final Revised Act/Bill in a provincial conference/workshop. 

 

Application Information

All applications will be reviewed under the following standardized criteria:

  1. Previous relevant experience (20)
  2. Technical proposal (20)
    1. Proposed approach and methodology
    2. Proposed Implementation plan
    3. Proposed Lead Consultant CV
  3. Financial Proposal (10)
    1. Budget consistency with the proposed activities and cost effectiveness

Timeline:

Starting from the thirdweek of May, 2016 and will end by June 30, 2016.

 

Deliverables:

 

  • Consultation meetings and literature review
  • Draft Act/bill
  • Presentations (2 in no.)
  • Final document i.e. Revised Act/Bill

 

Request for proposal:

 

The Asia Foundation is inviting Technical and Financial Proposal in hard copy for the aforementioned consultancy. The proposal should be sent in a sealed envelope with two inner sealed envelopes (one envelope with technical and the other with financial proposal). Assignment title should be clearly written on the envelope. The proposal must be accompanied with following documents:

 

  • A short proposal for conducting this assignment including a comprehensive work plan with clear timelines.
  • CV of the Lead Consultant

 

Who can apply?

  1. Reputable individual consultants with proven track record of relevant experience of similar work.
  2. Ability to deliver quality work on time
  3. Can work under the tight deadline
  4. Having Law background and good understanding of the human rights laws, policies, legislations, and development issues in Pakistan

 

Deadline for Proposal Submission:

The proposal must reach at following address by the close of business 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 10, 2016.

 

Country Representative

The Asia Foundation

EOBI House,

4th Floor, Block 32-34, Mauve Area,

I & T Center, G-10/4, Islamabad.

Tel: 051-2356008

 

Proposals submitted after the deadline shall not be entertained. The sealed envelope must clearly mention the title of the consultancy. The hard copy will be considered as final. For further queries write to Mr. Farman Ullah (Senior Program Officer) on email address: [email protected] 

Note: only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.