LGBTI RIGHTS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

UNDP – Home Based

Based on a comprehensive desk review of existing academic articles, peer-reviewed articles, policy advocacy publications, jurisprudence, legislations and other relevant materials related to LGBTI individuals in Asia and the Pacific, write an analysis of the existing evidence related to SOGI issues and LGBTI rights in Asia and the Pacific. The research paper should explore all sectors of Life: employment, family affairs, education, religion/faith, community mobilization, legal and policy environments, social attitudes and bad practices targeting LGBTI individuals, best practices in advancing LGBT rights and/or in creating an enabling environment for LGBT individuals.

The Phase 1 of “Being LGBT in Asia: A Participatory Review and Analysis of the Legal and Social Environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Civil Society” consisted of joint analysis undertaken by UNDP APRC and USAID Regional Development Mission Asia together with grassroots LGBT organizations and community leaders to understand the challenges faced by LGBT people in Asia. This analysis covers 8 priority countries: China, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal and Mongolia: where it aimed to examine the LGBT experience in Asia from human rights perspective rather than through historic HIV lenses. In addition to the 8 priority countries, strategic information (additional data, resources and experiences) have been drawn more widely from East and Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Chinese Taipei/Taiwan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Timor-Leste, regional civil society organizations, academic institutions and private sector partners.

Furthermore, as part of the ‘Being LGBT in Asia’ initiative, national consultations held in 8 Asia-Pacific countries between 2013-2014 revealed that the human rights of LGBT individuals are being compromised in a multitude of avenues, such as in employment, education, media, and family settings. Lack of anti-discrimination laws, as well as punitive laws that allow for the persecution of LGBT individuals, increases social stigma, causes LGBT and intersex individuals to avoid seeking necessary health services for fear of victimization, and leads to discriminatory practices in health, education, and employment industries.

Results of BLIA Phase 1: The results of this initiative are tremendous: they educate UNDP, USAID staff and other development partners on critical rights issues faced by LGBT people, inform decision-making leading to new programming and mainstreaming through existing programming. The methodology has engaged with civil society organizations and utilized innovative learning processes and social and multi-media resources and applications as a catalyst for creative interaction and to improve understanding of LGBT issues and empower young LGBT leaders.

Being LGBT in Asia’ has also established an evidence base on LGBT rights and social issues in Asia through convening eight inclusive national dialogues and a regional dialogue that will be held on 25-27 February 2015. Sensitizing key policymakers on LGBT rights allows for improved movement for social and legal change for LGBT rights issues. The initiative also reaches out beyond policymakers to engage other stakeholders including LGBT civil society in order to broaden alliances and focus attention on LGBT rights and health challenges. The stakeholders mobilized through these dialogues are now key actors in taking forward law reform and social changes at the country level. Critical to the initiative’s success is the use of new technologies and modern innovations such as various social media platforms to inform and disseminate relevant information to key stakeholders. Particular attention is paid to empowering LGBT youth and young leaders living and working in the Asia-Pacific region. The many positive outcomes generated through ‘Being LGBTI in Asia’ Phase 1 will be captured in a final regional report, which will emphasize the practical outcomes and concrete follow-up steps to be identified during the regional dialogue, as well as will compile the recommendations adopted at the national dialogues on LGBTI Rights. It is hoped to develop a “Game Changing” regional report, including concrete findings and actionable recommendations, as well as strategic arguments and messages to advance LGBTI rights in Asia and the Pacific.

In order to produce a powerful and authoritative report, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) is recruiting a consultant to write an empirical research paper “Analysis of Existing Evidence related to SOGI issues and LGBTI Rights in Asia and the Pacific”, which would inform the findings and recommendations of the final regional report. The analysis of existing evidence would also identify gaps in the evidence and inform the research agenda for Being LGBT in Asia Phase 2 Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives

Scope of Work:

Literature review and analysis of existing materials and the evidence base generated on LGBTI individuals in Asia and the Pacific, taking into account all sectors of Life. Based on this review and analysis, write a compelling and concise research paper with regional reach and appeal.

The research paper should:

Include clear, concrete findings;
Identify gaps in the evidence to inform BLIA Phase 2 research agenda; and
Identify strategic arguments/messages to advance LGBTI rights in Asia and the Pacific.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Study methodology/Outline;
Annotated Bibliography;
Regional Research Paper (20-30 pages) analysing existing evidence related to SOGI issues and LGBTI rights in Asia and the Pacific.

In order to produce the above mention deliverables, the consultant will be given a period of 60 days over 3 months from 1 November 2014 to 30 January 2015.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will work closely with the UNDP Policy Advisor, HIV, Human Rights, Law & Sexual Diversities and UNDP Human Rights & Advocacy Officer (UNDP BRH) to finalize the research paper. The consultant will be supervised by UNDP Policy Advisor, HIV, Human Rights, Law & Sexual Diversities and UNDP Human Rights & Advocacy Officer (UNDP BRH) who will provide technical direction.

Duration of the Work

The agreement will cover the period from 24 November 2014 to 15 February 2015 with frequent touch based with UNDP Policy Advisor, HIV, Human Rights, Law & Sexual Diversities and UNDP Human Rights & Advocacy Officer (UNDP BRH).

Duty Station

Home-based with no travel required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional/Technical Competencies:

Strong analytical skills;
Excellent writing skills;
Excellent communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational:

Advanced university degree (Master or PhD) in law, human rights, development, international relations or related field.

Experience:

Strong knowledge of human rights and LGBT communities in Asia;
Excellent understanding of LGBT human rights issues and other socio-political issues in Asia;
Over 10 year’s professional experience in report writing and editing;
Experience as a published author/essayist, writing books/reports issues of LGBT, policy, law, human rights and development;
Previous experience working with government, NGOs or intergovernmental agencies;

Language:

Fluency in English is required.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

Deliverable 1 Receipt of the study methodology/outline and list of existing relevant materials and evidence based related to SOGI issues and LGBTI rights in Asia and the Pacific gathered to be further analysed: 20% of total contract amount.
Deliverable 2 First draft of the Research Paper with annotated bibliography: 60% of total contract amount.
Deliverable 3 Final draft of the Research Paper with annotated bibliography: 20% of total contract amount.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Technical Criteria weight; 70%;
Financial Criteria weight; 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation – 70% (Maximum 100 points):

Experience related to services – Max 50 points;
Expertise & Availability – Max 50 points.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

Personal CV or P11 , indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Financial proposal, the proposals should indicate all-inclusive daily professional fee.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

Annex – Individual IC General Terms and Conditions

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to rcb.procurement.th@undp.org.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

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LGBTI RIGHTS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC