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Expression of Interest (EOI)

 

 Capacity Building Trainings for Parliamentarians

 Enabling Environment for Minorities to Participate in Electoral and Political Processes Project                                   

 

1. Background of the Project:

The Asia Foundation is implementing a project on “Enabling Environment for Minorities to Participate in Electoral and Political Processes in Pakistan” with the support of the Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany to empower minority citizens to participate effectively at the grassroots level in the electoral reforms processes in Pakistan. The project will target 10 districts across Sindh and Punjab, which include Lahore, Faisalabad, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot and Khanewal in Punjab; and Jacobabad, Umerkot, Larkana, Karachi, and Tharparkar in Sindh. The project will work at the grassroots level to establish Village Action Groups (VAGs) and District Action Groups (DAGs) in targeted districts to better mobilize the local communities to participate in the electoral and political processes.  

The goal of the project is to increase the participation of minority groups in electoral and political processes. To this end the project is designed around the following three objectives:

  • Build the capacity of minority parliamentarians to better represent their constituencies.
  • Empower religious minorities to exercise their right to vote in the 2018 federal elections.
  • Build the capacity of youth councillors in districts with significant religious minority populations to alleviate the hardships of religious minorities.

 

Under a previous initiative, TAF established Religious Freedom Caucuses (RFCs) in the Punjab, Sindh, and National assemblies that brought together 68 parliamentarians across religious, gender, and political divides. Technical assistance was provided to these parliamentarians in preparing legislative debates, parliamentary interjections, and drafting bills that respond to the existing gaps in legislation for religious minorities. Under the current initiative, TAF will reactivate these RFCs in the three assemblies and facilitate trainings to prepare legislators to highlight issues relating to minority rights.

2. Purpose and Scope of Work:

This EOI is seeking a Consultant to conduct trainings for parliamentarians from Sindh, Punjab and National assemblies to enable them to address issues related to minority rights that emerge from the grassroots level. The trainings will impart technical knowledge of gaps in legislation, and build capacity to undertake parliamentary interjections, debates, lobbying, and advocacy. As a result of the trainings and direct engagement, it is anticipated that minority Members of Parliament will be equipped with practical tools and techniques to bring a human rights lens to legislative affairs; minority issues will be included and addressed in Points and Rules of Order; and there will be increased debate on minority issues in Parliament. The trainings will also result in development of recommendations for MPs to bring legislative reforms for minorities, and the revision and implementation of standard operating procedures of RFCs and their role in highlighting minority issues on the floor.

Broadly, in close consultation with TAF and its partners, the Consultant will be required to undertake the following activities:

Design and conduct trainings for parliamentarians: The Consultant will design, and conduct sessions for six one-day trainings, two each with provincial RFCs in Sindh and Punjab and two with the RFC in the National Assembly.  The trainings will be conducted in Lahore, Karachi and the Federal Capital.

Technical Assistance/Support: Through trainings and direct engagement, the Consultant will ensure extensive engagement with the parliamentarians especially with the members of the RFCs. The Consultant will give inputs and technical assistance to the parliamentarians in preparing legislative bills, parliamentary debates, interjections etc. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, such as policy briefs (for legislators and party members), posters, banners, and handbooks, will be developed to support the parliamentarians in redressing issues faced by the minorities at the grassroots level, and to lobby the government.

3. Deliverables:  

·         Design and delivery of six, one-day trainings for the parliamentarians from Sindh, Punjab and National assemblies.

·         Development of training manuals and handouts.

  • Assistance in legislative drafting and parliamentary debates and interjections.
  • Development of policy briefs and other material for parliamentarians.
  • Experience in legislative drafting.
  • Excellent and proven analytical and writing skills.
  • Experience in training and development of training module and resource material.
  • Excellent command of oral and written English.
  • Relations and experience with parliamentarians will be an added advantage.

4. Experience and Requirements:

·         Post graduate degree in a social science field (political science, sociology, mass communications etc.).

·         Extensive work experience and proven record in the relevant field with International NGOs and/or government.

5. Duration of the Assignment:

The consultancy should extend for not more than 30 days, spread over a period of five months.

 

6. Application Information:

The EOI should be sent in a sealed envelope with two inner sealed envelopes (one envelope with technical and the other with financial). The technical part should include: 1) plan/strategy for undertaking this assignment, 2) detailed profile of the Consultant, and 3) samples of similar work done in the past.

All applications must be clearly marked “Capacity Building Trainings for Parliamentarians: Enabling Environment for Minorities to Participate in Electoral and Political Processes Project” submitted through sealed bidding process by May 31, 2017 on the following address:

 

Country Representative

The Asia Foundation

EOBI House,

4th Floor, Block 32-34,

Mauve Area, I & T Centre,

G-10/4, Islamabad.