1. TERMS OF REFERENCE

(a) Objective: To carry out a comprehensive country assessment on the current status of victim support providers (Government, NGOs, Private sectors) and criminal justice actors on human trafficking in Bangladesh with a special focus on labor trafficking.

(b) Background: UNODC with support of the US State Department and in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bangladesh is implementing a Project focused on providing “Technical Assistance to the Government of Bangladesh in Strengthening the Responses to Human Trafficking’’.

The Government of Bangladesh is making concerted efforts to counter human trafficking. Bangladesh ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) in July 2011 and has enacted a comprehensive legislation addressing trafficking for all forms of exploitation titled the ‘The Human Trafficking (Deterrence and Suppression) Act 2012. In light of these developments and in line with its proposed National Plan of Action (2012-2014) to counter human trafficking, the project aims to: assist the Government of Bangladesh in preventing human trafficking through effective and strengthened law enforcement capacities; provide protection and assistance to trafficked victims through establishment of national referral mechanisms and increased cooperation between the criminal justice system and civil society. This project is a joint initiative of UNODC and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bangladesh.

It is felt that in many countries, there is lack of an environment that adequately assists and protects victims of trafficking. Similarly, many countries do not adequately recognize the need for protection of the rights of trafficked survivors and exemption from criminal liability as called for in the Trafficking Protocol. Through the provision of protection and appropriate referral procedures, trafficked survivors can gain the confidence and security to provide evidence against their traffickers during the criminal investigation. To ensure a victim-centred and human rights approach to the crime of trafficking in persons, there is a need to improve mechanisms for the identification of victims and establish adequate referral procedures to institutions providing support, assistance and reintegration. Moreover, it is of utmost importance to institutionalize – that is to clearly regulate and guide – the working relationship between the police and NGOs with a view to better assist trafficked survivors and create an environment in which they feel safe and secure to participate in the criminal investigation.

The project intends to engage a consultant to undertake a comprehensive country assessment on the current status of victim support providers and criminal justice actors in Bangladesh, to be undertaken in close consultation with UNODC. This will pave the way for developing a strategic plan on establishing an adequate system of victim assistance, protection and referral mechanism for the country.

(c) Scope of work and expected outputs/deliverables:
A national consultant will be hired to carry out detailed assessment of the current status of victim support providers and criminal justice actors and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collect, review and analyze all the necessary documents to fully understand the ground situation of victim support providers and criminal justice actors. This will include both Government and NGO run service providers.
• Collect, review and analyze all the necessary documents to fully understand all the relevant national and state legislations and policies that Bangladesh has signed which guarantee rights to trafficking survivors.
• Collect, review and analyze all the necessary documents to fully understand the major court decisions and guidelines that reflect judicial approach in this area and precedent.
• Compilation of relevant trafficking related data.
• Carry out stakeholder analysis to bring out the roles and responsibilities of key players and institutions.
• Carry out “Gap” analysis to identify gaps in the institutional response (absence or inadequacy), respecting human rights of the victim and witnesses and gender responsiveness. This should include desk review, consultations and meetings with government officials, NGOs and civil society actors.
• Make recommendations on how to bridge these gaps.
• Produce a well-written and comprehensive country assessment based on the above, including recommendations for (a) civil society and criminal justice system cooperation and for (b) putting in place suitable victim assistance, protection and referral systems. This should include also a Resource Directory and mapping of all the relevant Government Departments / Ministries/ NGOs / Academic Institutions with focal points.
• A detailed presentation will be made by the consultant on the key findings / recommendations of the assessment at a workshop

Deliverables/Outputs of the assignment/service:

• Submit a detailed plan of the assessment along with inception report.
• Organize consultation meeting for stakeholder analysis and Gap analysis.
• Support to organize 1 workshop to validate the key findings of the assessment.
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive assessment report (in English).

Tentative Payment Schedule:

Impact of Results: This report will help mapping out the shelter homes and Rehabilitation services available in the country for better evidence-based planning

(d) Supervision and Performance Evaluation: The Programme Coordinator UNODC Bangladesh will be responsible for review/evaluate the performance and approve the Deliverables/outputs. The outputs will also be reviewed by the project Implementation Committee (MOHA)

(e) Timeframe and deadlines: This assignment is for Bangladeshi nationals only and is for a period of 30 working days (within 3 months). The assignment is likely to start in April 2014 and will include travel to the selected locations Bangladesh, in consultation with the UNODC project team. The Consultant will be hired as per the Individual Contract (IC) guidelines governed by UNDP. For the purpose of consultation and briefing by the project team, the concerned consultant will be continuously in contact with the Programme Coordinator of UNODC.

(f) Reports: The consultant will present the results to the UNODC project team and to the government from time to time to share the progress of activities under this contract and certifying that the works, tasks, assignment have been satisfactorily performed.

(g) Inputs:

From UNODC

• UNODC will provide necessary logistics for the consultant.
• UNODC will make arrangements (vehicle, security clearance) for official travel.
• UNODC will ensure administrative supports, as appropriate, to the consultant for workshop/meetings.

From the Consultant:

• All deliverables mentioned in this ToR as per work plan will achieved by time specified.
• The Consultant should bring his/her own laptop computer.

2. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATONS

I. Academic Qualifications: Masters Degree in Criminology, Law, Human rights, Political Science, Development Study, Humanities or any other relevant Social Science discipline.

II. Years of experience:

• At least 7-10 years of experience in the field of public service/ academics/ research/ human trafficking / human rights or working extensively government and with civil society partners.
• Experience in working with Trafficking or other similar human rights-focused organizations. 
• Experience in collecting information, facilitating meeting, key informant interview/FGDs
• Proven experience conducting assessment, writing analytical report
• Knowledge and experience with Trafficking issues in South Asia region.

3.  COMPETENCIES

• Capacity in conducting assessments and facilitating meeting
• Demonstrate cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adoptability 
• Demonstrate strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in issues related to anti-human trafficking 
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision with excellent writing skills, editing, and oral communication skills in English; and in Bangla
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Skills in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power point etc)

4.  DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SENDING THE PROPOSAL/ APPLICATION

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

While submitting the Technical Proposal, the applicant shall, in particular, ensure to submit/attach the following documents through ONLINE application procedures:

1. Cover letter explaining why s/he is the most suitable candidate for the work
2. Detailed methodology and conceptual framework with expected deliverables and timelines, man days required etc (max 4-5 page)
3. Recent CV – Relevant Experience (max 5- 6 page)

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Lump sum contracts: A detailed Financial Proposal to be submitted including travel costs to several areas in Bangladesh to collect information. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (including a detailed breakdown of costs for consultancy fees, travel and number of working days). Payments will be made in installments based upon outputs/deliverables specified in the TOR and upon certification of satisfactory work as per work plan and endorsed by the PC, UNODC. 

Deadline for submission of the application: The application must be submitted no later than 13 March 2014

Language of application: The application, as well as all correspondence and documents relating to the application shall be written in English language.

Currencies: All financial information should be provided in Bangladesh currency (taka)

Period of validity of application: Application shall remain valid for the period of 90 days after the date of submission.

6. EVALUATION

Cumulative analysis: The weighted average basis will be applied to evaluate the applicant, the award of the contract will be made to the national consultant/institution 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.

Criteria Max. Point (Technical: 70% and Financial: 30%)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 point) in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation