1. BACKGROUND

Article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child obliges States parties to “undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention”. Independent National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI’s) are an important mechanism to promote and ensure the implementation of the Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC). The Committee on the Rights of the Child (the Committee) considers the establishment of such bodies to fall within the commitment made by States parties upon ratification to ensure the implementation of the Convention and advance the universal realization of children’s rights.

In addition, the United Nations General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights already called for the establishment of national human rights institutions, underlining the important role NHRIs play in promoting and protecting human rights and enhancing public awareness of those rights. The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights reaffirmed in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action “... the important and constructive role played by national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights”, and encouraged “... the establishment and strengthening of national institutions”.

Realizing its commitment under CRC, the State of Pakistan has recently established a National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) through the Act XXXII of 2017. The preamble of the Act says; “WHEREAS it is expedient to set up a National Commission on the rights of the child in accordance with international obligations and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereof.”

2. RATIONALE OF THE CONSULTANCY

One of key functions of the NCRC is to examine existing or proposed legislations and administrative instruments and proposals related to child rights and make such recommendations, as it deems appropriate. Also the core function of the NCRC is the oversight of government institutions and systems at a federation and provincial level responsible for enforcing child rights per their mandate.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

Based on the above-mentioned premise, the objective of this assignment is to prepare NCRC policy briefs to advocate for policy, legislative and institutional reforms on child rights issues in Pakistan at federal and provincial level in line with the international commitments of Pakistan (CRC, Optional Protocols, ILO Conventions).

4. TOPICS OF THE POLICY BRIEFS

The NCRC has identified keys emerging child rights’ and protection issues to issue Policy Briefs on:

i.                    Assessment of the Institutional Framework for Child Protection in Pakistan

ii.                  Child Rights in Digital Space

iii.                Assessment of the National Framework to Enroll Out of School Children in Pakistan

iv.                Impact of Personal Laws on Guardianship and Legal Adoption of Children

v.                  Mainstreaming Children with Disability in Pakistan

vi.                 Effectiveness of Child Help-lines in Pakistan

5. STRUCTURE AND SCOPE OF THE WORK

The policy briefs should be logically structured, contain context, rationale, a set of specific recommendations, and identify the necessary actions as way forward for all relevant stakeholders including policy makers, government and CSOs. Each policy document should identify stakeholders and present the national and provincial perspective to identify gaps at federal and provincial level in existing policy and legal frameworks.

• Inception Meeting
• Literature review of the relevant policy documents, laws, statistics and any researches carried out by the Government and other organizations
• Hold meetings with stakeholders
• Collect data and incorporate data in the policy document (where available and applicable)
• Present a draft report to the NCRC for review and feedback
• Prepare a 15 to 25 policy brief paper proofread and ready for layout.

6. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Consultant/Consultants will do the following:

• Develop work plan and share with NCRC
• Meetings with NCRC (Chairperson, Members, HOP) and Stakeholders
• Submit First draft of the Policy Review
• Incorporate feedback on the Policy Brief by NCRC/Stakeholders
• Present and Submit final report

NCRC will provide the logistical and technical support to the Consultant in preparing Policy Briefs.

7. CONSULTANCY FEE                                                            

The Consultant will receive a remuneration of Rs.500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand rupees) for each policy brief.

8. DURATION OF THE WORK 

20-40 Consultancy days

9. QUALIFICATION OF THE CONSULTANT:

• Expert knowledge of human rights, legal framework, child rights and the law
• Experience of conducting researches, policy briefs and policy papers
• University degree in Law, Human Rights or any of the Social Sciences
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required
• Excellent English writing skills

10. APPLICATION

Interested candidates are requested to apply with the topic of their interest in their application of the Consultancy.  One candidate can apply for maximum two policy briefs.