Call for Consultancy Service for The Preparation of Working Paper ( Background Paper) and Memorandum of Understanding for LHR engagement with a stakeholder

Terms of Reference (TOR)

for The Preparation of Working Paper ( Background Paper) and Memorandum of Understanding for LHR engagement with a stakeholder

 Background 

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) is an Ethiopian civil society organization that re-registered on 19 September 2019 before the FDRE Civil Societies Organizations Agency as per Proclamation No. 1113/2019. The objectives of the Organization includes among other to promote and advocate human rights among others through increasing the participation and contribution of lawyers in the area of human rights through trainings and other capacity building activities, supporting lawyers across the nation and help exchange of ideas, information and experience for better protection of human rights and prevalence of human rights, litigating before courts and other relevant organs to ensure protection and promotion of human rights recognized under the FDRE Constitution and international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia, awareness creation for justice organs on international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia, providing free or low cost legal services for victims of human rights violation particularly disadvantaged communities, influencing the government to enact new laws or amend existing ones to ensure the full protection for human rights, familiarizing the idea of human rights defenders (HRD) among the lawyers . 

To accomplish its objectives, LHR is currently implementing a project entitled promoting and making use of strategic litigation in collaboration with Freedom House. The overall objective of the project is to ensure accountability and reparation for human rights violations through strategic litigation, capacity building, and collaboration with justice institutions.  One of the activities under this project is to organize a roundtable table discussion with the recently established Federal Advocates Association (FAA). Accordingly, LHR is looking for a consultant who will develop a working paper and Memorandum of Understanding that identifies ways of forging a formal working relationship with the FAA.

Assignment

LHR is among a handful of civil society organizations whose members are lawyers and engage in the promotion of human rights. It has been providing capacity-building training to lawyers and human rights advocates on basic human rights, strategic litigation, and specific human rights. It begins to implement a project that makes vulnerable groups beneficiaries of free legal aid service on a pro bono base. Besides the flagship of LHR is its work on strategic litigation. It has developed and filed strategic litigation cases before courts and quasi-judicial organs through pro bono lawyers to ensure accountability and reparation for different human rights abuses. 

Lawyers are the integral components of the justice system. They do have a pivotal role in ensuring respect for the rule of law by holding the government accountable under the law and assuring access to justice for all persons. They help victims of human rights abuse to claim their rights, provide legal aid services, strategically litigate against unjust laws, policies, and practices, and also took human rights cases to supranational institutions. The Federal Advocacy Service Licensing and Administration Proclamation no 1249/2021 has recognized these roles of lawyers by giving a mandate to Federal Advocates Association to contribute towards the advancement of legal education, rule of law, enforcement of human rights, advocacy service, and Ethiopian legal system in general.

LHR to increase the participation of lawyers in the provision of pro bono legal aid services as well as their engagement in strategic litigation cases that seeks justice on behalf of victims and accountability, it plans to make a partnership agreement with the Federal Advocates Association( FAA). It is therefore with this background LHR seeks to prepare a working paper and Memorandum of understanding that will identify potential areas of engagement and ways of forging a more formal working relationship between the organization and FAA. 

Objectives   

 The main objectives of the assignment involve preparing a working paper and Memorandum of Understanding for LHR engagement with the Federal Advocates Association to increase the participation of lawyers in human rights protection and widen the network of practitioners of strategic litigation and coordinating efforts among such actors. Accordingly, LHR will organize a one-day roundtable discussion with Federal Advocates Association (FAA) where the working paper will be presented and discussed among the two organizations.

 Responsibilities of the Consultant

•  Prepare working paper and Memorandum of understanding in consultation with LHR and FAA;
• Design appropriate methodology for data collection; 
• Submit an inception report within one week after signing the contract;
• Produce a working paper of 20 pages within three weeks;
• Present the working paper in a roundtable organized by LHR with FAA
• Produce the Memorandum of Understanding in consultation with LHR and FAA within one week after the roundtable discussion
• Undertake the assignment with due ethical consideration

 Responsibilities of LHR

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to the expert;
• Provide timely feedback on the work of the expert,
• Oversee the work of the expert,
• Process payment on time

 Deliverables and Reporting 

The consultant is required to deliver a working paper for LHR engagement with Federal Advocates Association.  Besides he/ she is expected to present the working paper in the roundtable organized by LHR. The consultant has to deliver a Memorandum of Understanding between LHR and FAA incorporating the results of the roundtable discussion. 

Expertise Required

•  At least a Master’s Degree in Law preferably with a focus on human rights;
• At least 5 years of experience in practicing law, working in judicial institutions, or working in human rights organizations;  
•  Strong analytical, research, drafting of legal documents, and report writing skills;
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback  in a timely and professional manner;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, and attention to detail;
• Excellent skill in written and spoken English;
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of internet communications