Call For Expression Of Interest (EOI) For External Evaluation

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI)
For
External Evaluation
of
the project “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRD) Network in Asia for Advancement of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” from January 2019 to June 2022

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Asia Indigenous Peoples pact (AIPP) is a regional organization of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Women, Youth, Indigenous Persons with Disabilities and their constituency groups established in 1992 by their movements across Asia. AIPP is committed to the cause of promoting and defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights and human rights and articulating issues of relevance to Indigenous Peoples. AIPP collaborates and works with its 46 members from 14 countries in Asia and with a range of indigenous and non-indigenous networks in Asia and beyond. Since establishment, it has been active as the forum and mechanism for building and strengthening the solidarity and cooperation of Indigenous Peoples in Asia for the promotion and protection of their rights, protection of biodiversity and the environment and promotion of sustainable development.  It has been addressing the key issues and concerns of Indigenous Peoples in Asia through its programmes including capacity building, lobby and advocacy, organizational strengthening and networking.

AIPP has built the capacities and has created enabling environment for Indigenous Peoples and their constituency groups through its programmes, projects and sustained advocacy. It facilitates them to effectively and meaningfully participate, represent and influence in these platforms, mechanisms, instruments and processes at different levels. Moreover, AIPP is playing significant roles and contributing to the consolidation, analysis, publication, and dissemination of the relevant policy, advocacy and campaigns at the national, regional, and global processes from the Indigenous perspectives. It usually follows the four-year strategic plan guided and approved by the general assembly. AIPP coordinates and manages five regional networks namely Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRDs) Network, Indigenous Voices of Asia Network (IVAN), Network of Indigenous Women in Asia (NIWA), Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP) and Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples of Asia (IKPA).

PROJECT INFORMATION:

The project entitled “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRD) Network in Asia for Advancement of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” has been started from January 2019 to June 2022, which has been implemented in 9 target countries (i.e. Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand). This project builds on the achievements and lessons learnt from the EIDHR/2011/266456 project on strengthening the Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRD) Network in Asia that AIPP implemented from 2011-14. After the conclusion of the EIDHR project in 2014, AIPP and the IPHRD organizations have continued many IPHRD-related activities, although to a smaller extent, as their core works – the learning from those experiences also inform this action. Recommendations were particularly collected from the 7 IPHRD organizations of the project and AIPP member/partner organizations in the 9 target countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand) of this action.

This project directly addressed the need for multifaceted and creative approaches to effectively advance the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly on their rights to LTR.  It has explored various entry points in consideration of the local and national legal frameworks, and political and security concerns of the 9 target countries. The discourse on SDG is definitely a relevant entry point to address issues relating to human rights, recognition and promotion of indigenous peoples rights. All those 241 indicators are relevant to indigenous peoples though most indicators did not mention about indigenous peoples. Thru this action, it is hoped that at least indicators that explicitly mentioned indigenous peoples or issues affecting them shall be part of assessing how the over-all objective of the project has been achieved. Indicators relating to ownership and control over land (1.4, 1.4.2 in the SDG), food security (2.3, 2.4 in the SDG), promotion of peaceful, inclusive societies and access to justice (16.1, 16.2, 16.3 in the SDG) among others shall be closely monitored and link to the specific objectives of the project.

The overall objective is

Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRDs), including women IPHRDs, and their organizations are effectively advancing the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly their lands, territories and resources.

Specific objectives:

1. To bolster capacities of IPHRDs and their organizations to undertake monitoring, documentation, and awareness raising of communities where violations occur as well as for holistic security of HRDs and communities
2. To increase evidence-based and credible advocacy of IPHRDs and their organizations with human rights mechanisms and relevant bodies at all levels for the realization of indigenous peoples’ rights
3. To support the engagement of IPHRDs and their organizations with relevant State and non-State actors for the respect of indigenous peoples’ rights
4. To boost the capacities of IPHRDs and their organizations and communities to protect against reprisals and prevent risks they face in course of defending their rights

Outcome 1: Improved capacities of IPHRDs and their organizations to undertake monitoring, documentation and awareness-raising of communities where violations occur

Estimated Result 1.1 At least 300 new IPHRDs, have increased their knowledge and skills on human rights monitoring, documentation and advocacy as well as holistic security of HRDs, and with particular target to establish IWHRD network.

Estimated Result 1.2: At least 1,000 indigenous community representatives in 54 communities in 9 countries have increased their awareness on human rights and advocacy.

Estimated Result 1.3: At least 7 new IPHRD organisations have increased organisational and financial management capacities.

Estimated Result 1.4: At least 3 educational materials on indigenous rights, including on indigenous women’s rights, are produced and widely distributed and are being used.

Outcome 2: Increased evidence-based and credible advocacy of IPHRDs and their organizations with human rights mechanisms and relevant bodies at all levels for the realization of indigenous peoples ‘rights.

Estimated Result 2.1: At least 150 new cases of human rights violations, which are used for evidence- based advocacy by existing and new IPHRDs, are documented and filed for wider analysis on the trends of criminalisation or general situation of IPHRDs, with particular emphasis on analysing the challenges and trends of violations to IWHRDs for wider circulation.

Estimated Result 2.2: IPHRDs and IWHRDs have participated in relevant regional and international meetings to present relevant cases and articulate positions of indigenous peoples, specifically, (i) at least 75 IPHRDs in Asia have prepared their submissions, agreed on action plans and exchanged experiences at the regional level in relation to their engagement with the UN mechanisms and procedures and other international processes relating to indigenous peoples; (ii) At least 36 IPHRDs have participated in relevant UN meetings and articulated positions of indigenous peoples in Asia, conducted lobby and networking activities; (iii) At least 18 IPHRDs have participated in relevant ASEAN meetings and articulated positions of indigenous peoples in Asia, conducted lobby and networking activities; (iv) At least 10 reports and 3 briefing papers on relevant themes have been published and submitted to relevant State agencies, UN and regional bodies; (v) at least 30 communications have been delivered on positions of indigenous peoples in Asia to those bodies .

Outcome 3: Improved support and appropriate actions provided by the state and non-state actors including private and NGOs to uphold and promote the respect of indigenous peoples’ rights

Estimated Result 3.1: At least 18 dialogues and roundtables with concerned government agencies, policy-makers, National Human Rights Institutions and non-State actors, including businesses, civil society, etc.

Outcome 4: IPHRDs rights are secured and respected as a result of mitigating human rights risks/reprisals.

Estimated Result 4.1: At least 27 IPHRDs and 18 indigenous communities-at-risks or facing reprisals have received direct support such as legal, material, financial and other forms of assistance.

Overall goal of the evaluation:

The overall goal of the evaluation is to assess whether the project has achieved its planned outcomes and to learn more about contribution/impact of the project towards enhancing Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders Network in Asia for Advancement of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Objectives of the evaluation:

1. To assess relevance, effectiveness of the project implementation and sustainability of the projects’ contribution to the advancement of indigenous peoples’ rights.
2. To review the institutional capacity of AIPP, to successfully run the project with accountability towards enhancing Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRDs) Network in Asia.
3. To analyze achievement, lessons learned and provide key recommendations that can guide AIPP in improving and defining its future project development.

SCOPE OF EVALUATION:

• The external evaluation will cover the project for the period from January 2019 to June 2022.
• The team of consultants decides on the methodology used for this evaluation. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the evaluation can only be carried out online.

METHODOLOGY:

The team of consultants might use the following methodology:

1. Interviews with

• the staff of focal IPHRD partners (IPF-Thailand, AWN-India, JOAS-Malaysia, Kapaeeng Foundation-Bangladesh, LAHURNIP-Nepal, CIYA-Cambodia, PPMAN-Indonesia, CPA-Philippines and POINT-Myanmar)
• the members of AIPP’s networks (IPHRDs, NIWA, AIYP, IKPA & IVAN)
• the Management and the Executive Council members of AIPP
• the human rights programmes committee members of AIPP
• the staff of AIPP member organizations who received small grants on human rights cases.
• CSOs, Human Rights Institutes, UN Experts Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders

2. Review and analyze the interim reports, event reports, donor reports and other relevant documents
3. Consultation and feedback session with the project team at the inception and end of the evaluation

COMPOSITION OF THE EVALUATION TEAM:

The evaluation will comprise of two external evaluators (team Leader and a member) of which one shall be an indigenous person and at least one of the evaluators should be based in Asia. Their combined qualifications shall include in depth knowledge and understanding of indigenous issues including activities of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in Asia; and practical experience in conducting evaluation of the related projects/programmes.

Additionally, the team should have the following qualification and combined expertise:

• A master’s degree in the related fields and/or a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in project and programme management, particularly in monitoring and evaluation is required.
• Policy and institutional knowledge in the subject matter.
• Experience in, and a thorough understanding of, national, regional and/or international best practices in the subject areas.
• Solid analytical, critical and conceptual skills and the ability to think creatively.
• Good knowledge of local context (culture, politics, and geography); familiarity with the situations in Asia will be an added asset.
• Pro-active, independent and responsible personality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

OUTPUT/DELIVERABLES:

The team leader is responsible to submit a final Evaluation Report in English by 30 June, 2022. The report shall be a maximum of 35 pages long, excluding annexes.

TENTATIVE TIMEFRAME AND SCHEDULE (12 May 2022-30 June 2022)

The work should be undertaken from 12 May 2022 to 30 June 2022. The total number of work days should not exceed 30 days.

CONSULTANCY FEE AND REMUNERATION:

Interested candidates are requested to submit a proposal with detailed work plan and consultancy fee. AIPP shall cover airfare, accommodation and local travel expenses for traveling for field visits if necessary.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS:

AIPP will be the sole copy right’s owner of the report. The report, either fully or in part/parts should not be reproduced or published, nor used for any commercial publication, gain without obtaining prior written approval of the competent authority of AIPP.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit an Expression of Interest to Ms. Guangchunliu Gangmei at guangchunliu@aippnet.org and Mr. Adrian Marbaniang at adrian@aippnet.org on or before 5th May 2022. The Expression of Interest should include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Brief technical proposal, indicating main methodological considerations and consultancy fee in USD
• Three references, to whom AIPP Secretariat may contact

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the interviews.

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