CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT FOR UPDATING THE SURVEY ON COMMUNICATION SURVEILLANCE AND PRIVACY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

Title: Consultancy – Survey Report reviewing and updating

Expected start date: Immediately

Contract Period: 14 working days

Who we are

Defenders Coalition (The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders–Kenya) is a national organization incorporated in the Republic of Kenya as a Trust. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders (HRDs) to work effectively in the country and to reduce their vulnerability to the risk of persecution, through protection, capacity building, and advocacy for a favorable legal and policy environment. Established in 2007, NCHRD-K is the only national organization that works primarily for the protection of HRDs.

Background:

Defenders Coalition set out a survey to assess Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) level of exposure, understanding, and perception of communication surveillance as well as identify their strategies for mitigating the same in 2018. As enshrined in the CoK under Article 31, the right to privacy is a fundamental right protected in law across the world jurisdictions. Needless to say it is essential in providing the prerequisites for the protection of human dignity and enjoyment of the bill of rights. 

The report analyses the needs, concerns and areas of interest for HRDs in relation to privacy, data protection, and communications surveillance and establishes the impact surveillance has on the work of HRDs. The report also offered recommendations to various actors including HRDs to develop appropriate, timely interventions and advocacy strategies. The enactment of the Data Protection Act 2019 was a big step in the realization of the Right to Privacy and protection for HRDs especially against surveillance. A lot remains to be done especially with the proposed amendments to the Official Secrets Act which in this light seeks to negate the right to privacy and give the authorities an upper hand. 

Now more than ever efforts should be made to ensure that the checks and balances which are at the heart of the DPA are enforced and implemented.

Scope of the work

The consultant’s main duty shall be based on two specific tasks:

1. To analyze and review the report, special focus on the developments in legislation, specifically on the Right to Privacy and recommendations in the report that have been overtaken by such developments. The report can be accessed here.
2. To update the report accordingly.

Expected Deliverables

1. Updated report; Following the review, analysis of the original report, the consultant shall be required to submit the updated report for review and approval.

Timeframe: 14 Working Days

Required Expertise and Qualifications

1. Ability to draft clearly and concisely making human rights issues accessible to a wider, nontechnical audience.
2. Relevant experience with demonstrated record of providing research services (letter of recommendations from relevant clients will be an asset).
3. Minimum of two (2) years of research translation work within humanitarian fields.
4. Good knowledge of international human rights standards and best practices in relation to the rights to privacy.
5. Excellent research writing, editing skills and analytical skills.
6. Self-motivated, able to meet tight deadlines.
7. Team-oriented, poses a positive attitude and works well with others.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Application Procedure

Qualified consultants must include in their application the following:

1. Technical Proposal not exceeding 5 pages on:  

• An understanding and interpretation of the TOR
• Methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment
• Time and activity schedule.

2. Financial proposal not exceeding 1 page

• Consultant’s daily rate in Kenya Shillings
• Other costs e.g. travel, accommodation
• Total cost

3. Organizational and Personnel Capacity Statement  

• Relevant experience related to the assignment (include samples of two most recent similar works and/or references for the same) 
• Contacts of at least 3 organizations previously worked for.
• Curriculum Vitae of the Consultant(s).

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Interested and qualified consultants should submit their application on or before 24th July 2020 to:

Kamau Ngugi

Executive Director

Defenders Coalition

Email: info@defenderscoalition.org 

Defenders Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. Persons from minority groups, indigenous groups, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidence.