DAI is implementing the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Rights and Labor (DRL)’s funded project “Strengthening Leadership within Union Councils (LUC)”.

LUC is a four-year project (2019-2023) and is working with local governments in Sindh and Punjab to increase the capacity of local councils to fulfill their commitments to providing services to local communities and improve the equitable allocation of local resources. LUC is working with the Union Councils in Sindh and Punjab, various government departments, independent commissions, academia, and local civil society organizations and platforms to achieve the following objectives:

Objective 1: Increase the local councils’ capacity to engage in good governance best practices.

Objective 2: Increase the leadership skills of council members (officials and elected representatives).

Objective 3: Provide councils with opportunities to engage under-represented groups (women, youth and minorities).

In the result of Local Government elections in Sindh, a new pool of local councilors is elected and there are limited opportunities to provide capacity building support to these newly elected councilors. Although the Local Government Department conducts orientation programs for newly elected local councilors, but still there is a room for a more comprehensive training focusing on LUC’s thematic areas such as inclusive planning and budgeting process, Caucus Formation and strengthening of their leadership and communication skills Gender Mainstreaming, Women Rights, Minority Rights and Leadership Skills etc.

In this connection, LUC project is seeking the services of a sector expert/consultant to develop training manuals in English for trainers and local elected councilors, UC Secretaries and District LG officials focusing on “Minority Rights” at local government level.

The consultant is expected to assess the existing training materials, Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Act 2021, Hindu Marriage Act, Constitution of Pakistan, and develop training manuals for intended trainees. The training resource material will consist of four main components: a) trainer’s manual, b) trainees’ manual, c) training assessment toolkit, and d) IEC material.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The major objective of this consultancy is to develop a training manual on “Minority Rights” for the capacity building of Local Elected Councilors, Secretaries at Union Council level, relevant District Local Government Department officials and community groups in Sindh, Pakistan.

Scope of Work

1. Carry out desk research and review of existing information and materials on “Minority Rights”, to identify gaps in terms of role of Minority Councilors in provision of minority specific services, linkages between minority councilors and minority in the community, access to UC office and its services.
2. Conduct consultations with Minority Affairs department, LG department, Sindh Local Government Academy, Jamshoro, Hindu Panchayat/Religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders to collate information for manual development
3. Develop two manuals comprised of different modules for trainers and trainees.
4. Consultant will develop table of contents and submit to LUC team for approval.  

The modules should cover topics including:

(The list of topics is not final; consultant can suggest more topics)

 i.          Introduction and background information

ii.          Objectives of training manual/course

iii.          Agenda of training

iv.          Key concepts and definitions on Minority in the context of Pakistan

v.          Fundamental Human Rights and Minority Rights in the constitution of Pakistan

vi.          Local Governance Structure in Sindh

vii.          Minority representation at Provincial, District and Union Council level (Laws and provisions) in Sindh

viii.          Key Challenges and barriers for minority’s effective participation at local level

ix.           Opportunities to promote minority participation in decision making process at local level

 x.           Strengthening capacities of minority councilors and community groups

xi.           Minority responsive planning and budgeting at Union Council level

xii.           Implementation of Sindh Hindu Marriage Act (history, progress, and challenges)

xiii.           Hindu Marriage Registration Process at Union Council level

xiv.           Role of Hindu religious leaders, LG officials and Minority Affairs department in the implementation of Hindu Marriage Act

xv.           Minority Caucus (formation and functions)

1. Each module should have notes/handouts, case studies and exercises for trainees.
2. Training modules should have illustration/pictorial images for better understandings of content for trainees.
3. Develop an assessment toolkit, which includes: an evaluation to be administered both at the beginning and end of trainings to measure the impact of training 
4. Develop Information Education and Communication (IEC) material with a view to disseminate among the community to enhance role of minority in UC specific activities as per requirement of LUC project
5. Consultant will conduct consultation meetings with LG department and LGA, Jamshoro for approval of training manuals.   
6. Consultant will closely work with LUC team for development and approval of training manuals

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to.

1. Submit a detailed work plan for the consultancy period
2. In consultation with LUC team, develop and submit drafts of two (02) training manuals ensuring that they are in keeping with the principles of DAI-Pakistan, SLGA-2021, Local Government Department, Sindh, and other relevant Government Departments.
3. The two (02) manuals, as detailed in the ‘scope of work’ section above.
4. Submit agreed IEC material
5. Submit assessment toolkit (pre & post-test)
6. Revise and refine the content of the training manuals after receiving feedback from LUC team
7.  Deliver the two finalized training manuals (English version), described above.
8. Approval letter from LGA, Jamshoro and LG department Sindh. 

LUC’s Responsibilities

1. Oversee the overall development of the training materials and provide feedback on drafts submitted to LUC
2.  Process payments on accomplishment of the task according to contract and deliverables met

Timeframe

The assignment should be completed within the period of TWO month. The overall duration of the tasks covered under this Scope of Work (SoW) has been estimated to not exceed (15) consultancy days, including: a) Development of Manuals (Trainers and Trainees) on “Minority Rights” in English, b) Development of IEC material, c) development of training agenda, and d) Development of assessment toolkit.

Skills & Experience

Education

1. Minimum formal qualification from a recognized university master’s degree in religious studies, Sociology, Economics, or related field

Required Experience and Skills

1. Minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in developing resource material on Minority Rights to be used for multistakeholder training purposes in the indicated fields of expertise or competencies
2. Strong knowledge and understanding of fundamental human rights, minority rights, Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Act 2021 and Hindu Marriage Act in Sindh.
3. Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills in English and Urdu language; ability to communicate effectively and in a credible manner with various partners including local government, civil society, UN agencies; development partners; and communities.
4. Excellent skills and experience in developing training manuals for local elected representatives, UC officials, LG officials, journalists, civil society representatives and community groups.