Scope of Work (SoW)

Local Expert for the PDO to evaluate the working process and the enforcement of assignments given to local self-government authorities by the Parliament, based on the annual report from the Public Defender of Georgia

Background

The goal of the Rule of Law Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) is to strengthen the rule of law in Georgia by building the independence and effectiveness of justice sector institutions, enhancing access to justice for all segments of society, and increasing citizen and institutional oversight of justice sector institutions.

Once a year, the Public Defender of Georgia (PDO) submits a report to Parliament on the status of the protection of human rights and freedoms in the country, based on the review of which Parliament adopts a relevant resolution. A resolution of Parliament contains the evaluation of the report of the PDO on the status of the protection of human rights and freedoms in the country and assignments of Parliament to the state and local self-government authorities.

Although the relevant parliamentary committee is obliged to submit information on the enforcement of the resolution to the Parliamentary Bureau, there are ongoing challenges in the process of creating recommendations and monitoring the implementation of the assignments given to the self-government authorities.

Proposed approach

USAID Rule of Law Program seeks to hire a local expert to assess the regulatory framework of the Parliament that governs the PDOs annual report review process, including committee hearings and working on the Parliamentary resolution. The expert also will be responsible to assess the mechanism and practice of the Parliament in the process of monitoring the enforcement of assignments addressed to local self-government authorities by the Parliament based on the annual report of the Public Defender of Georgia. At the final stage, the expert will develop recommendations for improving practices and processes related to working on the resolution by the Parliament and enforcing assignments to local self-government authorities. If necessary, the expert shall also develop recommendations for the improvement of the legal framework.

The expert will work closely with the Office of the Public Defender.

Reporting

The expert will work closely with Ekaterine Bokuchava, Access to Justice Advisor, and Keti Kiknadze, Access to Justice Specialist, and will report to Giorgi Chkheidze, Chief of Party.

Timeline and Estimated Level of Effort

Performance period: April-June

Level of effort: 15 days in total, including 10 days for the assessment of the legal framework of the Parliament governing PDOs annual report review process, assessment of the monitoring mechanisms of the Parliament for the enforcement of assignments addressed to local self-government authorities by the Parliament, and development of respective recommendations; 4 days for the meetings with the relevant stakeholders, including the Parliament and local self-government, and 1 day for the presentation of the final report and the participation in a working session.

Deliverables

An expert will provide the following deliverables:

1. Conduct an assessment of the legal framework of the Parliament governing the PDOs annual report review process, an assessment of the monitoring mechanisms of the Parliament for the enforcement of assignments addressed to local self-government authorities by the Parliament, and the development of respective recommendations;
2. Conduct a presentation of the assessment and participate in working meetings.

Requirement and Eligibility

Education: University degree in law or other relevant fields

Work Experience:

1. At least five years of professional experience in a relevant field;
2. Working experience with local self-government authorities, the Parliament, and PDO;
3. Excellent communication and presentation skills.

A candidate needs to present/demonstrate the following:

1. Cover letter demonstrating familiarity with the relevant field;
2. CV, with a detailed list of qualifications;
3. Outline of the training;
4. Filled Biodata Form (please see the attachment).

The application may be submitted in English or in Georgian. The application should be e-mailed to Keti Kiknadze at kkiknadze@ewmi.org Please include the following text in the subject line “Local Expert for the PDO to evaluate the working process and the enforcement of assignments given to local self-government authorities by the Parliament, based on the annual report from the Public Defender of Georgia”.

The deadline for submitting applications is April 6.

“EWMI is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion or sexual preferences.”