Consultancy: Indicators for democratic parliaments

Description

The IPU is coordinating a multi-partner project to create a set of parliamentary indicators based on SDG targets 16.6 and 16.7. The indicators are intended to help parliaments to measure their capacity and performance, as a tool for learning and further development.  This project builds on the work done in this area by many parliaments, international organizations and other stakeholders over the last two decades.

Planning, pilot testing and drafting of an initial set of indicators has taken place in 2020, under the guidance on an international Project Team and with the substantive contribution of a Drafting Group. The indicators will be organized around the SDG targets: Effective, transparent and accountable institutions, and Responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making. In total, the expectation is that the final output will contain 26 “indicators” broken down into around 115 “dimensions”. The target is to publish a first full draft of the parliamentary indicators in October 2021.

We are looking to recruit two consultants with significant parliamentary expertise to draft indicators and dimensions. This work will draw upon the methodology that has been established and the work that has been done so far.

Tasks

• Carry out further research into existing parliamentary assessment frameworks, benchmarks, indicators and other relevant studies
• Draft new indicators and dimensions, based on the established methodology
• Review draft indicators and dimensions prepared by other members of the Drafting Group or external experts
• Contribute to pilot-testing the draft indicators with national parliaments
• Contribute to the creation of the digital version of the Project
• Participate in online meetings of the Drafting Group

Deliverables

1. Around 25 new dimensions drafted
2. Descriptions drafted for the corresponding indicators
3. Comments provided on indicators and dimensions drafted by other members of the Drafting Group or external experts
4. Regular progress reports

Requirements

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as law, political science or international relations.

• At least 10 years’ in working for or with parliaments, at increasing levels of responsibility
• Extensive knowledge of parliamentary law and procedure; and politics and political systems
• Highly desirable characteristics include:
  • Current or former senior official of a national parliament
  • Professional experience with more than one parliament
  • A combination of academic and practical experience
  • Experience of working with, or creating, indicators
  • Relevant experience in an international environment
• Personal commitment to the core values of parliament and democracy
• Demonstrated ability to achieve expected results and outcomes
• Strong research skills. Demonstrated ability to write clearly
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team that spans different countries and organizations
• Excellent time management and attention to detail
• Familiarity with the IPU work
• Excellent reading and writing skills in English. Ability to read French and/or Spanish is desirable

Location

The consultant will work remotely.

Duration

Each consultancy is for up to 100 days of work. This is equivalent to a full-time  commitment during the period February-June 2021. The preferred start date is 1 February 2021.

Employment conditions

The External Collaborator is an independent contractor, is not considered to be an official or employee of the IPU and is not subject to the IPU Staff Regulations and Staff Rules. The External Collaborator is not entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely liable for the payment of any national income tax due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract. The External Collaborator will not be included in the IPU pension scheme.

Recruitment principles

Our guiding principle in selecting candidates is to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. We do not discriminate on any grounds and are committed to promoting diversity in our workforce. 

Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and to achieving gender balance. We strive to provide an environment where the contribution of each individual is valued.

All our employees are expected to possess the following qualities:

• Motivation and a strong commitment to our principles
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team
• High level of technical knowledge relevant to the post
• Experience in working at national and/or international level

We ask all our staff to agree to our  Code of Conduct for personnel and our Fraud and Corruption Prevention and Control Policy.

The work of the IPU is based on the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments that describes a series of fundamental principles for the planning and implementation of programmes aimed to strengthen the capacity of parliaments. The Consultant will be expected to factor the Common principles into his/her tasks.