JOB DESCRIPTION
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Democracy International (DI) is implementing the USAID-funded Protection, Inclusion and Empowerment activity, which aims to support disadvantaged and marginalized populations in Armenia through needed legal/regulatory framework changes, improved services, and intensified cooperation between the government and non-governmental actors to address the needs of vulnerable populations. It will do so through five interrelated components: 1) inclusion, protection and empowerment policy and legislative reform, 2) improved inclusion, protection, empowerment services for vulnerable and marginalized groups, 3) enhanced protection and inclusion of those affected by instability and violent hostilities/conflict, 4) outreach, communications, research regarding social sector policy and services, and 5) adaptive social protection to address the impacts of global or domestic crises. As a part of this, DI is supporting Government of Armenia to develop policy-making skills through strategic change-management approaches and supporting MLSA in establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to unify social services and carry out decentralization efforts. The SOP shall outline the approach to handling complaints, including through maintaining processes to respond to complaints and protecting those who report.
DI is planning to support the Government of Armenia in the framing of legal and operating procedures, particularly in developing a mechanism for anonymous reporting on torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment in mental health care and daycare (24/7) centers. The activity is enshrined in the National Strategy on Human Rights and the Action Plan 2023-2025 .
RESPONSIBILITIES
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- Assess the national legislation regulating the reporting and investigation of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and international frameworks, in particular the UN Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (2022 version);
- Develop templates for documenting any signs of ill-treatment or torture, and a guideline on how to document and report such cases to the competent authority;
- Propose a mechanism to anonymously report on the observed evidence of patterns of abuse;
- Organize discussions around the developed draft legal acts involving representatives from relevant state agencies and non-state organizations;
- Revise the draft legal acts based on the discussions with DI, which will be presented to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for approval.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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- 5 years of experience in the area of human rights protection or with a focus on persons with disabilities rights;
- Strong knowledge of the regulations, legal procedures and structures regulating the area of mental health care and support services in Armenia;
- Proven expertise in consulting state and non-state agencies the area of mental health care and support services in Armenia;
- Advanced degree in relevant fields such as law, social protection, sociology, public policy and other relevant fields.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
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Interested candidates should email a cover letter explaining why they are the most qualified candidate, their resume, and requested daily rate to Ani Avanesyan, Inclusion Assistant at:
aavanesyan@democracyinternational.com with the subject line "Expert to develop standard operating procedure". DI will only consider applications submitted by June 10, 2024.
Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this job opportunity through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am, Thanks.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
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It is expected that each expert will work 25 days on this assignment for a period until September 15, 2024. The Expert will only be compensated for days agreed in writing by the PIE team and when written reports are submitted on-time and of an acceptable quality. If travel is required, DI will bear the travel expenses in accordance with its travel policy.
ABOUT COMPANY
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DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries. welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.