Request for Proposal (RFP): The Rights of Indigenous Peoples Program

About this position

Request for Proposal: The Rights of Indigenous Peoples Program

ABOUT US

Amnesty International is a movement of 10 million ordinary people in more than 150 countries who come together to achieve extraordinary results in defending and promoting human rights. We get discriminatory laws changed and prisoners of conscience released. We’ve helped stop torture, commute death sentences and worked to end violence against women. We are in solidarity with Indigenous peoples demanding that their rights be respected.

EQUITY COMMITMENT

As a part of Amnesty International Canada's commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, diversity, equity and inclusion (ARAO-DEI), we are committed to equity as part of our procurement and contracting process. We welcome and encourage applications from members of equity seeking groups including women, transgender, non-binary, and LGBTI individuals; First Nations, Metis, and Inuit individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of racialized and marginalized groups. We believe our work is stronger when it benefits from the experience, knowledge and wisdom of people who have faced systemic barriers and encourage applications from qualified individuals or groups who have lived experience as a member of historically underrepresented communities.

Amnesty International Canada (English Section) (“AI Canada”) is developing the next phase of our 2030 strategic vision to advance national and international human rights conditions for all peoples living in Canada and globally to experience the fullness of their rights, including equality, justice, and freedom of expression. To fully achieve this vision Amnesty Canada is committed to transformational change and to authentically reflect our vision to center youth and feminist leadership, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. Cross-cutting this vision are our commitments to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, migrants and people on the move, racial justice, gender equity, climate justice and crisis response. We will approach these themes from an intersectional lens.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Amnesty International Canada (English Section) (“AI Canada”) seeks to appoint a consultant to assist us in shaping how we take forward our commitment to be in solidarity with Indigenous communities as they seek to fully realize their human rights, in line with the movement’s overall strategic framework as well as AI Canada’s operational framework. This operational framework anticipates the execution of a prioritized, cross-functional campaign in support of the rights of Indigenous women human rights defenders in Canada to be launched in 2023. Although AI Canada has a long history of work in relation to the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and abroad, our approach going forward will be to ensure that we are led by the priorities of Indigenous communities and be founded on a highly participatory methodology. It will center the fact that Indigenous Peoples in Canada have always led the struggle to realize their rights.

The aim of the consultancy is to develop an operational plan for the next 1 to 2 years in this area of work. The consultant will be expected to apprise themselves of the history of AI Canada’s efforts with respect to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in consultation with AI Canada’s Circle of Knowledge Keepers, identify Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) stakeholders to consult across Canada, engage in stakeholder consultations to understand their approaches and priorities, and propose an operational plan for AI Canada to take forward. This strategy should include a clear change management process that respects the free, prior, and informed consent of the Indigenous communities with which AI Canada might partner.

The consultant and/or consulting firm will closely with a committee comprised of the Director of Policy, Research and Advocacy, Programs Manager (Advocacy & Campaigns), the Equity, People and Culture team and in close collaboration with other AI Canada staff, particularly a team of thematic experts.

Please note this RFP will prioritize consultants and consulting firms with both lived experience and expertise
of the relevant subject matter.

DELIVERABLES

• A stakeholder engagement report, identifying the First Nations, Inuit and Métis/Indigenous communities contacted, a summary of conversations held, and converging priorities identified.

• A memorandum identifying 2-3 possible focus areas for AI Canada, presenting a theory of change and an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for each option.

• A concept note and timeline for a 1-2 year campaign in support of Indigenous women human rights defenders including time for two organizational revisions

• Needs analysis report identifying any specific gaps in AI Canada’s ability to execute the proposed campaign and recommendations.

• A draft job description and support with hiring an ideal candidate who will oversee key components of this portfolio

PROPOSAL

Please submit a maximum 2 page proposal that includes the following:

1. Approach and methodology for the scope of work

   • a. Approach used to engage stakeholders

   • Proposed team's experience and/or expertise working in research, program development and project management with Indigenous communities

2. Timeline that includes key steps in the project and a draft schedule

3. Budget including fees and any associated costs

4. Two references (references will not be contacted without prior notification)

TIMELINE

The RFP deadline is Monday, August 15, 2022, at 5:00 PM (EDT) and submitted via email to the Interim Director of Equity, People and Culture, Chantelle De La Cruz, cdelacruz@amnesty.ca. However, proposals will be considered on a rolling basis.

Date & Item:

July 25, 2022 - RFP reissued

August 15, 2022 - Proposal Deadline

Week of August 22, 2022 - Meeting with short listed respondents

Week of August 29, 2022 - Evaluation of proposals

Week of August 29, 2022 - All candidates notified of results, contract signing

Questions

All questions and inquiries regarding this RFP should be directed, in writing, to Interim Director of Equity,
People and Culture, Chantelle De La Cruz, cdelacruz@amnesty.ca.