1.1 Introduction

The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) is a non-governmental, non- partisan human rights organization registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act of 2002 in Mainland and as society under the Societies Act of 1995 (Act No. 6) on part of Zanzibar. THRDC is a Human Rights Defenders umbrella organization with a total of 250 member organizations from both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Its membership and representation in terms of operations and thematic is spread through 11 designated zonal coordinating units and 14 members thematic areas all over the United Republic of Tanzania respectively. THRDC has two offices with its headquarters located in Mainland (Dar es Salaam) and its branch in Zanzibar (Unguja).

The long-term goal of the Coalition is to see a free and secured environment for human rights defenders in Tanzania, and to ensure HRDs in Tanzania carries out their essential work free from harm and repression, in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human rights defenders of 1998. The ultimate result of all these, as this coalition visualizes, is a contribution to the creation of safer working environment for the HRDs. HRDs are organizations or individual who work to protect and promote other rights including Journalists, Lawyers, Human Rights Institutions etc.

THRDC has been working/ engaging with HRDs with since its establishment at various levels and capacity. These includes empowerment programs (capacity building on risk assessment and management, digital security, resources mobilization etc), meetings with various authorities including the State House), protection services, engagement programs at local, regional, and international including UN mechanisms i.e., reporting to mention a few.

1.2 Background Information and the Current Situation

The situation of Human Rights Defenders in Tanzania in the 5past 7 years has continued to be hectic given the increased number of violations against HRDs who are working to defend human rights. The report about Human Rights Defenders and Civic Space in Tanzania shows that for the year 2017 at least 52 incidents of violations of HRDs rights were recorded while in 2018 there was an increase by 6 incidents and in 2019, 71 incidents were recorded making an increase of 13 incidents. Additionally, in 2020, 2021 and 2022 the number of supported HRDs increased from 87, 113 and 278 respectively.

Taking note of the critical preventive protection needs for the HRDs community, THRDC developed self-protection guidelines seeking to simplify information that human rights defenders need to understand for their self-protection. The guidelines have been in use over several years and therefore require to be revised to incorporate changes that may have occurred to date to suit the current context.

Therefore, THRDC is looking for a competent consultancy firm/ consultant to undertake the

protection and security capacity manual revision based on the current operational context and HRDs empowerment needs.

2.0 Assignment Objective and Deliverables.

2.1 Main Objective.

The main objective of the assignment is to revise the existing THRDC protection and security capacity manual based on the current operational context and redevelop the manual to suit the empowerment needs. This is to empower and safeguard HRDs in their critical work, enabling them to carry out their duties with minimized risks and improved security.

2.1.1 Specific objectives.

1. To assess the current operational context, challenges, and threats facing HRDs in their work.

2. To identify and address gaps, redundancies, or outdated information in the existing protection and security empowerment manual.

3. To redevelop the protection and security empowerment manual to suit the current context of HRDs security needs including child rights protection for HRDs working with children.

2.2 Deliverable

A revised protection and security capacity manual based on the current operational context and HRDs empowerment needs.

3.0 Methodology

The consultant is expected to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the current protection and security manual to understand its strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the context of HRDs.

2. Engage with relevant key stakeholders such as HRDs, NGO Security experts and other relevant parties to gather feedback and input.

3. Highlight and incorporate key issues regarding child rights protection for HRDs working on children’s rights/ working with children.

4. Highlight areas in the current manual that require revision, updating, or removal based on the current operational context and the specific needs of HRDs.

5. Redevelop the protection and security manual incorporating feedback, new developments, and the specific needs of HRDs.

3.2 Assignment Duration

The assignment shall take three weeks after signing the agreement. The timing of all activities needs to be settled by the evaluator in dialogue with the respondents to be interviewed during the inception phase.

4.0 Application Modality
4.1 Interested consultants/firm must submit the following documents:

a) Technical and Financial Proposal, and CV

1. Signed Cover letter.

2. Technical proposal (maximum of 10 pages), which should include the following:

   (a) Proposed program and methodology to be used in carrying out the evaluation. (b) Understanding Assignment requirements
   (c) Consultants experience in delivering a similar work.

3. Financial proposal specifying the cost allocations (in TZS).

iv.

Current CV, maximum of 5 pages (Relevant to the assignment)

The consultant shall specify the qualifications of each team member and attach their individual curriculum vitae (including name, address, education, professional experience). Reference persons (with telephone numbers and e-email addresses) should be stated.

b)

i. ii. iii. iv. v.

Individual/ Firm Legal Operational Documents

Company/ Individual profile
Copy of certified certificate of registration Certified copy of business license
Certified copy of TIN certificate
Copy of the original tax clearance certificate

4.2 Submission/ Tendering

Soft copies of the documents should be submitted to info@thrdc.or.tz, with the subject line “HRDs protection and security capacity manual revision based on the current operational context, and empowerment needs” or delivered physically addressed to

The National Coordinator,
Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition,
P. O Box 105926, Dar es Salaam.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further processes. The deadline for applications is on 15th of October 2023 at 17:00hrs.

NB: Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition is a free and fair entity, and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply. Women are highly encouraged to apply for this opportunity.