Internal Governance Design of the Voces del Sur Network At Pan American Development Foundation

REFERENCE TERMS

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

INTERNAL GOVERNANCE DESIGN OF THE NETWORK VOCES OF THE SOUTH

Voices of the South 2.0

Mexico City, Mexico

one. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:

Pan American Development Foundation

The Pan American Development Foundation ( PADF ) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunities for all people. We work in Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger: healthier, more peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient and sustainable for current and future generations. For 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities by investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner and articulate with civil society, governments and the private sector for coordinated work in the region.

PADF is a nonprofit organization 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) based in the United States and established by the Organization of American States ( OAS ) in 1962. As a strategic partner and affiliate of the OAS, we are part of the Inter-American System, but maintaining an independent status. We are committed to upholding OAS values and supporting its mission to achieve more rights for more people throughout the region.

PADF works with vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve Human Development and Human Security. Our work is results-driven and informed by the sustainable development goals that provide a shared model for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future, in areas such as:

• Democracy, Governance and Human Rights
• Peace, Justice and Security
• Economic Opportunities, Health, Education and Nutrition
• Environment and disaster resilience

For more information visit www.padf.org.

Voices of the South

Voces del Sur ( VDS ) is a project implemented by PADF since 2017 that focuses on the promotion and defense of press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right of access to information in Latin America. The project also seeks to strengthen civil society organizations that work on these issues in the region. Under this project, the Voces del Sur Network was formalized, a network made up of 17 civil society organizations in 17 countries working to defend freedom of expression and the press by monitoring attacks on journalists and to the press. To achieve comparative monitoring throughout the region, The VDS Network collectively designed a consensual regional methodology based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal ODS 16.10.1. Since 2018,VDS has released an annual shadow report with its findings, offering a comparative analysis of the situation throughout the region.

Although the VDS Network started and continues as a monitoring network, cooperation between organizations has made it an important resource for capacity building and advocacy. VDS and its member CSOs actively advocate for national, regional and international freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and access to information to achieve fairer and more transparent societies. The strengths and experiences of different members generate opportunities for technical assistance among partners, who collaborate with each other to develop their skills. With the collective strength of their organizations, VDS has exchanged with key actors to promote improvements to the safety of journalists and generate attention to violations of freedom of expression and the press in the region. It has had an impact with international organizations,governments, civil society entities, the media, journalists and activists. In this way, VDS has become a civil society leader in promoting freedom of expression in Latin America.

To continue consolidating its capacities at the regional level and growing its international recognition and influence, The network seeks a consultant to assist in the creation of the VDS Network’s internal governance systems and structures. It seeks to formalize the practices and principles of the management and operation of the VDS Network with agreed and official rules and guidelines with the approval of the network membership. This will allow establishing all network practices for leadership, decision making, and the overall operation of the VDS Network. Therefore, this consultancy requires an expert person to guide the creation of the VDS governance rules during the annual meeting of the network in Mexico City, Mexico, on 03, December 04, and 05, 2023. Substantive pre-planning work will be required,therefore it is expected to start the consultancy as soon as possible.

2. OBJETIVO:

En el marco de este proyecto, PADF busca contratar una persona o equipo consultor experto en el desarrollo institucional de organizaciones de sociedad civil, preferiblemente en el ámbito de libertad de expresión y libertad de prensa para proveer asistencia técnica a la Red VDS y sus organizaciones socias. La consultoría se centra en lo siguiente:

1. Analizar preferencias y prioridades de las organizaciones de la Red VDS para la gobernanza institucional de la Red, y en torno a esto, diseñar la metodología y programa para el taller de desarrollo durante la reunión anual
2. Liderar y facilitar un taller de creación de las reglas y estatutos para gobernanza interna de la Red VDS durante la reunión anual de la red en CDMX el 03, 04, 05 de diciembre del 2023, culminando esta sesión con los lineamientos de gobernanza aprobados por la membresía de la Red VDS
3. Producir las reglas y prácticas de gobernanza de la Red VDS y planificar la implementación inicial de estas

3. RESPONSABILIDADES DEL CONSULTOR/A:

a.) Combinar preferencias de la membresía VDS junto a las recomendaciones expertas del consultor para guiar el desarrollo de las reglas de gobernanza de VDS

b.) Diseñar la metodología y programa para el taller de creación de reglas y estatutos de gobernanza de la Red VDS.

c.) Buscar aprobación de tal metodología y programa de la Red VDS y el equipo técnico de PADF antes del encuentro en diciembre.

d.) Liderar y facilitar las sesiones de trabajo para establecer las reglas y estatutos de gobernanza de la Red VDS. Algunas sesiones pueden ocurrir antes del encuentro en diciembre si se requiere más tiempo.

e.) Presentar un reporte sobre el desarrollo de la sesión de construcción colectiva

f.) Transcribir las reglas y estatutos de gobernanza de la Red VDS, junto a un plan inicial de implementación.

4. LUGAR(ES) DE ASIGNACIÓN:

El trabajo se llevará a cabo de manera virtual desde el inicio del contrato el 15 de septiembre y presencialmente durante la reunión anual de la Red VDS el 03, 04 y 05 de diciembre del 2023 en Ciudad de México, México.

5. PERFIL DEL CANDIDATO:

El candidato/a ideal deberá poseer lo siguiente:

• Experiencia en desarrollo institucional de sociedad civil
• Experience in the development and implementation of technical assistance and training for civil society organizations
• Knowledge of human rights and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the political and social reality of Latin America

6. CONTRACTUAL MECHANISM: FIXED PRICE ( All Taxes, Fees and other applicable costs must be included in the price proposal. ):

The total cost of the consultancy will not exceed USD $ 8,000.

Include the following information regarding your rate with your request:

• Rate provided for the deliverable ( s ) finished ( s ). Provide a detailed list of each product, its cost, and price justification.

7. DOCUMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE:

a. ) Attach your resume ( CV ) to demonstrate how you meet the terms of reference requirements.

b. ) Include project descriptions or similar assignments and at least three customer references.

c. ) Your preferred daily rate and its justification. Include the information requested in section 5, Contractual Mechanism.

8. CONTRACT DURATION:

The contract will begin on September 15, 2023, and will be in effect until December 20, 2023.

9. PARTICIPATION DATA:

a. ) Applications must be received no later than September 5, 2023. All application material should be sent to czoeller@padf.org following the guidelines indicated in these Terms of Reference.

b. ) Offer validity: 120 days from the filing deadline.

c. ) Amendments: At any time before the deadline for the presentation of proposals, PADF may, for any reason, Modify the Terms of Reference document by means of an amendment to be published on the PADF website and / or communicated by email.

d. ) Clarifications: Questions can be sent to czoeller@padf.org. The email subject must contain the number and title of the terms of reference.

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Award result

These Terms of Reference ( TOR ) do not compel PADF to execute a contract, nor do they commit PADF to pay any costs incurred in preparing or submitting proposals. Furthermore, PADF reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered in the best interest of PADF. PADF, in its sole discretion, will select the winning proposal and is not required to share the results of the individual evaluation.

Confidentiality

All proprietary information provided by the tenderer will be treated as confidential and will not be shared with potential or existing applicants during the bidding process. This includes, but is not limited to, price quotes, cost proposals, and technical proposals. The results of the PADF evaluation are confidential.