Invitation to Tender - ESCR-Social Security Campaign Analysis

Amnesty International UK seeks a consultant for a piece of research for our ESCR-Social Security campaign.

 

About Amnesty

As a global movement of more than 10 million people, Amnesty International is the world's largest grassroots human rights organisation. We investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilise the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world. We received the Nobel Peace Prize for our life-saving work. Amnesty International UK is a national section of this global movement. We have around half a million supporters, members and activists in the UK.

Amnesty International values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Project background & context

Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) is one of AI UK’s priority areas in our strategic period until 2030 for human rights campaigning and research.  ESCR are not adequately protected in UK law, and we want that to change.  Social security plays an important role in poverty reduction and alleviation.  This right is a core component of international human rights law including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).  A well-functioning social security system should protect the adequate standard of living of marginalised and vulnerable groups such as people living in poverty, disabled persons, children, the elderly, migrants etc.   The UK Government and devolved administrations (where applicable) are obliged to provide a social security system which is human rights compliant.  AIUK is focused on demonstrating how social security is a lynchpin right which – when violated - triggers rights violations in other ESCRs. 

Aim

To enable this project, we need a review of existing knowledge on social security in the UK which includes the UK Government’s own reporting, research carried out by civil society organisations, academics and think tanks. We also need the review to analyse and organise the findings in line with international human rights treaties and standards. This will be looking at social security in general, but also at specific welfare benefits and schemes. This will be a desk-based review and analysis of relevant research or publications produced by charities, academics, think tanks and government agencies, within the last 3 years. The researcher(s) need to include summaries of the relevant international human rights laws and standards and use this as the framework of analysis. Based on the analysis, then provide a conclusion which identifies what the literature tells us about the consensus across sources, divergence, where there is a lot of research and where there are gaps.

Scope and budget

We expect to develop the methodology together with the consultant(s) but expect it to include an inception meeting, internal document review, evidence review and write up of a report with findings and executive summary.

The budget is up to £15k inclusive of VAT. This covers staff costs and expenses, including any necessary travel and accommodation. We will accept proposal options of what can be delivered with different levels of budgets.

Submissions/timeline

We are seeking a partner with expertise in social security policy and knowledge of international frameworks relating to social security to write a report for us and our civil society partners.

If this is you, and you are interested in submitting a proposal for this work, please contact Jen Clarke, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Lead on Jen.Clark@amnesty.org.uk for further information and submit proposals to Jen by Sunday 11th August 2024. 

Candidates are requested to provide a written proposal no longer than 4 pages which includes the following:
•    Contact details of tendering consultants 
•    Short summary (1-2 pages) outlining: proposal, timetable, team, methodology, strengths and added value.
•    Details of relevant previous experience (including any experience in literature review or delivering research)
•    Budget outline to demonstrate value for money.

You can also include, but its not essential, a CV of consultant(s), references from previous clients and/or examples of previous work (if you have permission to share). 

We would like to begin this work at the end of August if possible with the final report provided by 30th November 2024. Flexibility of timescales to fit in with other work will be considered. We will invite potential candidates for an informal meeting to talk through your tender response and ask any questions we have about your proposal. This will be an online meeting arranged at a convenient time within 2 weeks after the closing date.

Downloads

Social Security Lit Review TENDER JUL24.pdf