Job Description
Terms of Reference
TECHNICAL EXPERTS’ CONSULTATION ON DEVELOPING CSO CHILD PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
Background
Phase II of the African Children’s Charter Project (ACCP II focuses on strengthening the regional human rights system and AU institutions, while linking civil society organisation to these human rights mechanisms as a conduit for holding government and regional institutions to account for commitment made to children.
The outcomes of this project are intended to be achieved through facilitating and promoting the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) relying on three main project components:
1 strengthening of the ACERWC to implement its strategy; 2 influencing AU institutions to consider child rights in their decisions and actions; and 3 strengthening of civil society to use AU mechanisms for the promotion of child rights.
The strengthening of the ACERWC as a regional body for the promotion, advancement and protection of child rights is key for the realization of child rights in the region. Being the centrepiece at the regional level, a well-functioning, strategic and respected ACERWC has a positive bearing on child rights at the Pan-African level as well as being a catalyst for the enhancement and protection of child rights at the national level.
According to the recommendations of the CSO Forum, meaningful child participation during the sessions of the ACERWC has been one of the persistent challenges that need to be addressed. Children can participate in the civil society reporting process either through adult-led civil society organizations that submit complementary reports to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare (ACERWC), or through their own child-led organizations. Children might also be involved in the formal State Party reporting process through participating in consultations organized by their government or civil society organizations.
However, although the participation of children has been noted as a critical element of improving their agency as rights holder, there are no rules or guidelines on children’s participation in State Party and CSO reporting processes. In addition, children’s participation is usually piecemeal, often tokenistic and unstainable. In order to address these challenges, the ACERWC together with its development partners'[1]decided to develop a guideline on child participation to guide the ACERWC and CSOs on how to meaningfully engage children in matters that affect them at regional, national and local levels. . This project will support the ACERWC to develop this guideline and in particular, guidelines for children’s participation in reporting, during sessions and very importantly feedback to children’s engagement with the Committee.
Objectives of the consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to carry out consultations with child rights experts using steering group discussion approaches, and update a draft document on child participation guidelines from these consultations, which will be conducted in Nairobi from the 18- 21 of September 2018.
The programme team will develop a zero draft to form the basis of the expert consultations. The programme team led by the child participation coordinator will facilitate and moderate group discussions on different sections of the guidelines. Through the use of various tools and methodologies, the consultant should be able to harmonize conversations, facilitate plenary sessions, ensure maximum and effective participation of experts and other stakeholders, as well as extract and analyse key messaging and asks from the consultations which can be used for finalising the child participation guidelines. The consultant is further expected to review and analyse the draft guidelines against AU processes and within the functioning of the AU architecture to ensure the document is fit for purpose and acceptable for adoption by the ACERWC and its Secretariat.
The specific results are:
Comprehensive and detailed views and opinions gathered from the experts and other stakeholders during the consultations through the use of various tools and methodologies.
Analysis of findings from the consultations.
Key messages and views derived from the consultations to be used for drafting the child participation guidelines, using an AU lens.
Key Tasks
Attend and facilitate a 3-day training in Kenya with Child Rights Experts and also steer discussions to deliver key outputs to be used in drafting the child participation guidelines.
Facilitate the focus group discussions with the experts through using various tools and methods to ensure maximum participation of children and other stakeholders.
Document detailed views and opinions from the consultations capturing the key points that will guide in drafting the guidelines.
Analyse findings from the consultations.
Extract key messages and views from the findings that will be used to draft the child participation guidelines.
Revision of the draft child participation guidelines in view for submission to the ACERWC.
Key Deliverables
A draft child participation guideline. 2 A narrative report documenting the key findings of the consultations.
Methodology, Outputs and Timeframe
Deliverables
No. of Working days
Facilitate workshop for the drafting of Child participation guidelines
3
Collation and documentation of findings
4
Analyse findings gathered during the consultations and write a narrative report on the finding
3
Develop a draft document on guidelines to child participation
4
Total Number of Days
14
Consultant profile
The consultant or firm must demonstrate substantial knowledge and experience in child rights and child participatory approaches as well as an understanding of AU processes and organs especially the ACERWC.
The consultant or firm must have experience in all aspects of carrying out research including planning research, outlining and writing reports, reviewing documents, facilitating focus group discussions and workshop-like events, analysing large amounts of material and data, and extracting key messages which can be used for communications and advocacy purposes.
This consultancy is open to individuals and firms who possess the following requirements:
Substantial working experience in participatory research with children especially in Regional Mechanisms, using child participation approaches and methodologies.
Capacity to gather and critically analyse large amounts of material and data.
Extensive knowledge of the political context and functions of AU processes.
Ability and willingness to travel within the Horn of Africa.
Demonstrated experience in carrying out research and/or similar assessments, especially on issues affecting children and children’s rights issues.
Experience of writing reports of similar assignments characterised by ease of readability across mixed audiences.
Excellent writing skills in English.
The consultant will be commissioned by the Regional Programme Unit (RPU) which is based in the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), and will work with the Child Rights Governance project team for the successful completion of this assignment.
Remuneration
Daily rates will be determined after discussions with the consultant. SCI ESARO will cover for the consultant’s air tickets on economy class, accommodation on bed and breakfast plus airport transfers to the workshop venue All other costs shall be borne directly by the consultant. Remuneration will be based on submission of deliverables. Payment will be made as per the agreed schedule. Taxation laws for Kenya will apply on the overall consultancy fee.
Ethics, Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
As the consultant or firm will be working on behalf of Save the Children, they will be required to sign and adhere to the Child Safeguarding Policy and ethical guidelines. Note that background checks will be undertaken on all applicants.
As regards the documentation, the title rights, copyrights and all other rights of whatever nature in any materials used or generated under the provisions of these services will exclusively be vested with Save the Children International East and Southern Africa Regional Office.
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