EAC Child Policy Draft Consultancy Job in Kenya

Consultancy

Terms of Reference to formulate the Draft EAC Child Policy

0.0.    Introduction

Article 120(c) of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community clearly spells out that Partner States shall closely cooperate in the field of social welfare with respect to among others, the development and adoption of a common approach towards the disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including children, the youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities through rehabilitation and provision of among others, foster houses, health care, education and training.  

In addition, Article 102(2) also makes reference to collaboration by the Partner Sates in putting in place education and training programmes for people with special needs and other disadvantaged groups.

The Treaty also stipulates that in order to further develop as a harmonious community the following principles will apply;

• the people – centered principle;
• the participation of the citizens in the region including women and youth,
• the promotion of peace, security and stability,
• the enhancement and strengthening of partnerships with the private sector and civil society.

 1.0.    Justification for an EAC Child Policy

During its inaugural meeting held in March 2012, the Sectoral Council on Gender, Youth, Children, Social Protection and Community Development adopted the Concept for holding the 1st EAC Child Rights Conference which was jointly organised by the East African Community and the Inter-Agency Working Group on Children ( Save the Children, African Child Policy Forum, World Vision, Plan International and Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation) and UNICEF.

During that Conference which was held in Bujumbura from 1st to 3rd September 2012, participants including children from all Partner States adopted the Recommendations of the Conference, the Bujumbura Declaration on Child Rights and Wellbeing in the East African Community as well as a Framework for the EAC Child Policy. 

The Decision for the formulation of the EAC Child Policy was made by the 25th Meeting of the Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to formulate a Child Policy alongside gender, youth, community development and social protection policy (EAC/CM 25/DIRECTIVE 23).

To this end, the Secretariat is recruiting a policy formulation expert to formulate a zero draft EAC Child Policy.

2.0.    Objectives

The objectives of the consultancy are to develop the EAC Child Policy which includes the four pillars for promoting Child Rights as follows :

• Child Survival
• Child Development
• Child Protection ( legal and social protection)
• Child Participation
• institutional framework ( capacity, set-ups, coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation)

3.0.    Description of services to be provided

The activities/tasks to be undertaken include:

• Collect relevant information on the situation of the Children in the EAC region;
• Identify the key issues affecting the Children in the EAC region;
• Collect and Review EAC, AU and any other relevant documents related to children issues; and
• Formulate a zero Draft EAC Child Policy accordingly; and
• Discuss the zero draft with the EAC Secretariat and IAWG and integrate the comments from the meeting

Unforeseen tasks related to the goal of this consultancy may be added.

The consultant will work in close consultation with the Inter-Agency Working Group on Children lead by Save the Children EARO and the Principal Gender and Community Development Officer of the EAC to review relevant EAC documents such as the EAC Treaty for the establishment of the EAC; EAC pillars including Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union, Political Federation;  4th EAC Development Strategy (2011/2012-2015/2016), EAC Strategic Plan on Gender, Youth, Children, Persons with Disabilities, Social Protection and Community Development (2012-2016), and Child Policies from EAC Partner States .

4.0.    Criteria for assessing the Consultancy

Interested individuals must submit a technical and financial proposal of a maximum of five (5) pages, which will be assessed, based on the following criteria:

• Knowledge of the East African Community and  experience of working in the EAC region
• Experience in developing policies and working on child rights issues in the region
• Knowledge of international and regional Child Rights Instruments
• Methodology in response to the Terms of Reference including the number of days to complete the assignment
• Reasonable budget breakdown and cost consideration
• Provision of a CV including three references

5.0.    Qualifications

Requisite qualification for this consultancy is as follow:

• Advanced Degree in Social Sciences or related field;
• At least 10 years experience in policy formulation in the public sector /private or civil society; and
• Experience with a Regional Economic Community
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of French desirable.

All proposals should be sent to the following address EA.recruitment@savethechildren.org by 26th May 2013

6.0.     Duration:  

The assignment is expected to be completed by 17th June 2013.