Vacancy: Child Rights Consultancy – Mar 2012

The African Children’s Charter Project

Terms of Reference for a Consultant to develop a CSO strategy to promote child rights at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Background

The African Children’s Charter Project (ACCP) is a four-year Project (2011 to 2014) funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), to facilitate the promotion and implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC or the Charter). To achieve this goal, the project will promote the implementation of the ACRWC throughout the institutional, political and public arenas of the African Union (AU). The project is being implemented by the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF), the Community Law Centre (CLC) of the University of the Western Cape, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), Plan International, and Save the Children Sweden, in close collaboration with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).

Objectives of the Consultancy

While the ACERWC is the primary AU body responsible for implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the ACCP recognises the need to mainstream child rights in the work of other AU bodies that have a complementary role to play in child rights promotion and protection. This Consultancy focuses on the role of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in the protection and promotion of child rights. Specifically, this Consultancy will address the following:

1) Clarify the complementary role that the ACHPR plays in the protection and promotion of child rights on the continent;

2) Status of this complementary role;

3) Address any obstacles and challenges to giving effect to this role;

4) The part that CSOs can play to promote this role; and

5) How best can CSOs organise themselves to deliver on objective 4.

Time frame and deliverables

The Consultant will be expected to produce a CSO strategy to promote child rights at the ACHPR in light of its complementary role that would identify core advocacy strategies, suggest activities for implementation, and define a plan for monitoring and evaluating the strategy document.

Travel to Banjul, The Gambia for the 51^st Ordinary session of the ACHPR (18^th April – 2^nd May 2012) and preceding NGO forum might be required.

The Consultant will be expected to produce a draft strategy within three weeks – 11^th April – 2^nd May 2012. Review of the strategy by project partners will take place from 3^rd -17^th May via email, and a final strategy should be produced by 31^st May 2012.

Skills and experience

1. Demonstrated ability to develop creative and innovative advocacy strategies;
2. Knowledge and experience in conducting advocacy before regional or international bodies relevant to the advancement of human rights;
3. Knowledge of child rights and experience in child rights advocacy at national, regional and/or international level;
4. Knowledge of key organisations and networks active in the field of child rights on the African continent;
5. Familiarity with the African regional human rights system;
6. Excellent written, verbal and analytical skills;
7. Fluency in English, knowledge of French is an added advanatage;
8. Proficiency with MS Office applications, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Remuneration and how to apply

The Consultant will be paid a flat fee of US $3,000.

To apply please send a Curriculum Vitae; a motivation letter, description of an advocacy strategy previously developed by the applicant, an unedited writing sample of 5 to 20 pages and a list of three references who are not related to the candidate, with their full contact details.

Closing date : 26th March 2012