Save the Children Impact Assessment of the East Africa Community on Children and Youth Consultancy Opportunity

Save the Children

Integration of Child Rights within the East Africa Community


Impact Assessment of the East Africa Community on Children and Youth 

Call for Consultancy

April 2016

Background Information: The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organization of the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC’s Mission is to widen and deepen Economic, Political, Social and Culture integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

 

During its first meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda, in September 2008, the EAC Forum for Ministers recommended to the Council of Ministers to approve the establishment of Sectoral Council that include Youth, Children, Gender and Community Development. 
Since then, the EAC has also embarked on a strategic plan for the Sectoral Council and in particular to children; began drafting the East Africa Child Policy. 
With support from Save the Children, the Policy is now in its third draft and validated through the first child rights conference held in 2012.
 
The (draft) EAC Child Policy is the culmination of various processes geared towards the harmonisation of standards on and approaches to the implementation of child rights in the EAC. 
The draft Policy seeks to provide an operational, regional legal, policy, and institutional framework to facilitate the development, co-ordination and strengthening of national efforts geared towards the promotion of children’s rights.
The EAC Child Policy will facilitate the harmonisation of child rights standards in EAC Partner States through establishing the ACRWC and the CRC as the main normative basis on child rights, setting out the priority areas of child rights, and defining specific strategies for the attainment of children’s rights in the EAC.

Save the Children’s East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Program Unit primarily focuses on collaborating with and strengthening regional mechanisms to ensure that child rights are realized. 

This is achieved through the program unit’s investment in research, advocacy on pertinent child rights issues across the region, capacity building of civil society organizations to monitor child rights and directly supporting regional mechanisms to strengthen internal systems to interpret, monitor and enforce provisions of child rights instruments. 
Particular focus has previously been placed on supporting the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) as however with the growth and commitment to the regional economic community by East African Partner States, the support to the policy development process is timely and necessary.

Justification

The initiative by the EAC and the development of the EAC Child Policy is commendable. 

A comprehensive policy leveraging on the process of regional integration will enhance the normative framework on the rights of the child, generate a greater pool for investment in children and importantly create a protective framework for children within the Community and beyond.

With the Policy in its final draft, it would be imperative to take stock of the larger formation of the Community, the priorities of its leadership, strategic direction and the implementation opportunities for the Policy to ensure its impact on children.

Save the Children is seeking a consultant to assist with this process and the development of  support framework for the implementation of the EAC Child Policy.

Consultancy Objective

To assess the impact of regional integration and the formation of the East Africa Community (EAC) on children and youth capturing opportunities, challenges and recommendations for programming.

The consultancy assignment will endeavor to:

  1. Improve the understanding of relevant stakeholders on the potential impact the EAC can have in the realization of children and youth rights;
  2. Support the Multi-Country Program Unit partners (particularly in EAC planning and development processes including influencing policies, strategies and budgets) to contribute towards creating an enabling environment for children and youth across the EAC;
  3. Strengthen EAC capacities to monitor the situation of children and youth, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and how their specific rights can be met;
  4. Contribute to regional research on the impact of regional integration on children and youth and leverage the EAC’s convening power to support knowledge generation with governments, civil society and private sector stakeholders;
  5. Strengthen the knowledge base to enable assessment of the contribution of development partners, including Save the Children to support regional development goals.
Scope of work 
 
The consultant will be expected to undertake the following:

Expected measurable results

  1. Research, compile and analyze the impact regional integration of the EAC has on the rights of children and youth capturing opportunities, challenges and recommendations for programming;
  2. Map out key processes required to popularize the EAC Child Policy amongst Partner States examining the best mechanisms for reaching decision makers;
  3. Map all relevant stakeholders (including civil society and the private sector, youth and child rights networks) to ensure collective unity around the implementation of the EAC Child Policy;
  4. Once target audience is identified, map out the recommended milestones to ensure understanding, dissemination, adoption and implementation of the EAC Child Policy by Partner States;
  5. Develop and present overall policy recommendations for engaging with the EAC on children and youth rights.
Outcomes and duration

The outcome of the consultancy will be an assessment report highlighting the current status of the regional integration process, pointing out the strategic direction of the East African Community and opportunities for engagement with the Partner States and all stakeholders on the rights of children at national and regional levels. 


The consultancy is expected to take a maximum of 20 working days with delivery of the above outcome.

Competencies

  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of regional processes.
  • Experience dealing with the AU, the EAC and other regional mechanisms will be an added advantage.
  • Excellent writing skills in English
  • Demonstrated experience in carry out research and/or similar assessments.
  • Experience within the NGO Sector will be an added advantage.
Remuneration

Payment will be determined after discussions with the consultant.

  • Remuneration is based on submission of deliverables.
  • No payment will be made in advance.
  • Taxation laws for Kenya will apply.
Ethics, Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

As the consultant 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 Africa Regional Office.

Submitting expressions of interest

Interested person(s) must submit a two-page proposal indicating process, timelines and individual cost.

Applications should be submitted to:

Save the Children East Africa Regional Office at ABC Place 2nd Floor not later than 21st April 2016.


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