ToR for the Evaluation and Assessment of the Group of CSO Forum on the ACRWC 2009-2014 and the development of a strategy.
Background and Rationale
To ensure that the African States Parties adhere to their commitments to children, as prescribed by the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), the AU has supported the establishment of the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC). ACERWC mandate is to oversee the implementation and ensure protection of children's rights within the States Parties that have ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children. This is done by examining reports of States Parties on how the ACRWC is implemented in the country and conducting investigations of violations that have been reported. However, monitoring the implementation of the Charter by states cannot only be achieved by the Committee without the contribution of Civil Society Organizations working for the legal recognition and the welfare of children. This is to support the proper management of the CSO Forum created in 2009, following a conception meeting with 13 participants, to enhance the work of ACERWC and to help it fulfill its mandate.
After several years of collaboration between CSOs, the general feeling was that the next logical step was to invite and encourage a wide range of CSOs from all over Africa to meet regularly to discuss and debate the rights of children and find ways to help the ACERWC to fulfill its mandate. This place of giving and receiving is increasingly appreciated and attended hence it is important to formalize this structure. The present mandate intends to define the framework behind the structure and legal recognition of this platform henceforth called “The Group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the ACRWC).
The Group of Civil Society Organisations (CSO Forum) on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) provides a framework for strategic partnerships which aim to improve children’s rights in Africa; it also aims to participate in the mandate of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) of promoting and protecting children’s rights as well as provide a platform for discussion on partnerships, networking development and advocacy on the rights and welfare of children in Africa. The Group of Civil Society Organisations CSO Forum which started in 2009 holds twice a year prior to the sessions of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACERWC) and brings together civil society organizations from across Africa. The Forum also brings together children's rights experts and representatives of the African Union to discuss issues related to children's rights and to develop resolutions and recommendations for the ACERWC.
Its mission: To contribute to the effective implementation and proper monitoring of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).
Its objectives: The CSO Forum aims to:
To promote partnership and network-building among: civil society organizations, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; the African Union Commission, its structures and organs, and other stakeholders working towards the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of the Child in Africa,
To contribute to the process of information-sharing, best practices and research between the African Committee on African Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Member States and civil society organisations in order to implement the African Charter on the rights and welfare of children,
To contribute to the development of policies and strategies and to properly carry out actions for implementation and supervision of the African Charter on the rights and Welfare of the Child.
Capacity building of civil society organizations on the ACRWC and its mechanisms.
To mobilise resources for the sustainability of the Forum of Civil Society Organisations (CSO Forum).
The Group of CSO on the ACRWC will be five (5) years this year in 2014, making it a very good moment and time for internal reflection on the journey so far based on the set out mission and objectives. The outcomes of this reflection through an assessment and evaluation process which will be carried out through a consultation of the rich pool of CSOs that have been participating in the CSO Forum will also form the basis for the development of a strategy for the group. The Group of CSO on the ACRWC did not also have a strategy which guides its operations and interventions, hence the development of a plan of action which helps with clarity of the goal(s) to be achieved in the long term will ideal.
The Group of Civil Society Organisations (CSO Forum) on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and its International partners is currently seeking to hire a consultant to facilitate the assessment/evaluation of its work and existence since 2009 and also use the outcomes to support the develop a draft strategy. This assessment/evaluation and strategy development processes will take place from April to May 2014, drawing information and feedbacks from mainly National Child Rights CSO coalitions and other NGOs that have participated in the CSO Forums. The consultation will also be gathering information and feedback from international NGOs who have been supporting the CSO Forum and some relevant agencies/organs of the African Union. The main tasks of the consultants will be to facilitate an organisational (CSO Forum) assessment/evaluation; assessment/evaluation of the products or achievements or otherwise of the CSO Forum; and the assessment/evaluation of the CSO Forum’s ability to relate with its membership; supporting partners/donors and relevant African child rights organs and institutions. The consultant will then pull together all the findings, suggestions, comments, into a draft assessment report/document to be submitted. Secondly the assessment/evaluation report and findings will form part of the background pillar for the development of a draft strategy that will be submitted to the CSO Forum for review and approval by the November 2014 CSO Forum.
Scope of Work
The consultants will work in collaboration with the contracting agent and the CSO Forum Coordination team to develop the workshop programme and work plan for the assessment/evaluation and development of the draft strategy. The consultants will work under the supervision of the contracting agent. The consultancy will use mainly the interview mood through online conferencing; questionnaires and reviewing of relevant documents/data, and will be required to have a partly workshop structure at the November 2014 CSO Forum. Most of the assignment will likely be home based for the consultant, with the option of working out of contracting agents office or that of any of the National Child Rights coalitions if it is convenient for the assessment/evaluation and writing up of the document. The consultant’s responsibilities will relate to the preparation and facilitation of the assessment/evaluation, sharing of the findings and validation of the draft reports through a workshop at the November 2014 CSO Forum, as well as the completion of draft documents which captures all the consultations. It is estimated that this consultancy will be a total of 25 days, the first 20 days for the assessment/evaluation from April to May 2014, with an additional 5 days in November 2014.
The consultant’s specific duties include:
• Lead the development of the process for the assessment/evaluation consultations of CSO Forum stakeholders;
• Carry out the assessment/evaluation of the CSO Forum through interviews, review of documents and develop a draft assessment/evaluation report.
• Attend, facilitate, participate, and note-take in consultations/workshop with CSO Forum participants where the need arises;
• Lead in the development of the draft strategy document, in collaboration with the CSO Forum Coordination Team and partners (10-12 pages maximum);
• Finalize draft Strategy document based on feedbacks and agreements from workshop to be presented for approval; and
Timeframe
The assessment/evaluation part of the consultancy is to be completed by the end of August 2014. The development of a draft strategy for the CSO Forum component should be finalised by November 2014. Deadline for expression of interest for this consultancy is 31st July 2014.
Deliverables
Deliverables under this consultancy will include the following:
• Assessment/Evaluation of the CSO Forum ACRWC Report (maximum 20 pages).
• Draft Strategy document for CSO Forum ACRWC, and annexes (maximum 20 pages).
Qualifications
• Graduate degree in international studies, humanitarian affairs, or other related subject;
• Minimum five years relevant experience with an NGO or UN, including experience in monitoring, evaluation and impact assessments; strategic planning and development of operational frameworks and policy documents;
• Familiarity and knowledge of CSO Networks and their organisational development needs;
• Ability to speak and write in English and French language is essential for this assignment.
• Good communications, facilitation and writing skills;
• Strong understanding of the child rights and Pan African Institutions and system and their operations;
• Experience in child right, education, protection, Youth and gender planning and programming preferred;
• Willingness to work within and abide with contracting agents Child Protection Policy;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision; and
Fees/Remuneration:
Consultancy fees will be paid at the rate to be negotiated with the selected consultants at USD350.00 per day for the 25 days. The costs for travels and accommodation and other workshop related costs will be covered by contracting agent where necessary in the course of this assignment. Payment will be made in one instalment, at the completion of the assignment.