INVITATION TO BID FOR CONSULTANCY
Terms of Reference
Consultant Researchers: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Rwanda
‘State of the African Union’ Project
Applications Required by October 15, 2009
I. Consultancy Objective:
Oxfam on behalf of Continental Advisory Research Team (CART)1 is hiring ten consultant researchers to conduct assessments in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Rwanda to determine the level of compliance with and implementation of key commitments in AU Protocols, Conventions and Declarations and the impact of implementation on citizens’ quality of life2.
The study seeks to establish the Status of implementation of AU Instruments at country level-best practice and challenges– and strategies to enhance implementation and monitoring. The overall goal is to get a commitment by the African Union and Member States to institute their own implementation and monitoring mechanisms for AU commitments at national level. The outcomes of the study will be used to engage with member states at national and regional levels: country reports will be launched at country level while the continental report will be launched at the AU Summits in 2010.
II. Consultant’s duties and responsibilities
Orientation
- Reading AU Protocols, Conventions, Declarations and Plans of Action selected for the study;
- Reading and familiarization with the Research Templates developed for the Study (standards, indicators and research questions and guidelines for country level research);
Management
- Work under the supervision of and guidance of the CART through the Project Secretariat-Oxfam-reporting to the Gender Justice and Governance Lead;
- Working closely and reporting of on progress to the Lead Consultant Researcher for the Project to whom the country researchers will be accountable to;
- Working closely and obtaining in-country support and guidance from the host institution identified for each country;
Research Activities
- Carrying out desk-top and primary research and analysis on the implementation of identified standards from selected AU protocols, conventions, declarations and plans of action drawing on credible research by other organisations, both international and local;
- Delivering a completed piece of research for the relevant country, in English and in a form fit to be published making recommendations for immediate implementation, a longer-term strategy, or further study;
- Incorporating feedback from the validation meetings at national level, selected peer reviewers, the CART and host institutions in country in the draft report.
Post Research Activities
- Present findings of the research at the validation and dissemination/launch meetings to provide an opportunity for the report to gain support from a wide section of interested parties;
- Commenting on the edited versions of the continental report compiled by the Lead Consultant Researcher to ensure that meanings have not been altered or information lost in the editing process;
III. Expected outputs:
- Draft and final report of the respective country detailing the status of implementation of AU commitments, successes/challenges and suggestions on strategies to fast-rack implementation and monitoring. The report will be structured as per the guidelines and Table of contents template to be prepared by the Lead Consultant Researcher. The report to be written in English-40 pages max. -excluding attachments;
- Power point presentation of the report and presentation of the PowerPoint at two national level meetings: validation and dissemination/launch.
IV. Timing:
The research will be carried out between November 16 and December 11 2009. The total number of days calculated above can be reallocated among different activities, with the total number of working days under the contract not to exceeding 14 days.
The consultant researchers will be managed by and will regularly report on progress of work weekly to the Gender Justice, Governance Lead (Oxfam) Lead Consultant Researcher for the Project and country host institutions on behalf of the CART.
I. Management of consultancy:
For overall guidance and delivery of expected outputs, the consultant researchers will report directly to the Gender Justice and Governance Lead, Oxfam, Mary Wandia mwandia@oxfam.org.uk and the Lead Consultant Researcher who act on behalf of the CART. The consultant researchers will be supported by the Oxfam Pan-Africa Office in Nairobi, Kenya, the CART members in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia and host institutions in Mozambique, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal and Rwanda.
VI. Required Skills, Experience and Competencies
Essential
- Masters’ Degree in Social Science;
- At least 8 years relevant working experience in research, data collection and analysis, and monitoring and evaluation involving projects of a multi-sectoral and multi-country nature
- Experience in working with civil society and/ or with state representatives or African intergovernmental organisations;
- Demonstrable knowledge of how to devise an interview instruments and monitoring and evaluation templates;
- Experience convening and moderating meetings/ focus groups/ interviews with diverse participants, such as senior officials and civil society representatives;
- Excellent report writing and research skills, including a proven track record in writing assessments, guidelines and evaluations. Ability to prepare succinct, analytical publications and reports;
- Strong interpersonal skills including a proven ability to liaise and mediate between a diverse group of stakeholders (civil society and government officials in particular);
- Fluency in spoken and written English and knowledge of the official language of the respective country (French, Portuguese or Arabic) is an asset;
- Excellent organisational skills including the ability to work with minimal supervision, to set priorities and to deliver tasks on time;
Desired
- Local contacts and experience working in the relevant country, including in government and in civil society;
- Track record of managing a similar project, with limited budget and time, but with demonstrated results;
- Extensive knowledge of the African Union Conventions, Protocols, Declarations and plans of actions in the areas of human rights, democracy and socio-economic development.
VIII. Expressions of interest
Interested consultants resident in the listed countries should email their applications to: mwandia@oxfam.org.uk by 2:00hrs GMT. Wednesday 15th October 2009. Applications should include:
- An up-to-date CV;
- Cover letter indicating interest and a daily professional fees in US$; and
- A summary of experience related to the required competencies and skills above.
