Oxfam Analysis on the Implications of the Revised Protocol on the Pan African Parliament Consultancy in Nairobi, Kenya

Consultancy: Analysis on the Implications of the Revised Protocol on the Pan African Parliament 

Ref: INT1343

Location: Nairobi

Region: HECA
 

Division: International

Job Type: Consultancy

Introduction: The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was established under Article 17 of The Constitutive Act of the African Union, as one of the nine Organs provided for in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. 

The Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament was adopted on 2 March 2001 and came into force on 14 December 2003. 

The Pan African Parliament which has its seat in Midrand, South Africa held its inaugural session on 18 March 2004.

The establishment of the Pan-African Parliament is informed by a vision to provide a common platform for African peoples and their grass-roots organizations to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent.

The members of the Pan-African Parliament represent all the peoples of Africa. It is composed of 235 parliamentary representatives who are elected by the legislatures of 47 of the 54 AU Member States that are party to the Protocol establishing the Pan-African Parliament.

At present PAP exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers. However, the ultimate aim of the Pan-African Parliament is to evolve into an institution with full legislative powers, whose members are elected by universal adult suffrage.

Following the expiry of its first term and in pursuance of Article 11 of the PAP Protocol, the AU Assembly at its 22nd Ordinary Session in June 2014 adopted the Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union relating to the Pan-African Parliament.

The adoption of the revised protocol brings with it new opportunities for citizens to engage continental governance processes. 

Consultancy Objective: Oxfam’s Pan Africa Programme is seeking to engage a consultant researcher to conduct a legal and policy analysis on the implications of the revised Protocol of the Pan African Parliament.  

This analysis will be Oxfam’s contribution to the work of the AU WE Want network. 

The AU We Want is a network of CSOs working on and in Africa that seeks to create space to collect, collate and amplify CSO priority issues as they concern the organs and operations of the African Union.

The study seeks to;

1. Examine the viability of a PAP with limited legislative powers as espoused in the revised protocol (priority areas for legislation; funding; institutional capacity; independence; representation through universal suffrage; etc…).


2. Assess the new role and mandate of the PAP in relation to the AUC and other Pan African Organs (ACHPR; African Court; AGA platform and Secretariat; APRM; NEPAD); and the regional parliamentary bodies.


3. Assess the legal and policy implications of the revised protocol on  the PAP, and its effects on AU Member States and African citizens


4. Identify challenges, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of the revised protocol


5. Assess the PAP Strategy and work plan in relation to the revised protocol 


6. Identify opportunities for citizen engagement and advocacy in ensuring that the revised protocol attains the necessary ratifications to bring it into force, and continued engagement after it has come into force

The findings and recommendations of the study will be used to inform advocacy strategies of Oxfam, The SOTU Coalition and the AU We Want Coalition. 

It will also aid in strategic engagement with AU member states, the PAP leadership, and other policy leaders in Pan African institutions, on collaborative work focusing on the transformation issue.

CLICK HERE for detailed terms of reference

How to Apply

CLICK HERE to apply online

Closing Date: 6 April 2015