CONSULTANCY FOR CONSOLIDATION OF A DRAFT EAC STRATEGY ON GENDER, CHILDREN, YOUTH, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (2017-2022)

CONSULTANCY FOR CONSOLIDATION OF A DRAFT EAC STRATEGY ON GENDER, CHILDREN, YOUTH, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (2017-2022).

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP) is a pan African network of organizations operating at grassroots, national and regional levels, with a commitment to promoting and strengthening the social contract between states and citizens. To achieve this, the APSP promotes active engagement of National Platforms in the shaping of Social Protection policies, programmes and practices in Africa.

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization of 6 Partner States: the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The work of the EAC is guided by its Treaty which established the Community. The mission of the Community is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

One of the major guiding principles in achieving EAC integration is people –centred development as provided for in the Treaty establishing the East African Community. This principle implies the values of justice, sustainability, participation and inclusiveness which will be achieved through, among others, gender equality, youth empowerment, protection and promotion of children’s’ rights, protection for the vulnerable groups, and participation of the citizenry in their own development.

2.0 PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The EAC Strategic Plan period on Gender, Youth, Children, Social Protection and Community Development (2012 – 2016) come to a close. The strategic plan spells out key interventions in six distinct components namely gender, youth, children, persons with disabilities, social protection and community development. It outlines broad strategic objectives and targets of each of the above components.

A review was conducted in 2017 to determine the levels of implementation, challenges of implementation of the strategy, pending objectives and activities that are still relevant for the next strategy. The review also generated information on emerging issues across the six thematic areas. During the review process, focused group discussions were held with sectoral and focal ministries of five partner states, to identify priorities for the sectors for the next five years.

The Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP) with support from Save the Children (ESARO) are supporting the EAC to consolidate and develop a draft strategy for Gender, Children, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Social protection and Community Development ( 2017-2022).The overall aim of the assignment is to develop a draft strategy for all the six sectors. The draft provides a basis for discussions and agreement of the EAC and its partner states.

2.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. To review the strategy report that was finalized in 2016 as well as other relevant documents to contextualize the next strategy.




2. To review questionnaires by partner states, to understand and capture the strategic thinking of partner states and EAC on this sector.




3. To identify key objectives for the six sectors for the new strategy ( 2017-2022).




4. To identify key activities including indicators for each of the six sectors for the next development period (2017-2022).




5. To align the objectives and activities with the EAC 5^th Development strategy.

3.0 EXPECTED OUTPUTS

1. An inception report on the assignment, including an activity schedule, and methodology on how to achieve the set specific tasks




2. 1^st draft of the strategy on Gender, Children, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Social protection and Community Development.




3. Final draft strategy on Gender, Children, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Social protection and Community Development with inputs from EAC Secretariat, APSP, and SCI.




4. Presentation of the draft strategy to the partners.

4.0 TIMELINES OF THE CONSULTANCY

The review is expected to take place between 13^th – 31^st October 2017.

5.0 QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CONSULTANT

· Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or any other related discipline relevant to this assignment.

· Experience in organizational development in general and strategy development in particular.

· Technical understanding of the sectors under this strategy – Gender, Children, Youth, Persons with disabilities, Social Protection, and Community Development.

· Previous experience in carrying out similar assignments desirable.

· Experience dealing with the AU, the EAC and other Regional mechanisms will be an added advantage.

Interested parties are requested to submit a proposal containing both technical and financial budget to info@africapsp.org by the close of business 10^th October 2017.