03
Dec
The State of the Union (SOTU) is a coalition of ten civil society organisations that advocates for the ratification, domestication and implementation of key African Union (AU) treaties and legal instruments. They range from governance, political, social and economic rights, to peace and security and development.
Fourteen of them – ten legal instruments and four policy standards – if implemented, have tremendous promise for the lives of millions in Africans.
As part of its commitment, SOTU conducts bi-annual research to review country compliance and status of implementation of the selected AU instruments and policy standards. The first State of the Union compliance reports were published in July 2010 and they were well appreciated by the African Union Commission, member states and other interested stakeholders. SOTU members are currently planning to launch a second round of reviews and publish national and continental report by May 2013. The 2012 reports will involve all the ten SOTU countries.
I. Consultancy Objective
Fahamu on behalf of the SOTU coalition is seeking to engage a consultant researcher to conduct assessments in Kenya 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 life.
The study seeks to establish the status of ratification, domestication and implementation of AU instruments, policy standards and decisions at country level- best practices and challenges– and strategies to enhance implementation and monitoring. The overall goal of the study is to review the progress of ratification, domestication and implementation made since the previous SOTU reports published in 2010. 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 African Union Summit in May 2013.
II. Research Methodology
The methodology will be designed by the Lead Consultant and will be further developed by the national researcher in collaboration with Fahamu. A combination of approaches is suggested: employing both quantitative and qualitative studies using desk studies, case studies, and interviews with key stakeholders
III. Consultant’s duties and responsibilities
Orientation
· Reading the 2010 national and continental reports, AU protocols, conventions, declarations and plans of action selected for the study;
· Reading and familiarisation 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 Lead Researcher through the SOTU Secretariat and reporting to Fahamu. Working closely and reporting on progress to the Lead Consultant Researcher for the project to whom the country researchers will be accountable to;
· Working closely with Fahamu and obtaining in-country support and guidance as needed.
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;
· Hold face to face meetings and focus group discussions with key stakeholders to validate the desk-top information and to get in depth analysis;
· Delivering a completed piece of research for Kenya 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 and Fahamu 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;
IV. Expected outputs
· Draft and final Kenya country reports 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 maximum–excluding attachments;
· Power point presentation of the report and presentation of the PowerPoint at two national level meetings: validation and dissemination/launch.
V. Timing
The assignment should be completed by 20 February 2013. The total number of working days under the contract should not exceed 25.
The consultant researcher will be managed by and will regularly report on progress of work weekly to the Lead Consultant Researcher for the Project, the SOTU Secretariat and Fahamu on behalf of the SOTU coalition.
VI. Required Skills, Experience and Competencies
Essential
· Masters’ Degree in Social Science;
· At least eight 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; particularly the AU or Regional Economic Communities;
· Demonstrable knowledge of how to devise interview instruments and monitoring and evaluation templates;
· Experience in 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 Kiswahili 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 Kenya, 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 AU conventions, protocols, declarations and plans of actions in the areas of human rights, democracy and socio-economic development.
VII. Expressions of interest
Interested consultants resident in Kenya should email their applications together with the following to: <[email protected]>
· An up-to-date CV with three referees;
· Cover letter indicating interest and a daily professional fees in US$;
· A summary of experience related to the required competencies and skills above;
· A sample of a previous similar assignment you have conducted;
· Submission should reach Fahamu by 15 January 2013.
Download the Terms of Reference here.