UNION AFRICAINE AFRICAN UNION UNIÃO AFRICANA. Enhancing outcomes of WGDD policy forum platforms INTRODUCTION

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1 AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTANCY SERVICE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT EXPERT: WOMEN, GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE (WGDD) PLICY PLATFORMS Reference No.: AUC/WGDD/C/271 INTRODUCTION The African Union (AU) was established as a unique Pan African continental body, charged with spearheading Africa s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a New Partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. The African Union Commission (AUC) is the secretariat of the AU and is the key organ playing a central role in the day-to-day management of the African Union (AU). The AU is funded from assessed contribution from the 55 Member states and funds from Institutional Partners for specific projects in line with its Strategic Plan and agreed priorities with the partners. BACKGROUND Enhancing outcomes of WGDD policy forum platforms A key result for Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD) is the formulation and approval of policies and decisions which advance Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment (GEWE) on the continent. At the African Union (AU), decisions are made by three incrementally higher level executive organs: the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), the Executive Council and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. 1 P a g e

2 To inform and influence the outcomes of these organs, WGDD works through the Specialized Technical Committee on GEWE (approved organ of Ministers in charge of this portfolio), statutory meetings which occur prior to AU Summits and other forums. However, greater connectedness is required in WGDD s work with the above mentioned policy platforms and which needs to strengthened. At the same time, the linkages between policy platforms which WGDD itself manages also needs to be strengthened to ensure increased policy and political backing for actions recommended. This assignment therefore needs to result in recommendations which will both increase the value proposition of WGDD policy platforms and strengthen the quality and reach of their outcomes. The incumbent therefore needs to have a strong understanding of systems approach and results based management and prepare a final report which displays the quality of a business growth plan. WGDD is therefore seeking the services of a knowledge management expert to perform key activities and deliver results listed below. The incumbent will work under the immediate supervision of the Head of Division, Coordination and Outreach (COD) and overall guidance of the WGDD Director. OBJECTIVES Overall Objectives The overarching objective of this study is to identify ways and means of enhancing the performance and integrating the existing Policy Platforms of Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD) into the organs of the Union based on the principle of relevance, inclusiveness, ownership and transparency, and also to recommend various ways of improving the capacity of all these platforms and the WGDD. Specific Objectives The specific objectives for this study include: 1. To identify all the policy platforms and their role in the Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment (GEWE) Agenda; 2. Develop/outline possible strategies that can strengthen the performance of WGDD policy platforms; 2 P a g e

3 3. Extract the view of stakeholders on how to strengthen the policy platforms in view of the AU reform; 4. To capture/outline/isolate best practices and lessons from utilization of multi stakeholder platforms within and outside the AU; 5. Map out the WGDD policy platform and integrate them to the decision making organs of the AU, synchronize and sequence the activities of WGDD policy platforms in the light of the new reforms as a way of creating efficient flow of work and critical mile stones; 6. Conduct a critical thematic analysis of major decisions on GEWE from 1963 to 2018, and 7. Make Recommendations based on critical outcomes of the study as well as those relating to the capacity Development of the WGDD. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The scope of the services focuses on tasks that are necessary to achieve the assignment objective and the consultant under the overall guidance of the AUC, is expected to do the following duties; Review existing AU decisions on GEWE, including AU Gender strategy and classify them into thematic focus and track their implementation status to date Map all processes, consultations which directly and indirectly influence and inform policy on gender issues Conduct secondary literature review of reports from WGDD and other existing policy platforms (internal and external to AU) to capture best practices and lessons learned Undertake key informants (AUC, RECS, UN partners) interviews to gather information on opportunities, constraints and strategies to increase the effectiveness of WGDD policy platforms Submit recommendations and a roadmap for its implementation Deliverables Prepare a mapping of the WGDD policy platforms (internal and external) and stakeholders that influence decision making on GEWE in the light of the AU reforms. Prepare terms of Reference for each of WGDD policy platforms Recommend participant profiles for each of WGDD policy platforms 3 P a g e

4 Prepare a sequencing of activities that feed into WGDD policy platforms showing start dates of all critical milestones Create a reporting template to capture and track the set engagement objectives vis-avis generated outcomes, recommendations and inputs of WGDD policy platforms Prepare a summary report of key findings and recommendations from stakeholders interviews on increasing the effectiveness of WGDD policy platforms; Prepare recommendations on human resources and internal capacity development requirements to achieve maximize the value of WGDD policy platforms Design a matrix showing the thematic focus of various decisions status of implementation of policy decisions on GEWE Jointly design with WGDD a matrix showing implementation status of the policy decisions on Gender Report on enhancing the Performance of WGDD Policy Platforms Education Qualification and Relevant Training Advanced university degree in law, human rights, international relations, gender and development, policy analysis or any related disciplines. High level of knowledge and understanding of the working methods of the international and African human rights systems, especially the human rights monitoring mechanisms. Excellent understanding of the WGDD platforms. Experience Related to the Assignment She or he should have at least 7 years of relevant working experience in organizations dealing with issues of gender She or he should be knowledgeable about intergovernmental processes and international, continental and regional instruments on gender. Very good writing and advocacy skills are required Time Frame The contract shall be for a period of 90 working days with effect from signing of the contract. 4 P a g e

5 Duty Station You will work from your home and have interactive sessions on line and teleconferences with the representative of WGDD as needed. Payment Schedule - You shall be paid a lump sum payment of 24,000US dollars. This amount is inclusive of all related allowances. Either party may terminate the contract at any time by giving one week s notice or salary in lieu of notice; - This is contract is neither gratuity earning nor pensionable; EVALUATION CRITERIA The African Union Commission now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested candidate must provide information demonstrating that he/she has the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. Consulting firms may propose individual consultant/s, but only the experience and qualifications of individual/s shall be used in the selection process, and that his or her corporate experience shall not be taken into account, and the contract would be signed with the proposed individual. For evaluation of the expressions of interest the following criteria will be applied: a) General Education Qualification and Relevant Training (20 points); b) Experience Related to the Assignment (30 points); c) Technical approach and methodology (40 points) d) Work plan (10 points) Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents for AUC s consideration as an attachment to the CVs: a) Technical Proposal on: understanding and interpretation of the TOR methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment time and activity schedule 5 P a g e

6 b) Financial proposal, FIXED RATE = 24, DUTY STATION Home based. TIMEFRAME The consultant must be ready to start work immediately upon appointment. The maximum number of days allowable for the consultancy work shall not exceed ninety days(90) days including weekends. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00-13:00hrs and 14:00-17:00 hours Local Time. Proposal must be delivered in a written form to the address below not later than 15:00 hours local time, October 23, African Union Commission, Attn: Carine Toure Yemitia (Mrs.) Head of Procurement Travel and Store Division Building C, Room 327 P.O.Box 3243, Roosevelt Street OR Tender@africa-union.org 6 P a g e