Consultancy for African Union engagement strategy – Costing framework for ending child marriage at Save the Children

Save the Children advocates for governments and international actors to prioritise and better understand the underinvestment in gender-based violence prevention, mitigation, and response, including child marriage. Save the Children’s African Union (AU) Office has led the development of an accountability mechanism to monitor progress toward implementing the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa. In November 2021, Save the Children presented budget analysis and called for commitment to develop a costing framework for National Action Plans to End Child Marriage at the AU’s third Girls’ Summit. AU Member States agreed in the outcomes document (Niamey Call to Action) to work together with civil society and communities to develop the costing framework.

We have since engaged consultants to develop a draft costing framework, including through key informant interviews with government officials from a number of East and West African countries. Those consultants are now conducting a validation process based on a draft costing framework, engaging with governments, AU technical staff and external costing experts. Once the costing framework is validated it will be piloted in partner countries, and ultimately shared for endorsement by governments and other stakeholders.

This project was initiated through the commitment to joint development of a costing framework under the Niamey Call to Action at the 2021 AU Girls’ Summit. Ongoing engagement by AU Member States and institutions is therefore central to its objectives and the ongoing process of refining the framework to ensure that it is fit-for-purpose. Save the Children is now seeking a consultant who can develop and implement a strategy for engagement via AU processes. The consultant will work closely with Save the Children’s Pan African Advocacy Office, members of our global Girls’ Advocacy Working Group and key AU stakeholders, including Member States and technical staff.

Consultant Deliverables

Deliverable 1: AU Engagement Plan

Develop a plan for engaging with key AU stakeholders and AU decision-making opportunities and moments to introduce, socialise, consult on and seek feedback and support for the draft costing framework. This should include:

• A list of key AU stakeholders and decision-making bodies (including Member States) whose input to and approval of the costing framework will be critical to quality and uptake. This should include power analysis, profiles of key stakeholders, and a brief description of relevant mandates.

• Calendar of AU events including regular meetings of technical staff as well as more formal summits and decision-making processes for influence including key outcomes documents.

• A basic logical framework for adoption of the costing framework.

• A proposed list activities to support the logical framework that the consultant will undertake to deliver this engagement plan. This should include the activities under Deliverable 2.

Deliverable 2: Engagement activities

The consultant will support delivery of the AU Engagement Plan (Deliverable 1) including through the following activities:

• Meeting with members of the AU Harmful Practices Unit.

• Organising a side event or webinar focussed on the costing framework for participation by key stakeholders (including AU Member States and technical staff) identified in the AU Engagement Plan.

• Other activities outlined under the logical framework, if needed.

Deliverable 3: Note on progress and proposed next steps for engagement/endorsement

Following completion of activities under Deliverable 2, the consultant will prepare a brief note (max 5 pages) setting out progress made toward delivery of the AU Engagement Plan (Deliverables 1 and 2) and setting out remaining next steps to take to achieve AU endorsement or uptake of the costing framework.

Indicative timeline

Appointment and contracting – 17-21 July 2023
Kick-off meeting to finalise scope of work w/c – 24 July 2023
Drafting Deliverable 1 including discussions with Pan Africa Advocacy Office – 24 July to 14 August
Feedback on first draft of Deliverable 1 – By 18 August
Revisions to finalise Deliverable 1 and submit for payment – By 25 August
Deliverable 2: Engagement activities – 1 September – 24 November based on opportunities identified
Deliverable 3: Note on progress and proposed next steps – first draft – 4 December 2023
Feedback on draft Deliverable 3 – By 6 December 2023
Revisions to finalise Deliverable 3 – By 13 December 2023
Submission of invoices for Deliverables 2 and 3 – By 5 December 2023

Qualifications

Essential qualifications

• Expert practical and theoretical understanding of AU decision-making processes and experience working with AU entities.

• Minimum four years’ experience working on gender equality or relevant human rights policy at the pan Africa level or regional level within the continent.

• Demonstrated analytical skills and advanced skills for communicating policy in clear, precise, and nontechnical writing and oral communication.

• Excellent planning and organizational skills and track record of delivering comparable work to deadlines.

• Fluency in English.

The following would be an asset

• Experience being employed/contracted by the AU Harmful Practices Unit.

• Existing relationships with key AU stakeholders.

• Fluency in French.

How to apply

Consultants should send an email to Gabrielle Szabo (G.Szabo@savethechildren.org.uk) with the subject line “Consultancy – AU engagement [your name].” In PDF format, please attach a CV (maximum 2 pages) and a succinct concept note including:

• A capability statement outlining the consultant’s ability to match the required qualifications and experience in projects of a comparable nature.

• A summary of your suggested approach and timeline, including an estimate of days needed to complete each phase.

• Proposed all-inclusive fees in USD reflecting the project’s three deliverables (note: the consultant does not need to include any costs relating to hosting events beyond their own time).

• The name and contact information for two recent references.

Priority deadline for applications is 10 July, 2023.

 

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