Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Mission Description
This assistance is designed to address a technical deficit within ECOSOCC’s CSO membership in the area of advocacy and policy writing in the thematic areas addressed by the AGA platform. This work is particularly urgent given the particular sensitivities that tend to accompany the dialogue on democracy, good governance, electioneering, and human rights. The primary purpose of this assistance therefore is to equip CSOs working on the frontlines of these issues with the requisite technical skills and competencies to effectively package and present civil society perspectives on these issues to policy makers and state actors utilizing language, methodology and format that are constructive and consistent with the legislative or policy-making processes within those jurisdictions.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop an operational manual to improve the quality of policy writing as well as the formulation of advocacy strategies aimed at effectively influencing policy decisions in the areas of democracy, governance and human rights in Africa.

The Specific Objectives of the Toolkit will be to:
• Improve understanding of the role of CSOs in promoting citizens’ participation and influencing policy decision making processes in democracy, governance and human rights;
• Improve the technical capacity of CSOs to develop advocacy strategies, action plans, and campaigns in the areas of democracy, governance and human rights.
• Improve the technical capacity of CSOs to develop effective policy documents – including policy briefs, advisory opinions, white papers and other types of policy writing – on thematic areas related to democracy, governance and human rights.
• Identify common challenges faced by CSOs in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of advocacy campaigns in the areas of democracy, governance and human rights.
The technical assistance mission is expected to produce a comprehensive operational handbook to equip CSOs with relevant technical skills for effective policy writing as well as the formulation of impactful advocacy strategies in the areas of democracy, governance and human rights.

Project or Context Description
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council is an advisory organ of the African Union, established during the third Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2004 under the provisions of articles 5 (i) and 22 of the AU Constitutive Act. The organ is mandated to actively engage civil society in the processes and work of the Union, with particular regard to Africa’s integration and development. ECOSOCC comprises various social, private sector and professional groups of member states of the Union and the African diaspora and functions primarily as a bridge through which the African Union can partner and engage with civil society organizations on the continent.

As an advisory organ ECOSOCC is mandated to support the African Union’s key policy frameworks, including the African Governance Architecture (AGA). ECOSOCC is a member of the AGA Platform and leverages its CSO networks to advocate and promote the goals and objectives of the AGA.

Required profile
The expert undertaking the assignment is expected to have the following qualifications:
• At least a master’s degree in a relevant field in the area of planning, public policy, development studies, social sciences or any related field.
• Proven experience in the design, development and delivery of high profile training or orientation to CSO actors on thematic issues related to democracy governance and human rights, particularly within a civil society context.
• Demonstrated experience in the development of training materials including curricula and toolkits in the context of civil society capacity building.
• Demonstrated experience of similar assignments for major institutions, preferably at regional or continental level.
• A good understanding of civil society engagement, particularly in the African context.
• Knowledge of the institutional framework of the African Union, including ECOSOCC.
Fluent level of spoken and written English. Fluency in any other African Union language will be an advantage.

Additional information
The assignment is located at the ECOSOCC Secretariat in Lusaka, Zambia. The total duration of the of the mission will be 45 days from the start date, expected to be in February 2022.

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

Job application procedure
Please click here to apply.

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