1.   About us

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) is non-governmental and non-denominational organization working with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children are fulfilled in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing the care. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide. Envisioning that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security, we exist to build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is guided by the firm belief that no child should grow up alone and that we need to improve care for children who are at risk, enabling them to overcome precarious conditions and to succeed in life. To achieve our mission, our strategy for the upcoming decade focuses on ensuring the best care of children, innovation, and effective collaboration with more partners. Our core values guiding who we are and what we do include courage to take action, commitment to keep our promises, trust to believe in each other, and accountability to be reliable partners.

 An estimated 220 million of the world’s children are growing up without adequate parental care. Sadly, an estimated 1 in 10 children worldwide grows up without the loving care they need. To address this issue, SOS CVI provides holistic support and high quality services to children, young people and families in all areas of life in 136 countries and territories. When children can no longer live with their families, we work with communities and state partners to provide children with loving and supportive alternative care. We work with children, families, communities and states to prevent family breakdown and ensure that children's rights are met. Every child has the right to quality care, which means a safe and caring environment for the child to grow and reach his/her full potential. Therefore, we work with communities and states to provide a loving home for children who need alternative care and to prevent family breakdown. We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of care in all our programmes and work with governments and communities to improve alternative childcare systems. We work with families experiencing crises, extreme hardship or difficulty to care adequately for their children. We help them build their capacities so that children are well cared for and families stay together.

 SOS Children’s Villages East and Southern Africa (ESAF) region headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia provides support to 26 member associations in all work areas including programme implementation, advocacy, fundraising and governance. Currently the regional office is active in implementing advocacy actions at regional level. These include engagements and partnerships with African Committee of Experts on the rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), regional and international non-governmental organisations, universities and think tanks.  

 2.   Objectives of the assignment

• To develop a comprehensive child rights policy analysis manual that provides a step-by-step guide for practitioners
• To provide training on how to use the manual for policy analysis on alternative care to advocacy personnel in member/national associations (MA or NAs) and staff at the regional office staff

 3.   Scope of work

The comprehensive and well-structured manual should be useful for both beginners and advanced advocates in child rights in general and alternative care in particular. The manual should take into consideration programmatic approaches and implementation modalities of SOS Children’s Villages International and its MA/NAs. The manual is also expected to provide theoretical background/framework for policy analysis, how to develop policy briefs, and practical guide for advocates and case studies/examples from different countries in Eastern and Southern African region.

 As part of the deliverables, the consultant is expected to provide training to advocacy practitioners and program implementers within SOS Children’s Villages. The training is expected to equip trainees with adequate theoretical knowledge and practical skills on applying the manual for child rights advocacy in particular alternative care. At the end of the training advocates are expected to have the skill to develop quality technical briefs.

 4.   Methodology

For the manual, the consultant is expected to propose a comprehensive and effective methodology that enables to produce high quality deliverable. 

 For the training, the consultant is expected to utilize participatory methods, engaging and be creative during the training. The methods must be in line with adult learning recommendations. Adoption of relevant audio and visual training techniques, case studies and examples from East and Southern Africa context are strongly encouraged. The consultant is also expected to propose other methods that are relevant in meeting the prescribed objectives.

 5.   Reporting

The consultant will report to the Advocacy and Communications Unit of the SOS Children Villages International, East and Southern Africa Regional Office based in Addis Ababa.

 6.   Deliverables

1. Inception/technical report
2. A comprehensive policy analysis manual with step-by-step guidance for all levels of practitioners
3. Conduct a training on how to conduct policy analysis and how to develop policy briefs
   1. Proposal and outline for trainings – with learning objectives and methodologies
   2. Detailed presentations for each section,
   3. Evaluation report for the training 

 7.   Duration of Assignment

The development of the manual must be completed within three months from signing of contract. The training of should be completed within one month after submission of the manual. The training will be conducted in two sessions each three to five days.

 8.   Working Location

The consultant/s will be expected to work from their convenient location. Required and frequent consultations may be conducted through online platforms.   

Minimum Requirement

• Minimum of a master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, child rights, law, political sciences, social policy, sociology, social work, development studies  or similar and relevant fields of study
• Minimum of seven years of experience in policy analysis, advocacy, child rights, legislation, alternative care and child protections systems at national or international level;
• The applicant is required to have developed at least one similar manual
• In-depth knowledge of advocacy and policy development processes
• Highly professional in researching, synthesizing, analysing and writing skills and conducting trainings
• A good command of written and spoken English language

 ** Applicants that do not fulfil the above requirements need NOT apply