International Consultant for Finalisation of the National Integrated Child Policy and Development of the Strategic Plan
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Closing date: 12 Apr 2010
Location: Rwanda - Kigali
Finalisation of the National Integrated Child Policy and Development of the Strategic Plan
Terms of Reference for International Consultant
1. Background
Children are the foundation for growth and development of Rwandan society and are central to the achievement of the Vision 2020 goal of transforming Rwanda into a knowledge-based, middle income country by 2020. Children who live in an environment with opportunities for survival, growth and development in all spheres of child well-being are more likely to become healthy, confident and productive citizens, capable of contributing to national development.
2. Situation of children in Rwanda
Since the devastating effects of the 1994 genocide and war, significant progress has been made towards improving the status of children in Rwanda including in health, education and protection. For example, public spending on health has considerably increased over recent years; health funding and health service delivery have been decentralised; and a maternal and child health service has been established to focus health sector reform on maternal, neonatal and child health policies. Universal access to health insurance has enabled the use of health services by the poor. In 2007, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) adopted the National Strategic Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, a national framework for a holistic approach to child vulnerability.
Over the period 2005 to 2007/8, infant and under-five mortality have declined from 86 to 62 and from 152 to 103 per 1,000 live births, respectively; while maternal mortality has decreased by about 33%. However, both child and maternal mortality rates in Rwanda are among the highest in the world. Rwanda has made remarkable progress in meeting national primary enrolment and parity goals (95% for boys and 97% for girls), due in part to a target-based education sector strategy and effective donor coordination through the establishment of a SWAp. However, retention and learning achievement remain critical challenges, especially for girls: only 16% of girls actually finish primary school and 20-25% of students drop out at the end of the first and fifth years of study. To increase school retention, in 2006, Rwanda joined the Education for All Fast Track.
3. Overview of Consultancy
Goal: The National Integrated Child Policy (ICP) and Strategic Plan aim to improve the thinking and analysis of child-related policies, and the programming, coordination and implementation of activities intended to accelerate the realisation of unfilled child rights. The overall objective of the consultancy is to finalise the Integrated Child Policy and Strategic Plan that will improve the effective and coordinated implementation of child-related policies and programmes.
Through the support of UNICEF, the Ministry of Gender and Family Protection has drafted the Integrated Child Policy based on:
- Key child-related international conventions and national policies, laws, programmes and strategies;
- Field assessment of the implementation of existing laws and programmes for child protection and identified gaps.
Objectives: Based on this, the services of an International Consultant are needed to:
- Finalise the draft Integrated Child Policy and prepare a costed Strategic Plan
- Propose a resource mobilisation strategy for the implementation of the ICP and its strategic plan;
- Develop a communication strategic plan to accompany and facilitate the implementation of the ICP and its strategic plan.
4. Methodology:
The consultant will work with a team of national consultants who participated in the development of the draft ICP to review the policy document and to prepare the Strategic Plan. In reviewing the draft policy, the International Consultant will ensure that:
i. It uses a human rights-based and causal analysis approaches.
ii. The inventory of child related policies, laws, programmes and strategies, approaches/initiatives aiming at improving child well-being is complete;
iii. The quantitative and qualitative data and information on the situation of children and women is adequate and up-to-date;
iv. There is linkage and compatibility with International Conventions, Treaties and recommendations from International Conferences, Summits and Treaty Committees;
v. Adequate reference to policy and programming tools such as the Millennium Declaration (MD), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS), the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) and sector level policies and programmes;
vi. Hold consultations with all stakeholders involved, including national and local stakeholders, children, families, communities and civil society.
5. Scope of the policy and consultancy
The Convention on the Rights of the Child contains 54 articles defining children’s fundamental human rights and freedoms and clusters child rights into thematic categories which make up a practical framework for the implementation of the Convention:
- Civil rights and freedoms;
- Family environment and alternative care;
- Basic health and welfare;
- Education, leisure and cultural activities; and
- Special protection measures.
The policy document will focus on the following elements:
- Identify constraints that hamper inter-sectoral integration of child related policies through the entire policy cycle;
- Identify capacity caps of duty bearers and claim holders that constrain effective delivery of services at both national and local level;
- A framework for an inter-sectoral child policy (a) analysis, (b) planning and programming of activities; (c) funding and coordination of the implementation of activities; and (d) evaluation and reporting;
The Strategic Plan will focus on:
- Institutional roles and coordination mechanisms at national and district levels;
- Partnerships and funding approach;
- Strategies for implementing the ICP;
- Key activities for the implementation of the ICP, including costed implementation and capacity building plans;
- A monitoring and evaluation plan, including the logframe.
- A strategy to mobilise resource for the implementation of the ICP and Strategic Plan;
- A communication strategy to facilitate the implementation of the ICP and Strategic Plan.
6. Expected deliverables
The expected deliverables include:
1. A work plan detailing the review of the draft policy, methodology for the development of the strategic plan and highlighting major milestones, will be shared with the Ministry in charge of Gender and Family Promotion and UNICEF;
2. An outline of the draft Strategic Plan;
3. A final policy document and drafts of the strategic plan.
4. Final reports
5. White paper for the Cabinet
i. Final reports - policy document: The final policy document will contain at least five chapters, and bibliography:
a) Introduction describing the evolution of child rights in Rwanda and the institutional and programmatic framework for advancing child rights. The clusters of child rights, as per the CRC and the national normative framework, should be explicitly stated. The definition of the child in Rwanda should also be expressed.
b) Situation analysis providing an overview of the status of children in Rwanda in line with the clusters of rights identified above. Primary sources of information include existing secondary sources and discussions with key informants. Key issues, policy implementation problems and priorities will be identified. The situation analysis will also identify constraints that hamper inter-sectoral integration of child related policies through the entire policy cycle and capacity caps of duty bearers and claim holders that constrain effective delivery of services at both national and local level.
c) Policy thrust describing the rationale and justification for the policy. This chapter will further detail guiding principles as well as the national declaration/vision for the fulfilment of children’s basic human rights.
d) Policy framework outlining the policy’s specific goals, objectives and targets and develop a framework for an articulated inter-sectoral child policy including: analysis; planning and programming of activities; funding and coordination of the implementation of activities; and evaluation and reporting. The chapter will underscore and demonstrate the importance of an integrated, coordinated approach to child policy implementation, identify strategies and approaches that must be strengthened in practice and/or explored further such as the Minimum Package of Care and Support to OVC, Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses, Community-Based Nutrition and Early Childhood Development. It will also identify potential areas to enhance inter-sectoral collaboration and solutions to improve the coordination of funds, programme planning, implementation and evaluation for more effective policy implementation; and communication of policy developments and policy review outcomes.
e) Implementation arrangement including the roles of key institutions and stakeholders and any other proposed arrangements for the implementation of the ICP. This chapter will also make reference key to issues in the strategic plan,
ii. Strategic Plan accompanying the policy document will be developed to address:
a) Institutional roles: The plan will articulate the responsibilities of public institutions, civil society, the potential role of donors and the private sector, as well as families, communities and children;
b) Coordination mechanism: The plan will articulate linkages and synergies across sectors at national and local levels to improve coordination for effective child policy development and implementation, with consideration for existing inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms;
c) Communication plan: The plan will articulate solutions for acceptance and implementation of the policy, more improved dissemination of policy developments, planning instruments and monitoring tools at both national and local levels;
d) Partnerships and funding approach: The plan will include an analysis of partnerships and funding approaches, taking into account the capacity gap and stakeholder analysis, existing partnerships and alliances and trends on resource mobilisation;
e) Key activities, including strategies and capacity building plan in the area of coordination, institutional strengthening, communication and monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
f) Calibration: The plan will include a provision for regular policy adaptation over time, to take into consideration future policy developments, as well as national development and poverty reduction outcomes;
g) Monitoring and evaluation: The plan will include a monitoring and evaluation plan, necessary for assessing progress towards achieving policy targets and for calibration.
h) Budgeting and spending procedures
iii. The green and white paper for the Cabinet
a. Green Paper: a consultation document which outlines different policy options
b. White Paper: the final report submitted to Cabinet.
- outlines the proposed policy
- details of implementation and proposed plan of action
- reflects ideas and views gathered at Green Paper stage
The consultant will prepare all the documents in English for presentation to stakeholders during a validation process and prepare executive summaries of both in English and French. The final reports will integrate any comments and inputs received during the review and validation process.
7. Qualifications of the international consultant
i. Advanced university degree in Social Sciences with specialization or experience in analytical work, social policy development and institutional management and/or child policy development
ii. Progressive experience of at least five years in drafting policies and strategic plans, preferably targeting children;
iii. Experience in supervision and management of multi-disciplinary teams;
iv. Strong communication (written and oral) and networking skills;
v. Fluency in English and/or French;
vi. Demonstrable computer skills in MS-Word.
8. Management arrangements
The consultants will work under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and will have professional relations with UNICEF.
9. Expected duration
The estimated duration for the assignment is approximately 8 weeks, starting in mid-January or early February 2010. The contracted individual or firm must be immediately and entirely available to complete the work within the agreed time period.
10. Cost and payment procedures
The level of payment will be determined by the profile of the candidates, in accordance with the UN rules and procedures. In country trips relating to the assignment shall be at the expense of UNICEF. Other incremental costs shall be procured by UNICEF or reimbursed upon justification.
11. Payment modalities are established as follows:
- 20% upon contract signature
- 30% upon submission of acceptable draft reports
- 50% after approval and submission of the final report
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNICEF is a non-smoking environment.
How to apply
Please refer your applications with cover letter, P11 form and CV by email to Mr Anastase Rudasingwa (arudasingwa@unicef.org) and Ms Lilian Kastner (lkastner@unicef.org) before the end of April 12th. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
