UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting proposals from individual national consultant for Module Development, Review and Quality Assurance for Postgraduate Child rights Programmes

The main objective of the Consultancy is Module Development, Review and Quality Assurance for Postgraduate Child rights programmes. The consultant is expected to get and incorporate the feedback from the different sections at UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office to make sure that the content of the modules and course outlines are in line with the values and mandate of UNICEF. The consultant should also ensure that the modules meet the Regional and International standards and that the course material speaks to and is sufficient for all the modules.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background

Zimbabwe has shown commitment to implementing the provisions of the UNCRC in a number of ways. Zimbabwe enacted the Children's Act (Chapter 5:06) in 2000 which is an Act of parliament specifically meant to address children's rights in line with the UNCRC and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). These ratifications are statements of the government's commitment to the enjoyment, realisation and fulfilment of children's rights. The Children's Act 5:06 is a comprehensive act that clearly outlines the rights of the child, institutional framework, the administrative arrangements and adoption procedures. The Children's Act has become the official legal instrument for the protection of children. The ACRWC is an African regional human rights instrument adopted by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which is now the African Union (AU) in 1990. The charter was enforced in 1999. The reason behind the formation of the ACRWC was the fact that African countries were under represented in the process of formulating the UNCRC. This created the need to craft an instrument that would respond to the unique needs of the African child.

Moreover, in its endeavour to provide comprehensive legal instruments on child rights, the government of Zimbabwe enacted the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) ACT 2013. The new constitution has expanded the bill of rights for children in line with the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UNCRC and ACRWC. The new constitution is clear and explicit on the need to enhance children's rights. Sections 19 and 81 of the new constitution are clear on the need to protect children. Section 19 is explicit on the need for the state to take due respect on the best interest of the child in all matters. Section 81 has expanded bill of rights of children that speaks to the UNCRC provisions.

However despite this rich background and information on child rights instruments and principles in African regional organisations, worrying child rights violations continue to plague the continent and very little exists in the form of a body of literature that approaches the idea of child rights and the notion of childhood from an African perspective. This perspective advocates for the inclusion of African values, norms and social constructions on childhood into the child rights debate. As a response to these challenges UNICEF supports various Postgraduate Child rights programmes. The main objective of the programme is to equip students with knowledge and skills in child rights anchored in the African perspective.

Introduction

The post graduate degree programme focuses on child rights and constructions of childhood in Africa. Professionals working with children need a thorough understanding of children's rights so that these can be reflected and upheld in their programmes and interaction with children. The degree programme aims to develop in students a knowledge base in child rights and social constructions on childhood from an African perspective. This knowledge would in turn inform programming in child cantered programs.

By successfully completing the Postgraduate Child rights programme, students will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of child rights as stipulated by the UNCRC, Understand the provisions of the ACRWC in responding to child rights from an African perspective, Understand child development and social constructions on childhood from an African perspective, Use child rights based approaches in developing programmes and policies for children, Demonstrate an understanding of child rights programming concepts, Demonstrate an understanding of child leadership and participation strategies, Understand and make use of research methodologies that are appropriate for children.

The programme will produce a critical mass of highly educated and trained professionals and practitioners in the field of child rights. These will be well informed students and professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond to child rights issues and challenges with a view to promoting positive change.

Objective (s)

The main objective of the Consultancy is Module Development, Review and Quality Assurance for Postgraduate Child rights programmes. The consultant is expected to get and incorporate the feedback from the different sections at UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office to make sure that the content of the modules and course outlines are in line with the values and mandate of UNICEF. The consultant should also ensure that the modules meet the Regional and International standards and that the course material speaks to and is sufficient for all the modules.

 Methodology & Expected Output

• Support the development and the review of child rights modules for postgraduate programmes within Institutions of Higher Learning.
• Outline the Regional and International reputable universities that have similar programmes and which the consultant will use as a benchmark to review the module content and the course outlines and give justification for choosing these universities.
• Compare the course outlines and course materials of these universities with that of the Postgraduate Child rights programme.
• Consolidate and incorporate all the feedback on the modules and course outlines from the different sections at UNICEF and relevant stakeholders.
• Check the relevance of the course material for the different modules.
• Check if the course material is the right one for that level of the Postgraduate Child rights programme, is it not too difficult or too simple.
• Check for consistency between the content in the modules and the course materials.

• Check the sufficiency of the course material for the different modules.

Expected outputs

• An inception report of how the consultant intends to work with the local Universities to develop, review and ensure that the desired quality is upheld in the modules and course outline.
• An outline of Regional and International universities and the reasons why these universities were chosen by the consultant.
• A SWOT Analysis done for each of the modules across the various local Universities.
• A report of the feedback from the UNICEF sections and relevant stakeholders and how these were incorporated into the modules and course outline.
• A report on the relevance, consistency and sufficiency of the modules and course outlines.  Deliverable: 1 Summary document justifying the chosen universities that the consultant is using as a benchmarkTask: Consolidate and incorporate all the feedback on the modules and course outlines from the different sections at UNICEF   Deliverable: 1 report Task: Check the relevance, consistency and sufficiency of the modules and course outlines Deliverable: Modules and course outline

Timeframe Consultancy Requirements

• The consultancy will be for a duration of 6 months from 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017.

Major Tasks

Task: Outline the Regional and International reputable universities that have a similar programme and which the consultant will use as a benchmark to review the module content and the course outlines of the Postgraduate Child rights programme and give justification for choosing these universities.

Deliverable: 1 Summary document justifying the chosen universities that the consultant is using as a benchmark

Task: Consolidate and incorporate all the feedback on the modules and course outlines from the different sections at UNICEF

Deliverable: 1 Summary document with the input from UNICEF sections and how they were incorporated.

Task: Conduct a SWOT Analysis of each of the Postgraduate Modules

Deliverable: 1 report

Task: Check the relevance, consistency and sufficiency of the modules and course outlines

Deliverable: 1 report

Task: Presentation of the course Modules and course outlines

Deliverable: Modules and course outlines

Education

Doctoral degree in the Social Sciences (preferably child-related qualification).

Work Experience

 At least 5 years relevant and professional experience including extensive knowledge of module development, review and quality assurance;

• Qualification in law, social work or other relevant social studies;
• Knowledge of the legal systems as well as socio-economical and geo-political drivers in SADC Member States will be highly desirable;
• Proven drafting skills;
• Proven and extensive experience in the development of training curricula and materials;
• Proven ability and experience in leading and facilitating training workshops on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
• Multidisciplinary skills and the ability to communicate effectively;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Sensitivity to regional political, gender and cultural balance;
• A high standard of professionalism; and
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) with excellent drafting and communication skills.

Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing monthly professional fees by 26 February 2017. Please quote "Module Development Consultant" as the application subject heading.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted. UNICEF does not charge a fee during the recruitment process.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.