Consultancy title:
Designing and Developing Policy Briefs on Violence Against Children (VAC) in Uganda

Consultancy at:
AfriChild

Deadline of this Job:
Friday, March 3, 2017

Duty Station:
Kampala, Uganda

Consultancy details:
CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY
DESIGNING AND DEVELOPING POLICY BRIEFS ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN (VAC) IN UGANDA

1.0 Background
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) of the Government of the Republic of Uganda; Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS); the Uganda office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF Uganda); the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention/Division of Violence Prevention and Division of Global HIV/AIDS Prevention (CDC/DVP & DGHA); the United States Agency for International Development-Uganda (USAID-Uganda); Makerere University School of Public Health (MaKSPH); and the ChildFund International Uganda Consortium (the ChildFund Consortium), which is led by ChildFund International Uganda (ChildFund) and includes AfriChild Centre for the Study of the African Child, TPO Uganda, and Columbia University (CU), undertook the “Violence Against Children Survey in Uganda: A Retrospective Household Survey of 13-24-Year-Old Females and Males.

The Uganda Violence against Children Survey (Uganda VACS) gathered information from children and youth aged 13-24 to estimate the prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual violence against children in Uganda. The additional information collected included; documentation of risk and protective factors for violence, examination of health consequences of violence, and the utilization of health, legal, welfare and other services available for victims of violence. This information was gathered to guide prevention and response efforts on violence against children.

1.1 Objectives of Uganda VAC

1.1.1 General objective

The overall intention of Uganda VAC Survey was to measure the magnitude of violence against children and to study the epidemiologic patterns of risk factors for emotional, physical, and sexual violence in Uganda. In addition, Uganda VAC survey was intended to identify risk and protective factors in order to inform efforts by stakeholders to reduce violence against children through informed and targeted prevention programs and policy initiatives.

1.1.2 Specific objectives

1. Estimate the National prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual violence against 13-24-year-old females and males;
   
2. Identify potential risk and protective factors for violence against children;
   
3. Document the consequences of violence against children for their mental, social and physical well-being;
   
4. Assess the utilization of health, legal, welfare and other services available for victims of violence;
   
5. Use data to help guide national policies, laws and programs to prevent violence against children;
   
6. Make recommendations on improving and enhancing interventions to better identify and prevent violence against children and to ensure access to services for its health, legal and psychosocial related consequences; and
   
7. Identify areas for further research.

2.0. Purpose of the consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy service is to develop policy briefs on a range of topics from the Violence against Children (VAC) survey, as stipulated in the study objectives above with the aim of highlighting the key issues that were discovered during the survey. Up to seven policy briefs (aligned to each of the above objectives) will be developed per approval by the AfriChild Centre.

3.0. Scope of the consultancy

1. Develop seven (7) policy briefs aligned with each of the VAC study’s objectives.
   
2. Review available study reports and other relevant research and documents on violence against children.
   
3. Liaise with AfriChild throughout the process; including regular updates and feedback sessions with leadership and senior staff.
   
4. Review draft briefs with 2-3 national experts selected by AfriChild and revise documents accordingly.

4.0. AfriChild’s responsibilities
AfriChild/Child Fund will be responsible for managing the consultancy, including contract management, timeline adherence, access to VAC information, and quality assurance.

5.0. Expected deliverables

1. 1st draft of each policy brief
   
2. 2nd draft of each policy brief incorporating AfriChild Centre’s and external experts; comments. This 2nd draft will include a full set of infographics.
   
3. Final copy of each policy brief

5.1. Structure of Policy Brief
Each policy brief should be:

• 5-7 pages (one page will be reserved for a brief introduction of AfriChild Centre and VAC survey and other general information )
  
• Policy brief should be visually attractive, engaging and easily understood by non-specialist
  6.0. Administration
  The Consultant will report to the Executive Director of AfriChild Centre in undertaking this work

7.0. Performance Standards
While carrying out the study, the Consultant should ensure the highest standards of professionalism, ethical competence and integrity.

8.0. Confidentiality
The consultant shall not, during the term of this Contract or after its expiration, disclose or share whatsoever any proprietary, section or confidential information relating to the Study or the AfriChild Centre’s business or operations with anybody knowingly or unknowingly without the prior written consent of the Executive Director of the AfriChild Centre.

9.0. Insurance
The consultant will be responsible for taking out any appropriate insurance coverage.

10.0. Assignment
The researcher shall not re-assign this Contract or sub-contract any portion of it without written consent of the Executive Director of the AfriChild Centre.

11.0. Required skills, competencies and experience

The key required skills, competencies and experience are summarised as under:

1. A minimum of Master’s degree in; Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology or Education. Possession of a PhD in similar/closely related areas is added advantage
   
2. Good knowledge and solid understanding of the current discourse and discussion around children wellbeing and violence against children in Uganda
   
3. At least 5 years of experience in research field including data analysis and report writing.
   
4. Ability to analyze and clearly articulate complex issues to decision makers.
   
5. Excellent analytical and writing skills
   
6. Good publishing record, particularly on VACS in developing countries. Experience of developing policy briefs will be advantageous

12.0. Contract duration

The time frame for this consultancy will be undertaken between April 2017 and June 2017, subject to release of final data and report of the VACS study. Each policy brief will be apportioned a fortnight of working days.

13.0. Payment Schedule
The client will sign a lump-sum contract (calculated based on rate per policy brief) as follows:

• First instalment (50%): Upon receiving copies of the 2nd draft of the policy briefs.
  
• Second instalment (50%): upon receiving copies of the final version of the policy briefs

14.0. Consultant’s Selection Method
An individual consultant will be selected through an evaluation of proposals by a selection committee.

Consultancy application procedure
Consultants are invited to submit proposals, comprising of a technical proposal, financial proposal with clear cost projection in Uganda Shillings, methodology plan, work plan and CV.
Proposals should be addressed to the Executive Director, AfriChild Centre, P.O Box 7062 Makerere University, Kampala and hand delivered at the above address located on plot 103, Mary Stuart Road, Opposite Lumumba Hall of Residence or sent via email as one document in PDF format to info@africhild.or.ug by Friday, March 3, 2017.

16.0. Contact Person
Joyce Wanican
Executive Director
AfriChild Centre for the Study of the African Child
Makerere University Kampala
Mob:+256-0792666610
E-mail: jwanican@africhild.or.ug