GIZ invites eligible consultants for consultancy service on the legal and political representation of the African diaspora in African Union structures and processes


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Bid closing date
May 31, 2017
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No Specific Opening Day
Published on
2merkato.com (May 18, 2017)
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Terms of Reference

CONSULTANCY ON THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN AFRICAN UNION STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

Commissioned by:

Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO); African Union Commission

Background & Rationale

The adoption of the Constitutive Act of the African Union necessitated the need for the greater participation of the African peoples, civil society organizations and the greater African diaspora in AU structures and processes. In this regard, the Assembly of the Union adopted a number of legal instruments that provide for the participation of African peoples and civil society organizations including the diaspora. These instruments include, inter alia, the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community, relating to the Pan African Parliament, the Protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council and the Statutes of the Economic Social and Cultural Council.

In addition, the Executive Council adopted the Criteria for Granting Observer Status and a System of Accreditation within the African Union in July 2005. Non-governmental organizations, including those from the diaspora, may be granted observer status to the African Union.

Regarding the definition of African Diaspora, the Executive Council defined in its decision EX.CL/221 (VII) (adopted in June 2005 in Sirte, Libya) the African diaspora as “consisting of peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and building of the African Union”. The Executive Council then requested the Commission to take the necessary steps to facilitate the participation of the Diaspora in the building of the African Union in general and the ECOSOCC in particular.

The Assembly adopted decision Assembly/AU/Dec.393 (XVII) in January 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under which the Assembly requested the Commission to consider and prepare a Framework Document on the representation of the African Diaspora in AU structures and processes in line with previous decisions of AU Policy Organs. The Assembly again adopted another decision on the diaspora in July 2012. In decision Assembly/AU/Dec.443 (XIX), the Assembly decided on the need to establish and set criteria for increasing the presence and participation of the Diaspora in AU programs and policies in a systematic and global manner through the African Union Commission rather than in a piecemeal and uncoordinated fashion through various structures and organs of the AU.

Finally, the growing interest of non-African States in the Caribbean and elsewhere, with majority or significant African populations, corporate institutions, has been observed, considering the activities of the African Union. Some States even applied for membership to the African Union. There is therefore need to identify ways for the greater involvement of these States and institutions in the activities of the African Union.

Scope of Work

The consultant/expert will develop and submit a draft framework on legal and political representation of the African Diaspora in AU structures and processes taking into account the various decisions of the policy organs of the African Union.

The scope of the assignment and job will involve the following:

Deliverables:

 

Deliverables

Due to

Basic guiding principles that should govern the process of African Diaspora representation and participation in AU structures, policies and processes;

Product: Guiding Principles.

30th June 2017

Guideline on how these guiding principles can be applied to non-African states in the Caribbean and elsewhere with majority or significant African populations, corporate institutions or organizations, parliamentarians, mayors, civil society organizations or individuals;

Product: Guideline on application to non-African States.

30th June 2017

Modalities for initiating, promoting and facilitating the linkages outlined;

Product: Outline of proposed modalities.

15th July 2017

Outline on entitlements, privileges, obligations, duties and responsibilities that would be associated with the processes of inclusion, representation and participation of the Diaspora at various levels;

Product: Outline on entitlements, privileges, obligations, duties and responsibilities.

15th July 2017

In addition to the Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) the other main organs or institutions of the African Union in which the African Diaspora would be represented as well as the criteria/modalities for such participation where the statutory instruments establishing the organs do not specifically spell them out are identified;

Product: Diaspora participation criteria in the identified AU organs and/or institutions of the African Union.

15th July 2017

Ways and means through which African Diaspora views and perspectives can fit into AU policies and processes outside the formal framework are outlined;

Product: Outline of the Participation of the African diaspora in the AU policy making process.

15th July 2017

Legal instruments that will have to be amended or harmonized to allow for the effective participation of the African Diaspora in AU policies and processes are listed;

Product: Outline of legal instruments.

15th July 2017

Legal and political framework is drafted;

Product: Draft document.

15th August 2017

timeline for deliverables

15th August 2017: draft Legal Framework to be handed in to GIZ/AUC.

duration of the consultancy

It is expected that the consultancy will be conducted from June – September 2017.

Expert’s Profile

Competence and Skills

Minimum of Master’s degree in Law with a focus on African Union law and/or Public International Law and the Law of International Organizations is an asset.

Work Experience

    • Minimum of a Master’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, or any other related field;

    • A minimum of 7 years of proven progressive working experience in one or more of the following areas: legal drafting, governance, Diaspora engagement, political affairs and diplomacy;

    • Proven working experience with the AU, RECs or Diaspora organizations is an asset;

    • Excellent understanding of the concept of Diaspora engagement under African Union (AU) will be an added advantage;

    • Demonstrable academic, especially research and documentation skills.

Languages

Arabic, English, French and Portuguese are the working languages of the AU. For this assignment excellent writing and communication skills in English are required. Proficiency in any of the other AU working languages is an asset.

Duration

The consultant/expert shall perform the services for a maximum period of 65 working days.

Submission of application

Proposals (financial and technical offer) and your CV should be addressed to Ms Maike van Üüm (maike.vanueuem@giz.de), GIZ African Union Office. The closing date for submission of proposals is 31 May 2017. The consultant/expert shall submit a work plan and methodology on how he/she intends to achieve the objective of the assignment.

Please indicate the title of the assignment clearly in the subject matter for the CVs that are being submitted by email.

Company Info
GIZ Office Addis Ababa
ጂአይዜድ ኢትዮጵያ
Address GIZ Office, Kirkos sub city ,Kebele 18(Behind Intercontiontal Hotel)
Phone +251 11 518 0201
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