DEVELOPING A NATIONAL GUIDELINE FOR ESTABLISHING AND ADMINISTERING CHILDREN PARLIAMENTS IN ETHIOPIA

DEVELOPING A NATIONAL GUIDELINE FOR ESTABLISHING AND ADMINISTERING CHILDREN PARLIAMENTS IN ETHIOPIA

RFP/005/2010

Terms of Reference

Developing a National Guideline for Establishing and Administering Children Parliaments in Ethiopia

 

Introduction

 

The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) states that “human rights and freedoms, emanating from the nature of mankind, are indivisible and inalienable.” It also sets out the principles determining the conduct and accountability of government, requiring for government to be transparent and its officials (and elected representatives) accountable. 

 

In order to ensure that government institutions work within the law, respect the rights of citizens and carry out their duties, article 55 of the Constitution obliged the Federal parliament to “Establish an Ombudsman, elect and appoint members that shall lead it; determine its powers and duties.” Hence, as part of the broader aim of building a democratic state and in order to rectify unfair decisions and maladministration, the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman (EIO) was duly constituted in 2000 by Proclamation number 211/2000 and formally established in 2005. 

 

With the appointment of an ombudsman for Women and Children, and adoption of a comprehensive five year strategic plan in 2006, issues of women, children, the disabled and other vulnerable groups constitute a major area of intervention for the Institution, Hence, the institution, in its endeavor to combat administrative issues particularly affecting children, sought to establish model children parliaments across the country,

 

Background

 

Article 36 of the FDRE Constitution grants a range of rights to children, who constitute 52 percent of the total Ethiopian population. Ethiopia is also a state-party to different child rights related international and regional human rights instruments, which are “integral part of the law of the land”, among which is the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Sate-parties to this instrument are required to take appropriate administrative, legislative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized by the convention. In line with that, Ethiopia has taken practical steps that take into account the norms and standards set in the instrument. One of those measures is incorporating an Ombudsman for children (and women) within the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman.

 

As a result, for the past three years, EIO has been engaged in establishing model children parliaments in all regional states and supporting the establishment of similar parliaments across the country. The process of establishing children parliaments was inspired by the Children Parliament of Finland, i.e., the Tampere Children Parliament. This model parliament was successful in creating opportunities for Finnish Children and young people to raise their voices and ensure participation in matter that directly has an impact on them. Transposing the lessons learnt from Finland, the Ombudsman for Women and Children of the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman, resolved to establish similar model parliaments across the nation.  

 

With the objectives of providing a platform for children to interact and collectively participate in local forums and decision making processes thereby addressing issues of maladministration on their own, a total of 10 model children parliaments in nine regions and one administrative city has so far been established.

 

The results of the proceedings from the parliaments that were established are promising and efforts at expanding the parliaments are currently underway. Moreover, there is a plan to establish a National Children Forum that would enable the children parliamentarians from all over the country to come together and share experiences and create a common vision for the country’s future. 

 

At this juncture the institution is working towards developing a national guideline that will serve as a blueprint for further expansion of the parliaments throughout the country.  The guideline is expected to provide a framework for all those interested in establishing and administering children parliaments in Ethiopia.

 

 

Objective

 

The general objective of the guideline is to provide a comprehensive framework for regional states, woredas, zones, Kebelle, and other interested parties in establishing, coordinating and managing children parliaments in Ethiopia. More specifically, the objective of the guideline is;

 

-         To lay a foundation for a uniform and consistent children parliament establishing process

-         To design and develop a working procedure for managing and conducting session of children parliaments

-         To document the experiences that has been gained from establishing ten children parliament in the country

 

 

Scope of Work

 

The consulting firm/ consultant, who will conduct the research is expected to:

 

a)      Take into account the objectives of EIO while conducting the research

b)      Involve the following target groups:

·         EIO staff in particular the women and children Department, and the children parliament coordinating office

·          Civil society organizations, EIO stakeholders working with issues of children

·         Selected Children Parliamentarians

·         Regional Authorities

c)      Preparation of questionnaires and checklists; distribution and collection of the same.

d)     Conduct focus group discussions,

e)      Data summarization and analysis

f)       Submission of the inception report

g)      Submission and presentation of the final report

h)      A one day workshop for the presentation of the guideline to EIO management

 Methodology

 

The methodology will combine quantitative and qualitative approaches. The consultant will collect secondary data from desk review and verify them with primary data from field visits, interviews and workshop. During the process of data gathering the consultant will compare, validate and cross-validate data of different sources and different methodologies (desk review, site visits and interviews).

 

More specifically, the consultant/ consulting firm is expected to employ the following methodologies:

 

1.      Desk research/literature review that will include, but not limited to, the following:

 

a.       A review and analysis of all relevant international, regional and domestic laws on children;

b.      A review and analysis of all relevant domestic policies, strategies, plans, packages and programs that have bearing on children;

c.       A Review of the Ethiopian government initiative to bring about good governance ( transparency, accountability, direct participation and the rule of law) in Ethiopia, and the role of EIO thereof

d.      Exploring the experience of other countries which have children’s parliaments in place;

e.       A review of the previous EIO reports, working documents, proceedings, draft regulations and other documents related to Children Parliaments.  A review of EIO planning documents, annual reports, progress reports to donors, strategic plan document, and/or other documents that are considered relevant to this assessment.

 

 

2.      Key Informant Interview –

 

-         Interviews with EIO management and staff in charge of establishing the children parliaments

-          Selected children parliamentarians and regional authorities ( regional Councils)

-         Officials concerned with the enforcement of the rights of children as well as relevant stakeholders 

 

3.      Field Visits –

 

-  Field visits to two-three selected model children parliaments will have to be conducted. The regions will be decided in consultation with the EIO management. 

 

4.      Data Analysis –

 

-     Data collected from document review, key informant interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and field visits will have to be analyzed. Quantitative data have to be used to enrich and illustrate a qualitative conclusion.

 

Language of the Research

 

The guideline will primarily be developed in Amharic but it will also have to also provided with an English translation. 

 

 

Deliverables/outputs

 

A)    Inception Report:

-          The inception should include in detail the assignment work plan, approach, methodology, implementation arrangements, and draft questionnaires and checklists for focus group discussions for comments and feedback

B)    Draft Report

-          An initial report submitted for comments and feedback

C)    Final Report

-           A document incorporating the feedbacks on the draft report, and the final guideline

D)    Presentation

-          Presentation of the guideline to EIO management

 

Duration of the Study

 

The Study shall be completed 60 days after signing of the contract.

 

Qualifications of Consultants

 

The leader of the team or the individual consultant is required to have the following qualifications and experiences;

 

i.                    A minimum of Masters degree in law, human rights, sociology,  or other related field

ii.                  Extensive working experience in the field of human rights, children’s rights and child related works

iii.                Experience working with an Ombudsman office. Previous experience of working with the EIO is a plus.

iv.                Have demonstrated expertise in consulting, research, policy and data analysis, manual development,

v.                  Excellent spoken and written command of the English Language

vi.                Having a substantial experience of coordinating capacity

 

 

 Tentative Outline for the Guideline

 

The Guideline should include the following,

 

I.        

 

a)      Literature review of International and Domestic laws, rules, policies on Children’s Rights

b)      Justification ( background) for the development of the Manual

c)      Objectives of the Manual

d)     Approaches to Developing the Manual

 

II

  i.                  Historical Background of Ombudsman Institutions in the World

 

ii.                  The Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman

 

-          Establishment

-          Vision

-          Mission

-          Core Values

-          Objectives/Goals

-          Situational Analysis

-          Focus on Children Rights

 

II.        Children Parliaments

 

-          Definition

-          Concept

-          Purpose

-          Composition

-          Historical Overview

-          International Experience

-          Children Parliament in Ethiopia

-          Establishment

-          Procedure

-          Ownership

-          Achievements

-          Sustainability

 

V.        The Role of Stakeholders and regional Authorities

 

 VI.      The Role of the Government 

 

IV.       The guideline also should lay a framework and include;

 

-          Preamble

-          Nomenclature/Definitions

-          Objectives

-          Goals  

-          Structure

-          Election Process

-          Parliamentary Committees

-          Duties of each Committees

-          Duties of Speaker, Deputy-Speaker and Secretary

-          Conducting Meetings

-          Drafting Agendas

-          Quorum

-          Order of Sitting

-          Meeting time

-          Rule on decision making

-          Rules on Speaking

-          Framing Action Points 

-          Monitoring and Evaluation

 

Annexes:  

-          Attendance Sheet

-          Action Plan Sheet 

-          Budget Breakdown Sheet

-          Reporting Sheet

-          Monitoring and Evaluation Sheet

 

 

Evaluation Criteria

 

Technical proposals will be rated as per the following matrix. A firm will have to score a minimum of 70% to be considered for the next step. Financial evaluation will be conducted for the qualified and responsive technical proposals (i.e 70% and above). The responsive and qualified firm with the lowest financial proposal will be issued a contract.

 

1.	Expertise of Firm / Organization submitting Proposal (relevance of experience, reputation of firm, general organization)	30%	30 points
2.	Proposed Work Plan and Approach (understanding of TOR, scope of task, clear presentation,	50%	50 points
3.	Personnel (General qualification, specialized trainings, professional experience, knowledge of region)	20%	20 points

 

 Submission of Technical & Financial proposals

 

Qualified and interested Firms should submit their Technical and Financial proposals in separate sealed Envelopes to the following address no later than 10 March 2010:

 

 

UNDP Ethiopia

Procurement Specialist

ECA Compound Old Buld.

Vacancy No: RFP/005/2010

Fax: 251 11 5514599 / 5515147

P. O. Box 5580, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia