Consultancy to Conduct a Partner and Legislative Mapping on Ending Child Marriages

TERMS OF REFERENCE

ConsultancyConsultancy to conduct a partner and legislative mapping on Ending Child MarriagesProjectSouthern Africa Cluster on Ending Child Marriage (ECM) CampaignType of ContractShort-TermContract Period10 working daysSupervisorGender Justice Programme and Policy ManagerLocationVarious depending on need of the assignmentCountryZambia

1.0    Background and Context

Oxfam in Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster has program priority on Gender Justice, whose goal is that diverse women, girls, and marginalized groups fully realize their rights, exercise their leadership, and live a life free from violence, discrimination, and poverty. The Cluster works on five pathways of change namely: 1. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) 2. Transformative Women’s Leadership (TWL) 3. Women Economic Empowerment and Unpaid care and domestic work (WEEUPCDW) 4. Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and 5. Girls Transformative Education (GTE). Oxfam in SAF has been implementing the global Enough campaign which seeks to ensure that women and girls of all diversity better enjoy their lives free from all forms of violence.  Oxfam SAF countries localized the ENOUGH campaign according to the country GBV contextual issues.

1.1 Description of the Project

Oxfam SAF is running a project whose goal is to contribute towards influencing on the domestication of the Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC) Model Law on ECM and the (SADC) Model Law on Gender Based Violence within the cluster countries and at the regional level. This is a legal framework developed by the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) to guide member states in addressing the issue of child marriage. The model law provides a set of provisions aimed at preventing child marriage, protecting the rights of children, and promoting gender equality. Areas covered include minimum age of marriage, consent, registration of marriages, enforcement mechanisms, and support services for victims of child marriage. To effectively combat child marriages in the region, SADC recommends that member states align their national laws with the statutes of the SADC-PF.

This project therefore seeks to mobilize collective action and create a conducive environment for ending child marriage in the SAF cluster through the alignment and domestication of the SADC Model Law on ECM. The project will also contribute towards the popularization of the ENOUGH global campaign and the actualization of the SAF Gender Justice Strategy.

1.2 Description of the Consultancy

The consultancy aims to address two areas: Conducting a partner mapping and commissioning a study on national laws and policies and how they align to the SADC Model Law on Ending Child Marriages. The consultancy work will involve partner mapping which will help OXFAM know which organisations are working in the scope of ECM, what activities they are undertaking, what level are they working on and how Oxfam can forge forces to amplify the voices and collaboration on ECM.  In addition, the consultancy aims to inform OXFAM on the country laws and policies on ECM and understanding how these are aligned to the SADC ECM law.  Furthermore, the research will help OXFAM to understand the gaps in policy vis-a-vis the SADC Model Law on ECM, challenges, and opportunities to prepare Oxfam, partners, and allies to develop a clear influencing plan in the second phase of the project.

Specifically, the consultancy will a conduct a comparative legal analysis approach which will entail a review of existing literature, reports, and data on child marriage, as well as relevant international conventions, treaties, and agreements including the SADC model law on ECM. Key stakeholders such as government agencies, NGOs, CSOs, community leaders, youth groups, and religious institutions, will be identified and engaged, and their roles, responsibilities, and activities in addressing child marriages will be mapped, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for collaboration. Existing legislation, policies, and initiatives related to child marriage at national, regional, and local levels will undergo analysis, focusing on legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and gaps in protection. Drawing from successful interventions in other countries or regions, best practices and lessons learned will be identified and assessed for their applicability within the specific context.

2.0 Objectives of the Assignment

The Overall Objective of the consultancy is to conduct a partner and legislative mapping on Ending Child Marriages.  The Specific Objectives of the assignment are as follows:

• Assess existing legislative and policy frameworks related to child marriage at the local, national, and regional, levels, including gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

• Identify and map potential partners, stakeholders, and key actors involved in initiatives aimed at ending child marriages, including governmental bodies, NGOs, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, private sector, and other relevant institutions.

• Provide actionable recommendations based on the findings to strengthen partnerships, collective advocacy efforts, and legislative frameworks aimed at ending child marriages.

photographs to use.

6.0 Responsibilities of Oxfam and Consortium Partners

Within its policies and practices, Oxfam’s primary responsibility is to help the consultants achieve the objectives of the TOR. Specifically, Oxfam will be responsible for:

• Providing an online training on Oxfam safeguarding and ethics to the Lead Consultant and Research Assistants.

• Arrange meetings with concerned parties in the target areas.

• Giving inputs to study design and tools.

• Monitoring, providing feedback and ensuring quality and effectiveness of the study.

• Giving inputs/feedback to draft and final reports.

• Releasing the budget as per the agreed budget disbursement schedule.

• additional proposed research questions, methodological approach, data analysis plan, potential technical and operational challenges, and strategies to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables.

• A list of key activities, linked to the proposed activities, within a scheduled timeframe.

• A staffing and management plan, including details of team composition and specific qualifications of key research staff.

• An estimated budget, including personnel.

• List of three (3) references who can attest to the team’s experience and expertise as it relates to this program (including daytime phone numbers and email contacts).

• CVs of the review team, outlining previous evaluation experience and accomplishments as it relates to demonstrating the skills and knowledge needed to fulfil the Terms of Reference.

• Preferred: Two (2) examples of large-scale reviews recently completed by the lead consultant(s).

• If possible, at least one should be relevant, or similar to, the subject of this assignment.

All correspondence for the consultancy should be addressed to:

Bid Evaluation Committee

Oxfam in Southern Africa, Zambia Office.

Plot # 250 Zambezi Road, Roma Township.

Lusaka, Zambia.