SCI is the world’s leading independent organization for children. We save children’s lives; we fight for; we help them fulfil their potential. We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
The Regional Programming Unit (RPU), East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) has been implementing the Children on the Move Programme through funding from SC Italy. The programme has been extended for additional three years (2022-2024) and builds on the sustainability of the previous programme implemented in 2019-2021. The overall objective is to strengthen the realisation of the protection rights of migrant children in the Southern Africa region. The programme will be implemented through an adopted two-fold approach:
1) Policy and advocacy including coordination and
2) Capacity building through technical support in strengthening the realization of protection rights of Migrant Children in Southern Africa.
As part of the policy and advocacy efforts, a desk review of regional migration policies is planned to gather evidence and analyse policy and identify gaps in laws. The outcome of this exercise is envisaged to support the development, adaption and implementation of an advocacy plan to address identified gaps (including gender, birth registration, etc.). This will be used as evidence to engage in continuous policy dialogue on the inclusion of protection rights for COM in migration policies.
Gaps in policies, procedures and capacity can have devastating effects on migrant children, who often have little access to regular means of migration, but are nonetheless on the move for a large number of reasons. While international instruments and frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and members of their families; Global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration advance the protection of the migrant population, regional level policy framework on children on the move remain a key gap to date. There appears to be no significant efforts by the RECs on children on the move. And hence the marginalization of children on the move continues to exist in regional government space, and child rights and child protection are often lacking in regional migration policies. Despite governments’ commitments to regional and global human rights instruments (including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child [UNCRC], the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child [ACRWC], and the African Youth Charter), the realization of child and youth rights continues to be challenged by inadequate legal and policy frameworks along with the poor implementation of these where they exist.
Purpose and objectives of the policy gap assessment
A desk review of the Regional Child Migrant Protection Policy Assessment of the Southern Africa Region will be conducted in order to inform Save the Children’s engagement with regional stakeholders, especially regional economic communities such as the SADC and AU, on strengthening child protection in regional migration policy frameworks. This review will provide a systematic, synthesised analysis of current policies, their implementation and regional adoption, planned amendments, regional frameworks, and policy advocacy efforts by SADC and AU, with a specific country focus on Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique. It is critical that the mapping and assessment of policies is focused on a migrant child rights and protection lens.
Objectives
The Objective of the assessment is to provide an overview of assessment of existing migration policies and strategies to build a stronger understanding of the main policy gaps, both in formulation or implementation, preventing the SADC from effectively meeting the objectives of key international and regional policy frameworks.
The assessment will cover:
- a) Mapping current policies that either support or directly govern migrant protection in the region. This includes regional policy frameworks and their national implementation.
- b) Identify the status and level of institutional frameworks/instruments supporting the implementation of policies, such as Standard Operating Procedures, protocols etc. This places greater emphasis on how policies at regional level are implemented on the ground, by national governments, in their respective contexts.
The Desktop review will answer the following questions:
1) Do (and to which extend) current regional and national policies and procedures protect the rights of children and youth involved in or affected by migration and displacement?
2) What is the role and influence of regional bodies, including regional frameworks, on national migration policies, their implementation and their harmonisation?
3) Do regional policies and procedures recognize international instruments and have relevant and effective national policies and instruments to support cross border work and case management?
4) What key policy initiatives to strengthen migrant protection exist?
Geographic Scope
The policy assessment will cover the SADC region through secondary sources for data collection with a specific country focus on Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique.
Methodology
Methodology for the assessment is largely qualitative employing document analysis and interviews. but an innovative use of the mixed methods approach is encouraged.
Deliverables:
- a) Overview of the current status: existing policies and institutional framework at regional level
- b) Key gaps in ensuring efficient implementation – policy and institutional level.
- c) International trends and proven practices.
- d) Recommendations and concrete proposed steps to inform RPU’s regional level advocacy strategy for migrant and refugee children and youth
Duration
This assignment is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2023. The successful bidder must commit to accomplish and deliver the consultancy services and deliverables before or on 31st July, 2023.
Competencies
This consultancy is open to both individuals and consultancy firms who meet the following criteria:
- Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related area;
- Demonstrate experience in similar projects focused on policy analysis. Research conducted in the field of migration and child protection would be a distinct advantage;
- Experience and strong grasp of case management processes;
- Prior experience of researching child migration in the South African regional context, ideally including specific experience in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique.
- Familiarity with child rights programming;
- Demonstrate experience working with INGOs;
- Demonstrate analytical and conceptual ability, good communication and facilitation skills;
- Demonstrate strong report writing skills, a track record of delivering high-quality written outputs, and be able to share examples of previous work;
- Demonstrate the ability to work independently and deliver on time.
How to apply
Applications should consist of:
- Cover letter
- Examples of similar work already conducted
- Applications must be sent electronically to: esaro.procurement@savethechildren.org on or before 30th April 2023 1700hrs EAT
TOR COM SA Migration Policy Mapping 2023
Expression of Interest Form- Consultancy