Title: Legal Researcher – Secondment to support the activities of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Functional Area: Programs
Direct Reporting Line: Executive Secretary of the ACERWC
Matrix report line: The Director, Plan International AU Liaison Office (Plan AULO)
Duration of Secondment: November 2024 to October 2027
Location (Duty Station): Based at the Secretariat of the ACERWC in Maseru, Lesotho
Travel required: Typical office environment
Effective Date: November 2024
Role Purpose
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years and is active in 75 countries across the world. Plan International has a liaison office to the African Union (Plan AULO) based in Addis Ababa. Plan AULO Leads Plan International’s liaison engagement with the AU and other related continental institutions. It also implements continental projects and initiatives (mainly on policy implementation and influencing) in line with its strategic focus areas.
Background of the Project
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) is a human rights organ of the AU with the mandate to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa. The Committee was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), by virtue of Article 32 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The African Children’s Charter) to monitor the implementation of the Charter.
The ACERWC undertakes various activities and draws inspiration from existing initiatives on matters related to tackling harmful practices affecting children’s rights in Africa. As prescribed in Article 1(3) of the African Children’s Charter, State Parties assume the obligation to address any custom, tradition, cultural or religious practices inconsistent with the rights enshrined therein. The Committee also draws inspiration from Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 and its target to end all forms of violence and discrimination against girls, including harmful practices such as child marriages and FGM. Furthermore, Aspiration 7 of Agenda 2040 also provides guidance requesting Member States to eliminate harmful practices, including FGM, child marriage, virginity testing, breast ironing and child witch killings; gender-based violence; sexual violence; sexual exploitation; pornography; and sexual trafficking. The Addis Ababa Declaration on Ending Discrimination and Violence against Girls in Africa which was adopted during the 22nd Ordinary Session of the ACERWC on 05 November 2013 following the Day of General Discussion on Discrimination and violence against girls in Africa; the ACERWC and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) joint General Comment on ending child marriage; and the AU’s Campaign to end child marriage and the Saleema Initiative to eliminate FGM are also some of the initiatives that inform the Committee’s intervention on the matter.
To coordinate these initiatives and monitor Member States’ responses to eliminate harmful practices affecting children’s rights, the ACERWC has established a special mechanism in the form of the office of Special Rapporteur. The Special rapporteur, among other things, has the mandate to mobilize action and political support to end child marriage, FGM and other harmful practices in Africa; and to cooperate and engage in dialogue with the Member States, National Human Rights Institutions, relevant intergovernmental organizations, UN Agencies, international and regional mechanisms, and CSOs.
In this regard, Plan International African Union Liaison Office through a support of the African Children’s Charter Project (ACCP) is collaborating with the ACERWC to hire a qualified individual as a Legal Researcher to assist the undertakings of the ACERWC’s Special Rapporteur on Harmful Practices.
Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Legal Researcher:
The Legal Researcher will be tasked to support the activities of the Special Rapporteur on harmful practices. Specifically, the Legal Researcher will be undertaking the following activities:
- Assist the mandate of the Special rapporteur on harmful practices in Africa;
- Draft Thematic Report is to provide comprehensive information on the current status of harmful practices affecting children in Africa and the challenges to ending them;
- Organize fact-finding missions of the Special Rapporteur;
- Take the lead in developing and disseminating the ACERWC’s documents, including General Comments, Standards, Guidelines, Concluding Observations, Communications, Statements, and Resolutions related to harmful practices;
- Organize platforms for cooperation and dialogue with Member States, National Human Rights Institutions, relevant intergovernmental organizations, international and regional mechanisms, UN Agencies and CSOs;
- Coordinate the various activities of the Special Rapporteur aimed at raising awareness and galvanizing action on the issues related to Harmful practice among African Union organs, Regional Economic Communities, National Human Rights Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, and
- Coordinate the activities of the ACERWC with that of the various initiatives within the AU, including the AU ending child marriage campaign and the Saleema initiative to end FGM;
- Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Special Rapporteur or the Executive Secretary.
Accountabilities
Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GESI)
- Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GESI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
- Ensures that Programme staff are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GESI policies;
- Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team;
- Ensures that Plan AULO contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GESI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.
Key Relationships
Internal
- Plan AULO
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Desirable/Qualifications
- A Master degree in law, human rights, children’s rights, or other related disciplines;
- A minimum of three years working experience in the area of child protection in the African context;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the work of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;
- Experience in national or international organizations working on matters of children’s rights;
- Excellent research and analytical skills; and
- Excellent and proven report writing skills.
Plan International’s Values in Practice
We are open and accountable
We strive for lasting impact
We work well together
We are inclusive and empowering
Physical Environment: Typical office environment
Level of contact with children: No contact or very low frequency of interaction
Required Documents
The application document should consist of the following:
- A cover letter summarizing the background of the applicant and why the applicant is interested in the position;
- Curriculum Vitae not exceeding 3 pages;
- Evidence of educational background and professional experience.
- Names and contacts of three references.
Interested and qualified candidates shall submit motivation letter along with recent CV via e-mail address: [email protected]
Note:
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Potential candidates will be required to declare any potential points for conflict of interest e.g. a relative working for Plan etc, as well as sign on to the Plan International Safeguarding Policy and other relevant policies.
- Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Closing date: October 20th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (EAT)
