TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONDUCTING A STUDY ON ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES AND PRODUCTION OF A CARITAS ZAMBIA POSITION PAPER WITH CLEAR STRATEGIES ON ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES IN ZAMBIA
23rd May 2018
1.0. INTRODUCTION
Caritas Zambia is a faith based non - profit making organization dedicated to the strengthening of the voice of the Church in promoting democracy and governance, rule of law, and social economic and cultural rights in Zambia. At the same time, the organisation promotes sustainable agriculture for small-scale farmers through organic farming and agroecological strategies.
In a way of implementing its mandate of promoting human rights Caritas Zambia in collaboration with the Education Department of the Catholic Secretariat have entered into an agreement with Save the Children International Zambia to implement a project that focuses on the “ Action for the Protection of children: focusing on the role of communities ”. This project cover s Western, Central and Southern Provinces targeting 2 districts in each of the three provinces, that include; Siavonga, Sinazongwe, Nkeyema, Kalabo, Mkushi and Ngabwe. As part of the project activities, Caritas will be conducting a research on the prevalence of child marriages in Zambia and develop a clear position paper on issues of child marriages. It is hoped that this study will help to determine the root cause of Child Marriages and also guide the development of advocacy initiatives that will be used in ending child marriages in the target districts and also contributing to the National Strategy on Ending Child Marriages in Zambia 2016 - 2021.
To achieve this, Caritas Zambia is seeking for the services of an independent consultant to conduct a study on the levels of child marriages in Zambia. The study will involve both desk review and physical data collection in some selected areas, especially in the target districts. Later the consultant will be expected to present the findings to Caritas Zambia and the network members involved in ending child marriages.
2.0. BACKGROUND TO THE ASSIGNMENT
The Action for the protection of Children project is informed by the changing tide of the Catholic Church which is now putting a lot of emphasis on the need to protect children. Further, a lot of abuse, violation and exploitation have been going on in Zambia against children. Children's rights have not been fully actualised. In order to respond to these issues, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops developed a child protection policy to promote the safeguarding of minors in the country. The ZCCB Child protection policy is meant to guide the treatment of Children at all levels in all the areas/places the Catholic Church operates. There are a number of laws and policies that protect children in Zambia, such as the National Child Policy, the Employment Act, Marriage act, the Education re-entry policy etc, but few people, especially at the family level are aware of these.
Further, Child marriages have negatively impacted on children’s well - being and affecting their rights to health, education and other social amenities resulting into increasing mortality rates especially in rural areas. In some cases, instead of protecting children, families end up abusing them through marrying them off to old rich people who end up abusing them further and completely destroying their lives and general well - being as children.
How can a balance be achieved between the protection of children’s rights and the discipline the children need to exhibit in their families ? What role should a family play to achieve this balance ? Caritas Zambia’s work in communities has revealed that social economic challenges facing most families, force them to marry off their children without considering their education and rights to health issues . That is why this study will primarily focus on families and rural communities and schools in the targeted areas and try and identify the causes of child marriages.
3.0 . Overall objective
The main Goal of this task is to conduct a desk review and physical data collection in the target districts and develop a clear position paper for Caritas Zambia to state its evidence-based case on Child marriage in Zambia.
4.0. The specific objectives are;
- 1. Conduct a desk review from different reports/statics on child marriages in Zambia that were conducted by different institutions.
- 2. Use the Caritas Zambia legal framework analysis document, ZCCB Child Protection Policy and the National Child Protection Policy, the strategy on ending child marriages in Zambia 2016 - 2021 as well as the VAC findings and other materials for information and the development of a clear position paper on ending child marriage in Zambia.
- 3. Compile all the information into a complete clear position paper with clear advocacy messages on ending child marriages.
- 4. Make a presentation of the draft position paper with clear advocacy messages to Caritas Zambia and the network me mbers on ending child marriages.
5.0. Expected outcomes
- 1. A position paper on ending child married produced
- 2. Clear advocacy messages for different stakeholders, identified and recorded
- 3. A detailed report of the findings with photos of life-changing stories ( if possible ) shared with Caritas Zambia
6.0. Methodology
The consultant is free to use various methodologies available, however it is desirable that consultations be held with Civil Society Organizations such as, World Vision , Plan International , Save the Children International Zambia , Childline Lifeline Zambia, UNICEF , and relevant government ministries and departments and individuals that are conversant with child marriages/ rights and protection issues , especially in Caritas Zambia target districts where focus group discussions may be held among family members and school communities.
7.0. Scope of work
7.1. Information gathering
There are reports and statements and other statistics on Child marriages that may be available in various institutions within Zambia that can be referred to . The consultant is expected to examine these and decide on some key information that will be relevant to the assignment in relation with the physical data that will be collected . With this regard , the consultant is expected to gather this information from all r elevant sources, and ident ified/sampled areas.
4 7.2. Designing the Structure of the position paper
Using various available structures of position paper s , the consultant is expected to put together all information gathered and fit in the structural design of the position paper .
7.4. Arrangement
A good proposal for the proper arrangement of the content in the position paper is necessary for the award of this consultancy. The Consultant is however free to suggest how best the position paper can be formatted and arranged. Any suggestion that makes it easy for Caritas Zambia and its network to understand is ideal.
7.5. TimeLine of the Assignment
The consultant(s) is expected to c omplete the assignment within 20 calendar days . The consultant(s) is expected to come up with a detailed schedule of the assignment and inception report to be discussed and agreed with Caritas Zambia . T hereafter feedback will be provided and the final document will be expected within 20 calendar days in total .
7.6. Require ments for the Consultant(s)
- 1. At least an LLB with practicing experience.
- 2. Professional experience in Research, Baseline or Evaluation and development of position paper with reputable organisations
- 3. Strong analytical and reporting and writing skills.
- 4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- 5. Proven and substantial experience in designing and developing position papers and advocacy messages or works of a similar kind;
- 6. Proven experience in writing position papers, booklets or similar materials.
- 7. Knowledge in the work of Child rights and protection in Zambia will be an added advantage
Deliverables
Copy of a final position paper that will include the current situation of child marriage in Zambia, prevailing challenges and the root causing, effects based on true stories, and the way forward that will help to eradicate child marriages in Zambia. Suggestions on the way forward should capture the social teaching of the church on children and their protection, and any other relevant matter that will enrich the position paper and strategies to be used on ending child marriages.
If you meet the required qualifications and are interested in being the Consultant(s) then email your Expression of Interest (including technical proposal, curriculum vitae, detailed budget and work plan) not later than 17:00 hours Wednesday, 8th June, 2018 addressed to; The Director, Caritas Zambia. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. copy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or send to the following address:
Kapingila House , Kabulonga road
BRT6, Plot 60 P.O. BOX 31965, Lusaka, Zambia
Phone: +260 - 211 - 260980/261789 Cell: 097 7 740400, 0968975619, 097 7 963727
The PDF version here http://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/tor-advert-for-a-study-on-ending-child-marriages.pdf
