TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE RESEARCH LIAISON: 1ST PAN-AFRICAN INTER-PARTY DIALOGUE (PAIPD)

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE RESEARCH LIAISON: 1ST PAN-AFRICAN INTER-PARTY DIALOGUE (PAIPD)

PROCUREMENT NUMBER: EOI/APRM/RM/RL/06/2/2021

1. Introduction

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is an autonomous entity of the African Union (AU). The primary purpose of the APRM is to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration through sharing of experiences and reinforcement of successful and best practices.

The mandate of the APRM is to ensure that policies and practices of participating Member States conform to the agreed political, economic and corporate governance values, codes and standards of the African Union. The African Union (AU) through its specialized entity, the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in excise of its mandate to foster good governance on the continent seeks to convene a dialogue on enhancing the effectiveness of political parties in democratic governance in Africa.

It is in this regard that the APRM will hold annual All Africa Inter-Political Parties Conferences from 2021 onwards to deliberate and share experiences on party constitutionalism, intra-party democracy and leadership, legislation on party financing, as well as political party manifestos and policy continuity. The annual conference will therefore necessarily bring together ruling political parties, main opposition political parties and nation-founding political parties to deliberate on enhancing the effectiveness of political parties in the African political economy context.

The conference will also foster the creation of a Pan-African Political Parties’ Network on Effective Governance (PAPNEG) to broaden and sustain efforts to establish Pan-African values and standards that guarantee competitive and responsive of politics in Africa. The conference was conceived in accordance with the African Constitutive Act Article 3 which seeks to promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance as well as aid towards the development of Africa. The conference also seeks to contribute to the attainment of goals set in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). The charter stipulates in Chapter 3 on Principles, Article 11 that the AU and African states will strengthening political pluralism and recognising the role, rights and responsibilities of legally constituted political parties, including opposition political parties, which should be given a status under national law.

Further, the Conference seeks to contribute to the progressive attainment of Guidelines for African Union Electoral Observation and Monitoring Missions. Section 1. Principles Governing Democratic Elections In Africa, Article vii which stipulates that the AU and member states shall ensure the availability of adequate logistics and resources for carrying out democratic elections, as well as ensure that adequate provision of funding for all registered political parties to enable them organise their work, including participation in electoral process.

The process of peer learning would also contribute towards addressing ‘conflicts in Africa which constitute a major impediment to socio-economic development through knowledge exchanges based on comparable environments. The conference aims to raise awareness of parties towards the promotion of ‘democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance’. Thereby enabling citizens to participate more in the governance and developmental efforts through engaging in research.

2. Project Background and Rationale

The conference would contribute to existing efforts of four regional (pan-African) and sub-regional institutionalized parliamentary groupings which can be used as starting points for supporting and encouraging pan-African or sub-regional party to-party partnerships but with a particular focus on intra-party democracy.

ECOWAS, AUC Commission through the Department of Political Affairs and the Pan-African Parliament have done significant work in in terms of inter-party partnerships areas through promoting dialogue and cooperation between the political parties, the media and civil society. These groups have led the way as important consultative body in addressing some of the major issues confronting the sub-regions of the continent, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, conflict and other social ills. The APRM would like to contribute but with a particular focus on governance.

3. Objectives of Service

Under the guidance and supervision of the chief technical advisor, the Research Liaison shall undertake research to facilitate the development and management of i) the database of African Political organisations , ii) establishing the continental planning committee, iii) support the drafting of the final proposal, programme and concept note, iv) organization of the continual reference groups and adhoc planning committee.

4. Description of the assignment:

To Support To The APRM Secretariat In Its Towards The 1st  Pan-African Inter-Party Dialogue (PAIPD)

5. Period of assignment:

Three (3) Calendar Months

6. Areas of Knowledge Required for the Position:

• Knowledge and understanding of critical issues pertaining to
  • African political,
  • international relations,
  • African political economy,
  •  electoral systems and observations,
  • Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa.
• Database creation and management
• Research and analysis skills

1. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The research assistant shall support APRM lead researchers to:

• Creation of a database of political parties, main oppositions and parliamentary representatives
• Development of the profiles of the political parties and parliamentary representation in all African Union Member states

Under the technical guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor:

• Facilitate consultations in expert platforms to mine thoughts and perspectives;
• Package research findings and present the findings to key stakeholders;
• Structure information and data into usable documents and control the quality of documents;
• Prepare well-articulated research reports, and participate in related value discussions;
• Assist the Lead Expert in the
  • Identification of network of actors to sponsor and provide technical guidance
  • Identification of Eminent Personalities to support initiative
  • Identification of Regional Ambassadors for initiative
  • Identification of network of actors to sponsor and provide technical guidance
  • organising the Committee meeting of Experts, continual working groups and regular weekly updates to the Head of the Research, Methodology and Development Division and the CEO of the APRM Secretariat; and
• Assist in the planned meetings with the following stakeholders:
  • AUC Commission through the Department of Political Affairs
  • UNPDA
  • Pan-African Parliament
  • ECOWAS and African RECs
  • African Governance Architecture Platform
  • United Nations: Department of Political Affairs and Peace-Building
  • Africa Political Party Finance Initiative (APPFI)
• Work with other researchers to implement APRM missions and projects as assigned by the Head of Research, Methodology and Development and the Technical Consultant;
• Carry out any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of the Research, Methodology and Development Division of the APRM Secretariat.

1. REPORTING

The research assistant reports to the Head of the Research, Methodology and Development Division on all issues pertaining to the management of the project.

1. TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES

The Consultancy Services should be completed within ninety days (3 months)

1. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Education: The suitable candidate should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university majoring in Politics, International Relations, African Political Economy, Economics, Public Administration
• Experience and Skills:
  • Experience relevant to the specific area of assignment will be an added advantage;
  • Extensive knowledge of the African Union institutional frameworks, in particular:
    • The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG
    • The African Union Election Observation Mission Report,
    • The African Union Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions
    • The OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa
    • The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights
  • Demonstrated ability for teamwork as well as the ability to work independently;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the electoral processes and aforementioned frameworks;
  • Knowledge of the national political party structures, processes and issues in Africa;
  • Ability to deliver quality outputs within tight deadlines.

Evaluation Criteria

• Language: ability to read and write in English or French at expert level is essential