Lesotho: Legal Researcher – Secondment to support the activities of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)

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: 

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact: 

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together: 

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering: 

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

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.

How to Apply: 

Interested and qualified candidates shall submit motivation letter along with recent CV via e-mail address: hermela@ethiojobs.net. 

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)