Ukraine: International Consultant on EU Accession Negotiation Process with a Focus on Child-Related Issues

Title: Consultant on EU Accession Negotiation Process with a Focus on Child-Related Issues

Position: Independent Consultant

Duration: 2 months

Expected Starting Date: 22/04/2024

Location: Ukraine, or remote

Background on Save the Children: 

Before February 24, 2022, humanitarian agencies were reaching 1.5 million of an estimated three million people in the east in need of humanitarian assistance and protection in Ukraine. The escalation of the conflict across the country has seen this rise to over than 14,6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. An estimated 3.7 million people are internally displaced, while 6.2 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally, including 5.8 million across Europe as of mid-October 2023, the majority of whom are women and children. Humanitarian needs continue to increase with the situation described as particularly concerning in several areas across East Ukraine.

Save the Children Ukraine is committed to delivering against the movement’s international influencing strategy both on a humanitarian and a child right focused objectives, including child participation, inside of Ukraine. This agenda includes tracks of work on children’s safety and protection, accountability for grave violations of children’s rights in armed conflict, protecting education from attack and other areas relevant to Save the Children’s work in Ukraine.

On November 8 2023, Ukraine received a positive decision from the European Commission on proceeding with the accession process. On 14 December, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova, and to grant Georgia candidate status. After the European Council's decision, the next steps for Ukraine include a detailed screening process to align their laws with EU standards, followed by negotiations on individual policy areas, divided into chapters, to fully integrate into the EU legislative framework. This process is comprehensive and requires substantial reforms and commitments from the candidate countries. On 1 February 2024, 50 billion in funding through the Ukraine Facility was approved. In early 2024, it is anticipated that the European Union will adopt negotiating frameworks and officially commence accession talks with Ukraine, marking a significant step forward in Ukraine's journey towards EU membership.

Objective:

Save the Children is seeking a consultant with expertise in the European Union (EU) accession process. The consultant will focus on providing analysis on the negotiation process, with a particular focus on children's issues. This assignment aims to support the Save the Children strategic objectives in ensuring child rights are at the center of Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession processes, including the accession negotiations and the Ukraine Facility.

The main objectives of the consultant are to:

1. Provide a Comprehensive Explanation of the EU Accession Negotiation Process, with a particular focus on issues/Chapters Relating to Children: 

• The consultant will delve into the specific aspects of the EU accession negotiation process, with a particular emphasis on how it impacts and involves issues related to children. This includes understanding the structure, key stages, and decision-making processes that are part of the EU accession negotiations.

2. Identify key Stakeholders in Brussels, such as DG NEAR, DG EMPL, etc.,:

• Includes mapping out the key stakeholders in Brussels who will be directly engaged in the EU accession negotiations.

3. Outline a Calendar of Major Influencing Opportunities for 2024-25, including the European Parliament (EP), European Commission (EC), and Council of Europe (CoE).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Research and Analysis:

• Conduct research on the EU accession negotiation process, with a specific emphasis on understanding how it impacts and involves child-related issues. This will include examining the legal, procedural, and policy frameworks that guide the accession process.
• Focus on chapters of the accession negotiations that are directly relevant to children's rights and welfare. This involves examination of key policy areas and legislative implications with possible reference to previous accession negotiations (e.g. Albania, others).

Stakeholder Mapping:

• Identify and map out key stakeholders within the EU institutions.
• Develop an understanding on how civil society can effectively engage to influence outcomes.

Opportunity Calendar Development:

• Create strategic calendar that highlights key dates, events, and timelines where influencing opportunities exist in the context of the EU accession process for Ukraine. This should include a schedule of relevant meetings, deadlines for policy submissions, and key decision points.
• Ensure the calendar includes important events with key stakeholders and other relevant EU bodies and institutions. It should also consider the timing of national decision-making processes in EU member states that are relevant to the accession process.

Reporting:

• Develop actionable strategies and recommendations for influencing key stakeholders and processes identified in the research and stakeholder mapping phases. This should include specific advice on how Save the Children can effectively engage in the EU accession process to advocate for child-related issues.

Deliverables:

1. Research Paper on EU Accession and Children's Rights: A well-researched paper, including an executive summary, that incorporates feedback from Save the Children. The paper will exclude appendices, annexes, and bibliographies, and be presented in a clear concise format.

2. Stakeholder Mapping in Brussels: A detailed map identifying key individuals and entities in Brussels relevant to the EU accession process, particularly in relation to children-related chapters.

3. Calendar of Influencing Opportunities: A comprehensive calendar outlining critical opportunities for influencing with the EU institutions in matters related to children's rights during the accession process.

Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of the EU accession process.
• Expertise in children's rights and policies within the EU context.
• Proven experience in policy analysis and stakeholder mapping.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.

Required Documents:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) (no more than 2 pages).
• A cover letter (no more than 2 pages) clearly stating the area of expertise and highlighting relevant experience and capacity to undertake services listed in the ToR. It should demonstrate an understanding of the scope of work required to successfully perform the responsibilities.
• Financial quotation that indicates remuneration requirements per each service mentioned in the Key Services section of the current ToR.

Duration of Assignment and Technical Arrangements: 

The completion of this project is anticipated by June 6, 2024. The preliminary draft for initial review is expected to be submitted by May 1, 2024.

Subsequent review sessions or meetings for feedback may be scheduled as necessary.

In circumstances where travel or on-site data collection is hindered due to movement restrictions, the Consultant is tasked with arranging and overseeing the work of a local expert to carry out necessary fieldwork.

The Consultant bears full responsibility for ensuring the quality and timely completion of the assignment, within the stipulated timeframe and without exceeding the budget specified in the contract with Save the Children.

The assignment will be executed under the technical guidance and in close collaboration with the Advocacy, Communication, Campaigns, and Media Director at Save the Children, along with the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Manager. Although the work is to be conducted remotely, the Consultant is required to maintain consistent communication with Save the Children staff through email, audio, or video conferencing. Feedback from Save the Children should be duly integrated into the deliverables.

All individuals associated with Save the Children, including employees and consultants, are obliged to adhere to the organization's safeguarding policies and code of conduct. Our core values – creativity, accountability, integrity, collaboration, and ambition – are fundamental in guiding our conduct and interactions.

Tentative Report Outline: 13-15 pages text

The research will primarily draw on gathered information and data collected as part of the given service provision as stated in the Duties and Responsibilities section. Additionally, as a complementary source it may use the existing Save the Children information, research, and analysis. This may include reports, briefing papers, desk reviews, press releases, situational reports, etc., in addition to the review of secondary sources, analysis and comparative statistics from the external reliable sources (UN custodian agencies, human rights organizations, INGOs, think tanks, research centers, statistical offices, etc.). It may also draw on extensive Save the Children data, which has been gathered as part of its response in addition to conducting children’s consultations, and other needs assessments and content where relevant.

Tentative report outline: 13-15 pages text

1. Executive Summary and Key Recommendations (1 pages)
2. Background (2 page)
3. Main Body of the Research Covering the Issues Mentioned in the Objective Section (10-11 pages)
4. Stakeholder Analysis in Brussels (2-3 pages)
5. Conclusions (1 pages)

How to Apply:

1. Proceed under the link https://zakupivli.pro/commercial/tenders/R-UA-2024-04-09-1000071-k . This is Ukrainian tender platform. English interface is available.
2. Download RFQ file and ToR file
3. Read the ToR document to get acquainted with the requirements, scope and volume of work
4. Find RFQ file and fill it in with data required. add documents requested in the ToR. Filled in RFQ + documents requested in ToR document = Your proposal.
5. Send Your proposal to the email: mykhailo.kovalchuk@savethechildren.org before the deadline indicated.

We look forward to receive your proposals.