Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) is looking for a consultant to develop a MenEngage Africa (MEA) Regional Advocacy Strategy. The purpose of the MEA Advocacy Strategy is to provide guidance on implementation of advocacy initiatives around laws, policies, and programmes on MEA ‘s thematic areas. These include Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Meaningful Youth Participation as well as Peace and Security.

Background

Sonke Gender Justice, established in 2006, is an organisation that strives to prevent domestic and sexual violence, reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS, and promote gender equality and human rights. Sonke ’s work is in all of South Africa’s nine provinces andalso in 22 countries across Southern, Eastern, Central and Western Africa, and globally in partnership with United Nations agencies, members of the MenEngage Alliance and other international networks and affiliates.

Sonke is a founding member of MenEngage, a global alliance made up of dozens of country networks
across the world, hundreds of non-governmental organisations as well as UN partners. MenEngage works collectively and individually towards advancing gender justice, human rights, and social justice to achieve a world in which all can enjoy healthy, fulfilling, and equitable relationships and their full potential. The global Alliance consists of representatives from each continent who in turn coordinate the country networks in their respective continents. Sonke is also the secretariat and co-chair of MenEngage Africa (MEA) Alliance, which consists of 22 countries. Sonke provides capacity building and technical support to partners within the MEA Alliance.

MEA, the regional network of the MenEngage Global Alliance, is a network of civil society organisations and activists formed in 2006 with the goal of working in partnership to promote the engagement of men and boys in achieving gender equality, preventing HIV, promoting human rights and reducing violence at all levels across the continent, including questioning the structural barriers that drive gender inequalities. The membership of MEA consists of a range of civil society organisations representing women’s rights, HIV/Aids, LGBTQIA+ rights, youth and child rights, refugees and migrants, and social justice constituencies. All 22 MEA country networks have existing and strive to build stronger, working relations with feminist women’s rights, child rights and youth movements, LGBTIQA+ rights movement and other social justice movements, as well as local and national governments and UN agencies, which are seen as strategic partners. The country networks aim to undertake joint programming, research, and policy and advocacy activities to contribute to the achievement of gender equality.

MEA Advocacy Strategy Focus Areas

• The MEA Advocacy Strategy will focus on thematic areas as detailed in MEA Strategic Plan 2019- 2023 and discussions with MEA’s Advocacy working group, including:
• 1.SRHR-focusing on abortion, contraceptives, unwanted teenage pregnancies, addressing harmful practices such as FGM, contraception and comprehensive sexual education.
• 2.GBV-focusing on the history of and addressing root causes of GBV by looking at patriarchy, cultural and social norms and how these shape behaviours of men and contribute to high rates of GBV. This will also include an analysis of different factors that exacerbate GBV as well as the role that various key stakeholders like traditional and religious leaders, educational institutions and media play in prevention/ addressing GBV.
• 3.Meaning Youth Participation– Youth should be included in decision making, their voices should be heard. They should be included in the development of laws, policies, and programmes especially those that are directed at the youth.
• 4.Peace and Security-focusing on conflict prevention and conflict resolutions mechanisms as well as amplifying the Women, Peace and Security agenda through advocating for the enactment and/ effective implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on UNSCR 1325.

Consultancy Objectives, Purpose and Expected Results

Overall Objective

The overall goal of the consultancy is to develop a MEA advocacy strategy which will be used by MEA partners in their advocacy work in line with the Alliance’s thematic areas. The strategy will also include steps on implementation across the region. The key targets for the advocacy strategy include community members, national and regional policymakers, decision-makers, and civil society.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

• 1. An inception report setting out the approach and timelines for the delivery of the scope of work.
• 2. A comprehensive MEA Advocacy Strategy
  Location and Timing
  The consultant will work from where they are based.
  Timelines
  The project should be completed within 10-15days.
  Required Expertise
  • Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills with the ability to quickly analyse data and information from different sources and produce coherent reports.
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with strong demonstrated ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, direct, and lively style.
  • Strong understanding of feminist and gender transformative language and approaches.
  • Extensive work experience and proven record in advocacy on gender equality and gender justice work

How to apply
Should you wish to apply, please send a detailed proposal, quote, and CV no later than 25 July 2021
to:

Mpiwa Mangwiro
Regional Campaigns and Advocacy Specialist
Email: mpiwa@genderjustice.org.za
Or
Mabel Sengendo
Regional Programmes Unit Manager
Email: mabel@genderjustice.org.za