Sonke Gender Justice
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) is a South African-based NGO that works across Africa to strengthen government, civil society and citizen capacity to support men and boys in taking action to promote gender equality, prevent domestic and sexual violence, and reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS. Using a human rights framework to achieve gender equality, Sonke endeavours to create the change necessary for all to enjoy equitable, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of just and democratic societies. Sonke has an expanding presence on the African continent and a growing international profile through its involvement with the United Nations and its role as a member of the Global MenEngage Alliance board and the Secretariat of the MenEngage Africa Network, as well as other international networks and affiliates.
Sonke is involved in a wide range of initiatives and activities which encompass its multi-faceted approach to promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS. This includes research and advocacy at both the community and policy levels; community education, outreach, and mobilisation; building networks and effective coalitions; coordinating global efforts to engage men; monitoring and evaluation of its projects and initiatives; and on-going staff training to improve internal capacity.
MenEngage Africa Network (MEA)
The MenEngage Africa network was formed in 2006, as one of the regional networks that make up the MenEngage Global Alliance, to work in partnership with local, national, regional and international Civil Society Organisations to work towards achieving gender equality, preventing HIV, promoting human rights and reducing violence at all levels across the continent. In particular, the network aims to promote collaboration and resource sharing among organisations, support joint advocacy initiatives, and build capacity and leadership on gender equality within Africa. For more details, please visit: www.menengage.org.
The network is currently comprised of 22 country networks and over 350 civil society organisations that among other strategies, engage men and boys to tackle negative masculinities and deconstruct patriarchal structures that exacerbate gender inequalities. These country networks bring together partner organisations working on gender-based violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, women’s rights, youth and child rights, masculinities, HIV, fatherhood, sexual and reproductive health and rights, maternal health, refugees and migrants, and other human rights issues. The networks undertake community mobilisation, joint programming, research, and policy and advocacy activities.
The African Regional Network has strengthened the membership and leadership of its Youth Chapter. The overall membership of the MenEngage Youth Advisory and Steering Committee consists of youth-led and youth-serving organisations/ individuals both at national and regional levels; organisations working with women and girls; and organisations working in general with young people. Currently (2019), 58 youth-serving organisations belong to the MEA networks present in 21 countries.
Background
MenEngage Africa (MEA) is the largest regional network of the MenEngage Global Alliance. The MenEngage Global Alliance works to transform unequal power relations and patriarchal systems by:1
- Transforming masculinities
- Working with men and boys through intersectional feminist approaches
- Building inclusive Alliances from local to regional to global levels, and
- Fostering joint actions in partnership with women’s rights, gender- and other social justice movements.
MEA engages in advocacy work at an international/continental level with the African Union and regional level with various regional bodies. MEA capacity building activities include engagement in the MenEngage Africa Training Initiative (MATI), and production of valuable resource materials such as the Network Building Toolkit, which have enabled the development of regional networks and provided invaluable feedback to the MenEngage Global Alliance.2
Discussions to develop a three-year strategic plan for Men Engage Africa Youth started in Addis Ababa in June 2019. Young people from MenEngage Africa meet in Addis Ababa in June 2019, were the initial discussions for the Strategic Planning started. There was a structured planning process spanning two days and during which participants conducted an environmental scan of the countries where they work, and critical youth SRHR issue which they wanted to be addressed in the strategic plan as well as key actions for achieving this strategy. We are now looking for a consultant to edit/finalise the strategic plan and develop an operational plan for the strategic plan. The plan focuses on:
- Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE)
- Addressing gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices
- Reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS.
Expected Deliverables
This consultancy is to edit a three-year strategic plan to strengthen youth advocacy for comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). A draft of the strategic plan has been developed, and we need to reorganise and develop a roadmap and cost estimate to operationalise the strategic plan.
Qualification and Experience of The Service Provider
- The consultant must have at least five years’ experience in Strategic Planning with a wealth of experience in editing strategic plans that focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people.
- Previous experience in conducting similar work for international/national donors will be preferred.
- Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication and reporting skills.
- Ability to adapt and work with people from different cultures, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.
- Proved previous working experience consisting of substantial involvement in assessments, evaluations and/or reviews in related areas.
- Proven capacity to supervise and coordinate all administrative and technical aspects of the consultancy
- Excellent written and spoken English
Duration
The consultancy will be for ten days and should run from the 15th of April to the 28th of April.
Deliverables
A revised strategic plan including a roadmap, results and resources framework
Requirements and Contractual Arrangements
The consultants are required to submit a technical and financial proposal addressing all the requirements mentioned in terms of reference along with a detailed financial proposal which provides a clear breakdown of all expenditures which are associated with the project. The consultant should also submit their CV and those of the team members who will be involved in this project, including a list of their publications relevant to the topic of the background paper. Sonke Gender Justice will select the consultant/firm. The contractual agreement will be with Sonke.
Financial Bid
The Bidder shall indicate the prices of services it proposes to supply under the contract.
Endnotes
- http://menengage.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MenEngage-Alliance-Annual-report-2017-.pdf
- MenEngage Africa Strategic Plan 2019-2023
