Introduction 

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia (SOS CVE) started its humanitarian work with the opening of the first Village in Mekelle in 1974. It began its work by providing life-saving provisions such as food, water and health services for a very significant number of children devastated by severe drought. Today, its programs have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children and young people who have lost parental care and are at the risk of losing, the love, care and protection of their families and/or caregivers. Working in close cooperation with donors, the government and community-based organizations (CBOs), SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia has continued supporting thousands of children and young people who have lost parental care and are at risk of losing it. The organization is rigorously working to expand its geographic scope as well as program interventions to reach 4.5 million vulnerable children and young people throughout the country and bring about a greater impact on the lives of the children, young people, and their families as well as the community at large.

The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA) is a federal Ministry established under the proclamation number 1263/2014. The Ministry is responsible for the Affairs of Women, Children, Youth and the overall Social Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, the Elderly, urban destitute, the poor, vulnerable and marginalized segments of the Ethiopian Population. 

Background 

The ratification of international and regional human rights treaties creates a national obligation to carry out appropriate measures for implementing the rights of children in the country.  The UN Committee on the CRC, in its General Comment No.5, noted that a comprehensive review of all domestic legislation and related administrative guidance to ensure full compliance with the Convention is an obligation. Ethiopia has ratified both the CRC and the ACRWC. As such, the principles and standards enshrined in these have direct implications on national laws and policies. The Committee in its Concluding Observations on Ethiopia (December 2022) has called upon the country to review domestic laws to bring them into compliance with the Convention and adopt a comprehensive Children’s law.  The list of issues in relation to the combined 6th and 7th periodic reports of Ethiopia shared by the Committee on 20 September 2024 includes request for updates on any comprehensive legislation and strategies on children. 

In line with its international and regional obligations, Ethiopia has revised several national legislations such as the Revised Family Code, Criminal Code, and Labour Law. However, the country has not yet complied with the CRC Committee’s recommendation to adopt a broad-based comprehensive child law at a national level. A comprehensive law will ensure the reflection of all the principles and provisions of the CRC considering the interconnected and interdependent nature of all rights. Most importantly, a comprehensive children’s act will address the rights and needs of children who need special protection such as children without parental care and those at risk of losing parental care. Most such laws address a broad range of children’s rights and protection issues including parental responsibility, foster care, adoption, child welfare/funding, and administration of different children’s institutions.  Thus, the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs in collaboration with child focused organisations is working towards the adoption of a comprehensive children’s law (child act) at the Federal Level. As part of this effort, the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs is seeking to engage a consultant to undertake an impact assessment and draft a model Child Act with the support of SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia.

General objective  

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct an impact assessment of the absence of a Child Act and draft a model Child Act.

Specific objectives 

To assess the impact of absence of a Child Act (comprehensive children’s law), 

To assess recent laws and development in the children’s rights arena 

To assess the compatibility of the adoption of child act to the Ethiopian legal system

To generate evidence to mobilise all key stakeholders to play their part in supporting the adoption of a Child Act

    Expected outcomes

Impact assessment report

Draft model Child Act 

 Deliverables

Methodology and Scope

The consultant is expected to review existing documents and studies on the proposed child act, existing laws and recent legal reforms on child rights. The consultant will also conduct KII and/or FGD to understand the issues facing children, judges, public prosecutors, police, key decision-makers, and other stakeholders due to the absence of child act (comprehensive children’s law) as well as gaps in different sectoral laws governing child rights. The consultant will work closely with the multi-sectoral working group and relevant staff to ensure the successful completion of the consultancy. 

Time frame

The impact assessment and model Child Act should be finalized and submitted within 90 days after signing of the contract. The consultant is required to provide a breakdown of the timeframe specific to the activities that need to be completed. A validation workshop will be conducted after the finalisation of the impact assessment and the model Child Act.

Qualifications

The consultant(s) should have: -

•             Master's degree in law, social science, public policy, and related fields 

•             Excellent skills in conducting impact assessments

•             Proven expertise in developing a legislation 

•             Good understanding of advocacy and the policy environment of the country. 

•             Good report writing and analytical skills 

•             High proficiency in written and spoken English and Amharic languages.

How To Apply

The application document consists of 

• A cover letter summarizing the background of the consultant's qualifications and experience

• Technical Proposal including the resume of the consultant, evidence of professional experience, methodology, and time schedule for deliverables 

• Financial Proposal should be sent in a separate document. The consultant will bear any tax-related expenses, if the consultant does not have a license, the standard 30% tax will apply  to the consultancy fee. 

Applications should be submitted to:

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia

National Office

Bole Atlas Area (in front of Mado Hotel) 

Tel: 251116613381