Operational Plan for Ghana’s Justice for Children Policy

1. Background

In December 2015, finality was brought to the process for developing the Justice for Children Policy when the Cabinet of the Government of Ghana approved the Policy. The next stage is to finalize and cost an Operational plan and make way for actual implementation of the Policy.

The Justice for Children Policy was formulated to establish a well-structured justice for children system in Ghana. It provides a comprehensive and detailed framework for all children who come into contact with the justice system, whether as victims, witnesses and alleged offender. Child justice also encompasses access to justice for children - either to respond to children’s need for care, custody or protection or to provide a just and timely remedy for violations of their rights.

The Justice for Children Policy becomes a significant benchmark for reform processes geared towards strengthening the justice system for children and bringing the system into line with international and regional standards. Children will benefit from the wider reforms taking place in the legal sector, they will continue to struggle to access justice and to enforce their rights unless the justice system recognises their specific needs and vulnerabilities and has the capacity to respond appropriately and effectively.

The Justice for Children Policy was developed under the guidance of a multi-sectoral Advisory Committee, chaired by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. The Policy development was informed by significant consultations with various stakeholders setting out major objectives and identifies specific strategies for their achievement. Effective justice for children reform requires a vision agreed by all relevant actors of how the system should work effectively, efficiently and sustainably. The approved Justice for Children Policy provides for such vision. Yet, a costed, time-bound Operational plan is essential for setting out the steps that each relevant agency needs to take to achieve the individual and collective vision of the Policy. The Operational plan will also serve as a roadmap for implementing the Justice for Children Policy and maximise same by adopting concrete steps towards the realization of the policy aspirations.

The Operational Plan is expected to be the specific plan for the Justice for Children Policy which prescribes how the relevant Institutions will use its resource towards the implementation of the Policy. Their work plan for the coming years is expected to be derived from the Operational plan in order to achieve the objectives set in the Justice for Children Policy. In a nut shell, the Operational Plan shall identify the following key elements with a view of guiding the implementation of the identified activities:

• On the basis of the Policy objectives and strategies, identify specific initiatives to implement the strategies set forth in the Justice for Children policy, indicators and expected results;
• Create measureable milestones to be achieved by key stakeholders involved in implementation of the strategies;
• Set up clear accountability for all the Institutions and timeframes for initiatives/interventions;
• Set budget and other resources required for specific interventions;
• Specify who is responsible for each strategies and milestones as outlined in the Operational plan;
• Establish mechanisms to regularly monitor and track progress.

The expected output of the consultancy is the development of a comprehensive, costed and time bound strategic plan on Justice for Children Policy which provides for the above key elements (for other details, see under deliverables below).

1. Justification

This assignment requires specific skills, experience in developing operational plans which are not available in Child Protection Programme team. The assignment will require full-time work for the period which will not be possible for the section to provide.

1. Specific Tasks and Methodology

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other stakeholders involved, particularly the justice sector institutions and under the general guidance of the Child Protection Specialist (Justice) of the UNICEF Child Protection Programme, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: Note that an international consultant is hired to lead and coordinate this process and will have oversight over what the national consultant will be doing.

1. Support the International consultant in designing and planning a consultative process for developing the Operational plan for the Justice for Children Policy in close collaboration with members of the Advisory Committee and in particular it’s Secretariat the Department of Children (DoC). Further support to develop and submit a work plan with clear timeframes to guide the process.
2. Support in reviewing relevant documents, write ups and undertake necessary analysis in support of the international consultant in identifying appropriate strategic options
3. Support in planning and facilitating the consultative processes to be undertaken including taking notes and providing some logistical support in setting up meetings with all stakeholders. Also provide technical guidance on the overall process to the International consultant with regards to Justice for Children in Ghana. The stakeholders are expected to include the Judicial Service, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department, Ghana Police Service, Legal Aid Scheme, Ghana Prison Service and the Department of Social Development. The Policy objectives and strategies will at all times guide the process. Guidance will also be drawn from the Child and Family Welfare Policy (which complements the Justice for Children Policy) and its Operational Plan of 2015.

Proposed methodology for undertaking the task of developing the Operational Plan shall involve (note that detailed methodology is to be developed under task 1 and may differ slightly from what is proposed herewith. Proposed tasks will be adjusted to fit into the outcome of Task 1.):

1. Planning and facilitation of a 2-3 day planning retreat with relevant stakeholders. It is expected that a first draft and structure of the Operational Plan will emerge following this planning retreat.
2. As a second step, it is expected that Advisory committee member meet again (suggested 1-day meeting) to deepen the consensus on the proposed interventions, milestones, budgets etc to be reflected in the Operational Plan. A revised, first comprehensive draft of the Operational Plan will be expected following this meeting.
3. As a third step, technically support consultations (meetings and bilateral follow-up) on the draft Operational Plan with key stakeholders will be held.
4. The fourth step will involve a process of sharing the draft Operational Plan and provide opportunity to stakeholders to review, provide inputs and recommendations for finalization. Thereafter, the consultants are expected to present a final draft Operational Plan.
5. Assist in planning and facilitating a second workshop including all logistical arrangement to validate the final draft Operational plan; taking notes and supporting the international consultant to incorporate final feedback into the plan a for submission to Government approval.
6. Expected Deliverables and Timeframe

Activity

Deliverables

Duration for completing the task

1. Support the International consultant in designing and planning a consultative process for developing the Operational plan for the Justice for Children Policy

Work plan for the process submitted and endorsed by UNICEF and the DoC.

10 days effective working time, to be completed into contract

2. Support in reviewing relevant documents, write ups and undertake necessary analysis in support of the international consultant in identifying appropriate strategic options

Relevant documents reviewed and briefing meeting with UNICEF held.

10 days effective working time, throughout the contract

3. Support in planning and facilitating the consultative processes to be undertaken including taking notes and providing some logistical support in setting up meetings with all stakeholders. Also provide technical guidance on the overall process to the International consultant with regards to Justice for Children in Ghana based on contextual knowledge of the situation in Ghana.

Final draft Operational Plan prepared through the proposed steps outlined under tasks.

40 days effective working time

1. Assist in planning and facilitating a second workshop including all logistical arrangement to validate the final draft Operational plan; taking notes and supporting the international consultant to incorporate final feedback into the plan a for submission to Government approval.

Final Operational Plan prepared and made ready for approval.

10 days

Total time

70 days

1. Payment Schedule

• 20% of payment upon completion of deliverable 1&2
• 40% of payment completion and submission of deliverable 3
• 40% of payment upon completion of deliverable 4

1. Expected background and Experience:

• Advanced university degree in law, criminal justice, social work or other relevant field;
• At least 8 years relevant work experience
• Solid knowledge and experience Child protection/Child Justice issues including Ghana perspectives.
• Proven expertise in analysis and policy formulation in the area of justice for children;
• Solid knowledge and understanding of international human rights laws and standards on juvenile justice; experience in working on the interaction of statutory and customary/traditional laws in respect of children;
• Ability to draft clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills in English, both orally and in writing;

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics for Individual Consultancy

• Consultants/contractor will be responsible to identify his/her own accommodation arrangements whilst during missions in Ghana. DSA will be paid as per UNICEF Ghana policies whilst on missions.
• The consultants/contractor should provide his/her own materials, i.e. computer, office supplies, etc.
• UNICEF Ghana will make UNICEF transport (vehicle) available for field visits during missions but not for city travel in Accra.
• The consultant is not entitled to paid leave or paid sick leave and would be expected to make up the total number of days/weeks worked to be able to complete the expected deliverables.
• UNICEF Ghana will pay for the flight costs at economy fare for the number of missions expected during the duration of the contract. The timeframe for the missions may be adjusted. The number of missions may be adjusted depending on the needs upon consultations and discussions between UNICEF and the consultant.
  Policy both parties should be aware of:
• Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.
• Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
• For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorisation is issued.
• No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorisation prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station.
• Unless authorised, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorised to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.
• The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested Individuals should also complete the United Nations Personal History form (P11) and include a copy of your CV, academic Certificate, and motivation letter. The P11 form can be downloaded from: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc. Applications submitted without the P11 form will not be considered. Individuals should quote a daily fee for the services to be provided. Applications for individual consultants should be submitted directly to HRghana@unicef.org. Applicants should CLEARLY write the title of the consultancy” Operational Plan for Ghana’s Justice for Children Policy- National Consultancy”

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.