CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EASTERN AFRICA STANDBY FORCE GENDER POLICY WITH THE AFRICAN UNION GENDER EQUALITY FRAMEWORK AND POLICY

The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Secretariat invites Proposals from interested qualified Experts to provide Consultancy Services for the alignment of the EASF Gender Policy with the African Union Gender Policy. 

Consultancy Title: Expert/Consultant for reviewing and alignment of the EASF Gender Policy to the African Union Gender Equality Framework and Policy. 

Contracting Institution: Eastern African Standby Force Secretariat. 

Consultancy Purpose:  Analysis of the EASF Gender Policy and alignment/ harmonization of the EASF Gender Policy with that of the African Union Gender Equality Framework and Policy. 

Duration of the Contract: 30 working days. 

Background  

Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) is one of the five Regional Mechanisms that constitutes the African Standby Force (ASF), which is the operational arm of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). It is a multidimensional and integrated force comprising Military, Police and Civilian components. EASF declared the attainment of Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2014, in advance of the declaration of FOC of the ASF in 2015. 

One of the critical parameters for deploying a Peace Support Operation (PSO) is ensuring that gender perspectives, and in particular, the concept of Women, Peace and Security (WPS through UNSCR 1325 are integrated from the start-up of missions to their recovery. 

The 2017 EASF Gender Policy was revised in 2024.  The AU is the mandating authority whose Gender Equality Framework and Policy will inform the EASF Gender Policy. The AU Commission (AUC) recently reviewed its Policy and directed the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) to align their respective Policies to that of the AUC. 

Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Consultancy

The Terms of Reference for the Consultant include the following: -

(i)                     To study the African Union Gender Equality Framework and Policy focusing on the mandate, Policy values and Principles, Vision, Mission and implementation strategies in order to draw a comparison with that of EASF.

(ii)                   Review the EASF Gender Policy as a whole in order to identify gaps and/or overlaps, with the aim of harmonizing it with that of the African Union Gender Equality Framework and Policy

(iii)                 Review other relevant policies of EASF to ensure conformity with legal, operational and institutional requirements of EASF.

(iv)                 Restructure and develop the final EASF Gender Policy aligned with the African Union Gender Equality Framework and Policy.

 Educational and Professional Qualifications Requirements 

The prospective consultant is expected to meet the following minimum requirements:

(i)                  A university degree in gender/women, peace and security is desirable. A master’s degree in international relations, will be an added advantage;

(ii)                A minimum of Seven (7) years of practical experience in Gender /women, peace a security formulation/review of policies.

(iii)              Experience in in developing operational manuals and policy documents

(iv)              The consultant should have a good working knowledge of the EASF and African Union Commission.  

Expected Deliverables/Timelines

 Application requirements 

Interested experts/Consultants should submit their applications detailing the following; 

(i)                  Technical proposal including methodology and approach

(ii)                Financial requirements

(iii)              Detailed CV of the Consultant (and Associates where applicable)

(iv)              Proof of a successfully /delivered similar work 

Deadline

Proposals must be submitted to the EASF Secretariat Tender Box not later than 8^th June, 2026.