SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY: WRITING, EDITING, PROOF READING AND LAYOUT/ DESIGN OF PAP ANNUAL REPORT

The Pan Africa Programme/AU Liaison office (PAP) is the Oxfam International advocacy, campaigns and influencing agency engaging citizens and institutions in the realization of an Africa that is self-reliant, democratic, peaceful, and responsive to the rights and development needs of her citizens. The Pan Africa Programme’s primary focus is influencing policy and practice at the continental level to cause changes at regional and country levels. PAPs influencing agenda draws from Oxfam’s long standing national influencing and Campaigning Principles which recognises that sustainable change happens at the country level and that citizens and civic groups in the countries have the primary legitimacy in their own country to advocate and influence positive changes.

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a great challenge to African citizens and governments. During this period of extreme poverty and inequality, the pressure has also been felt by organizations and agencies such as NGOs, INGOs and CSOs who work in the continent. To continue delivering within this new context, PAP has had to innovate and make several realignments and adopt new ways of working that translate to better results. Two years on, there have been challenges, successes and lessons learnt.

The consultancy assignment

As an entity that is accountable to its partners and stakeholders both within and outside Oxfam, PAP regularly updates on its progress, including through annual reports.

We are seeking to obtain the services of a consultant to produce a report under the theme of Influencing Under the COVID-19 Pandemic, covering April 2020 – March 2022. The consultant will be required to review, analyse/synthesise material and information offered by the client and package an accurate, coherent, and concise story of PAP’s work in the past two years.

This assignment has less to do with reporting on program activities and events in isolation and more to do with clearly demonstrating PAP’s positioning while using such activities for illustration.

Target audience

Internal: Oxfam Staff

External: Implementing partners, regional Economic Communities (REC), The African Union (AU), Development partners, donors, national partners, and the general public.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The consultant shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Meet with client for initial brief and discuss approach to the assignment, including timelines/ milestones.
2. Design and share with client proposed report outline.
3. Review all material/ information on program events, activities, including reports, concept notes, briefs, media, past annual reports, etc.
4. Undertake the writing, proof reading, editing, layout and design in line with Oxfam style and branding guidelines.
5. Present first and final drafts in soft copy – both online and printable versions.

Deliverables

The Expert/firm shall deliver the following outputs:

1. An inception report detailing the understanding of the terms of reference and a proposed plan of action, with clear milestones and timelines.
2. High quality online and printable version of the report, approved by the client. for sign-off.

The Expert/firm will, at all times:

1. Carry out the services and perform his/her tasks with care, skill and in an efficient and professional manner.
2. Ensure a high degree of quality in output.
3. Be guided by these terms of reference.
4. Carry out his/her tasks, presenting outputs to Oxfam on/or before agreed deadlines.
5. Maintain high levels of integrity and confidentiality

Ideal candidate

This assignment does not provide the consultant with an initial draft for improvement. It requires the consultant to use the advice of the client to come up with the first draft and develop it into the final product. More than anything else, the assignment requires great analytic and writing skills and experience.

The ideal candidate/firm must also have the following qualifications and skills:

1. Qualifications in mass communication or relevant field with at least 5 years of professional experience in the field of editing and design for NGOs, INGOs, etc.
2. Proven experience in undertaking similar assignments
3. Strong English writing and communication skills.
4. Experience in proof reading of international development, humanitarian documents
5. Proven ability to work under pressure and deliver within short deadlines without compromising quality of work.

Schedule/timelines

The assignment is estimated to 22 working days from 17th June to 18th July 2022, when the final report should be delivered to the client.