Website: www.institutechildstudies.org
Address: 2306 N 107TH DR Avondale AZ 85392–5484

TERMS OF REFERENCE
PROGRAM VOLUNTEER, AICS USA OFFICE

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Background
The African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) is a non–profit, non–governmental organization that provides a one–stop–shop for knowledge and experts on childhood, child development and welfare, envisioning a responsive and nurturing world for every child.

AICS is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization in Phoenix, Arizona, USA (EIN: 87–2908072), where part of its work has been to collaborate with Arizona State University (ASU)’s Global Center for Applied Health Research on substance use prevention. Another key collaboration with ASU has been with the Center for Child Well–Being on promoting access to justice for children and developing training programs for social workers. In Africa, AICS is registered in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Sudan and has linkages with academic institutions such as the Institute of Child Development at Daystar University (Kenya) and School of Social Work in Makerere University (Uganda).

AICS work has led to such changes as reduction of inequalities in access to health and sanitation services; establishment of reforms in children justice systems and protection of children’s rights; and improved access to education among less privileged children. This is achieved through the organization’s expertise which spans program implementation, research, policy advocacy and influencing, training, modelling effective community–based interventions, knowledge management and coalition building.

AICS now seeks to recruit a Program Volunteer for the Arizona Office to catalyze AICS operations in the USA. The successful person will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of the AICS US office visibility and resource mobilization strategies, in line with the broader organizational strategic plan.

Scope of Work
1. Design and implementation of children–focused projects
2. Support implementation of fundraising initiatives (including but not limited to financial)
3. Building and maintaining key issue–based partnerships
4. Other reasonable tasks assigned by the AICS Executive Director

Qualifications
1. First degree or college level qualification in a relevant field
2. A minimum of 3 years professional experience in the NGO sector, preferably in international development
3. A minimum of 3 years of experience working with/ interacting with donors
4. Great capacity for spotting potential, and developing and maintaining a network of potential donors and partners with a proven record of successful resource mobilization and corporate social responsibility
5. Excellent communication skills
6. A resident of the USA, preferably in Arizona

Terms of Engagement
The Program Volunteer will initially be engaged for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension based on performance. While this is a part–time volunteer position, the Program Volunteer will receive a commission from the funding successfully obtained.

Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications (cover letter and CV) to
hr@institutechildstudies.org by Friday, January 20, 2023. The recruitment process will end mid–February 2023

Date Advertised: 15th Sept, 2022

Closing Date: 10th Oct 2022

Position Vacant: Knowledge Management and Research Capacity Development Consultant

Type: Part–time/Consultant [ X ] Fulltime salaried personnel [ ]

Scope: Individual [ ] Institutional [ ] Either [ X ]

About AICS: The African Institute of Children Studies (AICS) is non–governmental, not–for–profit Pan–African organization. AICS vision is “a responsive and nurturing world for every child” and the mission is to provide a one–stop–shop for knowledge and experts on childhood, child development and welfare.

It is registered in Kenya (2009), South Sudan (2011), Uganda (2015), Zimbabwe (2018), with plans to expand to other African countries. AICS also has registered liaison office in Phoenix, Arizona State, USA. Our broad goal in the Strategic Plan 2020–2025 is to “enhance AICS effectiveness and visibility in contributing to policy and program interventions in Africa”. We provide a platform for people to generate solutions to various challenges facing children.

Background of the assignment: The successful candidate for this position will support a project aimed at building local capacity for research that will inform policy advocacy and design of intervention in East and Southern Africa. The primary output is a “Localization Research Hub”. In addition, we will seek to develop capacity for action research as well as other institutional capacity for local humanitarian organizations in the region. The call for localization stems from concerns over gaps between growing humanitarian needs and a slower increase in available resources, so funding local actors offers the chance of improved cost–effectiveness and financial sustainability. It also stems from the desire to decentralize the humanitarian system and the declining legitimacy of internationally supported humanitarian action.

Duties and responsibilities of the incumbent:

• Develop a proposal guiding establishment of the Localization research hub
• Conduct action research capacity gap assessment at among selected partners
• Develop a resource package for building capacity for conducting action research
• Facilitate a co–design workshop with consortium partners
  
• Conduct a desk review on localization of research

NB: The project will be implemented over a period of 6 months.

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Qualifications and skills required:

• A degree in public health or social science, a Master degree is an added advantage,
• Professional experience in action research in resource limited settings
• Have integrity and commitment to produce desired results within set timelines
• Proven technical solving techniques in monitoring and evaluation;
• Ability to co–ordinate others, to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels;
• Be team player with proven managerial and administrative skills;
• Have a high degree of professional experience, competence and leadership qualities required
  for effective planning, directing and control of monitoring and evaluation programs
• Self–motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy;
• Thorough understanding of and fully committed to achieve the aims of the localization
  initiative;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English, proven ability in information
  analysis and report writing to deliver high–quality products in a timely manner;
• Familiar with donor funded programmes in humanitarian sector
  

How to apply:

Interested candidates who meet the above criteria should send their applications enclosing

• A 2–page proposal indicating how you will deliver the assignment
• Detailed financial proposal
• A detailed CV of the lead consultant, including three references, daytime phone number (s)
  and email address
• Copies of academic certificates
• Sample written work, preferably published in peer reviewed journals

Send these documents to the address below not later than 10th Oct, 2022. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

Attn: Head of Human Resources
Email: hr@institutechildstudies.org