Terms of Reference

Child and Civilian Protection Adviser, AMISOM

Background: Pre-deployment training of AMISOM troops is being undertaken to promote their good conduct and awareness of the child and civilian protection role of their mission. An important objective of this training is to reduce the risk of sexually related abuse and exploitation (SEA) of civilians by AMISOM personnel. In order to provide follow-up to this training, the establishment of prevention and response mechanisms for child and civilian protection must be established within this AU mission. The Child and Civilian Protection advisor will lead in the establishment and implementation of such mechanisms and will provide technical support to the AMISOM mission with regard to child and civilian protection.

Purpose of Position: To monitor and enhance child and civilian protection among the AMISOM stabilization force in Somalia.
Description of Position: The Child and Civilian Protection Advisor (CPA) will be employed by the Peace Support Operations Division of the African Union (AU), but will be based in the office of the AMISOM Force Commander in Mogadishu.
The main responsibilities of the Child and Civilian Protection Advisor will include:
  1. To work with the AU Peace and Support Operations Division to develop a Code of Conduct with regard to child and civilian protection for AMISOM (both military and civilian personnel) and to design and implement enforcement mechanism for this CoC.
  2. To design and support the implementation of a system to monitor child and civilian protection violations by AMISOM (both military and civilian personnel).
  3. To serve as a focal point for receiving reports of child and civilian protection violations encountered by AMISOM personnel and for sharing these reports with other relevant actors (UN, civil society organizations, government counterparts, etc.).
  4. To maintain regular communication with other key actors concerned with child and civilian protection and to participate in “protection” forumsin the area of AMISOM operations.
  5. To coordinate and deliver supplemental training on the protection and rights of children and civilians for all AMISOM personnel.
  6. To advocatefor the rights and protection of all children and civilians to be considered as a priority throughout AMISOM’s work.
  7. To support AMISOM’s mandate to assist in the implementation of the National Security and Stabilization plan, by providing technical support in this regard on issues of child and civilian protection.
  8. To provide technical guidance on child and civilian protection to support AMISOM’s efforts to train Somali security forces.
  9. To report monthly to the Peace and Support Operations Division of the AU and to the AMISOM Force Commander on her/his activities, areas of progress and areas of concern regarding AMISOM and child and civilian protection.

1