Proceedings Writing and Rapporteur Service Provider

Background information

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading Africa-based, African-led, international research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya and with a West Africa Regional Office (WARO) in Dakar, Senegal. APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population, health, education, urbanization and related development issues in sub-Saharan Africa.

APHRC is implementing a 4-year research, advocacy, and capacity-strengthening project titled ‘Challenging the Politics of Social Exclusion (CPSE)’, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The project is being implemented in 7 Countries in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and Liberia. It also involves working with regional economic communities: EAC, EALA, SADC, SADC PF, AU, and ECOWAS as well as working with several UN agencies and CSOs.

The project generates the evidence needed to improve understanding the SRHRs landscape; identify knowledge gaps that, if filled, will help in awareness-raising; leverage on available entry-points for advocacy to change policy and practice; and strengthen the capacity of key actors in the sector to use evidence in furthering their advocacy agenda and enhance policy discussions on these topics.

In this regard, APHRC’s African-led approach to evidence generation, synthesis and interpretation underpins national and regional engagements to address evident policy, institutional, and cultural dimensions of social exclusion that directly affect young people, women, and sexual minorities’ access to SRHR. APHRC works with and through a constellation of policymakers, civil society actors and other practitioners who catalyze the change needed in this landscape. This includes seeking to create an enabling environment for policy and practice that reduces stigma and social exclusion, with the goal of improving access to SRHR services including, increasing access to safe abortion, and upholding the rights of women, young people, and sexual minorities.

The project convenes several engagements with diverse groups of stakeholders. In this regard, APHRC intends to engage suitably qualified proceedings writing and rapporteur service providerto provide high-quality support to CPSE workshop discussions.

Scope of work

The rapporteur will attend workshops, training sessions, and/or conferences sponsored or facilitated by the project, and accurately and effectively capture the event proceedings. The rapporteur will take notes via his or her preferred method and then produce a written report of the proceedings based on an agreed pre-set template and format.

Before the event

1. Become familiar with the speakers and review their presentations.
2. Meet project staff before the event to go over any specific instructions for that event.
3. Determine final report template together with the project staff to guide rapporteur responsibilities on the day of the conference.

During the event

1. Capture in whatever format (e.g., handwritten notes, typed notes, recorded notes, photographs, handouts, and presentations) all pertinent information for each presentation, including the speaker’s name, title, and organization.
2. The notes should include the main points from the presentation, either from what is spoken or what is in the presentation slides.
3. Present a summary of the discussion, highlighting any conclusions, recommendations, and/or next steps.

After the event

1. Prepare a summary report using the format provided, highlighting the main topics, objectives, and themes of the conference; provide a summary of key outcomes of the event including suggested follow-up.
2. Based on the event agenda provide a summary indicating the name, title, and organization of the speaker, main findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations of the speaker/section.
3. Submit a final, formatted summary report in word format within two weeks of the event.

Expected Output:

The rapporteur will produce a summary report that covers the entirety of the event proceedings.

Deliverables and timeline:

The consultant will be responsible for the delivery, content, technical quality, and accuracy of the deliverables.

Required skills, experience, and competencies.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in mass communication, journalism, public health, or related discipline.
• Minimum three to five years of professional experience in proceedings/ reporting and rapporteur services at an international and national conference/forum/seminar (please provide evidence/records/references).
• Experience with or knowledge of key concepts in sexual reproductive and health rights (SRHR) in Sub Saharan Africa.
• Proficiency in computers, especially Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Experience in working with government agencies and donors is an advantage.
• Displays culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Sensitivity and respect for human rights and gender equality.

Functional competencies

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to prepare and deliver reports and presentations promptly.
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.

Language

• Excellent oral and written English
• Working knowledge of French and Portuguese is desired.