Job Description

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Consultant: Development of a Simplified Guide on Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Political Party Manifestos

Background
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), in collaboration with the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), is implementing a governance-focused project under the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) thematic cluster. This project aims to foster stronger citizen engagement in governance and anti-corruption discourse, particularly during the 2024 election cycle in Ghana.

Corruption continues to be a critical threat to Ghana’s socioeconomic development, eroding trust in public institutions and hampering both economic and political progress. In light of this, various political parties have included anti-corruption initiatives in their manifestos ahead of the 2024 elections. However, many citizens struggle to understand these proposals due to their complex language and structure, which prevents meaningful engagement with the content.

GII, leading the implementation of this specific component, seeks to bridge this gap by producing a simplified guide on the anti-corruption initiatives presented in these manifestos. This tool will empower citizens with clear, digestible information, helping them assess the commitments made by political candidates and actively participate in holding these leaders accountable during and after the elections.

Objective of the Consultancy
The objective of the consultancy is to produce a simplified and engaging guide summarizing anti-corruption commitments outlined in the political party manifestos. Specifically, the ToR will seek :

1. To analyze anti-corruption initiatives proposed in the political party manifestos for the 2024 elections.
2. To simplify and package the key anti-corruption proposals in a format understandable to the general public.
3. To develop the guide as a tool for citizens to engage political candidates and demand accountability.
4. To support the dissemination of the guide, ensuring that it serves as a central piece in the Pledge Against Corruption (PAC) campaign.
5. To facilitate citizen participation in governance by ensuring that the anti-corruption commitments of political parties are well understood and widely shared.

Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for the following:

1. Review the manifestos of all major political parties contesting in the 2024 general elections, with a focus on identifying their anti-corruption promises and proposals.
2. Translate complex policy language into easy-to-understand terms without losing the integrity or detail of the original proposals. The guide must be written in clear, understandable language suitable for a wide range of audiences, including the general public, students, and community groups.
3. Design and format the content in a way that enhances readability and engagement. The final product should be visually appealing, and easy to distribute digitally and in print. Infographics, summary tables, and key highlights should be incorporated where possible.
4. Work closely with GII and it’s partners to ensure alignment with the broader project objectives and receive feedback throughout the process.
5. Ensure that the guide remains objective, providing a balanced representation of the anti-corruption initiatives from all parties without favoring any particular political organization.
6. Be open to conducting interviews or consultations with relevant experts or political party representatives, if necessary, to clarify or confirm policy commitments.

Deliverables

1. A draft version of the guide, submitted to GII and partners for review and comments.
2. A final, print-ready version of the simplified guide incorporating feedback from the project team.

Timeline/duration of assignment
The consultancy will be for a maximum duration of 14 days, starting from 21st October 2024. The final deliverable must be completed and submitted by 4th November 2024.

Required Skills or Experience

The ideal consultant should possess:

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in public policy analysis, governance, or political science, with proven expertise in anti-corruption frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to simplify complex political and legal documents for non-technical audiences.
• Excellent writing and communication skills with a strong track record of producing high-quality, user-friendly content.
• Familiarity with Ghana’s political environment and the dynamics of electoral processes.
• Experience working with civil society organizations and knowledge of governance and anti-corruption issues in Ghana and across Africa.

Reporting Requirements
The consultant will report directly to the Executive Director of GII and will collaborate closely with the project teams from ACEP and GACC.