TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CAPACITY ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION SERVICE PROVIDERS ON CHILD, GENDER AND DISABILITY SENSITIVE SERVICE PROVISION IN BERBERA AND HARGEISA.

INVITATION TO BID FOR CONSULTANCY

Save the Children International (SCI) Somaliland program hereby invites interested consultants to bid for the consultancy assignment detailed below.

Title of Consultancy

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CAPACITY ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION SERVICE PROVIDERS ON CHILD, GENDER AND DISABILITY SENSITIVE SERVICE PROVISION IN BERBERA AND HARGEISA.

SCI Contracting Office

Save the Children, Somaliland

Period of Consultancy

19 working days starting from the contracting date.

Consultant type required

Local Individual consultant or Local Consultancy Firm

Responsibility for Logistics arrangements and Costs

Save The Children will be responsible for organizing logistical issues and the cost of data collection. The total fee of the consultancy is inclusive of professional fee, accommodation. SCI will prepare transport and enumerator cost during the field data collection exercise in Hargeisa and Berbera

Taxation Provisions

Consultant shall be responsible for all Taxes arising from the consultancy in line with the Somaliland Tax regulations applicable at the SCI Hargeisa Office.

Travel requirements

Save The Children will manage all transportation costs

Security requirements

The consultant will comply with standard Save the Children Security procedures during the completion of this consultancy work.

Terms of Reference

CAPACITY ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION SERVICE PROVIDERS ON CHILD, GENDER AND DISABILITY SENSITIVE SERVICE PROVISION

Introduction

Violence against children in Somaliland is prevalent and girls and boys are exposed to many risks. 95% of children experience different forms of violence (sexual, physical, and psychosocial) both at home, in schools and in other government and private institutions. 78% of children aged 2-14 years, experience violent disciplining, which includes both psychological aggression and physical punishment. 36% of children (aged 5-14) in Somaliland are engaged in harmful work and 95 % of girls undergo some form of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Approximately 11 % of children in Somaliland are orphans with over two-thirds having lost a father. About 1 % of Somali children are ‘double orphans’ but the incidence of children living in households without a biological parent has been rising over recent decades. Many cases of violence against children continue because of harmful customs and values which compromise protection of children. IDP children, children from minority clans, children living in the street, children out of school and children with disabilities are the most vulnerable. Although both girls and boys are at risk, due to deeply rooted gender inequalities and religious and cultural norms that limit women’s and girls’ role, status and participation, girls are more vulnerable than boys to violence and abuse. Somaliland is currently facing a serious drought which further increases children’s psychosocial distress and risk to be separated from their families. Children are more vulnerable to be engaged in child labor and to face abuse and violence. Particularly girls are more likely to be married off at younger age due to drought to acquire income for survival.

The project Background.

The project aims to strengthen child protection systems in Somaliland. More specifically, Save the Children (SC) focuses on the provision of high-quality response and prevention services (both formal and informal), as well as capacity development of the social service workforce. This will improve access, efficiency, and effectiveness of case management implementation in Somaliland, especially for child survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The project will work closely with CSOs and the government to strengthen the social and para-social workforce, case management procedures, and referral pathways which will support community-based child protection efforts.

Working with the government, we also will advocate for the creation of a policy and legal framework conducive to addressing the rights of children. SC, together with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) will build the capacity and action of local government officials on child-focused budgeting, budget transparency, and investment in disability-inclusive child protection systems at national and local levels.

SC and partners will also use a community-based approach to increase capacities for violence prevention and response amongst children, parents/caregivers, and community-based child protection structures to ensure that children are safe and protected on all levels – at home, in the community as well as in school. 

Mothers, fathers, and female and male caregivers (including caregivers with disabilities and caregivers of children with disabilities) will be sensitized and trained to gain knowledge, skills, and attitude to parent positively based on non-discrimination, inclusivity, gender equality, and non-violence in their interaction with children, through the implementation of SC’s Safe Families Common Approach., this project will include interventions to ensure their protection.

Children, particularly girls, are often not allowed to participate in decision-making processes at all levels. Adults generally lack the motivation and appreciation of including children in their decisions and their skills to do that are also limited. Children also do not have platforms for participation.

The project is being implemented by the local NGO partner YOVENCO (Youth Volunteers for Development and Environment Conservation) both in Hargeisa and Berbera.

Goal: Vulnerable children and youth in Somaliland are better protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect

Outcome: Vulnerable children in project areas are supported through quality and inclusive child protection systems

Output 1: Age, gender, and disability-appropriate community child protection services are strengthened specifically for survivors of SGBV.

Output 2: Parents/caregivers, community-based child protection groups, traditional authorities and other actors create a safe and protective environment for children including children with disabilities.

Output 3: Strengthened legislation and structures to protect children at regional level with strong linkages to national and community-based systems and mechanisms.

Under output 1, one of the activities is to conduct the service provider capacity assessment for child protection service providers on child, gender, and disability (CGD) sensitive service provision.

Purpose of the capacity assessment

The purpose of the assessment is to understand the strategic position and programming of child protection service providers (partners and stakeholders) regarding child, gender, and disability-sensitive service provision to design an appropriate capacity development plan in the areas identified. Indicators of child, gender, and disability-inclusive service provision will therefore be used as a measure of progress by the CP service providers. This action will henceforth improve the quality-of-service delivery and programming in the child protection thematic area which will enable Save the Children to reach to every child.

Specific objectives will include.

1. Conduct a capacity assessment of child protection actors in child, gender, and disability Inclusive service provision. Women and girls led organizations should be included.
2. Highlight specific areas for capacity development in child, gender, and disability inclusive service provision.
3. Assess the effectiveness of existing policies, programs, and interventions in child protection systems.
4. Identify and analyze the specific gender and disability dynamics, inequalities and vulnerabilities pertaining child protection service provision in Somaliland.
5. Assess community’s knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards CP/GBV survivors and services.
6. Provide recommendations and strategies to CP actors to strengthen child, gender and disability inclusive service provision and develop an action plan for each CP actor including a monitoring framework for sensitive child, gender, and disability inclusive service provision.
7. Highlight the CP actors’ performance against the standard criteria for CGD sensitive service provision.

Activities may include.

• Develop data collection tools, work plan for the assessment, and share an inception report.
• Conduct an orientation meeting with Save the Children staff.
• Develop, pretest, and translate data collection tools.
• Conduct data collection (key informant interviews, focus group discussions, document review, observation etc.)
• Analysis of data
• A validation workshops.
• Dissemination workshop to share the findings.
• Prepare a PowerPoint presentation, summarizing the key findings from the assessment in a design layout, and submitted together with the final report.
• Final report with an action plan based on gaps identified for each CP actor including a monitoring framework for sensitive child, gender, and disability service provision.

Methodology 

1. Assessment of CGD (Child Gender Disability) must be conducted by a team that includes at least one child protection and one MEAL resource persons. This will enable the assessment to bring together various set of skills and ensure adequate capacity throughout the assessment process as well as help to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the partner’s ability to contribute towards the national child protection system.
2. The consultant will provide recommended on the suitable methodologies to be used; however, save the children recommends the following.

• The assessment should involve both formal and informal CP actors.
• The capacity assessment should employ both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection including document reviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observation were deemed suitable.
• Child participation should be considered critical to gather information regarding child, gender and disability inclusion so focus group discussions with children and adolescents are highly recommended.
• Use of SCI quality of service (QoS) indicator tool is highly recommended.
• Use of the gender sensitivity marker (GEM) tool for measuring gender sensitive service provision
• Any other tools familiar with the consultant should be utilized in consultation with the MEAL and CP focal persons.

Expected Key Deliverables

• A standard scoring table against Quality of service for child, gender, and disability among CP service providers
• An action plan based on gaps identified for each CP actor including a monitoring framework for sensitive child, gender, and disability service provision.
• A capacity assessment report (5 copies bound with soft copies in CDs) clearly highlighting capacity development needs of the CP actors.

Scope of work

The project is implemented in Hargeisa, and Berbera. In Berbera the project is being implemented by SCI local NGO partner YOVENCO (Youth Volunteers for Development and Environment Conservation) and in Hargeisa directly by Save the Children. Hence, the assessment will be conducted in Hargeisa and Berbera towns. Throughout the assessment, the consultant will work closely with SCI Child protection and MEAL focal persons and should ensure that important decisions and actions should be discussed clearly and jointly with relevant leaders and staff. Overall responsibility for the Consultant lies with the Save the Children Somaliland Head of Child Rights Governance and Child Protection Programme Manager and support will be provided also by other relevant Save the Children staff working directly with the Child Rights Governance and Child Protection Programme staff and Technical Advisors.

Person Specification Education/Training 

Master of degree in development studies, social sciences, social work and social administration, management, sociology, social work, law, psychology, community development and other relevant fields of study. Additional training in Research, project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation is an added advantage.

Relevant Experience

• At least 5 years’ work experience in Program development and Management, organizational development, capacity assessment and building, M&E and advocacy focusing on child protection and child rights governance.
• Minimum of five years’ experience of working with local and international NGOs or civil society organizations.
• Proven work experience in Gender and disability mainstreaming
• Experience working with a child focused organization is key.
• Extensive hands-on experience in organizational capacity assessment and development, capacity building strategic plan development, proposal development and fundraising,
• Experience of working in a resource poor environment.
• Previous skills in conducting an inclusive organization capacity assessment and developing of strategic areas of focus to improve inclusive capacity of an organization.
• Experience working with rural communities and in Somalia/Somaliland context.

Knowledge/ skills

Demonstrable knowledge and skills in:

• Conducting an assessment on individual, community and organizational needs and capacity
• Designing training plans and modules based on individual and organizational needs.
• Organizing and facilitating f capacity building activities
• Mentoring and coaching colleagues at work
• Project design and development, research, MEAL
• Reviewing, updating, and developing strategic plans, fundraising strategies, monitoring and evaluation policies, systems and tools, advocacy strategies, and action plans
• Networking and partnership building
• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through formal or informal training and skills sharing.
• Developed analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate and work with a wide range of stakeholders in a participatory, respectful, collaborative manner, and to enhance effective work relationships.
• Commitment to team building and consensus-led approach to work.

Proposed Duration

This assignment is proposed to take 19 working days.

Target location Sample size

The assessment of service providers will be conducted in Hargeisa and Berbera. The assessment will involve a total of 12 formal service providers and 7 informal service providers. Specifically, in Hargeisa, 7 formal service providers, and 4 informal service providers will be assessed, while in Berbera, 5 formal service providers and 3 informal service providers will undergo assessment.

Below table will highlight the specific regions and sites including the sampling.

TimeLine

The assessment will last 19 days. Starting from the date signed off the contract. This included data collection, Interpretation of the findings and report writing. 

Preparations and Logistical Support

Save the Children Somaliland WADUS project team will provide the following logistical support and guidance:

• Provide logistical support (transport and stationery) during the assignment
• Provide technical guidance, input, and support during the exercise.
• Provision of training venue, stationery, and refreshments during training of data collector and during data collection (where agreed upon)

Qualification and Experience

Individual consultants and companies are eligible to apply for this consultancy service. However, the applicant must have the following profiles.

• A minimum of first degree relevant to the area of the task (human rights and/or social science or any other relevant field)
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in child rights, child protection, GBV, and gender equality or any other relevant field.
• Proven work experience in Child Protection, Working with Service Providers/Relevant Assessments, Gender and disability mainstreaming etc.  
• Experience working with NGO/INGOs
• Extensive hands-on experience in organizational capacity assessment and development, capacity building strategic plan development, proposal development, and fundraising.
• Experience working with IDP/Host communities in Somaliland.

Application Procedure

Local Individuals/Firms interested in this evaluation are expected to provide the following documentation:

A technical proposal with a detailed response to the TOR, with a specific focus on the scope of work, methodology, and timelines.

• Initial work plan and an indication of availability
• A financial proposal detailing the daily rate expected (Only consultancy fees).
• Two copies of relevant or similar studies and contracts with previously conducted by the consultant.
• Company profile and/or a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) of individual consultant with contact details (the CV should include at least three traceable references)

Closing date for Applications

Interested candidates shall submit their applications through [email protected]  no later than 23rd August 2023 at 3:30 PM (Hargeisa Time)

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Complete ToR with details appended below and attached herewith as    Annex 1.

• Purpose of the consultancy,
• Introduction of the project,
• Background of the consultancy,
• Objectives of the consultancy,
• Proposed methodology and approach,
• Scope of work,
• Key deliverables/outputs
• Activity timelines