CONSULTANCY: Baseline Study for the “Strengthening Child Protection Systems” -SC

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1.1. Background Save the Children in Somalia/Somaliland Programme (SCiSom) is a consolidation of the programs of Save the Children-UK (managing member), Save the Children-Denmark, Save the Children-Finland and envisions a country in which every - child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

1.2. The Strengthening Child Protection Systems Project (CPS) In partnership with AYODA, YOVENCO, HAVOYOCO, MOJ and MOLSA, Save the Children in Somalia/Somaliland (SCiSom) is implementing the CPS project interventions in Hargeisa, Berbera and Borama districts. The overall purpose of the project is “Protection rights of all children in Somaliland realized” which is in conformity with Save the Children Finland’s’ Global impact of ‘Rights of Children realized’.

Targeting to reach a total of 6,000 children through different interventions including direct services provision for the severely abused children, the project will specifically focus on the following outcomes/ objectives:

a) Increased capacity of duty bearers to prevent, and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence affecting children in Somaliland in project target areas’, b) Community-based child protection structures in place and operational in project target areas

An additional total of 1,500 vulnerable children will receive rehabilitative/reintegration support through implementing partners, community based child rights committees and other implementing partners. The project will also aim to reach a total of 40,000 children indirectly through advocacy and awareness raising events. Adult beneficiaries will include senior officers and civil servants in three government ministries, local civil society organisations and NGO partners and a total of 750 volunteers in 50 community child rights committees. An estimated total of 10,000 adults will be reached indirectly through community awareness raising events.

The project will enable more children to have access to the full range of quality child protection services by reinforcing the capacity of both local communities in Somaliland and Somaliland government to deliver appropriate, equitable, safe services to all children. The project is envisaged to contribute directly to Global outcome 1 ‘More children access quality child protection services’, Global Outcome 3 – ‘Strong civil societies and local communities support the realisation of children’s rights’ and Global outcome 4 ‘Children are able to express their views and influence decision-making in the SCF child protection projects’. The project will also contribute to Save the Children’s Finland’s Global initiatives on education, child protection, health and nutrition and emergencies. Of importance is that the project will comply with certain globally set standards to measure success. The global indicator that this project will strive to measure success under global outcome 3, is the % of children and caregivers on a 12 month period who used prevention and response interventions that meet quality standards delivered or supported by SCF, and under Global outcome 3, will be the % of community based child protection mechanisms functioning effectively in SCF operational areas in 12 months period. While under outcome 4, the project will measure the % of SC supported projects where children’s views have lead to changes in the project in a 12 months period, this indicator under outcome 4 is with respect to children groups that will be created and strengthened in the project in Somaliland.

1.3. Expected Results/ Outputs of the Project: Key expected results under each of the above outcomes shall be tracked by priority indicators that will also form basis for generation/ collection of data/information to facilitate organization learning and documentation for both the partner and SCiSom.

a. Duty bearers prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence affecting children in Somaliland in project target areas

Output 1: Improved capacity (technical and material) of relevant government line ministries (technical and material) to monitor protection issues and coordinate child protection work in Somaliland Output 2: Functional community based child protection referral systems in place Output 3: Capacity of Child Protection service providers to provide quality services enhanced b. Community-based child protection structures prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and violence against children in project target areas.

Output 4: Child rights community committees are functional and trained on child protection Output 5: Communities’ awareness on and support for child protection increased Output 6: Child rights groups participate in child protection initiatives

2.1. Overall purpose of the baseline study

The overall purpose of the baseline study is to generate an understanding of children’s access and utilization of child protection prevention and response services in Hargeisa, Berbera and Borama in Somaliland prior to implementation of the Strengthening Child Protection Systems Project a basis for monitoring and evaluating the projects performance. This will include but not be limited to assessing the capacity of existing local government and community level child protection structures to provide child protection services.
This information will inform the project team and the management to understand and monitor the progress and results of child protection interventions in the regions. The baseline will also generate information that can further inform project interventions and strategies.

The specific objectives of the baseline study are to: 1. Establish the extent to which duty bearers and other child protection service providers in project areas are preventing and responding to abuse, neglect exploitation and violence against children 2. Establish the extent to which community based child protections structures are preventing and responding to abuse, neglect exploitation and violence against children 3. Establish of capacity of existing government and community level child protection structures to provide child protection prevention and response services. 4. Generate baseline information on all project indicators as expressed in the project plan/log frame’.

Scope of Work: See insert-

Methodology The study will shall adopt both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect information from both primary and secondary sources. Following the scope of work, the consultant shall propose specific methods for collecting given data from sources that will also be specified. The consultant shall adopt a sampling approach that will allow statistically correct conclusions about the study population.

The Consultant will together with the field the team develop the study tools, conduct data collection, data analysis and will be responsible for writing the report.

Roles and responsibilities Core reference group The core reference group for this consultancy will include: the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, the Programme Manager – Child Protection in Hargeisa, the CP Coordinator and Programme Manager Child Protection SCF EARO among others. The core reference group will be responsible for developing the terms of reference, identification of the out sourced person (consultant) and the overall quality assurance of this work. Consultant An out sourced person will take the lead in conducting the study as well as be responsible for the report. As a priority, the consultant will work with SCiSom staff and partners in developing tools, mobilizing respondents, data collection and initial data analysis. The consultant can reinforce this team with a minimal number of external persons.

Specific tasks and key deliverable

Deliverable under this baseline will include the following; a) Produce an inception report detailing the methodology including the sampling framework that will be used. b) Design the baseline survey tools based on the CP project plan, project monitoring plan, CPS log frame indicators and the projects’ M&E requirements and share with SCISOM for approval. c) Submit a sample of data collection tools that could be used to continue to collect monitoring data for the project. d) Design and deliver a one day training for the CP project staff, partners and field researchers on key aspects of the baseline survey including how data will be collected (process, methods, and tools), analyzed, interpreted, and reported.

e) Undertake field-based consultations and interviews and Collect data from the identified target persons/groups by administering the tools in the three target areas and at the national level. f) Make an analysis of the baseline data (jointly with selected CP project staff and partners – for learning purposes). g) Facilitate a validation workshop for the outcome survey report and input the feedback h) Debrief CP Programme management (including partners) and the respective staff from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) on the process and preliminary findings of the consultancy.
i) Submit an analysis of the project indicators and advise on revisions that could be made to best measure the performance of the project based on the feasibility and reliability of available data j) Prepare and submit comprehensive report of the baseline survey including a summary of the value of all project indicators in soft and hard copies to Save the Children.

All tasks will include feedback mechanisms from the core reference group, whose input shall be considered at all stages

Special Provision All written deliverable produced under this work/order shall be submitted as scheduled to SCiSom Programmmes Director in both electronic formats, using MS Word and printed hard copies. Changes in the scope of work shall require prior discussion and approval by SCiSom with recommendations from the core reference group and this shall be defined in writing.

5.3 Draft and tentative time line for the Consultancy

Date Tasks Comments/responsible 26/10/2011 Advertisement HR Manager 05/11/2011 Closing Date for Submission of technical and financial proposals
08/11/2011 Comparative Bid Analysis
15/10/2011 Awarding of Consultancy and Contract Signing
16th – 20th /10/2011 Desk Review and Development of Tools Lead researcher 26th November – 15th December Data collection Lead researcher Debriefing in Hargeisa
Data analysis, report writing Lead researcher Debriefing in Hargeisa Lead researcher Validation meetings with partners/districts 06/01/2012 Presentation of final report to SCiSom

Support Available: Save the Children will • Coordinate meetings and workshops • Assign one project officer to support the consultant • Ensure prompt payment of professional fee and other costs arising from the contract; • Provide logistical support (transport, accommodation, food, etc during the assignment) • Provide guidance and support during the exercise • Comment on the draft report

Terms and Conditions

Logistics: The consultant’s travel from base to the field and back after the end of the contract (including airport tax), food, and accommodation will be covered by Save the Children (if the consultant is hired form outside Somaliland).

Professional fee: The consultant will come up with his/her own rate as part of the financial proposal. However, SC will be guided by the daily rates as provided for under its finance and consultancy policy

Tax and insurance: The consultant shall be responsible for his/her income tax and/or insurance during the assignment.

Code of conduct: Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to. The consultant is bound by the principles and conditions of Save the Children’s Code of Conduct (This includes Child Safeguarding Policy, Fraud and Dishonesty Policy, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Corruption.

A contract will be signed by the consultant before commencement of the action. The contract will detail terms and conditions of service, aspects on inputs and deliverable.

Location: The consultancy will take place in Hargeisa, Berbera and Borama in Somaliland.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: All expressions of interest should include:

Cover letter: A short (maximum three pages) letter addressing the base line criteria.

Technical Proposal: brief explanation about the Consultant with particular emphasis on the previous experience in this kind of work; profile of the Consultant, understanding of the TOR, the task to be accomplished as well as base line analysis framework and plan.

Financial Proposal: The financial proposal should provide cost estimates for services rendered including daily consultancy fees excluding: accommodation and costs of living; transport cost; stationery, and supplies needed for training and costs related to the participants during the exercise.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED The following attributes are required for the selection of the Baseline Analyst: • Postgraduate qualifications in social sciences or another discipline relevant to this assignment with a minimum of 5 years work experience. • Competent and experienced researcher including in designing and conducting baseline surveys. • Sound knowledge of local and international legal instruments governing the protection and promotion of children’s rights, • Knowledge and experience of using participatory methodologies in child rights work in a developing country context.
• Excellent documentation skills including analytical and report writing skills • Experience of working in post conflict contexts • Understanding of key working approaches and principles in Child Protection ( Child Rights Programming and Child Participation frameworks) • Knowledge of Somali culture and the social political dimensions of CP • Evidence of quality previous work with INGOs working with Children

Interested and eligible applicants can send copies of their CVs, testimonials and at least two copies of reports of similar work, Technical proposal and Financial proposal to:

Applications should be forwarded to; Human Resources Manager Save the Children Somalia/Somaliland
email: vacancies@scsom.org Latest date for receiving applications is 08th November 2011.
How to apply:
Applications should be forwarded to; Human Resources Manager Save the Children Somalia/Somaliland
email: vacancies@scsom.org
Latest date for receiving applications is 08th November 2011.