ThaiNGO

Consultant for Data Collection, Analysis and Report - Midterm Partner and Youth Capacity Assessment

1. INTRODUCTION

Save the Children is the leading global independent organization for children. Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

Our vision: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Our mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Our values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.

This document provides Terms of Reference for Midterm partner and youth capacity assessment and use to seek external consultant for data collection, analysis and report. The aim of the assessment is to measure the project progress of EU COVID and LEAPII in area of partner and youth capacity building as well as gather feedback, challenge and need of partners in improving partner capacity building plan and implementation.

The project background, study scope, key questions, intended methodology (if applicable), reporting and governance, key deliverables and timeframes for its implementation are provided in the sections that follow.

2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

EU COVID Project

EU Thailand COVID-19 Response and Recovery-Three Southern Border Provinces is a programme sponsored by the European Union (EU). The overall objective of the proposed action that will be implemented in three provinces of the Deep South (Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani) for 24 months is to increase the participation of Thai CSOs in preventing, addressing and mitigating risks and vulnerabilities in the fragile context of COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand.

The objective of the project is to strengthen capacity and engagement of CSOs to mitigate health, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and building resilience for the most vulnerable target groups in the Deep South. The specific result and indicator to be assess under this TOR include:

Specific objective: Civil society in the Deep South is strengthened to empower the most vulnerable youth with a focus on migrant women and adolescent girls to access socio-economic opportunities and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Indicator: % of CSO partners who have strengthened organisational and operational capacities to empower targeted beneficiary groups

Output 1.2: Technical capacity building and resourcing of 8 youth groups to develop localized, socio-culturally relevant, digital content to inform vulnerable communities of prevention and response strategies to contain COVID-19.

Indicator1.2: % of youth (f,m) demonstrating increase in knowledge on content creation

The project managed by Save the Children and two local-applicants: PSU’s Nursing Faculty and the Prince of Songkhla University Alumni Association of Volunteers (PSUAAV). All grants contributed to the overall objectives of this agreed framework, and technical oversight leads by Save the Children. Save the Children also works with 3 sub-grantees to strengthen their technical and organisational capacity to provide skills training and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable youth, migrant workers, and especially female returnees from Malaysia. Additionally, SC sub-grant the Looker and local youth groups specialized in producing media content to design and implement a Risk Communication and Community Engagement Social Behaviour Change Campaign and to produce content to document the impact of this action.

In the mid-term assessment, SCI tends to evaluate progressive of the following project partners on their capacity to promote youth and female economic opportunity upon training provided to them, and youth groups that management by the Looker.

• Faculty of Nursing-Pattani, Prince of Songkhla University (PSU)
• Prince of Songkhla University Alumni Association of Volunteers (PSUAAV)
• The Looker
• Narathiwat Civil Society Association (NACA)
• Network of Women Against Violence in Southern Thailand (N-WAVE)
• Nusantara Foundation for Human Rights and Development (NUSANTARA)

LEAPII Project

The Local Engagement to Advocate for Peace phases II (LEAP II) in the Deep South of Thailand is funded by the European Union and co-funded by Save the Children Netherland. The implementing period of the project is 36 months between November 2019 and November 2022. It is the continuing project from LEAP phase I (LEAP I) conveying its own legacy in addition with more activities concentrated on child participation in peace building process, and advocacy work on Child Safe Space (CSS). Capacity building to CSOs in the area, still, is one of the main components of the project with more sustainable approach. Besides, LEAP II remains the trust of information-based driven approach by supporting children and youth leader to conduct their own research. The result of the research will be used, along with the developed Child Safe Space procedure, to advocate with three main influencers in the territory: government offices, religious leaders, and CSOs network.  

The overall objectives of the project actions is to empower children and youth as agents of change who contribute to the promotion of safer environments improved child protection and increase social cohesion in conflict-affected communities. The objectives will be supported by strengthening civil society to promote an enabling environment for increased child and youth participation, improved child protection and the enhancement of the voice of children and youth, specifically CSOs working with youth. The specific result and indicator to be assess under this TOR include:

Specific objective: Civil society in the Deep South is strengthened in order to promote an enabling environment for increased child and youth participation, improved child protection and the enhancement of the voices of children and youth in conflict affected communities

Indicator: % of trained CSO staff (f/m) have improved knowledge and skills on engaging children for effective advocacy for peace building and child participation approaches.

Outcome 2: Youth (b/g) are empowered to promote and lead localised initiatives for CSS, better child protection and social cohesion in their communities.

Indicator: % youth (f/m) are empowered, resilient and capacitated

Indicator: # of youth (b/g) empowered to promote and lead localised initiatives for CSS

In the mid-term assessment, SCI tends to assess the progressive of the following project partners and youth leader management by these partners on their capacity to deliver and support in delivering output components.

• Faculty of Nursing-Pattani, Prince of Songkhla University (PSU)
• Prince of Songkhla University Alumni Association of Volunteers (PSUAAV)
• Narathiwat Civil Society Association (NACA)
• Deep South Journalist School (DSJ)
• Foundation of Children Development (FCD)

Both projects had completed partner assessment (Operational and technical) and baseline assessment.

Partner capacity building activities to partner that completed by the time of the assessment include:

Training that partners from both projects attended:

• Financial and award management training held on 20-21 July, 2020.
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion training held on 17 September, 2020. 
• MEAL training held on 18 September, 2020.
• Child safeguarding refresh training held on 30-31 March, 2021.
• Life Skill for Success training held on 4-8 February, 2021
• MEAL refresh training held on 15-16 July 2021
• Child Participation training held on 23-25 August 2021

Training that specific for EU COVID partners:

1. Refresh Life Skill for Success workshop held on 2-4 April, 2021

Training that specific for LEAPII partners:

1. Child Resilience training held on 24-26 November 2020

Youth capacity building and engagement activity that completed by the time of the assessment include:

EU COVID Project

Workshop on how to create quality content that will attract interest, create awareness and impact, and drive change held on 20 February 2021 and 6-7 March 2021.

LEAPII Project

Community forum on understanding youth community projects, to create better understanding among community stakeholders and youth leaders as well as child beneficiaries. The activities include kick-off meeting in communities and project planning, the process of the activities applied Child-Participation approach at least consultation level. It has conducted during 2-8 March 2021.

3. SCOPE OF STUDY

Purpose, Objectives and Scope

This assessment is being conducted at the midterm of the EU COVID and LEAPII project. It will build upon the partner assessment (Operational and technical) and baseline assessment that previously conducted.

The primary purpose of the study is to measure the project progress of EU COVID and LEAPII in area of partner and youth capacity building following project result and indicators as well as gather feedback, challenge and need of partners and youth to improve partner capacity building plan and project plan.

The assessment main objectives are:

• To what extend had the projects make progress toward it result and indicators on CSO strengthening.
• What is the experience of CSOs in receiving and applying capacity strengthening activity from Save the Children?
• What is the experience of youth in receiving and applying capacity strengthening activity from Save the Children? What are the nature of youth (Boy and girl) engagement in project activity?

Scope of consultancy: The consultant will be request to review the report from prior assessment and relevant project activity. Then the consultant will conduct data collection, data analysis and reporting with primary target of this assessment include 8 CSO partners and at least 23 youth representatives (equal gender balance) using the tools developed by Save the Children. CSO partner and Youth are located in Pattani, Yala and Naratriwat provinces, list of CSO partner and Youth will be provided by Save the Children. Due to COVID 19 restriction the consultant will be requested to prepare alternative data collection method i.e. remote data collection with support from Save the Children, in case the face-to-face data collection cannot be done.

Intended Audience and Use of the Study

Primary intended audience of the assessment are Save the Children project implementation team and technical advisor to use the finding to improve CSO partner capacity strengthening plan. Moreover, the study will also be shared with project donor as evidence of project progress and achievement.

Key Study Questions

The assessment should include and discuss around the following key study question below:

• How well was Save the Children’s partner and youth capacity building plan implemented?
• Did the projects reach or most likely to reach its intended outcomes (result and indicators) on CSO strengthening and youth empowerment?

• Did project beneficiaries (Partner CSO and Youth) have a positive experience with the capacity building activity provided?
• How and why did the intervention make a difference? How the CSO and Youth apply to their work?
• What mechanisms worked and can explain the achievement or not achievement of the project results? Which did not work and why?
• What is methodology for follow up and support after the training?
• What are the gaps of CSO and youth capacity that projects should take in consideration that could impact the reach of project goal?
• What is the role and responsibility of youth in the project activity and are there any difference between boy and girl?

4. STUDY METHODOLOGY

Study Design

The research design for this assessment is a mixed methods design. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis for addressing each key study question. SCI anticipates the methodology to include a review of project documents, monitoring report and previous study, survey, semi-structured interviews or focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders. All CSO partner of EU COVID and LEAPII project listed are expected to be part of data collection for the assessment.

Data Sources and Data Collection Methods / Tools

All primary data collected during the study must facilitate disaggregation by gender, partner organization, type of organization, Save the Children projects. Save the Children will provide data collection tools and classification schemes for this minimum dataset.

Save the Children will not provide enumerators to assist with primary data collection. Data triangulation is expected for this assessment. It will be a requirement of the assessment team, including qualified translators (If needed), to source additional external data sources to add value to the assessment.

The study team is required to adhere to the Save the Children Child Safeguarding; Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; Anti-Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying; and Data Protection and Privacy policies throughout all project activities.

Ethical Considerations

It is expected that this study will be:

• Child participatory. Where appropriate and safe, children should be supported to participate in the evaluation process beyond simply being respondents. Opportunities for collaborative participation could include involving children in determining success criteria against which the project could be evaluated, supporting children to collect some of the data required for the evaluation themselves, or involving children in the validation of findings. Any child participation, whether consultative, collaborative or child-led, must abide by the 9 Basic Requirements for meaningful and ethical child participation.
• Inclusive. Ensure that children from different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds have the chance to participate, as well as children with disabilities and children who may be excluded or discriminated against in their community.
• Ethical: The study must be guided by the following ethical considerations:

• Safeguarding – demonstrating the highest standards of behaviour towards children and adults.
• Sensitive – to child rights, gender, inclusion and cultural contexts.
• Openness - of information given, to the highest possible degree to all involved parties.
• Confidentiality and data protection - measures will be put in place to protect the identity of all participants and any other information that may put them or others at risk. 
• Public access - to the results when there are not special considerations against this
• Broad participation - the relevant parties should be involved where possible.
• Reliability and independence - the study should be conducted so that findings and conclusions are correct and trustworthy.

It is expected that:

• Data collection methods will be age and gender appropriate.
• Study activities will provide a safe, creative space where children feel that their thoughts and ideas are important.
• A risk assessment will be conducted that includes any risks related to children, young people’s, or adult’s participation.
• A referral mechanism will be in place in case any child safeguarding or protection issues arise.
• Informed consent will be used where possible.

5. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The study deliverables and tentative timeline (subject to the commencement date of the study) are outlined below. The consultant team and Save the Children will agree on final milestones and deadlines at the inception phase. 

Deliverables and Tentative Timeline

*Estimation of 15 working days though this consultancy.

6. REPORTING AND GOVERNANCE

The consultant will report to the SC livelihood Coordinator, SC Child protection program Coordinator and MEAL Coordinator. Additional technical advice will be provided by technical advisors from Save the Children. Save the Children should approve all plans and documents developed by the consultant.

The lead consultant is to provide reporting against the project plan. Regular email at least once a week to the Save the Children SC livelihood Coordinator, SC Child protection program Coordinator and MEAL Coordinator on documenting progress, any emerging issues to be resolved and planned activities for the following week.

The final report will be assessed against Save the Children’s Evaluation Report Scoring checklist (Annex2). The MEAL Coordinator and Technical Advisors will review and approving the Final report.

7. Study Team and Selection Criteria

To be considered, the Evaluation team members together must have demonstrated skills, expertise and experience in:

• Individual consultant or a Team of consultant
• Bachelor in Social sciences, education, international relation or relevant area to the project is desirable
• Proven experience in data collection and reporting high quality project evaluations and assessment
• Thai nationality
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Language proficiencies required Thai, English proficiencies is an asset.
• Experience in using online application to conduct data collection and can troubleshooting any issue that may occur using online application.

There is a high expectation that:

• Members (or a proportion) of the evaluation team have a track record of working together.
• The team has the ability to commit to the terms of the project, and have adequate and available skilled resources to dedicate to this evaluation over the period.
• The team has a strong track record of working flexibly to accommodate changes as the project is implemented.
• Applications for the consultancy should include:
• Expression of interest: stating candidate skill and experience suitable for the consultancy (max 1 page)
• Technical and financial proposal: Outline of assessment framework and methods, proposed timeframe, work plan and budget (max 4 pages).
• CV of proposed individual/s and one piece of evidence of similar study carried out previously

Financial Proposal

Save the Children seeks value for money in its work. This does not necessarily mean "lowest cost", but quality of the service and reasonableness of the proposed costs. Proposals shall include personnel allocation (role / number of days / daily rates / taxes), as well as any other applicable costs. The budget for this consultancy is 80,000-120,000 THB

8. HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this assessment, please submit your application (see section 7. STUDY TEAM AND SELECTION CRITERIA for detail of application) by 17th October, 2021 00.00 am to: THA_Procurement_BKK@savethechildren.org