ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference

Research on ‘Keeping children safe at schools – Disaster education, governance, and participation in Thailand’s Safe Schools’

1. About Plan International

We strive to advance children’s rights and equality for girls all over the world. As an independent development and humanitarian organisation, we work alongside children, young people, our supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. For over 80 years we have been building powerful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 75 countries.

About Commissioning Office

2. Project Background

Thailand is prone to small to medium scale natural hazard such as floods, landslides, earthquakes and drought. In recent years, with growing impact of climate change, these hazards have become more frequent, severe, and less predictive, affecting lives of communities in most part of the country. In northern part of Thailand, Chiang Rai is one of the most at-risk area as a result of its geographical condition that expose to both seismic and climate-related hazard events. In combination with poor economic condition of the region where most ethnic people living on mountainous area as well as stateless populations are particularly vulnerable as lack of information and limited access to public service and supports. There are over 600 public schools in Chiang Rai, many of them are small to medium sized schools located in either remote or dangerous areas without proper equipment, trained personnel and protocol to be prepared and deal with emergencies. As a result, children, especially girls, in the schools are in vulnerable position and exposed to very high risks of injury and deaths when disaster strikes.

In supporting schools and education system to prepare for emergencies, Plan International Thailand is working to promote Safe Schools Initiative in the region in partnership with the provincial authorities, Disaster Mitigation agencies, Basic Education Service Area offices as well as local and national network of Safe Schools practitioners. This project, besides preparing schools to mitigate risks and stay prepared for emergencies, aims at influencing government authorities to institutionalize the Safe and Resilient School Initiative as main agenda to promote child safety. Within 3-year timeframe, the projects have the objectives to 1) enhance capacities and engagement of change-agents and agencies in CSSF institutionalization; 2) promote collaborative platforms to improve the quality of Safe and Resilient School initiatives and accreditation; and 3) improve DRR policy framework and CSSF communication at local and national level.

3. Research focus

   1. Research Purpose

The main purpose of this research is to understand the roles of schools and education system in keeping children safe and protected during disasters and emergencies. As Plan International Thailand is working with disaster mitigation and education authorities in local and national level to promote child-led school safety, this study also aims for exploring key added values of children participation in creating a more safe and inclusive school environment, as well as how engagement in DRR initiatives helps strengthen children and youth agencies and build long-term life skills.

Findings from this research will be used to inform schools, education authorities, disaster mitigation agencies, and community of practices, in local and national level, on needs to strengthen disaster governance in schools and demonstrate practical example and framework that can be replicated and scaled to generate wider impacts. And in the light of new MoE’s policy in 2021 that give priority to ‘School Safety’ and ongoing development of national Safe Schools Standard, this research will make a case for further investment to promote culture of safety.

1. Research Questions

This research will seek to answer the following key questions;

1. How schools’ disaster education and governance can help mitigating disaster risk and keeping children and youth safe?

2. What are added-values and effects of children participation in making safer and more inclusive school space and environment?

3. In what way boys and girls can be supported to engage more effectively in disaster education and governance, and how such engagement helps strengthen children agencies?

Sub-questions will be identified together with the research team during the inception stage.

4. Users of the Research

This research is intended to target audiences in Thailand – mainly practitioners, authorities, and policy makers working in disaster risk management and school safety. Findings and recommendations from coming from this research are directed towards the following groups;

• Schools

• OBEC / ESAOs

• DDPM offices

• Safe School practitioners and Thailand Safe School Network members

• Chiang Rai Safe School Working Group

• Municipalities / local authorities

5. Methods for Data Collection and Analysis

The researcher(s) is expected to propose a child-friendly, gender aware and participatory methodology to gather both quantitative and qualitative data and to draw on secondary and primary data. This will be submitted as a detailed response to this TOR. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring appropriate data collection techniques are implemented in line with Plan International’s Child Protection Policy. It is anticipated that this methodology will include:

• An analysis and desk review of existing resources: the project documents and media pieces including progress reports, case stories and videos. Collection and study of available relevant secondary information and use of it during data analysis and report preparation.

• Conduct in-depth interviews, consultations, or hold focus group discussions with key stakeholders (for example students, parents, teachers, school principals, education authorities, government representatives, and Plan staffs).

• Develop survey questionnaire to sample population and project beneficiaries.

• Field work should occur during the second semester (November 2021 – March 2022).

All methodologies and tools to be used in conducting this research must be shared and agreed upon in consultation with Plan International Thailand. It is also required that data gathering and analysis should be disaggregated by sex, age, disability, and other conditions as agreed (such as social context, legal status, etc.).

5.1 Sample

The table below is suggested sample size, the research team may propose alternatives;

5.2 Participant Selection and Recruitment

The researcher(s) should plan to select participants in consultation with Plan International Thailand. Keeping in mind the COVID-19 outbreak that are currently on-going, the actual fieldwork may be limited, or not possible at all during the time research work begins. The research team should prepare for remote interview, consultation and online survey and be ready to switch to 100% online platform when needed.

6. Ethics and Child Protection

Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected, in accordance with Ethical MERL Framework and our Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy. The research team should include details in their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the data collection process. Specifically, the researcher(s) shall explain how appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation of all stakeholders will be ensured and how special attention will be paid to the needs of children and other vulnerable groups. The researcher(s) shall also explain how confidentiality and anonymity of participants will be guaranteed.

7. Key Deliverables

8. Timeline

9. Payment (4 – 5 sentences + table)

The payment will be paid in two instalments.

10. Expected Qualifications (4 – 5 main qualifications)

• Applicants can be an independent consultant team or researcher (s) from university / research institute based in Thailand.

• Demonstrated strong understanding in disaster risks reduction, community-based DRM and international development and familiar with the Northern Thailand context.

• Significant professional background in conducting social research relating to international development, disaster preparedness, and community-based DRM issues, with experience in conducting survey research of this nature and collating and analyzing findings.

• Excellent writing skills in English

• Previous experience in conducting similar work for INGOs or international donors will be preferred.

Applications

Interested applicants should provide a proposal covering the following aspects:

• Detailed response to the TOR with proposed methodology

• A work plan detailing how the work will be done and how the objectives above will be met, including proposed timelines

• CVs of the researchers and the names of at least two references (these should be clients for whom you have conducted previous research with).

• Example of previous work

• Detailed budget, including daily fee rates, expenses, etc.

Please send your application to supornchai.nawataweeporn@plan-international.org by 29 November 2021 referencing “Research for Keeping children safe at schools in Thailand” in the subject line, and including support documents as outlined.

*Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early. We reserve the right to extend the closing date at any time.