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Plan International

PLAN ASIA CIVIL SOCIETY REGIONAL PROJECT

FOR INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY OF ASEAN AND SAARC TO THE REALISATION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PROTECTION

Terms of Reference for the Baseline Study of Plan Asia Civil Society Regional Project (2015-2017)

1.Introduction

Plan is an international child-centred development organisation. Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Plan works in 66 countries across the world; in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas supported by fundraising in 21 countries and by 4 regional offices and Plan international headquarters in the UK.

Child Centred Community Development (CCCD) is Plan’s Child Rights approach, in which children, families and communities are active and leading participants in their own development. This approach recognises the intrinsic link between poverty and rights, where poverty is both a cause and consequence of the denial of rights. For more information visit www.plan-international.org 

2.Background  

Specific focus on ending violence against children gained momentum in Asia parallel to the launching of the UN Study on Violence Against Children in 2005. Since then, increasing efforts have been taken, both at national and regional levels to prevent and respond to multi-faceted forms of violence affecting millions of children across the Region. Commitments made by the two inter-governmental bodies, ASEAN and SAARC, have aimed at addressing the most widely prevalent child protection issues in the Region which include trafficking in children; corporal punishment; child labour; child marriage; child abuse, neglect and commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Despite the significant gaps that continue to prevail in the current actions of ASEAN and SAARC for ending violence against children, notable developments can be witnessed in a number of areas which include the establishment of new regional mechanisms to address issues pertaining to children’s protection; increased engagement of regional mechanisms with civil society to address issues related to violence against children and growing commitments made by national governments and regional bodies to address specific issues related to children’s protection. 

Paralel to these developments, last decade has also seen an inspiring growth of civil society activism on children’s rights across Asia. CSO actors have amplified their efforts in size and significance on advocating for children’s rights by harmonising their actions around national and regional level coalitions. Plan has been cooperating with these coalitions with the aim of strengthening and sustaining joint efforts towards the realisation of children’s rights.

In 2015, Plan Asia Regional Office (ARO) launched a regional project, Increased Accountability of ASEAN and SAARC to the Realisation of Children´s Right to Protection, with the financial support received from NORAD, SIDA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Framework Agreement of Finland. The Project aims at further strengthening the advocacy efforts by civil society actors in East and South Asia to effectively advocate respective inter-governmental bodies (ASEAN and SAARC) for increased commitment to child protection.

3.Objectives

3.1.Overall purpose

The purpose of the Study is to provide a baseline to measure the Project results and outcomes at the end of Plan Asia Civil Society Regional Project. To this end, the Study will set out parameters for the measurement of the results by documenting current commitments of ASEAN and SAARC on ending violence against children, their level of fulfillment and effectiveness. The Study will also analyse different advocacy initiatives pursued by CRC Asia and NACGs, the CSO partners of the Project, in order to identify gaps in their current advocacy work.

3.2.Specific objectives

Set out parameters for the measurement of the results by documenting current commitments of ASEAN and SAARC on ending violence against children, different policies, rules and regulations that are in place, their level of fulfillment and effectiveness.

Set out baseline data as per the specific output and outcome indicators of the project as stipulated in the log frame.

Set out parameters for the measurement of the project’s implementation on cost effectiveness.

Set out baseline data to measure the improved advocacy skills, capacities and opportunities among the CSO partners.

Set out baseline data to measure CSO partners’ commitment towards gender equity and child protection.

3.3.Specific focus

The Study has specific focus on identifying gaps in ASEAN and SAARC commitments for ending violence agaisnt children and producing baseline data for measuring imrpoved capacities of CSO partners to be effective in their advocacy work. Additionally, the Study will analyse how various gender dynamics related to violence against children have been addressed in the existing regional commitments and CSO advocacy work.

4.Tasks

The Study will be carried out by a consultant with experience in field/participatory research. Plan ARO will provide the consultant with required background documents and connect with key staff and CSO members for information gathering. The consultant will complete the Study and share the final report for validation within 20 working days.

The Consultant will be responsible for:

The full development of the baseline study methodology;

Carrying out a literature review of secondary data;

The development of appropriate data collection tools;

Test the tools and revise them accordingly before the start of data collection process;

Carryout the data collection process;

Data processing and analysis;

Preparation of draft and final report.

Plan Asia Regional Office will be responsible for:

Identifying and contracting the consultancy;

Initial communication and ongoing coordination with the CSO coalitions;

Reviewing and approval of data collection tools;

Assistance in accessing Plan International documentation and monitoring data;

Approval of the final report.

5.Deliverables/output

Detailed baseline framework/design and implementation plan agreed with Plan ARO

Data collection tools

A sampling framework

Draft baseline report

PowerPoint presentation of findings

Final baseline report

6.Schedule

7.Qualifications

The consultant should demonstrate the following expertise and skills (the demonstrated track record of similar successful engagements should be provided):

Demonstrated technical expertise on child protection in general, and child protection related advocacy in particular;

Relevant working experience in Asian countries and thorough knowledge of ASEAN and SAARC commitments related to children’s rights, particularly the right to protection;

Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and participator research;

Experience in analysis of learning strategies or programmes;

Good communications, analytical skills and high proficiency in written and spoken English;

 Working or consultancy experience with Plan International or other child rights-based organisations.

8.Payments

Payments under the contract shall be made in accordance with the following scheme:

A pre-financing payment equal to 50 % of total fees shall be made after signature of the contract and upon receipt of a relevant invoice.

Payment of the balance shall be made after approval of the final report and upon receipt of a relevant invoice.

9.Child Protection

Throughout the process, compliance with Plan’s Child Protection Policy and standards must be assured.

10.How to apply?

Please submit your proposal to Plan Asia Regional Office at the latest Thursday the 21st of September, 2015. To;  PlanAsia.JobVacancies@plan-international.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and interview

Plan takes active measures in recruitment and employment to ensure children are protected.

Plan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

www.plan-international.org