ThaiNGO

Plan International

Terms of Reference for Young Health Programme

Youth Ambassador Training, Coaching, and Youth Policy Advocacy

Engagement Consultant

I. Introduction

Plan International is an international child and youth development organization dedicated to promoting the realization of children and young people’s rights, especially girl’s rights, in both development and humanitarian settings.

The Young Health Programme (YHP) is AstraZeneca’s global community investment initiative with the aim to support the health rights and well-being of young people (aged 10 – 24) in marginalized communities worldwide through research, advocacy and on the ground programmes which are focused on the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Since 2010, this programme has been implemented in Zambia, Brazil, India, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

With a commitment to support and defend the health, wellbeing, and rights of young people, in July 2019 Plan International has expanded the global YHP into Bangkok, Thailand, where NCDs pose a significant threat. The Project will aim to prevent or reduce the risk behaviours which can lead to NCDs, as well as supporting the broader health and rights of young people. It is a five-year programme which will run until June 2024.

II. Background

The YHP follows the internationally recognized 5x5 model, which draws a link between 5 main NCD risk factors (tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution) and 5 main NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health). In this model, the YHP focuses on the risk factors among young people with the aim to prevent NCDs.

In addressing the health needs of young people, the YHP takes a holistic approach which mainstreams gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and emotional well-being. Given the significant cross over and influence of these areas on NCD risk behaviours, and since these areas are fundamental barriers to young people leading healthy lives, creating positive changes in the lives and health of young people requires an approach in which these areas are addressed and challenged. The Project will engage strategies including youth empowerment through peer education, community mobilization, health service strengthening and advocacy.

The YHP in Thailand started on the 1st of July 2019, and is part of a larger global Programme; there are currently YHP programmes in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam and Myanmar, and the number of countries continues to grow. Although each country has a context specific Programme, all YHPs have the same thematic focus on NCD prevention with a holistic approach to young people’s health and all follow the same Theory of Change. The larger partnership is managed bythe Plan office in the UK and the Thailand Programme Manager is part of a global group and exchange ideas and learning with other YHP managers in other countries on a regular basis, in which in line with the global YHP Theory of Change, the YHP in Thailand uses four key inter-related and reinforced strategies including empowering young people, mobilizing communities, strengthening health services, and advocating for policy change.

In connection to the mobilizing communities’ strategy, the communities that comprise with teachers, parents, and local leaders are informed and mobilized to provide a safe and supportive environment that facilitate health behavior among young people. Young people need an enabling and supportive environment which encourages them to make informed life choices and to choose the right pathways to a healthy future. Media outreach through selected social media channels and communication campaign will be used and applied. Through this strategy, the programme aims to enhance awareness of the harmful and inter-generational effects of NCD risk factors and to establish the buy-in of the community member to facilitate change. This part of the programme strategy will help to create this environment, spreading awareness of NCDs and NCD risk factors beyond the young people that the YHP is working with directly.

III. Objective of the TOR

The YHP Thailand is looking for a qualified consultant(s)with proven expertise and experience to support the YHP team in implementing the 1-year (starting from July 2024 – June 2025) YHP Youth Ambassador (YA) On-site Training and related policy advocacy activities. The consultant(s) will design, facilitate and organize a training series for YHP youth ambassadors on leadership, policy and advocacy topicsincluding other related soft skills. This effort will support the overall goal of the Young Health Programme in Thailand, providing particular support the YA efforts on strengthening youth leadership and advocacy that are led by the YHP Thailand Team.

IV. Tasks

The consultant(s) is expected to provide the following services:

• Pre-implementation phase including:

• Prepare content, materials, and a learning journey for the on-site training sessions
• Propose training formats and discussions to ensure maximum participation. Highlight the link between five main risk factors (tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and air pollution) and five main NCDs (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health) integrated with Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender Equality, and Emotional Well-being that can be applied to leadership, policy and advocacy interests of each selected young people
• Provide all logistical preparations required to organize the on-site training sessions and act as a focal point for the organization and logistics of the training sessions
• Coordinate with 15 Youth Ambassadors from target schools and universities for useful information, such as, training information and preparation, journey and milestone as a YHP Youth Ambassadors, etc.

• During implementation phase including:

• Design and implement YHP Youth Ambassador On-siteTraining and related capacity-building activities, in consultation with and guidance received from YHP Thailand, that will increase awareness of leadership, policy and advocacy on topics related to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) risk factors prevention among young peopl
• Conduct a series of engaging activities to enhance YA’ssoft skills for policy advocacy on NCD and the broader health of young people
• On-going coordinate and coach YAs in collaboration with PE school and university consultants to achieve YAproject’s goals
• Monitor YAs activity and seed grant monthly, which is needed to be within the guidelines and risk mitigation measurement of the project and Plan’s policy
• Giving advice and guidance to YAs, ensuring their project achievement against stated outcome and outputs, lessons learnt, a complete cost breakdown outlining how the grant funding has been spent and any need for further development
• Engage youth ambassadors in key advocacy events/forums and participate in relevant advocacy network organizations
• Coordinate and prepare YHP peer educators (PEs) and YAs project presentation for the YHP Youth Forum, Health Forum, and Showcase event
• Co-organize the YHP showcase with the YHP Thailand team
• Submit monthly activity report on the implementation of the tasks including all required supporting documents 

• Post-implementation phase including:

• Debrief, wrap up and report on recommendations including identified constraints that might affect the implementation of changes
• Submit a final report on the implementation of the tasksincluding all required supporting documents 

The services provided by the consultant should produce the output and outcome as follows:

• 15 YHP Youth Ambassadors who are demonstrating empowerment and increased capacity to participate and represent the YHP in identified relevant advocacy forums, to present a youth perspective to YHP messages and to engage with various stakeholders on national and international platforms throughout the programme (During the consultancy period)
• 15 YHP Youth Ambassadors can actively contribute to the existence and implementation of laws and policies around NCD prevention, which young people's voices are included in government decision-making to development, or implementation of laws and policies around NCD prevention and young people's health

V. Details of deliverables

Timeframe: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025

VI. Payment

Terms of payment are subject to change upon agreement with the consultant 

VII. Supervision and Support

The consultant will report to the designated members of the YHP programme's team and will collaborate with the YHP team.

VIII. Qualifications

The applicant should have the following qualifications:

• Capability and proven experience working, capacity-building, and coaching with youth, especially on the engagement of policy advocacy
• Capability and proven experience in developing and executing youth-friendly trainings and events
• Direct experience with non-communicable diseases or health promotion issues is preferred
• Well-connected with resource persons and other facilitators in the field of children and youth health, and youth networks related to adolescent health for policy advocacy opportunities
• Open-minded, innovative, and detail-oriented
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills

IX. How to apply

Submit a proposal with a cover letter to Thailand.Procurement@plan-international.org referencing “YHP: Youth Ambassador Training, Coaching, and Youth Policy Advocacy Engagement Consultant” by 31 May 2024

We invite interested consultants to submit the following application documents:

- A technical proposal describes the expression of interest outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the TOR and framework. The conceptual framework planned for undertaking this assignment. It must contain an implementation and operational work plan to work with Youth Ambassadors the timelines.

- A financial proposal detailing itemized fees, data collection methods, and administrative costs

- Portfolio with task-related examples of the consultant’s work

- References

The performance-based contracting will be granted to the successful candidate.

The renewal of the contract is based on the performance of the consultant.

The successful candidate will also need to sign the Plan’s Global Safeguarding and related policies.