ThaiNGO

Save the Children International is looking for Data Management and Quality Consultant for IMPACT Project

1.Background

The Improving Migrant Protection and Assistance for Children in Thailand (IMPACT) project develops local child protection mechanisms that are relevant to government policy framework, and integrate these into existing child protection systems so migrant children can live within an effective protection system and have access to effective care, education and health services.  The specific objectives of the project include 1: Strengthen child protection mechanisms to effectively support and protect children who are on the move, primarily Burmese (80%) and Cambodian (20%) children, 2: Strengthen and promote effective, appropriate and innovative programs for delivering basic services, preventing risky movement and responding to issues faced by migrant children, 3: Raise awareness of local child protection mechanisms with the vision of integrating them into regional (ASEAN and Mekong) and national policy frameworks.

The project strengthens child protection mechanisms including: child protection committees, Multi-Disciplinary Teams for case management, alternative education, centres which support basic maternal and child health, and mobile health units, to identify the most vulnerable children who are at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation, and respond to these children’s needs. 

The project improves the quality of protection support for children through capacity building with government and non-government stakeholders, and will enhance cooperation among relevant agencies that are responsible for child protection and welfare. Consultations by trained social workers with relevant duty-bearers will be conducted to determine the best solutions for children who are in difficult circumstances. Standards of care and alternative care practices for separated and unaccompanied migrant children will also be developed and promoted to all practitioners and service providers who work directly with children.  

At the district and provincial level, Save the Children (SC) supports local partners to build relationships with and train local authorities on data collection and delivering quality services.

At the national level, SC organizes consultations with children on migration and trafficking issues and bring their recommendation to the government. This mechanism will raise awareness on migrant children’s issues. SC has also been working closely with the National Child Protection Committee on alternative care and is also a board member for the committee for implementation of Convention on the Right of the Child.

At the Regional level, SC raises concerns of migrant children and ensures their issues will be on the agenda of the ASEAN Commission on the Protection of Women and Children (ACWC) by organizing consultations with ACWC members. The members of ACWC are high level officials from each country in ASEAN.

This project seeks sustainability through working within existing government frameworks and integrating mechanisms within current child protection systems, and through sustained capacity building for local NGO partners, community based organizations, and government officials (Social Development and Welfare). SC aims to engage the sub-district administrative offices and municipalities to continue providing services to migrant children and families after the completion of the project. We will set up this initiative with local government bodies and work with migrant children and their families to develop innovative ways to encourage ongoing and sustainable participation.

Purpose and scope of this consultancy:

This purpose of this consultancy is to assess and improve the data management system within the IMPACT project through consultations with local partner organizations and analysis of project’s framework and requirements (see Annex 1 for IMPACT project information and logical framework). Based on the needs of the project partner organizations and approval from Save the Children’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, the consultant will design and implement appropriate database and/or data management system for each partner organization who will manage and maintain such system/database eventually. Should such system or database already be in place for particular organizations, the consultant shall assess and provide recommendations for improvement.

The database/data management system should be used for producing accurate reports on project indicators as well as serving the partner organization as their core database or data management system. The consultant will deliver a user training session for each partner organization staff together with Save the Children’s MEAL team. (See Annex 2 for guideline on database/data management system).

Detailed tasks:

Consultation meetings with key users (all 3 project partner organizations in Bangkok and Tak province and Save the Children staff in Bangkok and Tak province);

Draft and submit the needs assessment report with clear recommendations on designs, structures and technology for data management system/database together with specific plans and schedules for each partner organization;

Design and develop the data management system/database within the agreed timeframe and scope, in consultation with Save the Children’s MEAL team;

Perform necessary data cleaning and migration if applicable;

Maintain and further develop the structure and/or format of the database/data management system as required, incorporating ideas and amendments from the IMPACT project;

Training project staff on how to implement/use the data management system or database and provide written guideline for such system;

Maintain strict confidentiality and data ethics in all aspects of the work;

Undertake any other tasks assigned by MEAL focal point;

The consultant is encouraged to propose additional methodology that they consider appropriate to the project, which is subject to Save the Children’s approval.

3.Consultants responsibilities

The consultant will be required to dedicate an estimated 35 days’ time to this consultancy work during March – April period, subject to the requirements and agreements with Save the Children.

4.Deliverables

All materials collected in the undertaking of the consultancy process should be lodged with the MEAL team focal point prior to the termination of the contract. 

5.Name of Partners involved

- Help Without Frontiers

- Foundation for Rural Youth

- Foundation for Child Development

6.Consultant’s Qualifications and Profile

- 3-5 year’s experience in data management and database development

- Experience in working with development NGO organization is preferred

- Possess good communication skills, both oral and written.

- Must work well in a team environment as well as independently.

- Must exhibit good time management skills, independent decision making capability

- Ability to work with the other technical members of the team to administer and support the overall database and applications environment

Consultancy Fee:

The financial competitiveness of the fee will be considered in the selection process. Costs involved in the consultancy, such as materials and travel, will be covered by Save the Children.

Submissions for the consultancy

The submission must address the terms of reference and include:

 - Name and contact details of the candidate

 - CV and cover letter outlining your interest and suitability

 - Quotation for the consultancy fee whole assignment

Close date for submissions:

Please send your CV, cover letter with a quotation by 12 March 2016, to our HR & Admin Manager at jaem.prachoommark@savethechildren.org

 “We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.”