ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference for Consultant

OOSC Research: Secondary Data Analysis and Technical Report

February 2018

Background

Save the Children has been operating programs in Thailand for more than 25 years, with a particular focus on child protection, disaster risk reduction, child safety for survival, and education. The Reaching Education for All Children in Thailand (REACT) project aims to ensure migrant children have access to quality education and communities support children’s learning.

Recent research by Save the Children, other organizations and academics has repeatedly found that one of the key barriers to increasing access to education for migrant children is a lack of accurate data on the numbers of children, their needs and whereabouts. While there are some broad estimates of migrant OOSC at the national level, varying between 100-300,000, these figures are far from precise and give no indication of provincial, district or school level data. The recent “Strengthening OOSC Mechanisms in Tak” report, revealed that combining administrative data from multiple ministries is effective and efficient in identifying relative numbers of OOSC and their whereabouts. This could be helpful in situating primary data collection at the district and sub-district level, leading to more targeted assistance to tackle the issue of OOSC at local levels.

The purpose of this consultancy:

Save the Children will hire the consultant to analyze and report on the situation of OOSC in Ranong province based on secondary administrative data supplied from multiple sources, including – MoPH, MoI, MoE etc. The consultant will provide technical backstopping to the development and finalization of a policy brief in partnership with ESAO Ranong that includes recommendations on the most viable and cost effective models for scaling up efforts to identify migrant OOSC in Thailand. 

Description OOSC Research Team: Roles and Responsibilities

Consultants Responsibilities:

1. Provide technical advice to the OOSC research team to conduct consultations with relevant government departments in order to obtain and analyze their existing data on migrant populations (education, health, labour, MOI, population, local authority etc.)
2. Provide technical advice to the OOSC research team to conduct consultations with relevant civil society organizations in order to obtain and analyze data on migrant populations (NGOs, CBOs, community education providers etc.).

• Review and assess the existing government data and surveys on OOSC from different departments focused on Ranong province (education, health, MOI, MSDHS, MOL, Local Authority UIS, UNICEF etc.)

1. Through the process of data collection and secondary data analysis, provide an up to date estimate of OOSC in each sub-district in Mueang Ranong, the nine (9) sub-districts: Khao Niwet, Ratchakrut, Ngao, Bang Rin, Pak Nam, Bang Non, Hat Som Paen, Sai Daeng, and Ko Phayam; assessing the extent to which government data captures this issue.
2. Write a technical report on the situation of OOSC in Ranong province based on the available secondary data.
3. Conduct consultation workshop on the most cost-effective model for scale-up as input into policy briefing.

• Write a policy brief on tackling the issue of OOSC that includes value for money analysis and key recommendations from local stakeholders in Ranong.

Deliverables:

1. Initial Work plan
2. Monthly update to the work plan
3. Research design and outline documents – key recommendations for the OOSC research team on secondary data collection
4. Research report outline and structure
5. Archives of secondary research data collected and analyzed
6. Draft report
7. Final research report
8. Policy Briefing and Recommendations on Cost-Effective models for national scale-up.

Management

The consultant will report to Kaewta Sangsuk and coordinate closely with the Senior Education Specialist and other members of the OOSC research team – including the Education Service Area Office in Ranong.

Time frame

February to July 2018.

Budget

The applicant is requested to submit the proposal, work plan, and detailed all-inclusive budget (including number of days required and estimated cost per day) with their application. The financial competitiveness of the application will be considered in the selection process. All costs associated with delivery must be included - SCI will not pay for travel, per diem, translation, supplies, or any additional staff support time needed.

Qualifications

1. At least master’s degree in education, research, social sciences or other related field
2. Proven experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research
3. Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
4. Proven experience in coordination and management
5. Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
6. Strong qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills
7. Expertise in issues related to migrant education
8. Working knowledge of the EFA policy
9. Excellent understanding of government structures and experience working with OBEC, ESAO and other government officials
10. Thai language proficiency desirable
11. English language proficiency desirable
12. Demonstrated experience in leading successful advocacy initiatives with the government

Submissions for the consultancy

The submission must address the terms of reference and include:

• Name and contact details of applicant
• Resume of the lead consultant
• A cover letter outlining the relevant experience and expertise of the consultant with particular reference to participatory action research, experience of providing training and of research involving children
• A draft summary proposal of the research scope, design, methods, and field implementation approach (maximum 5 pages)
• A detailed quote in THB and USD

Closing date for submissions:  8 February 2018

Please indicate in the subject as “Apply for Consultant for OOSC Research: Secondary Data Analysis and Technical Report_(Name of candidate)”

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

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