ThaiNGO

 Terms of Reference

Consultant to undertake Baseline Assessment for SPACE Project

1. Background

Thanks to recent actions taken by Thailand’s government, Thai government agencies today can more easily identify survivors of human trafficking. The complex global nature of trafficking practices demands an integrated effort by the global community. In this spirit, Save the Children is working with the Thai government, civil society organizations and other partners, to enable the provision of quality protection and support services offered to trafficking survivors in shelters.

In order to provide the delivery of dependable and consistent quality care in all government shelters to survivors of trafficking, standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines on best practices for survivor support, and the commitment and know-how to consistently apply these tools, are needed by shelter staff. To address this need, the Standardized Protection and Care Embraced in government shelters in Thailand (SPACE) project will work closely with the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), the Division of Anti Trafficking in Persons, and other potential partners (e.g. Association of Social Workers, Thammasart University), to ensure survivors of trafficking (women, men, girls and boys) in these centers are safe and consistently receive quality rights-based and gender sensitive care and support services that meet national standards for rehabilitation and reintegration.

As part of this work, Save the Children and our project partners will develop and pilot training materials to support the Division of Anti-Trafficking in Persons’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for quality protection and support procedures, as well as produce country guidelines on best practices for case management and individual care plans for survivors of trafficking that meet national and international standards. We will also advocate for the nationwide systematic implementation of the SOPs and guidelines by all government shelter staff when providing protection and support services to the survivors they serve. Two women’s shelters with which Save the Children has already established a strong, trusting working relationship will initially roll out the training.

2. Purpose and scope of this consultancy:

Save the Children would like to conduct a baseline assessment for the SPACE project to generate evidence, knowledge and information needed for the program planning and implementation. A consultant is therefore being sought to:

1. Conduct situation analysis on current policy and/or Code of Conduct in place in governments shelters; including effectiveness of service provision, challenges and so on;
2. Establish baseline indicator values against outputs, outcomes and impacts in the Project Logical Frameworks (see Annex I) through systematic document reviews and complementary consultations with local stakeholders and beneficiaries. This includes but is not limited to:
3. Desk-based reviews of project-related publications including previous project documents, evaluations, assessment reports and research papers as Save the Children deems necessary;
4. Assess knowledge and standard practices on Division of Anti-Trafficking in Persons’ Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for adult and child victim of trafficking against and skills among its personnel;
5. Assess barriers to adult and child victim of trafficking access to comprehensive case management support, including access to job opportunity;
6. Gather and analyse other information that will assist program staff in modifying project interventions and further refine project indicators if necessary (further assessment questions will be identified at consultation meeting).

Design and methodology:

An independent consultant will be recruited to lead this baseline assessment. The following is the outline of a suggested process; however, it would be expected that this would be further refined by the consultant. The baseline assessment shall be undertaken based on the Save the Children International requirements and must be in line with Save the Children’s ethical guideline (Annex II).

Literature/ Desk review

• Literature review of relevant documentation;
• Literature review of secondary data which can be used to set baseline indicator values;
• Development of survey/interview tools to be used for collection of baseline data;
• Development of sampling methodology for administering surveys (as applicable);
• Training of data enumerators (as applicable);

Field Work:

• Leading the administering of baseline survey tools;
• Leading other consultations with project beneficiaries, partners and Government as deemed necessary during baseline methodology design;

 Data Processing, Analysis and Reporting:

• Data entry and analysis of completed baseline survey tools;
• Discussion on preliminary findings of baseline;
• Draft Report and Final Reports;
• Presentation on key findings;

Discussion of findings with selected experts

• Findings will be discussed with selected experts in Save the Children before formulating the recommendations.

4. Target area and group

The project targets implementation in the three Welfare Protection Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Persons in Suratthani, Phitsanulok and Pathumthani provinces. This baseline assessment expects to collect information to adequately represent all project locations. The key informants should comprise of representatives of DAT, the Welfare Protection Centre staff, and relevant agencies as identified in the SOP as well as adults and child survivors of trafficking. 

5. Timeframe

The consultant will be required to dedicate an estimated 23 days’ time to this consultancy work during February to March 2019 period, subject to the requirements and agreements with Save the Children.

6. Schedule and deliverables

6.1 Deliverable: Inception report and work plan

• Mapping of available data and plan for data collection
• Draft of assessment framework
• Draft of assessment tools
• Consultation meeting with Save the Children project team

Timeframe: 7 days after confirmation of contract             

Remarks: Desk review process: Save the Children will review and approve the Inception report within 5 working days

6.2 Deliverable: Submission of finalized Inception report and planning with SPACE project team 

Timeframe: February 2019          

6.3 Deliverable: Data collection and consultation with key stakeholders in Bangkok and targeted Welfare Protection Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Persons    

Timeframe: February 2019          

6.4 Deliverable: Presentations of preliminary findings to Save the Children

• Presentation file shared with Save the Children at least 3 days prior to the presentation

Timeframe: March 2019               

6.5 Deliverable: First draft of reports with recommendations in English  

Timeframe: March 2019               

Remarks: Save the Children will provide feedback on the first draft within 5 working days

6.6 Deliverable: Final draft of reports

• Assessment summary report (1-2 page in English and Thai)
• Full report (25 pages maximum excluding appendices) in English and Thai

Timeframe: March 2019               

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

7. Management of the consultancy:

The consultant(s) will report to Child Rights/Child Protection Programme Coordinator, with technical support from Director of Program Quality and Development and MEAL Coordinator who will provide inputs throughout the baseline assessment process including on the proposed methodology and data collection tools, analysis and interpretation and recommendations. Furthermore, the SPACE project team will support logistics and arrangements for data collection and consultation with stakeholders. Support requirements for tasks such as translation and data entry will be discussed with the successful applicant.

The consultant/s will be responsible for

• Coordinating the data collection and consultation
• Developing the baseline framework, processes and tools
• Training the data collection team and interpreters/notetakers as appropriate
• Overseeing the data collection
• Data entry and analyzing data
• Compiling and submitting the assessment report including documentation of findings, learnings and recommendations for programming

8. Consultancy Fee

The consultant(s) is asked to propose the budget. The financial competitiveness of the fee will be considered in the selection process. Costs involved in the assessment, such as materials, travel and applicable taxes, should be included in the proposed budget.

9. Qualifications

• At least master’s degree in education, research, social sciences or other related field
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Strong qualitative and qualitative data analysis skills
• Expertise in issues related to child protection and human trafficking is an asset
• Thai/English language proficiency
• Ability to work within strict deadlines

10. Submissions for the consultancy

The submission must address the terms of reference and include:

• The resume of the candidate
• A cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest and suitability
• Experience in conducing evaluation in multicultural, multilingual and sensitive context will be an asset
• Evaluation plan and budget proposal including research methodology and timeline (5 pages maximum)
• A detailed budget in USD and THB (including travel and other costs)

11. Close date for submissions: 15 February 2019

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

SCI offer competitive National package; Transportation & Communication allowance, Well ness Top up, 13th month salary & Annual leave 20 days, etc.

Interested candidates should submit a motivational letter, comprehensive CV and details of at least 3 referees to: hr.thailand@savethechildren.org

Please indicate in the subject as “Consultant to undertake Baseline Assessment for SPACE Project_(Name of candidate)”

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

“We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse”