Consultant to undertake Midterm Assessment for Expanding IMPACT Project
- Background
Expanding IMPACT (Improving Migrant Protection and Assistance for Children in Thailand) project aims to increase access to child protection (CP) services and to primary and early childhood education for migrant children living in rural and urban areas by collaborating with Thailand’s government, local stakeholders and community. It leverages experience and learning from the ANCP-funded IMPACT program while refining its scope and promoting innovation and cost-effective support to migrant children’s inclusion, protection and learning outcomes. Migrant children in two provinces in Thailand (Tak and Ranong province) have access to improved care, protection and education. Key outcomes include a strengthened case management and referral system, improved early childhood development and increased access to quality basic education. This will be achieved as follows.
- The child protection sector: By improving the quality and inclusiveness of CP case management for migrant children and encouraging deinstitutionalization from non-government institutional care to the benefit of family-based care for migrant children.
- The primary education sector: Through a focus on promoting awareness about the Education for All (EFA) Policy among education staff in Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) schools, and supporting language programs and other school transition activities for migrant children. We will strengthen the quality of education provision in Migrant Learning Centers (MLCs) and build stronger linkages with OBEC schools to enable better transition while building capacity for MLCs to become more financially sustainable.
- The early childhood development sector: By ensuring migrant children aged 3 to 6 receive access to play-based early childhood development programs at home to secure a strong start in life.
- Purpose and scope of this consultancy:
Save the Children Thailand intends to conduct a mid-term assessment for the Expanding IMPACT project to generate evidence, learning, and knowledge by specifically assessing project progress against its child protection objectives, documenting good practices and lessons learned, and seeking recommendations. The assessment is intended to disclose the learning that has taken place in the targeted shelters and the local child protection working group (NGOs and government). The findings will inform course correction and adaptive actions for the remaining years of the project.
The mid-term assessment will answer the following learning questions:
- To what extent have targeted case managers improved their knowledge and attitude gatekeeping and case management?
- To what extent do targeted case managers apply their knowledge and use in practice?
- To what extent do trained CP and/or shelter staff apply their knowledge and use the standards of care, child focused, and non-violent caregiving in practice?
- What knowledge and skills are identified by case managers to be most useful?
- What successes and barriers do case managers and trained CP staff able to identify during the practice?
- How has the working discussion/action at the provincial level contributed to formalization of alternative care policy at national level?
- Design and methodology:
An independent consultant will be recruited to lead this midterm 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 midterm 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;
- Development and review of the survey/interview tools to be used for data collection;
- Development of sampling methodology for administering Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys through discussion with SCI Thailand and Australia (as applicable);
- Training of data enumerators (as applicable);
Field Work:
- Leading the administering of KAP survey tools;
- Conducting a series of interviews and focus group discussions with beneficiaries and stakeholders including shelter residents, shelter staff, and government officials;
Data Processing, Analysis and Reporting:
- Discussion on preliminary findings;
- Draft Report and Final Report;
- 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.
- Target area and group
The assessment targets targeted shelters, local government agencies and national government agencies as the main informants. The field working area will be taking place in Tak province including Mueang Tak, Mae Sot, Phop Phra, and Tha Song Yang districts.
- Timeframe
The consultant will be required to dedicate an estimated 23 days’ time to this consultancy work during June to August 2019 period, subject to the requirements and agreements with Save the Children.
- Schedule and deliverables
Deliverables 1: 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 provide feedback on the first draft within 5 working days.
Deliverables 2: Submission of finalized Inception report and planning with Expanding IMPACT project team
Timeframe: June 2019
Remarks: Save the Children will review the updates (and discuss if needed) for its approval
Deliverables 3: Data collection and consultation with key stakeholders in targeted areas
Timeframe: June 2019
Deliverables 4: Presentations of preliminary findings to Save the Children
- Presentation file shared with Save the Children at least 3 days prior to the presentation
Timeframe: July 2019
Deliverables 5: First draft of reports with recommendations in English
Timeframe: July-August 2019
Remarks: Save the Children will provide feedback on the first draft within 5 working days
Deliverables 6: 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: August 2019
All materials, including all RAW data sets, collected in the undertaking of the consultancy process should be submitted to the MEAL team focal point prior to the termination of the contract.
- 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 midterm assessment process including on the proposed methodology and data collection tools, analysis and interpretation and recommendations. Furthermore, the Expanding IMPACT 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 midterm 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
- Consultancy Fee
The consultant(s) is asked to propose the budget in Thai Baht and USD. The financial competitiveness of the fee will be considered in the selection process. Costs involved in the assessment, such as materials, travel, translation and applicable taxes, should be included in the proposed budget.
- 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 is an asset
- Experience working with non-profit organizations and familiarity with development work
- Experience in conducing evaluation in multicultural, multilingual and sensitive context will be an asset
- Thai/English language proficiency
- Ability to work within strict deadlines
- Submissions for the consultancy
The submission must address the terms of reference and include:
- The resume of the lead candidate and team (if any)
- A cover letter explaining the interest and suitability
- Assessment plan and budget proposal including research methodology and timeline (5 pages maximum)
- A detailed budget in USD and THB as specify in the consultant fee section
Annex I: Results Framework
Annex II: Save the Children’s ethical guideline
Before undertaking any monitoring and evaluation activity with children or adults an ethical assessment should be undertaken by the Country Office. Where appropriate, approval for an activity should be obtained from all relevant ethical or institutional review boards in-country prior to the commencement of the activity.
As per the minimum standards, at each of these stages the responsible individual or office must:
- Make sure the information gathering activity is necessary and justified:
- Make sure that the purpose of the activity is clearly defined
- Use the minimum sample size required to get statistically significant or valid results
- Consider carefully the ethics of using a comparison or control group
- Adopt informed consent and voluntary participation procedures:
- Participants must give their informed consent (either written or verbal) to participate. When children are involved consent must also be granted from an appropriate adult. Consent forms should be field tested before use. Save the Children’s Practice Standards for child participation can give more guidance.
- Ensure that participants are well informed on the purpose of the activity and how the results will be disseminated
- Make sure that individuals are informed that their participation is voluntary and that they have a choice to opt out
- Confirm that participants understand the limits of the activity, in terms of benefits, and the next steps
- Consider very carefully the use of incentives for participation and try not to use incentives where possible
- Adopt appropriate confidentiality procedures, sensitive to children’s needs
- Ensure that all persons involved in the activity, including data gatherers, data input staff, translators etc have received training on the confidentiality procedures and signed an appropriate confidentiality agreement
- Confidentiality may need to be breached to provide immediate protection to a child. Children and adults must be made aware of the confidentiality procedures before being asked to provide any information.
- Ensure that the costs to children of participating in activity do not outweigh the benefits, and ensure their safety at all times:
- Adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy
- Adhere to Save the Children’s Practice Standards for Child Participation
- Ensure that participation is in the children’s best interests and does them no harm
- Ensure that information gathering with children is appropriate to their age and stage of development
- Anticipate adverse consequences and develop appropriate responses
- Be cautious and protective and undertake ethical checks as you proceed with any activity
- Be sensitive and flexible; if situations change you must be prepared to stop or change an activity if ethical issues cannot be resolved
- Be consultative
- Determine whether local permission from community stakeholders or authorities is needed to proceed and adhere to any locally established institutional policies or guidelines for conducting research.
- Information about the activity must be provided to all stakeholders
- Prepare local communities and explain the purpose and aims of the activity
- Be sensible and prepared
- Researchers have a responsibility to be mindful of cultural, religious, gender, and other significant differences within the research population in the planning, conduct, and reporting of the study findings
- Ensure that those gathering information from children and/or vulnerable communities are adequately trained and ready to follow up or refer children who might need special attention as a result of research/investigation in sensitive themes.
- Respect the dignity and autonomy of those participating in the activity
- Ensure children and/or vulnerable communities are not simply used as a means to achieve research objectives
- Know that study participants have a right to remain anonymous.
- Be accountable
- Adhere to the International Accountability Charter
- Make sure that a complaints and feedback mechanism is in place for children and adults participating in the activity
- Ensure accuracy of information during analysis, interpretation and reporting. And remain open to the findings of any study and do not allow vested interests to interfere
- Make sure that proper acknowledgement is given at all stages, as appropriate.
Ethical issues
Every data gathering exercise involving children and vulnerable communities is theme or context specific therefore you must review all ethical considerations before undertaking a new activity.
Consultant to undertake Midterm Assessment for Expanding IMPACT Project
- Background
Expanding IMPACT (Improving Migrant Protection and Assistance for Children in Thailand) project aims to increase access to child protection (CP) services and to primary and early childhood education for migrant children living in rural and urban areas by collaborating with Thailand’s government, local stakeholders and community. It leverages experience and learning from the ANCP-funded IMPACT program while refining its scope and promoting innovation and cost-effective support to migrant children’s inclusion, protection and learning outcomes. Migrant children in two provinces in Thailand (Tak and Ranong province) have access to improved care, protection and education. Key outcomes include a strengthened case management and referral system, improved early childhood development and increased access to quality basic education. This will be achieved as follows.
- The child protection sector: By improving the quality and inclusiveness of CP case management for migrant children and encouraging deinstitutionalization from non-government institutional care to the benefit of family-based care for migrant children.
- The primary education sector: Through a focus on promoting awareness about the Education for All (EFA) Policy among education staff in Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) schools, and supporting language programs and other school transition activities for migrant children. We will strengthen the quality of education provision in Migrant Learning Centers (MLCs) and build stronger linkages with OBEC schools to enable better transition while building capacity for MLCs to become more financially sustainable.
- The early childhood development sector: By ensuring migrant children aged 3 to 6 receive access to play-based early childhood development programs at home to secure a strong start in life.
- Purpose and scope of this consultancy:
Save the Children Thailand intends to conduct a mid-term assessment for the Expanding IMPACT project to generate evidence, learning, and knowledge by specifically assessing project progress against its child protection objectives, documenting good practices and lessons learned, and seeking recommendations. The assessment is intended to disclose the learning that has taken place in the targeted shelters and the local child protection working group (NGOs and government). The findings will inform course correction and adaptive actions for the remaining years of the project.
The mid-term assessment will answer the following learning questions:
- To what extent have targeted case managers improved their knowledge and attitude gatekeeping and case management?
- To what extent do targeted case managers apply their knowledge and use in practice?
- To what extent do trained CP and/or shelter staff apply their knowledge and use the standards of care, child focused, and non-violent caregiving in practice?
- What knowledge and skills are identified by case managers to be most useful?
- What successes and barriers do case managers and trained CP staff able to identify during the practice?
- How has the working discussion/action at the provincial level contributed to formalization of alternative care policy at national level?
- Design and methodology:
An independent consultant will be recruited to lead this midterm 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 midterm 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;
- Development and review of the survey/interview tools to be used for data collection;
- Development of sampling methodology for administering Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys through discussion with SCI Thailand and Australia (as applicable);
- Training of data enumerators (as applicable);
Field Work:
- Leading the administering of KAP survey tools;
- Conducting a series of interviews and focus group discussions with beneficiaries and stakeholders including shelter residents, shelter staff, and government officials;
Data Processing, Analysis and Reporting:
- Discussion on preliminary findings;
- Draft Report and Final Report;
- 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.
- Target area and group
The assessment targets targeted shelters, local government agencies and national government agencies as the main informants. The field working area will be taking place in Tak province including Mueang Tak, Mae Sot, Phop Phra, and Tha Song Yang districts.
- Timeframe
The consultant will be required to dedicate an estimated 23 days’ time to this consultancy work during June to August 2019 period, subject to the requirements and agreements with Save the Children.
- Schedule and deliverables
Deliverables 1: 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 provide feedback on the first draft within 5 working days.
Deliverables 2: Submission of finalized Inception report and planning with Expanding IMPACT project team
Timeframe: June 2019
Remarks: Save the Children will review the updates (and discuss if needed) for its approval
Deliverables 3: Data collection and consultation with key stakeholders in targeted areas
Timeframe: June 2019
Deliverables 4: Presentations of preliminary findings to Save the Children
- Presentation file shared with Save the Children at least 3 days prior to the presentation
Timeframe: July 2019
Deliverables 5: First draft of reports with recommendations in English
Timeframe: July-August 2019
Remarks: Save the Children will provide feedback on the first draft within 5 working days
Deliverables 6: 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: August 2019
All materials, including all RAW data sets, collected in the undertaking of the consultancy process should be submitted to the MEAL team focal point prior to the termination of the contract.
- 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 midterm assessment process including on the proposed methodology and data collection tools, analysis and interpretation and recommendations. Furthermore, the Expanding IMPACT 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 midterm 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
- Consultancy Fee
The consultant(s) is asked to propose the budget in Thai Baht and USD. The financial competitiveness of the fee will be considered in the selection process. Costs involved in the assessment, such as materials, travel, translation and applicable taxes, should be included in the proposed budget.
- 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 is an asset
- Experience working with non-profit organizations and familiarity with development work
- Experience in conducing evaluation in multicultural, multilingual and sensitive context will be an asset
- Thai/English language proficiency
- Ability to work within strict deadlines
- Submissions for the consultancy
The submission must address the terms of reference and include:
- The resume of the lead candidate and team (if any)
- A cover letter explaining the interest and suitability
- Assessment plan and budget proposal including research methodology and timeline (5 pages maximum)
- A detailed budget in USD and THB as specify in the consultant fee section
Annex I: Results Framework
Annex II: Save the Children’s ethical guideline
Before undertaking any monitoring and evaluation activity with children or adults an ethical assessment should be undertaken by the Country Office. Where appropriate, approval for an activity should be obtained from all relevant ethical or institutional review boards in-country prior to the commencement of the activity.
As per the minimum standards, at each of these stages the responsible individual or office must:
- Make sure the information gathering activity is necessary and justified:
- Make sure that the purpose of the activity is clearly defined
- Use the minimum sample size required to get statistically significant or valid results
- Consider carefully the ethics of using a comparison or control group
- Adopt informed consent and voluntary participation procedures:
- Participants must give their informed consent (either written or verbal) to participate. When children are involved consent must also be granted from an appropriate adult. Consent forms should be field tested before use. Save the Children’s Practice Standards for child participation can give more guidance.
- Ensure that participants are well informed on the purpose of the activity and how the results will be disseminated
- Make sure that individuals are informed that their participation is voluntary and that they have a choice to opt out
- Confirm that participants understand the limits of the activity, in terms of benefits, and the next steps
- Consider very carefully the use of incentives for participation and try not to use incentives where possible
- Adopt appropriate confidentiality procedures, sensitive to children’s needs
- Ensure that all persons involved in the activity, including data gatherers, data input staff, translators etc have received training on the confidentiality procedures and signed an appropriate confidentiality agreement
- Confidentiality may need to be breached to provide immediate protection to a child. Children and adults must be made aware of the confidentiality procedures before being asked to provide any information.
- Ensure that the costs to children of participating in activity do not outweigh the benefits, and ensure their safety at all times:
- Adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy
- Adhere to Save the Children’s Practice Standards for Child Participation
- Ensure that participation is in the children’s best interests and does them no harm
- Ensure that information gathering with children is appropriate to their age and stage of development
- Anticipate adverse consequences and develop appropriate responses
- Be cautious and protective and undertake ethical checks as you proceed with any activity
- Be sensitive and flexible; if situations change you must be prepared to stop or change an activity if ethical issues cannot be resolved
- Be consultative
- Determine whether local permission from community stakeholders or authorities is needed to proceed and adhere to any locally established institutional policies or guidelines for conducting research.
- Information about the activity must be provided to all stakeholders
- Prepare local communities and explain the purpose and aims of the activity
- Be sensible and prepared
- Researchers have a responsibility to be mindful of cultural, religious, gender, and other significant differences within the research population in the planning, conduct, and reporting of the study findings
- Ensure that those gathering information from children and/or vulnerable communities are adequately trained and ready to follow up or refer children who might need special attention as a result of research/investigation in sensitive themes.
- Respect the dignity and autonomy of those participating in the activity
- Ensure children and/or vulnerable communities are not simply used as a means to achieve research objectives
- Know that study participants have a right to remain anonymous.
- Be accountable
- Adhere to the International Accountability Charter
- Make sure that a complaints and feedback mechanism is in place for children and adults participating in the activity
- Ensure accuracy of information during analysis, interpretation and reporting. And remain open to the findings of any study and do not allow vested interests to interfere
- Make sure that proper acknowledgement is given at all stages, as appropriate.
Ethical issues
Every data gathering exercise involving children and vulnerable communities is theme or context specific therefore you must review all ethical considerations before undertaking a new activity.
Whenever we conduct research on people, the well-being of research participants must be our top priority. The research question is always of secondary importance. This means that if a choice must be made between doing harm to a participant and doing harm to the research, it is the research that is sacrificed.
In some cases you may decide that you cannot proceed with a monitoring and evaluation activity because of ethical issues. In this case you may need to re-design the activity or cancel it altogether if an ethical solution cannot be found.
Additional Resources:
Annex III: Evaluation report quality score tool
Whenever we conduct research on people, the well-being of research participants must be our top priority. The research question is always of secondary importance. This means that if a choice must be made between doing harm to a participant and doing harm to the research, it is the research that is sacrificed.
In some cases you may decide that you cannot proceed with a monitoring and evaluation activity because of ethical issues. In this case you may need to re-design the activity or cancel it altogether if an ethical solution cannot be found.
Additional Resources:
Annex III: Evaluation report quality score tool
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 Midterm Assessment for Expanding IMPACT 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”
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