ThaiNGO

Consultant Migrant Education Final Evaluation

Background

The Expanding Improving Migrant Protection and Assistance for Children in Thailand (Expanding IMPACT) is funded by the Australian NGO Cooperation Program of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (ANCP-DFAT), for implementation from July 2017 to June 2021 and the Reaching Education for All Children in Thailand (REACT) is funded by Save the Children Hong Kong (SCHK) from February 2017 to January 2020. The migrant education program (REACT & Expanding IMPACT) strives to close the gap in education access and learning for the most vulnerable children in the border districts of Tak province and the urban district of Ranong province.

The intervention has focused on improving the quality of pre-primary education services, so that migrant children are ready to learn when they enter basic education. The migrant education team and partners have spurred advocacy and collaboration related to migrant children’s access to quality accredited education services. The project and partners have been tackling data as a barrier in access to education through research and policy initiatives. Lastly, the project team in collaboration with partners have been tackling language as a barrier to learning by strengthening the quality of language support - Thai as a Second Language teaching and learning available to migrant children.

This document provides Terms of Reference for the evaluation, project background, intended methodology and timeframes for its implementation are provided in the sections that follow

Consultancy Description

Design and carry out the final evaluation of the REACT project activities to evaluate the process of implementation, outcomes and observe any positive or negative change caused by the intervention. The final evaluation aligns with the baseline analysis conducted at the start of the project.

Please see the full version of term of reference in the Annex 1

Objectives and Deliverables           

The consultant will deliver on the following objectives:

• To provide an end of programme analysis to observe any positive or negative change in migrant education outcomes that aligns with the baseline snapshot of the project (e.g. effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, sustainability, replicability and scale, & coverage);
• Key beneficiaries through participatory processes share their perception of the project and how they feel it has changed or improved their lives;
• To inform any future phase of Save the Children’s work to support migrant children’s education with specific recommendations;

Methodology
To answer the evaluation questions, SCI would like the evaluator/evaluation team to submit a proposal with evaluation design and methodology, which focuses on participatory and qualitative methods to assess the key evaluation questions considering the mid-term and end-term nature of two projects as applicable.

As a minimum, the methodology should include a desk review of key documents, including analysis of existing quantitative data, semi-structured interviews with key informants among project stakeholders, focus group discussions with beneficiaries and methods to seek the views and perceptions of various stakeholders including the beneficiaries.

Data should be collected through both secondary and primary sources and will be presented as per sex/age/people with disabilities/status (regular/irregular migrant/stateless) and inclusive of children’s representation.

The evaluation will be implemented in Tak and Ranong provinces involving migrant communities, relevant local/national government agencies, and educational institutions where the migrant students’ education is taking place such as Thai Schools and Migrant Learning Centres (MLCs).

Management

The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator

Time frame

20 September 2019 – 20 January 2020

Budget

The applicant is requested to submit the proposal, work plan, and detailed budget (including number of days required and estimated cost per day) with their application. The financial competitiveness of 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. Three years of experience in migration issues particularly related to children, preferably in Thailand
2. Prior experience working in Education sector in humanitarian and/or development context
3. Proven experience in conducting evaluations based on OECD-DAC evaluation criteria
4. Strong analytical, writing and communication skills particularly in the field of evaluations
5. Proven ability to conduct research with vulnerable populations while ensuring rigorous ethics, integrity, and safeguarding;
6. Respond positively to feedback and differing points of view
7. Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
8. Language proficiencies required include English and preferably Burmese, Thai, and Sgaw Karen
9. Flexibility to travel to remote areas

Submissions for the consultancy

• Expression of interest: stating candidate skill and experience suitable for the consultancy (max 1 page)
• Technical and financial proposal: Outline of evaluation framework and methods, proposed timeframe, work plan and budget (max 4 pages; applications over limit will be automatically excluded)
• CV of proposed individual/s
• One piece of evidence of similar evaluation carried out previously

Annex 1: Full version of Terms of Reference: shorturl.at/cQRV1

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 Migrant Education Final Evaluation_(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”