Consultancy – To conduct desk reviews, internal assessments and interviews for the Regional and Multi Country Program Unit Strategic Planning Process

Save the Children International (SCI)

Consultancy to conduct desk reviews, internal assessments and interviews for the

Regional and Multi Country Program Unit strategic planning process

Terms of Reference (TOR)

21^st January 2015

1. Background:

In 2012, Save the Children International (SCI) East Africa Regional Office (EARO) was established, to oversee and manage eight country offices in East Africa, namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. SCI works in the following thematic areas: child protection (CP), child rights governance (CRG), disaster risk reduction, education, health and nutrition, and hunger and livelihoods.

The East Africa Regional and Multi Country Program Unit (EA RMCPU) under the EARO Office, aims to strengthen the rights based approach, partner with civil society organizations (CSOs), advocate and collaborate with regional bodies such as the African Union (AU), African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), East African Community (EAC) and East African Standby Force (EASF) and African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPRs) to ensure that child rights are realized and children are protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The EA RMCPU’s inspiration is that Save the Children International will be the voice for children to increase the speed and spread of positive change for Child Rights. Although the EA RMCPU is located in East Africa, the span of programs has historically been Pan-African including programs in West, South and North Africa

Currently the EA RMCPU focuses on two thematic areas, namely child protection (CP) and child rights governance (CRG). Given the need to respond to the persistent and recurrent disasters within the region, the EA RMCPU recently ventured into disaster risk reduction (DRR).

In 2014, the EA RMCPU carried out an extensive contextual analysis to assess the current situation of children in the region, as well as the current civil society landscape, donor trends and positioning of SCI’s response to these trends. This analysis was done in order to inform the next 3-year strategic planning cycle that will cover 2016-2018. The strategic process will ensure that the EA RMCPU is aligned with SCI’s vision, mission, global thematic focus and core values (creativity, collaboration, ambition, accountability and integrity).

2.Purpose and Outputs

The purpose of the consultancy is to carry out an assessment of both internal and external environments to provide information for the development of the EA RMCPU 3-year strategic plan (2016-2018).

Outputs

1. To undertake a desk research of the external and internal environment of the RMCPU capturing updates and gaps from the 2014 contextual analysis.
2. To conduct strategic interviews for filing gaps identified following the desk research. This will be undertaken in collaboration with RMCPU.
3. Map out existing regional programs by partners and other NGOs including their focus and reach.
4. To develop an assessment report with clear guidelines/recommendations on how the external and internal environment impacts on the work of the RMCPU in strategic planning process.

3.Methodology

The consultant is expected to develop an assessment methodology with the following key highlights:

i) To conduct desk reviews and internal assessment

a. Research issues facing children

b. Research peer and partner landscape (including new actors)

c. Research resourcing and donor landscape

d. Internal capability assessment

ii) Interviews [Peers, Partners, Donors, Children / Youth, Partners, Staff]

iii) Reporting and application of the findings: includes actions and activities related to reporting assessment results, sharing findings, including guidelines/recommendations for strategic planning.

4.Timeline

The tentative timeline is shown in the table below. Adjustments will be made after discussions with the consultant.

ActivityOutput No. of Days · To conduct desk reviews and internal assessment a. Research issues facing children

b. Research peer and partner landscape (including new actors)

c. Research resourcing and donor landscape

d. Internal capability assessment 5 · Interviews [Peers, Partners, Donors, Children / Youth, Partners, Staff] · Analytical interviews report 12 · Reporting and application of the findings Assessment results and findings reported on and shared with clear guidelines/recommendations for strategic planning 3

Total number of Days20

5.Competencies

• Post-graduate degree in social sciences, any development related field or strategic planning
• Strong understanding of child rights programming, donor environment and Not for Profit sector
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in participatory methodologies and strategic planning
• Knowledge of the Eastern Africa region and regional bodies such as the AU, EAC and EASF
• A rich and evident experience of trends, challenges and opportunities in Eastern Africa
• Experience in developing long term strategic plans that are implementable
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills

The consultant will be required to sign and adhere to SCI’s child safeguarding policy.

6.Remuneration

Daily rates will be determined after discussions with the consultant.

· Save the Children EARO will cover for the consultant’s air tickets on economy class to relevant field sites, accommodation on bed and breakfast plus airport transfers.

· The consultant will be reimbursed for all other reasonable costs upon submission of valid receipts approved by the budget holder. Reasonable costs, as per SCI policy, will be communicated to the consultant prior to the start dates.

• Remuneration is based on submission of deliverables, with 25% of the total contract fees payable upon signing. While this 25% is treated as contract fees, consultants can use this money to offset reasonable contract-related costs, to be reconciled upon submission of valid receipts as outlined above.
• Taxation laws for Kenya will apply.

7.Ethics, Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

As the consultant will be working on behalf of Save the Children they will be required to sign and adhere to the Child Safeguarding Policy and ethical guidelines. Note that background checks will be undertaken on all applicants.

The consultant will make clear to all participating stakeholders especially children of all ages that they are under no obligation to participate in the exercise and that it is purely voluntary. All participants will be assured that there will be no negative consequences if they choose not to participate. The consultant must obtain informed consent from all participants, including children and their care-giver if a child is to be interviewed. The consultant must receive prior permission for taking and use of visual still/ moving images for specific purposes. The consultant will assure the participants the anonymity, confidentiality and will assure the visual data is protected and used for agreed purpose only.

As regards the documentation, the title rights, copyrights and all other rights of whatever nature in any materials used or generated under the provisions of this consultancy will exclusively be vested with Save the Children International East Africa Regional Office.

8.Submitting expressions of interest (maximum 5 pages)

Interested individuals must submit a technical and financial proposal of a maximum of five (5) pages, which will be assessed, based on the following criteria

· A cover letter introducing the consultant and how the skills and competencies above are met, with concrete examples as appropriate.

· An expression of interest including proposed methodology, time schedule and work plan for carrying out the rapid assessment and sharing the assessment report

· A CV detailing relevant skills and experience, including 3 contactable referees

· Proven record of experience in strategic planning and participatory methodologies

· One or two examples of assessment reports prepared by the consultant

· Reasonable budget breakdown and cost consideration

Expressions of Interest (EOI) will be graded based on the following criteria:

1. Previous experience with Save the Children
2. Experience and reputation in the sector
3. Response to TOR (scope of services and methodology)
4. Response to selection criteria
5. Reasonable budget break down and cost consideration
6. Quality of presentation
7. Team qualifications and 3 references provides