ThaiNGO

Save the Children International is looking for a Consultant
JOB TITLE:  Consultant for Baseline Assessment for DRR and CSS Project

TEAM/PROGRAMME:  Thailand Programme  

Terms of Reference

Consultant to undertake the Baseline Assessment for the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) Project in the Deep South of Thailand

1. Background
Save the Children in Thailand, in collaboration with local partner - Luuk Rieng, is implementing a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project called “DRR and Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) in the Deep South of Thailand (The Alert Little Tun)”, funded by USAID/OFDA (Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance). This project aims 1) to improve the knowledge and skills of schools and local communities in disaster risk reduction (DRR), including disability inclusive DRR, in the southern border provinces of Thailand and, 2) to integrate lessons learned into national policy through the Comprehensive School Safety program. The project commenced on 1st March 2016 and will be implemented for 15 months.
This project makes use of the unique position of Save the Children as a national and regional leader on child-friendly DRR and Comprehensive School Safety to address the urgent and distinct DRR needs of the communities in the target provinces as well as to influence DRR policy and curricula at the national level to make it more sustainable, coherent, child-friendly and disability inclusive across the country. In this way, the project will make a concrete and lasting contribution to safeguarding children’s right to safety and security in schools, and to educational continuity.
The purpose of this consultancy
Save the Children will hire a consultant to conduct a baseline assessment of the project in 12 selected schools across Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces (Deep South of Thailand) with the following objectives:
1. Establish baseline indicator values against outputs and outcomes in the M&E matrix which can be used to monitor project progress (see Annex I) through consultations with local stakeholders and beneficiaries at school and community levels.
2. Contribute a rigorous and accurate set of data and analysis on the school safety in the 12 selected schools against the Comprehensive School Safety Framework to give a clearer picture of schools in this area and identify the gaps; including a focus on Disability-inclusive DRR (DiDRR) and gender analysis
3. Gather and analyse information that will assist program staff in modifying project interventions and further refine project indicators if necessary
4. Undertake analysis of social inclusion issues (gender, age, ethnicity, religion and disabilities) by including the voice and opinions of children and people of different needs and abilities
5. Build the capacity of project staff and partners on M&E methods that will be used during the project

2. Scope of this consultancy: 
Methodology
A consultant will be hired to conduct the 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 IX).
Preparatory work:
• Literature review of secondary data which can be used to set baseline indicator values (see Annex III for example of applicable indicators)
• Development of survey tools to be used for collection of baseline data. For CSS assessment of schools, it is required to use Save the Children’s suggested CSS framework and assessment tool (see Annex II)
• Development of sampling methodology for administering surveys (as applicable)
• Training of data enumerators (as applicable)
• Pre-testing of survey tools
• Leading workshop with Partners

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

3. Deliverables
1. Work plan
2. Survey design and outline documents - background and scope of survey, sampling strategy, survey methods and tools etc.
3. Survey report outline and structure
4. Training plan and materials for enumerators, brief training report
5. Archives of survey data collected for individual school
6. A reviewed, revised and approved survey report in English - including analysis of data and findings, recommendations and feedback on CSS framework and tools with cleaned raw data of individual school as annex
7. Presentation of the findings for SC and partner staff and the presentation slides

Note that all deliverables will be reviewed and must be approved by the Save the Children MEAL Officer, Project Coordinator, and Child Safety Specialist.

4. Timeframe & Scope
The consultancy service period for the whole assignment is 25 working days, between 21th April 2016 to 16th May 2016 and the final report should be delivered on 13th May 2016.

5. Consultant qualifications and profile
• 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
• Experience conducting large scale surveys or similar
• Expertise in issues related to Disaster Risk Reduction
• Experience in the Deep South context is preferred
• Thai and English language proficiency
• Ability to work within strict deadlines

6. Management of consultancy
• The consultant will report to MEAL Coordinator (and MEAL Officer), DRR Coordinator and Child Safety and DRR Technical Advisor
• Save the Children should approve all plans and documents developed by the consultant

7. Consultancy Budget
The consultant is requested to submit the proposal and detailed budget with their application letter. The financial competitiveness of the fee will be considered in the selection process. Costs involved in the assessment such as materials and travel, will be covered by Save the Children.
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 and initial ideas on the approach to be taken the achieve the consultancy objectives
• A draft summary proposal of the research scope, design, methods, and field implementation approach (maximum 5 pages)
• A detailed quote in THB

Close date for submissions: 28 April 2016

Submissions should be addressed to: hr.thailand@savethechildren.org and tui.suvannakul@savethechildren.org

Please indicate in the subject as “Apply for Consultant for Baseline Assessment for DRR and CSS Project
. (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.”