Local Expert/Company for Conducting an assessment to understand needs of mothers of beneficiary children of SCiK existing community based ECCD centres. (2024)

 
Enhancing well-being of children and youth with disabilities through improved social inclusion in Kosovo
Terms of Reference
Local Expert/Company for Conducting an assessment to understand needs of mothers of beneficiary children of SCiK existing community based ECCD centres.
I. Background on Save the Children
Save the Children is the leading global independent organization for children. Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.
We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
Our vision: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.
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Our mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
Our values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity, and integrity.
We are committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, to focus them on achieving maximum impact for children.
II. General information about the project
Through the project “Enhancing well-being of children and youth with disabilities through improved social inclusion in Kosovo” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – SIDA represented by Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina, Save the Children Kosova/o is working to enhance the social inclusion of children, especially those with disabilities, and parents/caregivers in Kosovo through improved basic services, active involvement in child rights and biodiversity protection.
Among others, the project is supporting mothers of children beneficiaries of existing Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres in 10 municipalities of Kosovo.
III. Objective
SCiK is seeking to engage one (1) local expert/company in conducting a needs assessment spanning ten (10) targeted municipalities. The needs assessment must identify the needs, underlying causes and challenges of mothers including a capture of circ*mstances on why mothers of children beneficiaries of existing ECCD centres are not able to access labour market and gain independence.
Needs assessment should address the following key research questions:

• What are the key barriers and enabling factors affecting the access of mother to employment opportunities?
• What are the socio-economic factors contributing to the limited access of mothers to employment opportunities?
• What are the existing skills and educational backgrounds of mothers within the community?
• What are the areas require enhancement and/or training?
• What specific life skills mothers have that could be enhanced through employment and vocational training?
• What are the perceived challenges and opportunities for mothers in accessing vocational trainings?
• How do access to transportation, childcare, and other support services affect mothers’ abilities to pursue employment and vocational training?
• What are the aspiration and career goals of mothers within the community?
• How do mothers perceive their roles in contributing to their children’s education and prospects and how does this affect their career choices?

IV.Methodology

The research methodology should encompass a mixed-method research approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This includes, but is not limited to, focus group discussions (FDGs) with mothers, interviews, and case studies. Furthermore, the methodology should encompass a comprehensive systemic analysis of the barriers and enabling factors affecting the access training opportunities. All data collection is to be carried out using SCiK’s KoBo platform.

The involvement of all individuals in the research must comply with SC's Ethics & Evidence Generation Policy and Accountability Procedures, particularly the Participation Policies. Selected candidates will undergo induction in the Safeguarding, Ethics & Evidence Generation Policy and Participation Policies of Save the Children Kosova/o.

V. Experience and skill set required

The local expert/company should possess the following qualifications and attributes:

• Demonstrated experience (at least 3 years) in conducting research, with a focus on designing and conducting needs assessments of similar complexity within our context.
• A postgraduate (master’s) degree in education, social sciences, development studies, gender and/or interdisciplinary studies, a PhD degree would be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, and analysis, including mixed-method research methodology.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to produce high-quality reports and communicate findings to a wide range of stakeholders in a reader-friendly format.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Albanian. Knowledge of Serbian would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge on the usage of KoBo platform and/or similar platforms would be considered high advantage.

VI.Timeline and Deliverables

The assignment is to be carried out from 1 May 2024 until 10th June 2024 for a total of 25 working days. The assignment is considered final once any comments by SCiK are addressed by the applicant. The final report must be submitted to SCiK no later than 5 days after the completion of the assignment. The assignment is considered final once all comments by SCiK are addressed by the applicant.

SCiK expects the completion of the following deliverables within the previously established timeline:

• Inception report outlining the research design, description of the methodology, data sources, draft data collection tools and sampling methods, to be developed in consultation with SCiK.

• Draft report, with an analysis of both assessment findings, including opportunities, challenges, strengths, and priorities for intervention.
• Compilation and submission of the final assessment reports to SCiK, after integrating all feedback and addressing any comments.

The selected local expert/company should maintain ongoing communication with representatives of SCiK during the entire assessment period.

VII. Payment information

SCiK will remunerate the consultant/research company on a daily gross fee from which the income taxes and pension contribution will be withheld and paid, based on Kosovo Law) or in an amount free of VAT in the case of the company. SCiK will make the payment through bank transfer in the researcher’s or company’s bank account upon completion and approval of the assignment and submission of the completed timesheet/invoice.

Payment will only be made upon receipt of a valid invoice accompanied by the timesheet/s for the relevant period. The fees are inclusive of all costs, overheads, and expenses, including travel, subsistence, and accommodation.

VIII. Child Safeguarding Policy

As a condition for entering into a consultancy agreement, the consultant/research company must sign the Save the Children International Child Safeguarding Policy, abide by the terms and conditions thereof, and comply with the Austrian Development Agency's Code of Conduct.

IX. How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting an application package with the following documents to procurementkosovo@savethechildren.org. with the subject line: “ECCD Needs Assessment” no later than 25/04/2024 by 16:30.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• One (1) sample of previous work of similar complexity conducted by the applicant;
• Brief research proposal (max. 1 page);
• Financial proposal per working day in amount free of VAT (for companies)
• Financial proposal per working day, including the offer in the gross amount before legal deductions according to the legislation in Kosovo (for individuals)
• Business Certificate (for companies).

lINK:https://kosovo.savethechildren.net/news/terms-reference-tor-–-local-expertcompany-conducting-assessment-understand-needs-mothers