Terms of Reference

Child Safeguarding Consultancy in Mali

1.0INTRODUCTION

Sightsavers is a UK-based international non-governmental organisation working in the fields of health, education and social inclusion. Sightsavers has worked in Mali since 1989 to promote educational opportunities for children with visual impairments. During this time, we have developed close and collaborative relationships with relevant government ministries. Our present project in Mali is funded by USAID and has the following outcomes:

  1. Increasing the number of children with visual impairments attending mainstream primary schools in three regions of Mali
  2. Introducing an Early Grade Reading Assessment system for blind students and students with low vision
  3. Increasing the capacity and commitment of the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to support inclusive education for children with visual impairments

Our implementing partner for this project is Union Malienne des Aveugles (UMAV), a national non-governmental organisation representing people with visual impairments across the country. UMAV run a school (INAM) in Bamako and also employ a cadre of itinerant teachers providing outreach services for other,schools. INAM is a special school which is in the process of becoming more inclusive (through enrolling fully-sighted children). The present project is supporting 55 blind children at INAM, 40 of whom are weekly boarders in the girls and boys hostels at UMAV. Altogether, the project is supporting 252 children with visual impairments in six schools – 85 blind children and 167 children with low vision (50% boys and 50% girls).

A consultant is needed to strengthen safeguarding arrangements at INAM and develop the childsafeguarding capacity of project partners.

2.0CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVES

The consultant will:

a)Review child safeguarding arrangements in both the hostel and the school at INAM

b)Develop an action plan for strengthening the above child safeguarding arrangements at INAM

c)Provide training of trainers for key stakeholders on child safeguarding for children with disabilities

3.0 DELIVERABLES

3.1 PREPARATORY DOCUMENTS

These will include:

  1. A training schedule (one page of A4 only)
  2. A focus group schedule (for the focus groups involving children with disabilities (one page of A4 only)
  3. A simple evaluation form for the child safeguarding training (one page of A4 only)

3.2CHILD SAFEGUARDING REPORT & PLAN

The consultant will be expect to produce:

a)A succinct report summarising the child safeguarding situation at INAM and an associated action plan for improving this situation (2,000 words max)

b)An report on the consultant’s visit identifying challenges and opportunities (2,000 words max)

3.3TRAINING REPORT

A training report summarising the training, assessing its effectiveness, and identifying remaining training needs of participants (1,000 words max)

3.4FIELD REPORT

A report on the consultant’s visit identifying summarising the situation at INAM and identifying challenges and opportunities (1,000 words max)

4.0 PROCESS

The schedule for the consultancy will be as follows:

Days 1-2 / Planning and preparation for the consultancy and Skype discussions with relevant Sightsavers staff, including production of preparatory documents
Day 3 / Travel to Mali (if consultant is based outside Mali)
Days 4-6 / Review of child safeguarding arrangements at INAM (with relevant school stakeholders)
Days 7 / Development with school stakeholders of first draft of action planfor strengthening child safeguarding arrangements
Day 8-9 / Finalisation of child safeguarding report and associated action plan(weekend)
Days 10-11 / Participatory training on child safeguarding for INAM staff and students
Day 12 / Return from Mali (if consultant is based outside Mali)
Days 13-14 / Finalisation of project deliverables, including field report

The consultancy will therefore be of 12-14 days’ duration.

The consultant will be line-managed by the Global Technical Lead (Education) and also report to the Country Director, Sightsavers Mali andthe Regional Technical Lead (Education and Social Inclusion), West Africa Regional Office, Mali.

The consultant will be expected to work closely and collaboratively with a variety of local actors, including:

  • Programme staff at Sightsavers Mali Country Officer
  • UMAV staff, particularly the chief executive and project coordinator
  • Relevant officials at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Welfare
  • Children with visual impairments and non-disabled children at INAM.

The consultant will be expected to use relevant child safeguarding tools which have been developed by Sightsavers. These include:

a)A checklist for residential facilities

b)A checklist for schools

c)Training modules on child safeguarding

d)A specimen child safeguarding policy for schools

When visiting INAM, the consultant will be expected to organise focus group discussions with pupils at INAM in order to obtain their perspectives on the child safeguarding situation at the school and the hostel.

4.0 FURTHER DETAILS

It is anticipated that a consultant will be identified in February 2018 and travel to Mali in March.

There may be further consultancy opportunities in other West African countries in 2018. A follow-up visit to Mali may also be required.

5.0 SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

Sightsavers will cover the cost of in-country accommodation and food, and travel to, from and within Mali. Sightsavers will also provide basic travel insurance.

Daily rates will be negotiated with the consultant.

Payment will be made on satisfactory completion of all deliverables.

6.0 CONSULTANT SPECIFICATIONS

Essential

Fluency in oral and written English and French

Enthusiasm, initiative andcommitment

Proactivity and adaptability

Ability to work independently with minimal external supervision

Excellent interpersonal skills and high levels of cultural sensitivity

Excellent IT skills (including familiarity with Word)

Expertise and experience in the field of child safeguarding

Report-writing expertise, including the ability to write succinctly, relevantly and clearly

Commitment to person-centred, context-sensitive, participatory international development

Desirable

Experience in working in developing countries, particularly experience in West Africa

Experience working with children with disabilities, particularly children with visual impairments

Potential consultants are requested to submit a short coveringletter (no more than one page of A4), their curriculum vitae and contact details of two referees. Please put ‘Mali child safeguarding consultancy’ in the subject-line. Candidates should email their applications to Lianna Jones at Sightsavers:

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