Individual consultants to conduct a gender and power analysis for Sponsorship
1. Background on Save the Children
Save the Children is the leading global independent organisation 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.
2. Background on the Sponsorship Program
Save the Children (SC) has been implementing a Child – Centered Community Development Program in Lao Cai (Sponsorship-funded program) since 2013. Lao Cai is a mountainous and multi-ethnic province in the north of Vietnam. The goal of the program is to ensure that all children in the impact area are healthy and educated and become nurturing caregivers and positive contributors to society.
The integrated program consists of 5 components, namely Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Basic Education (BE), School Health and Nutrient (SHN), Adolescent Development (AD) and Child Protection (CP). The program period is 15 years and has been implemented in 48 communes in 5 districts of Lao Cai province (Bat Xat, Bao Thang, Bao Yen, Muong Khuong and Van Ban).
The program is now in its quality implementation phase. Advancing gender equality is essential to promote children’s rights and wellbeing. As a starting point for the implementation of gender mainstreaming in Sponsorship program, we are going to conduct a comprehensive gender anh power analysis (GAP analysis) in our impact area (Lao Cai province). Results of this GAP analysis will inform our program design and implementation to advance gender quality across key activities in the program. We are now seeking for a qualified consultant(s) to support us to conduct this GAP analysis. Please refer to the attached TOR for more details.
3. Study objectives and research questions
The GAP analysis is expected to address the following research questions.
3.1.General research questions
General research questions must be addressed across key activities selected for this analysis:
3.2.Specific research questions
Specific research questions by key activities selected in each component are listed in the table below. However, the consultant is expected to work closely with program team to have a better understanding of the program context to further refine these key questions.
Table 1. Key research questions that should be addressed in the GAP analysis
Component | Key activities to focus on in this analysis | Key research questions |
Early Child Care and Development; and Basic Education components | Parent clubs (Caregiver workshops to support children to learn Literacy and Math at home). (Note: In 2021, we have 56 parent clubs from pre-school students’ parents and 74 parent clubs for primary children’s parents |
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Adolescent Development component | In-school adolescent clubs for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (Note: In 2021, we have 96 in-school ASRH clubs in 56 lower secondary schools) |
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Child Protection component | Note: Child Protection is integrated into Parenting clubs and In-school adolescent clubs (mentioned above) |
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4. Methodology
Under this consultancy, a GAP analysis is defined as “a type of action research which examines unequal power relations and how systems of oppression intersect and impact people’s ability to exercise their rights”. The current GAP analysis should be guided by three key frameworks, namely gender and power framework, child-centered approach and socio-ecological model and should use intersectional approach.
The following six domains should be used in this GAP analysis. However, the domains of analysis should be tailored for each component where appropriate.
The consultant is expected to review current literature (gender analyses, gender assessments and other research) on gender in Lao Cai (or other provinces of similar contexts) and program documents / annual reports. Sex-disaggregated program data should be collected and analyzed to reveal differences between girls, women, boys and men.
The consultant might use a variety of qualitative data collection methods such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observation with various stakeholders to shed light on the above research questions. Primary data collection is expected to conduct in 3 communes in 3 districts of Lao Cai, including Bao Yen, Van Ban and Muong Khuong which represent the most popular ethnic minority groups in Lao Cai (Dao, Mong, and Tay).
5. Location and official travel involved
For primary data collection in the field, the consultant is expected to travel to Bao Yen, Van Ban and Muong Khuong districts of Lao Cai.
6. Services the Supplier will provide
The consultant is expected to be responsible for the following tasks:
In the whole process of this consulting service, the consultant will receive technical and logistical support from Save the Children.
Proposed timeline of this consultancy is as follows:
No | Activity | Working days (tentative) | Expected outcomes | Timeline (tentative) |
1. | Review project documents, available reports and relevant papers. | 2 |
| First week of September 2021 |
2. | Develop a detailed technical proposal, data collection tools, and proposed outline of the final report | 4 | Proposal/protocol and tools (English and Vietnamese) | Second week of September 2021 |
3. | Conduct field work | 7 |
| Second week of October 2021 |
4. | Qualitative data processing and analysis | 7 |
| Third week of October 2021 |
5. | Writing the report | 8 | Draft report (in English and Vietnamese) | Fourth week of October 2021 |
6. | Revise and finalize the report based on comments from CO’s and TAs | 1.5 | Final report (English and Vietnamese) | First week of November 2021 |
7. | Provide a short presentation on study key findings to program staff and stakeholders | 0.5 | Presentation (in English and Vietnamese) | Second week of November 2021 |
| Total | 30 |
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7. Experience and skill set required
8. Expected Deliverables
The selected consultant will be required to deliver the following deliverables to SC:
Status updates/reporting
The Supplier shall provide the below status updates for the duration of the services:
Acceptance
General assumptions and dependencies
9. How to apply for the service
Interested candidates are invited to send an application letter, CV and a study concept note with estimated budget (consultancy fee and other associated costs to conduct the research) to SC via email to [email protected]. The proposed consultancy fee should be all-included (man day and travel costs). Selection will be made based on the quality of concept note, competitive consultancy fee and the candidate’s relevant work experiences.
Note: At time of payment, SC will withdraw personal income tax as per current Vietnamese Tax Law.
The deadline for responses is: 25th October 2021.