UNICEF recruits 01 International Consultant
International Consultant to provide the technical support for development of guidance and training materials to social workforce for de-institutionalization of children with disabilities, 11.5 months, Kigali-Rwanda
Job Number: 520788 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: Rwanda
Work Type : Consultancy
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Background
In March 2012, the Government of Rwanda (GOR) endorsed the Strategy for National Child Care Reform. The implementation mechanism for the Child Care Reform Strategy is the Tubarerere Mu Muryango (TMM) programme (Let’s raise children in families) led by the National Commission for Children (NCC). The Tubarerere Mu Muryango (TMM) programme aims to ensure that children living in institutional care in Rwanda are reunited with their families or placed in suitable forms of family based alternative care and that children in families are prevented from separating. The programme uses the child care reform as a springboard for wider strengthening of the child protection system. A baseline study of the number of children in institutional care was conducted by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) in 2013 with support from Hope and Homes for Children. The baseline revealed that 3,323 children and young adults were residing in institutions. 70% of the children had biological or extended family in Rwanda. Through the implementation of TMM Programme, 3216 children and young adults have been placed in family-based environment or supported in independent living by December 2018. The TMM first phase did not have a specific focus on specialized institutions for children with disabilities but did cover a small number of children with disabilities who were residing in the target institutions. The evaluation of the TMM first phase (2017) showed that placement of children with disabilities into families utilizing the existing model was challenging.
In July 2016, an assessment of the institutional care for children with disabilities was conducted in Rwanda. The assessment estimates that there were 49 centres providing care to approximately 4,349 children and youth with disabilities. The majority of these centres were founded since 2000 and most are operated either by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), church-based organizations or parents’ groups. The number of children with disabilities registered in these centres increased by 18% in 3 years (2013-2015).
It is well understood that institutionalization, especially of children less than three years and children with disabilities, negatively impacts various domains of child development and predisposes them to intellectual, physical, behavioral and social problems later in life. It is the right of every child to be raised in a family environment. The Rwanda Government is committed to ensuring the rights of all children with disabilities are protected and upheld. This right is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (ratified by Rwanda on January 24, 1991), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (ratified by Rwanda on December 15, 2008) and Rwandan law No 01/2007 of 0/01/2007 (Article 5) on the protection of persons with disabilities in general, which states that a disabled person has the right to live in the family in the same conditions as others. The Child Care Reform strategy developed in 2012 provides the framework to ensure that all children can grow up in family care.
Justification
The Rwandan Constitution notes that the family is the natural foundation of Rwandan society and that children not only belong to the biological parents, but also to extended family and the community.
Evidence worldwide shows that children with disabilities are often the last to be de-institutionalized This can be the result of a belief that an institution is the best place for a child with disability. However, some practical examples show that with appropriate support, children with disabilities can fully enjoy their rights within the family life and that it is only a very small minority of children with complex needs who require specialized services that cannot be met in a family-based setting
Practical examples show that children and adults with disabilities who have transitioned from institutions to the community have shown improvements in quality of life and personal functioning. Meanwhile, given the multiple deprivations that they face, there is always need for multi-sectoral support. It is in this spirit that the Ministry of Local Government is putting in place the national policy on disability inclusion, and at the same time elaborating minimum standards for care for children with disabilities in care (namely residential, daycare and home-like centres). Also, the family care setting is promoted through the development of the national strategy on inclusion of children with disabilities in the national childcare reform that gives some points to be considered to promote family-based care for children with disabilities.
The summative evaluation of the TMM Programme -Phase I which was carried out in September 2016 identified a gap in reaching children with disabilities that should be addressed. The evaluation highlighted the following concerns as far as de-institutionalization of children with disabilities is concerned:
Parents/caregivers felt that they lacked the skills to care for children with disabilities. Key informant interviews revealed that provision of special services to their children is still limited; this might explain the low rates of reintegration among this group of boys and girls.
Further support is needed for children with disabilities and their families/caregivers to ensure that they get appropriate care in families.
Although the TMM programme has led to improvements in attitudes towards institutional care, children from institutional care, particularly those with disabilities, are still facing discrimination and stigma. Efforts are needed to change social norms.
The evaluation clearly showed that the processes utilized during the first phase of TMM are not sufficiently adapted for children with different forms of disabilities. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the national programme that is currently operationalizing child care reform is adapted and equipped to adequately provide relevant services to children with disabilities and their families, provide on-going psychosocial support and relevant referral links. Considering the significance of social dimensions of disability, where social norms play a key role in shaping attitudes and behaviours towards persons with disabilities, technical support for the social welfare work would also need to include strategies for confronting and addressing negative norms that perpetuate stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities.
Objectives , Assignments, Deliverables and timelines
The main objective of the consultancy is to review and map the current tools and processes utilized under the TMM programme, as well as within other programmes, and develop practical guidance, training materials and working tools to effectively apply the 12-TMM steps for reintegration of children with disabilities, starting from individual child and family assessment, community strengths/opportunities analysis, placement and post-reunification support. UNICEF will also be hiring a national consultant for provision of technical support and facilitation for in-country visits. The international consultant will be providing the overall technical leadership to the national consultant on the different tasks for achievement of agreed deliverables.
Specific Objectives are as follow:
Identify and compile all tools with relevance to 1) the placement of children with disabilities back into families and 2) supporting families to care for children with disabilities. This includes the national training curriculum utilized in the TMM programme, national tools utilized within the ECD, education or health programmes, as well as tools available from other countries and globally.
To develop and deliver training modules for the national facilitators team, the social workforce including volunteers and other government service providers and Civil Society Organizations. The training modules will be based on the 12-TMM steps for reintegration of children including post-placement support.
To develop an operational guide aligned to the TMM programme for the placement of children with disabilities from institutions into families including all the relevant tools.
To develop a guide to support parents and families caring for children with disabilities in order to strengthen their ability to care and to access services
To develop a model implementation plan with indicative timelines and milestones for de-institutionalisation of children with disabilities in two identified institutions as a guide to national roll out of the de-institutionalisation process.
Major tasks, deliverables and milestones
| Major Tasks | Deliverable | Deliverable date | Milestone payment % | |
| 1 | Produce the inception report highlighting the methodology, tasks and roadmap with key milestones for execution of the project including compilation of existing tools relevant to1) the placement of children with disabilities back into families and 2) supporting families to care for children with disabilities. This includes the national training curriculum utilized in the TMM programme, national tools utilized within the ECD, education or health programmes, as well as tools available from other countries and globally. | Inception Report
Covering all relevant issues highlighted in major tasks. |
30 May 2019 | 20 |
| 2 | Develop training modules, including guidance documents, Â for the national facilitators team, the social workforce including volunteers and other government service providers and Civil Society Organisations; and deliver training to the national facilitators . The training modules will be based on the 12-TMM steps for reintegration of children including post- placement support. |
|
30th of July 2019 | 15 |
| 3 | Develop an operational (user step by step) guide aligned to the TMM programme for the placement of children with disabilities from institutions into families including all the relevant operational tools. | Practical user operational guide with annexure of relevant tools. | 30th of September 2019 | 15 |
| 4 | To develop a guide to support parents and families caring for children with disabilities in order to strengthen their ability to care and to access services
The guide should pay particular attention to children with disabilities special needs throughout life-cycle |
Simple, standard information sheets/packs/aids on appropriate care and referral links to assist families in caring for children with different types of disabilities.
|
31th of November 2019 | 15 |
| 5 | Develop a model implementation plan with indicative timelines and milestones for de-institutionalisation of children with disabilities in two identified institutions as a guide to national roll-out of the de-institutionalisation process. | De-Institutionalisation implementation plan with clear timelines, milestones, indicators and indicative resource requirements for two institutions. | 30th December 2019 | 15 |
| 6 | Submit a summary final report documenting all the consultance deliverables and processes, including a compilation of samples of all materials -manuals, guides, modules, tools etc | Summary final report | March 2020 | 20 |
Desired competencies, technical background and experience
Advanced university degree, preferably in social work, social sciences, child psychology, Disability studies, development studies or other related education background.
A combination of relevant academic background and work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Minimum of 8 years work experience in social welfare with a focus on either child protection, or disability, or child care and de-institutionalization or a combination of some or all.
Knowledge of disability inclusion and social care is desired
Specific knowledge of community-based systems and development of training curriculum is an asset
Ability to work with people from different abilities and diversity
Fluent in English with good academic writing and reports editing/layout
Evaluation Criteria
The Technical proposal is weighted at 75% and 25% for the Financial proposal.
Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.
Payment Schedule
Payment is linked to agreed deliverables upon satisfactory completion and certification of deliverables by the supervisor (UNICEF) and endorsement from NCC.
(see above under Section III. Objectives, assignments, deliverables and timelines)
General Conditions: Procedures & Logistics
The international consultant will work closely with a national consultant for technical collaboration and in-country facilitation. The documents to be produced will be reviewed and approved by the National Commission for Children (NCC) and the National Council of Persons with Disabilities and certified by UNICEF for technical compliance and payment purposes.
All the documents remain the property of the Government of Rwanda and UNICEF Rwanda Country Office.
The consultant will be partially home-based, with 3 in-country visits of approximately one week per visit as will be agreed during the inception phase.
How to Apply
UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should send their complete Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded form (
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). or a CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy.
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). or a CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy.
Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest including a Technical Proposal outlining a road map for review and implementation timeline. In their letter of interest, candidates should highlight their previous work experience relevant to the assignment, the attributes that make them suitable, their proposed approach to the assignment.
The applicant should also submit a Financial Proposal outlining the total costs for this consultancy with payment linked to the main deliverables outlined above. The financial proposal should indicate an all-inclusive lump sum fee composed of consultancy fees, travel costs and subsistence. Please note subsistence/living allowances should not exceed 75% of the UN Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) in Rwanda.
All application with no Financial Proposal will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
TOR International consultants – De-I children with disabilities- for TMS.docx
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Closing Date Sun Apr 07 2019 22:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)