Consultant: Economic Resilience Model Development

Terre des Hommes is looking for a consultant to work on Program model development on socio-economic resilience to prevent and respond to child exploitation in development and humanitarian contexts. The position can be remote. 

SUMMARY

Terre des Hommes, Netherlands seeks to hire a consultant or policy and action research institute to design an evidence-informed program/project model on ensuring socio-economic resilience to prevent and respond to child exploitation in development and humanitarian contexts to inform project design and scale up. 

BACKGROUND

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and responding to child exploitation, and by empowering children to influence policy and practice. As catalysts for systemic change, TdH NL collaborates with various partners to build protective environments for children and create lasting changes in children's lives. Through child-centered, trauma-informed, gender-responsive and intersectional approaches we empower children and their communities, co-create solutions with and for children while ensuring their meaningful participation and safeguarding. We are currently active in Europe (specifically Brussels), East Africa, the MENA region and Southeast Asia, where we build local and global partnerships, coalitions and networks for joint learning and action. 

Under our Global Strategy (2023 - 2030), TdH NL is redefining and refining our role as a child rights organization, with the strategic ambition that “by 2030, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation. We do this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, and utilizing our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.” To this end, three thematic programs were launched in 2024, namely sexual exploitation of children (SEC), child labor exploitation (CL) and humanitarian action (HA). 

Although each thematic program has specific objectives and domains, advancing the socio-economic resilience of children (and their families) who are at risk of exploitation is a common domain in all three thematic programs aimed at addressing root causes of exploitation:

1. The SEC Programme focuses on strengthened social protection systems to enhance the resilience of children, families and communities in the face of economic shocks. By addressing the economic drivers of sexual exploitation, the Programme aims to reduce children's vulnerability to sexual exploitation (i.e. prevention), and aims to ensure the long term recovery and wellbeing of survivors of SEC (response). In countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, India and Cambodia, activities include vocational training, skills development,  employment opportunities, child-responsive investments, self-help groups linked to income generating activities, savings and loans community groups. These are complemented by life skills training, psychosocial support and SRHR education, as well as parental and community engagement using holistic, ecological models. To promote systemic change, research and advocacy, often child-led, TdH NL influences national and sub-national social protection policies and systems.
2. The CL Programme stresses social/welfare protection systems and alternative livelihoods to fight child labour as a negative coping mechanism against economic, social, climate and political shocks that exacerbates existing poverty levels, vulnerabilities and social exclusion. It calls for widespread social/welfare protection systems, including (conditional) cash transfers, health insurance, and community-based mechanisms such as Village Saving and loan groups to boost economic resilience and meet children's basic needs, especially education. The Programme also advocates for decent work and living wages for parents and caregivers through responsible business practices and the engagement of private companies along supply chains. Additionally, it call for quality and accessible education and vocational training for older survivors as a key alternative to child labour. 
3. The HA Programme The HA thematic program recognizes the effects of economic hardship resulting from humanitarian emergencies and the associated heightened risks of child exploitation. When families face economic hardship due to the loss of livelihoods and income, they are often pushed to resort to harmful coping mechanisms like child labour, trafficking, and early marriage. Additionally, economic hardship can erode community support and make children easier targets for various forms of exploitation. As families struggle to survive, the breakdown of social safety nets further exacerbates these risks. However, economic resilience activities targeting families such as cash transfers, vocational training, and income generation activities help address the risk of child exploitation during emergencies by providing financial stability and reducing the need for resorting to harmful coping mechanisms. When families have the resources to meet their basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education, they are less likely to resort to child labour, early marriage, or trafficking. Economic resilience also enables families to maintain access to essential services and protect their children from exploitation. Additionally, it strengthens community support systems and helps preserve social safety nets, further protecting children from risks of exploitation.

PURPOSE

The consultant will develop an evidence-informed programme/project model for advancing children’s socio-economic resilience to prevent and respond to exploitation, in alignment with TdH NL’s Listen Up! Strategy and the three thematic programmes. The model will include child-centred, intersectional and gender-responsive/ transformative elements, and will be designed with the continuum of care (prevention, early intervention and response), systemic change and holistic, ecological intervention models in mind. This model will be used for project design and scale up by TdH NL’s teams in Europe, Asia, Africa and the MENA region.  

METHODOLOGY

The consultant is expected to use a combination of the following methodologies:

1.Desk review: 

1.1. Review of internal organisational, strategic and programme/project documents related to socio-economic resilience.

1.2. Review of promising and best practices on social protection and economic empowerment interventions related to child protection generally, and the three thematic areas (SEC, CL, HA) in particular. 

2. Primary data collection:

2.1. Online and in person interviews, focus groups and other relevant data collection methods with managers, staff and partners. 

2.2. Key informant interviews with external subject matter experts and other key stakeholders.

3. Participatory research:

3.1. Where appropriate, meaningful, safe and ethical, participatory research with children and youth (and their families) who are participating in projects with a social protection dimension in line with TdH NL’s commitment to place children’s voices at the centre. 

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

The study should consider factors that might affect the effectiveness of the proposed model under different contexts. The consultant should focus on 3-4 case studies. The Philippines, India, Kenya and Ethiopia should be considered for primary data collection. Other countries in the HA, SEC and CL thematic programmes should be considered for secondary data collection and online interviews where feasible. 

ETHICS & SAFEGUARDING

The project should follow basic social sciences research standards and procedures, including gaining informed consent, prior disclosure of information to participants, respecting confidentiality, acting without any prejudice, abiding by the child safeguarding and integrity policy of TdH NL, as well as TdH NL research guidelines.  When involving children, the consultant is required to follow specific protocols, including obtaining child assents and written consent from parents. Participation must be voluntary, informed, and free from any form of coercion or undue influence. The principle of ‘do no harm’ must be prioritised. The consultant’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the physical, mental and social well-being of the participants ensuring no harm comes to them. This includes protecting participants from exposure to stigmatisation, discrimination or further abuse. The consultant must strictly adhere to TdH NL’s child safeguarding procedures and ethical content policy when interviewing children or taking photographs. The selected consultant(s) will undergo background checks and child safeguarding screening processes. 

EXPECTED OUTPUTS 

The consultant will deliver:

• An inception report that includes:
  • Preliminary desk review of TdH NL’s strategy and thematic programme design documents, selected evaluation reports and other relevant documents related to TdH NL’s programmes. 
  • Proposed design, research methodology, geographical scope and sampling
  • Ethical and child safeguarding protocol
  • Risk assessment
  • Detailed project timeline

• A finalised research & model development protocol based on the feedback on the inception report, including:
  • Final research design, including refinement of research questions, geographical selection and timeline
  • Final research tools (topic lists, focus groups and interviews, interaction with the relevant stakeholders etc.)
  • Final ethical and child safeguarding protocol
  • Draft structure for the research report and model
  • List of key informants

• Draft desk review: 
  • Comprehensive desk review, including analysis of innovative, promising and best practices implemented by TdH NL and other child rights/child protection organisations in development and humanitarian contexts. 

• Preliminary report on the primary data collection research findings and recommendations for the model:
  • Preliminary results from primary data collection
  • Preliminary recommendations for the model
  • Note 1: The full report must also include general observations about the approach deployed (what worked, limitations and recommendations for the way forward)

Note 2: The report should include interesting quotations from participants and these quotes should be referenced with age and sex of the person quoted. All results discussed should be sensitive to who those views come from, ensuring that their views are brought out clearly.

Note 3: All of the collected raw data must be made available to TdH-NL, respecting confidentiality and ethics requirements.

•  A draft Model organised as follows:
  • Executive Summary (maximum 1 page)
  • Background (maximum 1-2 pages)
  • Model (narrative and graphics) 
  • Guidance for utilisation of the model in project design and scale up

• Finalised research report, model and PPT for country teams:
  • Finalised research report, including primary and secondary research
  • Finalised model incorporating reviewer’s feedback
  • Presentation to global, regional and country teams

BUDGET

The consultant will be paid upon receipt of the key deliverables. The payment will be calculated on the following:

• • Inception report & model development protocol (5 days)
    • Review TdH NL strategy, Integrity and Safeguarding Policies, Thematic Programme designs, and relevant background documents.
    • Conduct meetings with TdH NL focal points and advisory committee.
  • Desk review (15 days)
    • Review TdH NL project documents, including baselines, outcome harvesting, endline evaluations, meta-analysis, etc.
    • Review case studies, toolkits, and reports from other child rights and gender rights NGOs.
    • Conduct analysis and report-writing.
  • Primary data collection, analysis, and report writing (40 days)
    • Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with managers, staff, partners, project participants, and stakeholders.
    • Key informant interviews with subject matter experts and other CSO representatives with expertise in social protection.
    • Include child-centred participatory approaches in design (days/budget adjusted as needed).
    • Complete analysis and report-writing.
  • Model development (10 days)
    • Create a visual representation of the model.
    • Write a narrative description of the model.
    • Develop utilisation and adaptation guidance.
  • Finalisation of deliverables (4 days)
    • Review comments received.
    • Hold meetings with TdH NL focal points (if necessary).
    • Incorporate comments.
  • Presentation (1 day)
    • Prepare a PowerPoint presentation.
    • Present research findings and the model.
    • Total: 75 days

Travel costs and research expenses will be reimbursed. 

DURATION

The final concept note and scoping study must be submitted by December 31, 2024. The schedule for the other activities and deliverables will be discussed with the consultant. A detailed timeline will be included in the inception report. 

ASSIGNMENT AND COMPOSITION OF THE CONSULTANT TEAM

Assignment:

In response to this advert, the consultant is expected to submit a technical proposal, which will detail the methods and tools of data collection and analysis, budget and work schedules, expertise and team that will achieve the objectives stated.

Composition:

The following qualifications are sought:

• Experienced consultant(s), with professional track record in qualitative studies, developing models, process documentation and impact assessment
• Experience in advancing children's and gender rights
• Demonstrable subject matter expertise, including social protection, livelihoods, child protection
• Child participation expertise is desirable
• Ability to analyze situations, draw conclusions and recommendations
• Ability to translate complex findings into accessible language and formats
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently
• Commitment to child protection and child safeguarding  

APPLICATIONS

Interested research institutes / consultants should submit the following here by October 7 2024. 

• Letter of expression of interest;
• Profile of the consultant/research institute, including subject matter expertise and experience in similar assignments related to development of program/project models
• Latest, updated Curriculum Vitae (not more than 2 pages) of each of the persons in the research team;
• Two samples of any written report, write up or publication(s) related to child rights;
• A technical proposal (maximum 20 pages), which includes:
  • Background
  • Objectives & draft study questions
  • Proposed approach and methodology, including meaningful child participation experience
  • Clearly explain how study ethics mentioned above are adhered to
  • List of activities and detailed execution timetable
  • Expected outputs
  • Financial proposal with proposed daily fee rate and estimated travel and research costs
  • Annexes (if any)