BACKGROUND
SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is a non-profit, non-political and non-denominational international organization that works to address the needs of children, with particular emphasis on children who lost parental care and those who are at significant risk of losing the care of their parents. SOS Children’s Villages Programme, work towards its vision of a world where, “every child belongs to a family and grows with love, respect and security”. For the past more than 43 years, we have been working to build families for children in need, help them shape their own future and share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is based on the best interest of the child. We help vulnerable families care for their children, and we work to prevent the breakdown of parental care. When children lose their own parental care, we provide quality alternative care. We support young people in their efforts to become independent adults and succeed in life.
From the roots of the organization, SOS Children’s Villages pioneered long-term family-like childcare for children who have already lost the care of their families, through development of SOS family childcare model.
To respond the problems of vulnerable children specifically children who are losing parental care and at risk of losing their parents, SOS CVE is presently looking for to expand its services in to South Wollo Zone, Dessie Town and Afar Region, Semera Town. More specifically, the planned assessments that looks into the social, economic, political and environmental aspects of the target group (children who lost or are at risk of losing parental care) in the proposed study locations. It is expected that, this study provides clear information on the (gaps and challenges in terms of meeting the basic and fundamental needs of children), the responses from government, NGOs and the community, and the prominent gaps in the available responses that provide an entry point for program intervention of SOS CVE.
The consultant is expected to come up with the below mentioned two compressive reports
Hence, the general purpose of conducting the assessments is to help SOS CVE national office/programme location in decision-making regarding the level, causes and possible intervention of child vulnerability, abandonment and neglect in South Wollo Zone Dessie Town and Semera Town.
2. Focus Area
The assessment is specifically to assess the level and causes of child vulnerability abandonment and neglect in Dessie and Semera Towns. Focusing on its motto “No child should grow up alone”. SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia wants to focus on addressing the root causes of child abandonment by designing intervention project in this regard. Therefore, the organization decided to conduct the up-to-date need assessments hoping to get recommendation and enough information that helps to decide to start the intervention and designed a project strategically to contribute to the reduction of child abandonment in South Wollo Zone and Semera Town.
3.Objective
This study is expected to meet the following objectives: -
4. Geographical locations
The need assessment mainly cover South Wollo Zone Dessie Town and Semera Town and the vicinities.
5. Output and Deliverables
6.Roles and responsibilities of the consultant
The assignment of the professional external facilitator is to produce quality reports to SOS CV Ethiopia. The consultant is primarily responsible for preparing the study design, study tools; monitor data collection processes and data entry into the preferred analysis software; prepare, review and edit the detailed status reports of the studies. The reports should clearly indicate the overall conditions of the target communities with particular emphasis on children without parental care and those who are at risk of losing parental care. To be more specific, the external facilitator should cover the followings important steps and functions:
7. Assessment Methodology and Source of Data
The study is expected to employ participatory approach in which all the relevant bodies are involved in the process of the study to the extent their contributions are relevant. The researcher can possibly use several possible methods of the following for gathering the required information:
Secondary Data
A review of all available secondary sources regarding the SOS CVE/I , the location, especially in terms of specifying the target group and the local stakeholders
Primary Data
8. Time Frame
The consult should begin the work as soon as the agreement is entered b/n the two parties. The first draft report is expected to be submitted to SOS CVE within 37 working days after work agreement and the consultant should allow up to 1 week for comments on all drafts and comments should be incorporated into the updated document on the presentation of the subsequent draft. The final report will be submitted no later than 30 working days after the agreement.
9. Logistic and Coordination
The consultant is responsible in coordinating and facilitating the consultancy task by making necessary arrangements (including transportation) while SOS CVE, National Office may arrange contact with relevant offices, community members, beneficiaries, etc. SOS will not provide the researcher with transportation services.
Required Skills and Experience for the consultants
The person leading this study and fully responsible for providing technical support should have a thorough understanding of the situation of children without parental care or at risk of losing parental care, the legislation, governmental programmes, policies and strategies related to this target group, child protection issues in general, predominant child rights violations, and the socio-economic situation in the country. The person should have 5-8 years proven competency and experience in conducting social research. A social science background, e.g. higher education in Social Work, Law, Psychology, Social-Pedagogy, Community Development, or Economics is of advantage. Specifically, he/she should have: