TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR LOCALISING THE CHILD & YOUTH SAFEGUARDING(CYS) POLICY at SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR LOCALISING THE CHILD & YOUTH SAFEGUARDING(CYS) POLICY.

Background of the Organisation

1 Context

Established in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International is a dynamic, international social development organization working globally to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children without parental care and those who are at the risk of losing it. SOS Children’s Villages Association of Zimbabwe is a member of SOS International. Its mission is to build families for children that have lost parental care or at risk of losing parental care, help them shape their own futures and share in the development of their communities.

In Zimbabwe SOS Children’s Villages is implementing various child and youth development interventions focusing on the provision of direct essential services; capacity building of child caregivers and community partners; as well as advocacy in the areas of care, health, education and gender. We currently operate in three provinces namely Harare, Mashonaland central and Bulawayo where two main programmes are implemented, namely Family like Care (FLC) and Family Strengthening (FS).

The Family like care (FLC) model works with children who do not have a family of origin, kinship care or are in need a place of safety so obtain a family at the village. The SOS house parent builds a close relationship with every child entrusted to her, and provides the security, love and stability that each child needs. There are three villages in Zimbabwe, namely Waterfalls, Bindura and Bulawayo.
The Family Strengthening Programme is a community outreach programme operating in Umguza, Hwedza and Shamva Districts. The program is aimed at responding to the recognition that children are better placed to develop within their communities of origin. The FS Programme supports orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) by providing community based family preservation services. It uses a family based model to support OVC to build the resilience of vulnerable families and strengthen their capacity to support the development and care of vulnerable children. The program also empowers grassroot organisations, to support, and advocate on behalf of, their communities.

It is against this background that SOS Children’s Villages in Zimbabwe intends to adapt the SOS Children’s Villages CYS policy for local context. Contextualising of the policy will ensure compliance with national laws and make it culturally sensitive.It will also facilitate effective implementation of safeguarding measures in the Member Association (MA).Overall,aligning the policy with the local context, will enhance its effectiveness in protecting children and young people.

Duties and Responsibilities

2. Objectives of the assignment

The successful candidate will have the skills and experience necessary to:

i. Align the SOS Children’s Villages CYS Policy to local laws and regulations .
ii. Customise the CYS policy to local customs,values and beliefs.
iii. Design the policy in such a way that it identifies and addresses risks and challenges faced by children and young people in Zimbabwe.

3. Methodology

The consultant is expected to propose a comprehensive and effective methodology that enables the production of a relevant CYS policy.

Qualifications and Experience

4. .Desired Qualifications and Experience

SOS Children’s Villages Zimbabwe is seeking the services of an experienced consultant to localize the CYS policy.
The Consultant should have:

▪ Relevant academic qualifications at a minimum of a Masters Degree. (in development studies, social work, social sciences or related fields).
▪ At least five years of proven working experience in the relevant area; extensive technical knowledge relevant to the thematic area; excellent oral and written skills, excellent drafting and report writing skills.
▪ Proven experience in developing policies,regulations,guidelines etc.
▪ Provision of work previously conducted by the consultant (hard or soft copies).
▪ Reference from previous organisations worked
▪ Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of local safeguarding policies and regulations.
▪ Excellent communication and writing skills;
▪ Strong computer literacy in MS Office and publishing software.

5. Overview of Expected Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks as part of the policy development:

▪ Review relevant documentation including organizational polcies on child and youth safeguarding from various organizations and literature relevant to safeguarding.
▪ Consult relevant stakeholders.
▪ Subsequently edit the international CYS policy incorporating feedback from the pilot test.
▪ Deliver the final version of the policy incorporating all relevant stakeholders’ feedback within one month after engagement.
▪ Delivery of non-plagiarised material.

6. Administrative Information

The consultant will be contracted by and report to SOS Children’s Villages in Zimbabwe. SOS Children’s Village in Zimbabwe will support the consultant to carry out the work. Specifically, this will include,but not limited to, providing available documents and information and technical assistance.. The Consultant will be responsible for leading all processes.

7. Reporting

The consultant shall report to, and perform the assigned tasks under the guidance and direct supervision of the SOS Children’s Villages National Child Safeguarding Coordinator. All communication to be in English and typed documents to use Times New Roman font size 12 with line spacing of 1.5.

8. Working Location

The consultant will be expected to work from their convenient location. If required,consultations may be conducted through online platforms.

9. Budget

The consultant is expected to submit a comprehensive budget together with their bid. The budget should be very clear and provide a total summed up for the project duration.

10. Taxes and Payment

The consultant’s fees shall cover all costs incurred by the consultant in meeting all the contractual obligations stated in the terms of reference and the consultant’s proposal for service provision until the production and presentation of the final manual. Payments will be made in 3 instalments on the following terms:

▪ 20 %( upon signing of the contract)
▪ 30 % (upon presentation of draft policy)
▪ 50% (balance) upon satisfactory completion of assignment, production of the localised policy, presentation and acceptance of policy by the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages.
▪ All payments are inclusive of VAT. (NB A 30% deduction will be levied in the absence of Tax certificate).