Social Cohesion Toolkit Consultant - Jordan

Social Cohesion Toolkit Development Consultant

TERMS OF REFERENCE

External consultant to analyse, design, draft and package a social cohesion toolkit

1. Background

   The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-profit organization registered with the Ministry of Interior of Jordan since 2008 and operational in Jordan since 2012.  In the Education Core Competency, NRC offers informal education for children and youth in Zaatari and Azraq camps, and education projects in host community areas in northern Jordan, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

   In 2017, the NRC education programme will continue in both camps and in host communities. In Zaatari and Azraq camps, programme activities mainly support the learning of children aged 6-15 who are in-school but at risk of dropping out, as well as those who remain out-of-school. The purpose of NRC’s camp education programme is to support all Syrian children to be able to access and stay in-school and to achieve well academically. Children receive learning support with a combination of literacy and numeracy, life skills, psychosocial well-being and computer skills to help retain them in quality education.

   In the host community programme, NRC implements a holistic programme in formal schools (MoE) which have enrolled a high number of Syrian refugees or have the potential to do so. In these schools, NRC improves school infrastructure through expansion works, rehabilitation works, water conservation and solar panel systems and support to maintenance, cleaning and hygiene practices. In the same schools, NRC supports the school systems through support to enrolment practices and follow-up on drop-outs, through provision of pedagogical aids, implementation of summer schools and through a social cohesion programme.

   In particular, social cohesion remains to be of concern in and around schools. UNICEF reports continue to report that a large portion of children out of school blame bullying and violence as the main reason not wanting to go to school. Especially boys schools seem to be prone to violence, while not absent in girls’ schools either. It is assumed, based on feedback from principals and NRC’s own observations, that there are multiple causes of violence, reinforcing one another. Conflicts take place in and around schools between Syrians and Jordanians (exacerbated by the double shift system), between different grades and between boys and girls. The use of violence by teachers on students is not conducive for teaching students to settle disputes peacefully. Furthermore, many of the students, especially refugee students and their families, are challenged by their dire socio-economic situation or have witnessed traumatic situations. Also, the lack of parents being engaged in the school impedes proper feedback of behaviour by students to their parents. Finally, the overcrowding in classrooms and sometimes inadequate classroom management methodologies are not conducive to a calm and respectful conduct of students.

    

2. Objectives

   The main objective of the consultancy is to produce a social cohesion manual and toolkit as outlined in the scope of work. This manual and toolkit will be focused on reducing bullying and violence in and around schools, and increasing parental engagement.

   The manual should address the different causes of violence in and around the school, use the most relevant methodologies (awareness sessions, training, strengthening school systems, classroom activities) and engage key stakeholders (school management, teachers, students and parents).

    

3. Scope of work

   Assess and identify existing programmes in Jordan and international approaches, and if relevant, request approval to use or build upon these programmes. Liaise with school staff, MoE staff and NRC staff and other relevant stakeholders to assess the most appropriate approach for the programme in terms of topics, modalities, focus, methodology and time available. Assess if existing NRC trainings can be complemented. Assess chapter 4 of this document. Alternative approaches can be suggested only upon approval by NRC Jordan.

   Develop the outputs specified below in section D. Use, if relevant and possible, existing materials. Assure that materials are appropriate to the Jordan context. The documents should be reasonably formatted: powerpoint presentations should as much as possible obtain relevant figures and pictures, lesson plans and activities should be formatted in word.

   Define programme with required hours and days for the trainings and awareness sessions, which should be realistic in Jordan’s school context.

   Provide training to NRC staff on the programme. Consider elements which might be used in Education programmes in camps through consultation with the Education Specialist and Project Managers.

   NRC will support the consultant in terms of providing access to schools, data collection, needs assessments, facilitation of workshops and focus group discussions if required. NRC will, if required, translate the documents from English to Arabic and if needed, further formatting.

    

4. Specific outputs

   The consultant will deliver the outputs as stated in section D of the ToR (link on bottom of this page). 

5. Timeframe

   The table below provides an outline for the consultancy. Exact dates will be decided upon finalization of the contract between the consultant and NRC. The total time of the consultancy is 50 working days. Whilst the consultant is welcome to work more than five days per working week many of the tasks may be dependent on other actors and it cannot be assumed they will be available on normal weekends.

   All the outputs should be delivered by the 1^st of January 2018.

   Action	Estimated # of Days
   Consultant selected by NRC	-
   Analysis of existing programmes and materials –	6
   Presentation of suggested outputs	1
   Produce required outputs	38
   Presentation to NRC and training on materials, as necessary	5
   Total number of days	50

    

    

6. Requirements

   Consultant: The consultant will be assisted by NRC Jordan staff where necessary for the in-country work. Under prior agreement with NRC and duly reflected in the contract, this consultancy can be implemented remotely, in which case weekly skype meetings will be held to coordinate progress. Training requirements may be adapted to suit.

   National Team Members: NRC national staff in Jordan will be available to support the consultant. NRC staff will also contribute to logistics and security support.

   Other Stakeholders: The consultancy may require interaction between NRC staff, partners and beneficiaries as well as the local authorities and other stakeholders in Jordan. Communication with key members of the NRC Education team and other stakeholders will be an essential part of the process.

    

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant must demonstrate the following qualifications:

1. Thorough knowledge of and experience working in Jordanian or MENA educational context, including awareness of Jordanian MoE priorities and strategies
2. Extensive skills in sourcing, drafting and packaging educational curriculum and materials
3. Experience with materials addressing all educational content listed in Specific Outputs above
4. Experience in humanitarian/refugee/camp educational contexts and/or complex environments
5. Experience working with humanitarian organizations
6. Fluency in English, both written and verbal
7. Relevant university qualifications
8. A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience

 

 

Applications for Consultancy

Interested consultants must submit their application through the Webcruiter website by 21st February 2017.  The application must be sent in Word, Excel and/or PDF files as an attachment to the resume. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Consultants who wish to apply for this consultancy must submit an application that contains the following:

1. Consultant contact information including the consultant’s name, email address and phone number(s).
2. Cover letter – 3 pages maximum
3. Consultant CV (or separate CVs if more than one consultant will participate). Each CV is limited to 3 pages maximum. Work samples should not be included at this time unless as a link only.
4. Expressions of Interest and proposed approach to the ToR and methodologies for the entire 50 day consultancy– 3 pages maximum
5. Estimated budget in USD, including 10% tax (which will be deducted from the fees and paid directly to the tax department by NRC, as per the legal requirements. Proof of payment for this will be provided to the Consultant upon request.) The budget must present consultancy fee costs according to number of expected working days over the entire period.  NRC will facilitate in-country transport during the consultant’s period of work.

Finalists may be asked to submit references and/or samples of past work. Work samples should not be included at this time unless as a link only, not a complete document.