Consultant for Inspiring Youth Changemakers Training Program - ChildFund Timor-Leste

 

Consultant’s Terms of Reference for

Inspiring Youth Changemakers Training Program Review (Revision & Development)

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1. Organisational context

ChildFund Timor-Leste is the representative office of ChildFund Australia – an independent international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in developing communities. ChildFund Australia is a member of the ChildFund Alliance – a global network of 11 organisations which assists 13 million children and their families in over 60 countries. ChildFund Australia is a registered charity, a member of the Australian Council for International Development, and fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which manages the Australian Government’s overseas aid program.

ChildFund began work in Timor-Leste in 1990, originally under the management of ChildFund International. Since October 2017 it has operated as an office of ChildFund Australia, and continues to work in partnership with children,

their communities and local institutions to create lasting change, respond to humanitarian emergencies and promote children’s rights. With a focus on maternal and child health, early childhood development, school readiness, youth empowerment and protection, and child rights, ChildFund Timor-Leste aims to demonstrate effectiveness and accountability in its program activities and add value to the efforts of its partners through quality programs that are respectful, responsive, and relevant in helping children in poverty, their families, and communities.  ChildFund Timor-Leste is working with rural communities to build a new, stable, and prosperous future for what is one of the world’s youngest nations.

 

2. Background

ChildFund Timor-Leste partnered with Ba Futuru, a leading national not-for-organisation that designs and conducts life-enhancing training programs, to implement the two-year ‘Inspiring Youth Changemakers’ project in communities in Bobonaro and Covalima Municipalities. The project commenced in July 2018 and concluded in June 2020 and was funded under the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Working with 120 mostly out-of-school youth aged between 15-25, the project focused on those who are unemployed or in vulnerable employment, are in a stage of their lives where they are at greatest risk of being left behind by their peers, face significant challenges and potential adversity, need support to develop resilience, self-worth and a sense of purpose and/or require support building confidence to take leadership roles addressing some of these challenges. In each year of the project 60 Changemakers were recruited and received intensive training in peace building, leadership, economic empowerment, life skills and theatre training and script development. Following their training, each cohort of Changemakers worked in smaller groups collaboratively designing, planning, and implementing theatrical showcases at community festivals and in schools, as well as participating in monitoring and evaluation activities to measure the community impact of their outreach.

In 2020, the opportunity arose for ChildFund Australia to enter into a Negotiated Partnership with ChildFund New Zealand as part of the latter organisation’s successful grant application to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to fund the ‘Impact Programme’ in the Pacific region. The Impact Programme contains projects that focus on the sectors of social and emotional wellbeing, child protection and disaster risk reduction. One of two projects that focus on social and emotional wellbeing within the Impact Programme is the five-year Inspiring Youth Changemakers project in Lautem Municipality, Timor-Leste, from July 2020 to June 2025 - the project’s design broadly mirroring the earlier two-year, ANCP-funded project in Covalima and Bobonaro Municipalities and once again in partnership with Ba Futuru.  The project is expanding its focus to include training and capacity strengthening for Youth CSO’s in the municipalities.

The new project has done a review of the Youth Changemakers training program, collecting feedback from previous youth changemakers from Covalima and Bobonaro, interviewed Ba Futuru’s former IYC project coordinator, and input from youth CSO’s in the new project area, as well as other NGO’s and Youth focused organisations. As a next step we look for a consultant to provide leadership to lead the next steps to strengthen existing modules were needed and to develop additional components in the Changemakers training program.

 

3. Purpose

The training program review seeks to ensure that the Changemakers training program is:

• Of quality 
• Relevant to the needs and priorities of youth in Timor-Leste and reflects a youth-led approach
• Based on lessons learned from previous use of the existing training program
• Incorporating SEL best practice/ have consistent and comprehensive links to educational and programmatic theories underpinning social and emotional learning (SEL).^[1]
• Aligned with the Timor-Leste National Youth Policy (2016) and informed by the findings made on youth wellbeing in the Timor-Leste National Youth Development Report: Planning the Opportunities for a Youthful Population (2018)
• Complementary of extant Secretariat of State for Youth and Sports (SSYS) endorsed curriculum while making an original and meaningful contribution to youth-focused curriculum in Timor-Leste

 

4. Scope of the training program review

The review will take place between October 18, 2021 and through January 19, 2022 and will be led by the Consultant with support from ChildFund Australia Social and Emotional Learning Technical Advisor, ChildFund Timor-Leste and Ba Futuru staff.

 

The final products of the training program review include:

• Updating/enhance the existing Changemakers modules where needed

1. Leadership (Recently updated)
2. Peacejam (Recently updated)
3. Life skills 
4. Economic empowerment
5. Theatre training and script development

(We expect that the review work would mostly focus on Life skills and Economic empowerment modules, possibly incorporate other existing modules –TBD based on assessment)

• Develop the training package for youth group leaders on group dynamics and leadership

• Develop the capacity building resource for youth-focused CSOs on the topics of governance, strategy development, design, implement and evaluate projects and initiatives which may focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of young women and men, but not limited to other youth-led initiatives.

 

4. Methodology

 The training program review and update will involve 2 steps:

 

Step 1: Review existing Changemakers training program and identify feedback and reflections in order to advise on the key improvements for the training curriculum.

 

1. Document review of the existing Changemakers training program modules.  
2. Consultations with ChildFund and Ba Futuru staff on review/reflections done so far on the training program.
3. Review the input/data collected on the training curriculum from stakeholder interviews such as from graduate Changemakers – (the interview transcriptions in place. As well as evaluation report and baseline)
4. Document review of other identified youth capacity-building resources made available by SSYS, UNICEF, GIZ and others
5. CSO consultation on the potential generation of shared resources to build capacity. 

 

Step 2: Update the Changemakers training program,

The updated Changemakers training program will review 5 existing modules with two additional features (see specified under scope):

i) a 2-day training package for youth group leaders on group dynamics and leadership 

ii) a capacity building resource for youth-focused CSOs on the topics of governance, strategy development, design, implement and evaluate projects and initiatives (which may focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of young women and men, but not limited to other youth-led initiatives).

 

It is expected that the content within modules will be enhanced as a result of the review of Ba Futuru and CSO youth capacity-building resources while retaining a youth-led approach. Alongside this, the updated Changemakers training program will be strengthened with consistent and comprehensive links to educational and programmatic theories underpinning SEL. Further, modules (i – v) will contain guidance for Changemakers to practise growing their skills between training sessions.

 

The project team will pilot training modules for field testing and collected feedback from youth before finalizations of the manuals

 

Review Working group

In support of the above steps, a reference group is available to actively support the process, The reference group is containing Ba Futuru and ChildFund staff as well as selected youth representatives from SSYS, the Lospalos Youth Centre, and the Lospalos Catholic Youth Association, who will play an active role in the development of the Changemakers modules to ensure the materials are contextualised, foster meaningful youth participation and are relevant to youth needs and interests.

 

6. Deliverables and Indicative Timetable (this is indicative and the consultant is requested to provide a suggested process and schedule)
Indicative dates	Outputs and Activities	Responsibility	Number of Days
Step 1: advise on the key improvements for the Youth Changemakers training curriculum (8 days)
18 – 26 October	Desk review  of existing training manuals and documented consultations, interview data, project document and relevant materials including undertake consultation with ChildFund ,  Ba Futuru and key stakeholders.	Consultant	6
27 – 28 October	Deliverable ONE Document with advise on the key element for strengthening the training program (strategic choices for the revisions/development)	Consultant This document will be discussed and agreed on by the review committee – Set Meeting with review group.	2
Step 2 : Changemakers training program update (20 days)
4 – 6 November	Deliverable TWO Changemakers training program outline	Consultant This document will be discussed and agreed on by the review committee – before proceeding	2
4 – 25  November	Draft and guide the drafting of revised/new models (and or contextualizing adapting other existing materials)	Consultant with support from curriculum Working Group	14
26 - 30 November	Deliverable THREE Submit the revised modules.  (it is possible to do this in stages throughout November, schedule to be made with more detail when agreeing on the outlines)	Consultant Meeting review committee to asses /approve the modules/manuals for piloting	2
13 – 17 December	Pilot of selected components of Changemakers training program	CF/ Ba Futuru / Project Team
17 – 19 January 2022	Final revisions to Changemakers training program	Consultant	3
28 TOTAL DAYS

 

7. Management and Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will report to the ChildFund Timor-Leste Programs Manager. Additionally, ChildFund Timor-Leste Country Director, Youth Changemakers Team and Ba Futuru will be involved to support check point review of work done. ChildFund Timor-Leste and Ba Futuru will be available to support the consultant on setting up meetings with key stakeholders and providing access to all relevant materials and project documents. All modules and resources must be written in English and provided in an electronic format (Microsoft Word).

8. Confidentiality

All discussions and documents relating to this ToR will be treated as confidential by the parties.

 

9. Child Safeguarding

The Consultant will undertake the Services to a high standard; use its best endeavors to promote the best interests of ChildFund; protect the reputation of ChildFund and work in a manner consistent with the mission, vision and policies of ChildFund (see Child Safeguarding Policy/Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct PSEAH policy and Employee Code of Conduct). ChildFund Australia has a zero-tolerance policy to abuse, exploitation and harassment in all its forms.

 

10. Counter-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering

ChildFund Australia acknowledges its obligation under the Australian laws relating to counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering.  In order to meet its obligation, the consultant is obligated to provide information required for ChildFund to undertake counter terrorism screening before engagement.  The consultant’s name, date & place of birth and ID number will be checked against Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) consolidated list, National Security Australia list, World Banks listing and the Asian Development bank listing to ensure not engage with entities or individuals appearing on the lists.

 

11. Conflict of Interest

The Consultant must declare any financial, personal, family (or close intimate relationship) interest in matters of official business which may impact on the work of ChildFund.

 

12. Fraud and Corruption prevention and awareness

ChildFund Australia has a zero approach to fraud and corruption act. The successful consultant will be required to comply with ChildFund Australia’s fraud and corruption prevention and awareness Policy and act against any form of fraud or corruption and not offer, promise, give or accept any bribes.

 

13. Insurance

The successful applicant will be required to have in place insurance arrangements appropriate to provision of the requirement in this TOR including (without limitation) travel insurance.

 

14. Acknowledgment and Disclaimer

ChildFund, its Board and staff make no express or implied representation or warranty as to the currency, reliability or completeness of the information contained in this ToR. Nothing in this ToR should be construed to give rise to any contractual obligations or rights, expressed or implied, by the issue of this ToR or the submission of Expression of Interest in response to it.  No contract would be created until a formal written contract is executed between ChildFund and a selected consultant.

 

15. Selection Criteria for Consultant

ChildFund Timor-Leste is seeking a consultant with the following skills and expertise;

• Advanced university degree in Education, Social Sciences, gender development or related disciplines with strong experience in youth development and conducting similar works particularly undertaking education related curriculum or training manual review and development in developing countries particularly in South East Asia.
• Solid Professional experience in designing and implementing Youth Programs and developing training manuals
• Experience as Trainer of trainers, facilitating interactive training sessions with and for youth
• Flexible and able to adapt to a multi-cultural environment and complex situations, with demonstrable high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, such as building collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Self-driven, strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to work independently or in a group, as well as under pressure
• Solid writing skills and Excellent command of English
• Knowledge of Portuguese language, Bahasa Indonesia or Tetum is an added advantage

 

16. Submission of Application

ChildFund Timor-Leste welcomes applications from qualified applicants both residing in Timor Leste and overseas. Applicants should consider and explain the necessary adjustments to the mode and cost of delivery due to possible restrictions from COVID-19 in their application.

The successful candidate is expected start by Monday October 18^th 2021. All interested candidates should submit a cover letter in English describing their suitability based on the above required qualifications and experiences. The candidate should include a recent CV with referees, principles and approach that will be used to achieve the purpose/objectives of this Consultancy work and a financial proposal.

 

NOTE: The financial proposal should specify a total lump sum amount and a breakdown of a daily professional fee and communication costs etc. Applications without a financial proposal will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

 

How to apply:

Please submit your application online via

https://teamchildfund.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=123&source=aWQ9Ng%3D%3D

 

Application closes September 30^th 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

For any questions  you can contact us via www.childfund.org.au/work-with-us  / timorleste@childfund.org.au

 

ChildFund is an equal opportunities employer and has a strict child safeguarding policy and background checks will be under taken prior to any offer of employment.

 

ChildFund is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply for any vacancies.