Selection Criteria for Consultant

We are seeking a qualified consultant with the following criteria:

• A graduate degree in a relevant field (such as development studies, gender studies, etc.).
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in gender equality, disability, and social inclusion.
• An understanding of intersectionality issues related to GEDSI.
• Proven practical and technical expertise in research and GEDSI review.
• Proficiency in information analysis and the ability to produce compelling reports.
• Desirable: foundational understanding of child online protection and/or working on child/youth development programs.
• We strongly encourage people with disabilities to apply for this opportunity.

The Expression of Interest should include Resume, referees, proposal containing competence for the required work, professional fee and timeline based on the Terms of Reference. Submit CV and proposal by 23.59 AEST, 5 November 2023.

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1. Organisational context

ChildFund Australia is an independent international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in developing communities.

We partner to create community and systems change which enables children and young people in vulnerable situations, to assert and realise their rights.

At ChildFund Australia, we want every child and young person to be able to say: “I am safe. I am educated. I contribute. I have a future.”

At ChildFund Australia we directly manage and implement programs with a range of local partners in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and other countries in the Pacific. We also manage projects delivered by partner organisations throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

ChildFund Australia is a member of the ChildFund Alliance – a global network of 11 organisations which assists almost 23 million children and their families in 70 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.

 

2. Background

Swipe Safe is an evidence-led online safety program developed by child protection experts at ChildFund aimed at children, young people, parents/caregivers, and protective partners.

First developed in Vietnam, Swipe Safe played a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s child protection programming by empowering children, young people and their enabling environment to recognize online risks and navigate the digital environment safely.

Building on the success of the Swipe Safe in Vietnam, Swipe Safe expanded to the Solomon Islands and most recently in 2022 saw the expansion of Swipe Safe across Southeast Asia to Cambodia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Swipe Safe is a flagship approach for ChildFund – expanding reach and impact is a key strategic priority for the organisation.

As part of our commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), we recognize the need to conduct a comprehensive review of our training materials including Swipe Safe mobile app, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools, and overall project strategy to ensure they are aligned with best practices and international standards in GEDSI. To achieve this, we are seeking the services of a qualified consultant with expertise in GEDSI to lead this critical review.

This review will build upon the previous localized gender review for the Swipe Safe Vietnam project and consultations on the contextualization of the training curriculum and training methodology for children with disabilities, which have now been incorporated into the current version.

 

3. Purpose

GEDSI transformative programming: The GEDSI review will identify how the program can support the mitigation of risks associated with intersectional vulnerabilities within the online environment by understanding how:

• Children and young people’s unique differences and vulnerabilities may lead to online child sexual exploitation and abuse
• Swipe Safe can work towards addressing the attitudes, systems and social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.
• Improving Inclusivity: The GEDSI Review will improve the inclusivity of the Swipe Safe program as a whole. It aims to identify areas and ways the training materials and program model can better accommodate the needs and perspectives of diverse groups, such as girls and women, people with disabilities, and those from other marginalized communities. By doing so, the review seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all program participants.
• Maximizing Impact: Another key purpose of the review is to maximize the impact of the Swipe Safe program. By evaluating training materials including Swipe Safe mobile app, M&E tools, and overall project strategy, the goal is to ensure that they are aligned with GEDSI principles and effectively address the unique challenges faced by different demographic groups. This alignment aims to enhance the program’s effectiveness and ultimately lead to more equitable and transformative outcomes.
• Evidence-Based Decision-Making: The GEDSI Review serves as a source of empirical evidence to inform decision-making within the organization and among program stakeholders. By providing concrete data and insights related to GEDSI, the review enables us and stakeholders to decide how best the program can be delivered and monitored to ensure diverse children, young people and adult are accessing, participating, and benefitting.

4. Scope of Review

The timing of this review is strategically positioned to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. It takes place during Q2 and Q3 year 2 of the regional Southeast Asia project precisely as part of the mid-term review, new phase for Solomon Islands and project design for Fiji. This choice allows us to assess our progress and make necessary adjustments at a critical overview in the program’s lifespan. By conducting the review, we position ourselves to drive meaningful impact and maximize the effectiveness of our online child protection initiatives.

Below is the more detailed scope of review to be conducted:

• Review of Training Materials: Evaluate the existing training materials (including 4 manuals, handouts, videos, and slides) used in Swipe Safe and assess their alignment with GEDSI principles. Identify gaps and recommend practical improvements to enhance GEDSI.
• Swipe Safe App Review: Conduct a review of the Swipe Safe mobile application, assessing its accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Provide recommendations for enhancing the app’s GEDSI features and user experience.
• M&E Tools Assessment: Examine the program’s current M&E tools and systems, with a focus on how they capture GEDSI-related data. Provide recommendations for how the program can better measure GEDSI transformative change.
• Strategic Guideline Development: Develop a one-page GEDSI strategy and commitment for the Swipe Safe flagship program. This one-pager should outline the program’s commitment to GEDSI and how GEDSI principles are integrated into all program aspects. Additionally, it should provide clear, actionable recommendations to ensure the integration of GEDSI principles.

5. Methodology

Desk Review: Initiate the review process with a thorough desk review of all relevant documents, including training materials and the Swipe Safe app, M&E reports, Swipe Safe model and program plans, and previous GEDSI reports. This step will provide a foundational understanding of Swipe Safe and its GEDSI-related components.

 

Brief literature review: Identify topic specific content on the unique differences and vulnerabilities for girls, boys and gender diverse children and young people, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups in the online environment as a reference point for the gap analysis of training content.

 

Content Analysis: Examine the project’s training materials including the Swipe Safe app and M&E tools for the inclusion of GEDSI-related content. Evaluate the comprehensiveness and accuracy of this content and assess how it aligns with best practices and international standards in GEDSI.

 

Accessibility Assessment: During the Swipe Safe app content review, identify recommendations for increased accessibility and, if possible, employ automated accessibility testing tools to assess aspects like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and overall usability.

Recommendation Development: Based on the findings from the assessments, develop clear and actionable recommendations for improving training materials, the Swipe Safe app, M&E tools, and the overall program model. Prioritize recommendations according to their potential impact and feasibility. Presentation and Reporting: Present the findings, recommendations, and the GEDSI strategy guideline to the project team. Prepare a brief report summarizing the review process, findings, and proposed actions.

 

6. Deliverables and Indicative Timetable

Note that this is subject to negotiation with the Consultant

Indicative dates + Outputs and Activities

20 November 2023

Desk review of program documentation

21 November 2023

Brief literature review

22 – 24 November 2023

Review of Training Materials

25 November 2023

Swipe Safe App Review

26 November 2023

M&E Tools Assessment

27 November 2023

Strategy Guideline Development

28 November 2023

Presentation

29 November 2023

Consolidate Report

 

Total number of days:

11 days

 

7. Management and Reporting Arrangement

The Consultant will report to Regional Online Safety Coordinator. All reports must be written in English and provided in an electronic format (Microsoft Word). The consultant must be available for online meetings.

 

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.