Terms of Reference for the consultant to conduct the accreditation process in Serbia and Montenegro for training program: Program for development of socio-emotional competencies of children

Terms of Reference

for the consultant to conduct the accreditation process in Serbia and Montenegro for training program:

Program for development of socio-emotional competencies of children

1. Background on Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading global independent organisation for children. Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our vision: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Our mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Our values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.

We are committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, in order to focus them on achieving maximum impact for children.Save the Children in North West Balkans (SCiNWB), based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) conducts its activities in three countries: BiH, Serbia and Montenegro and supports realization of regional initiatives in the area of South East Europe.       

2. Background information/context

Street involved and at-risk children present one of the most jeopardized groups in the state of social need that due to the poverty and need for work stay excluded from all relevant social systems. Based on one the Regional network of Drop in Centres (hereafter referred to as: DiC) reports, the number of street involved children has increased rapidly over the past few years. Most street involved children live below the poverty line, often part of a cycle of poverty that is generationally passed on. As a group, street involved children have to a large extent been ‘hidden’ from the public eye as well as the main spheres of political, economic and social life in B-H.

Opening of DiC for street involved and at-risk children was in several occasions characterized as the only positive example of support provided to this population. Strengthening existing and replicating quality services for street involved children has become a basis of the Save the Children support resulted in established strategic partnerships with governmental institutions and NGOs in Mostar, Banja Luka, Bijeljina and Brčko in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Podgorica and Nikšić in Montenegro.

This service consists of several components: from shelter to legal assistance, from psychological counselling to life-skill and vocational training, from medical care to substance abuse programs, from school inclusion and reintegration to access to welfare benefits. Service is being provided within the premises of the DIC (in-services) and through outreach work. Centre’s work is being further developed, with efforts invested in integrating these services in the social protection system.

To additionally strengthen the quality of services provided to children and families, SCNWB developed specialized and innovative methodology/program for children: Program for development of socio-emotional competencies of children (hereafter referred to as PDSEC)[1],

Program have been developed based on identified needs by program staff and partners from DiCs who are working directly with children, youth and parents/families. By its development, SCNWB ensured even more comprehensive and effective support to DiC beneficiaries who are at risk. Development of this program followed few steps, in order to satisfy the real needs of beneficiaries and to be in line with existing DiC methodology of work:

1)      Mapping the existing models and best practices in the area of child-protection focused initiatives in B-H and region;

2)      Mapping the working methodology, activities, approaches and needs of the drop-in centres in their work with children;

3)      Developing the Program for development of social-emotional competencies of children (PDSEC);

4)      Developing the Guidelines for Program implementation and Working book for implementors;

5)      Developing the Training Programme for professionals.

Program has been piloting and implementing in 6 DiCs from 2020 and showed to be successfully integrated in DiC working methodology and additional tool for further child development, family strengthening and support. Although this program is primarily focused on implementation in DiCs, it is envisioned that centres for social welfare (hereafter referred to as: CSW) and other institutions can apply the program methodology in their work.

To ensure that training program is having the standards which will be applicable in further implementation, meaning that the highest quality level of the program is maintained, it is decided to conduct the accreditation process in Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro. The accreditation is ensuring that each and every program implementation is in accordance with the level of quality and under control.

3. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct the accreditation process in Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro for training program: Program for development of socio-emotional competencies of children, with the final aim of obtaining the accreditations in both countries.

4. Objectives of the consultancy

·        To prepare programme in line with accreditation requirements in Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro (synopsis, forms and documentation required to apply for accreditation) and submit it to:

- the Accreditation board in Republic of Serbia (professional, fully independent body consisting of 5 experts of different profiles named by Minister for social protection; their task is to assess whether the program meets set standards for accreditation. After program revision,the Board gives positive or negative recommendation/grade on the basis which the Minister makes a decision on accreditation or refusal of accreditation)

- the Training program accreditation commission in Montenegro (professional, fully independent board named by Institute for social and child protection; their task is to professionally evaluate/grade the training programme. After the programme revision, the Commission Board gives positive or negative recommendation/grade on the basis which the Institute for Social and Child Protection makes a decision on accreditation or refusal of accreditation)

·        To ensure that accreditation standards are fulfilled - the training program must be scientifically-theoretically based; must be the result of modern professional and scientific knowledge, ie practical experiences; the focus of the training program is on practical skills and their development

5. Services the Supplier will provide

·        To prepare program in line with accreditation requirements in Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro (synopsis, forms and documentation required to apply for accreditation)

·        To conduct and prepare all forms and documentation subscribed and defined by Institute of social protection in Serbia and Institute for social and child protection in Montenegro    

·        To provide a written review of the training program by experts with appropriate references

·        To submit all Program documentation timely[2] to the Accreditation board in Republic of Serbia and Accreditation commission in Republic of Montenegro

·        To follow-up with Accreditation board/Accreditation commission decision and to submit all additional documentation, if needed

·        To regularly communicate with SCI, as copyright holder of Program

·        To inform SCI on all relevant deadlines and information on steps  

·        To develop and submit the final report on conducted process, on the success of the conducted activities

6. Experience and skill set required

Consultant should possess the following expertise and skills as a minimum:

·        Minimum University degree in the field of social or humanistic sciences (M.A. or PhD in relevant field is an advantage)

·        Minimum ten years of experience in working in social protection area (with focus on children)  

·        Experience in developing programs focused on children and families

·        Relevant experience in accreditation process – familiar with procedures and accreditation requirements in Serbia and Montenegro  

7. Expected Deliverables

- Program is defined and finalized in line with accreditation requirements in Republic of Serbia (proscribed by Republic Institute for Social Protection) and Republic of Montenegro (proscribed by Institute for social and child protection)

- Program is finalized and submitted to the Accreditation board/Accreditation commission in October/November session 2022

- Program fulfil all accreditation standards and are positively rated by Accreditation board/Accreditation commission  

- Program obtained accreditation by Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs in Republic of Serbia and Institute for Social and Child Protection in Republic of Montenegro

- Report on conducted process submitted in agreed timeline.

7. Timeline*

In order to perform all scheduled tasks, an independent Consultant/s shall be hired from July 10^th 2022 – December 20^th 2022 in the period no longer than 12 days. The consultant/s will prepare and implement the work plan in consultations and with the support of relevant Save the Children staff.

* The timeline can be changed in consultation with the relevant staff of Save the Children

Status updates/reporting

The Consultant shall be present on regular meetings with SCI staff in order to be in line with schedule and possible changes.

Acceptance

Methodology to deliver tasks defined by this ToR and reports will be verified by SCI project staff.

General assumptions and dependencies

SCI staff will provide all information and materials for the Consultant. SCI staff will also provide feedback to the Consultant regarding monitoring process and report.

Payment information 

The consultants must indicate the prices he/she is offering to Save the Children as part of the contract, including the currency in the Bidding Response document as well as SC-PR-10-Request for Quotation if applying on behalf of a company or organization. Provide a narrative clarification of each budget activity demonstrating how they relate to the proposed methodology and work plan. The budget headings and specific budget lines are obligatory within proposed budget.

*Note: Include only consultancy fee and task related travel costs (if any).

50% of the total cost payable till September 5^th, after delivering all tasks in this timeframe defined by ToR.

50 % of the total cost payable till December 25^th after delivering and approving final report.

The Fees are inclusive of all costs, overheads and expenses, including travel and accommodation.

Payment will be made based on the contractually agreed daily rate and only for the contractually agreed services. Payment will only be made upon receipt of a worksheet and accepted report.  

How to apply for the services

Interested consultants or companies/organisations should develop and submit the bidding proposal (accompanied with relevant annexes) in English language to respond to above mentioned specific tasks. The bidding proposal should include: 1. Package for Consultants companies OR 2. Package for Consultants Individuals:

Package for Consultants individuals (complete if applying as an individual):

1. Bidder Response document - individuals;

2. CVs format - individuals (maximum 3 pages) emphasizing relevant experience for assigment defined by this ToR;

3. Reference list

Selection criteria

SC will make a decision on the most successful bidder, subject to the available budget, based on the following criteria:

• Relevant education;
• Relevant experience;
• How well the proposal meets the requirements set out in the Terms of Reference;
• Value for money.

No person working on any task for or behalf of Save the Children may in no way whatsoever be involved or related to child abuse or exploitation as defined in the Save the Children's Child Safeguarding Policy. The contracting authority also requires that the personal data of all evaluation participants must be protected and stored in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation - (EU) 2016/679 and the national law on personal data protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH Law on Personal Data Protection, Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina No. 49/06).

Application procedures

IInterested candidates should send their applications to Procurement.NWB@savethechildren.org no later than June 27, 2022. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Please find enclosed documentation: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w4dB3hQiO081N5r5pDh_Ia2jGtH_gtJs...