Consultant Early Childhood Development Project in Indonesia | ReliefWeb

Introduction

ChildFund International (ChildFund), a member of the ChildFund

Alliance, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping

deprived, excluded and vulnerable children thrive and become

leaders of positive change in their communities.

Based on promising practices that have emerged from early

childhood development programming, ChildFund focuses on a

holistic approach that promotes optimal physical, language,

social, emotional and intellectual growth and development.

Furthermore, ChildFund’s early childhood development

programming supports the basic services and parent-child

relationships that infants and young children need, and

promotes the recognition of children as valued members within

households, communities and nations.

For more than 20 years and in over 20 countries, ChildFund has

been implementing, through local partners, programming that

supports and educates parents/caregivers. While there is

variation within the parenting education approach, these

projects typically educate parents on how to stimulate and

support the development of their children, while also

monitoring the development of their young children, and are

linked to promoting child rights, ensuring child protection,

improving nutrition, and ensuring access to quality health

care, preschools, and eventually, a successful transition to

primary school. ChildFund seeks to address early childhood

development (ECD) from the most basic of platforms —

interaction within the family and community. When

parents/caregivers are involved and communities invest in

children at an early age, the effects are long-lasting.

ChildFund actively promotes child rights, children’s agency,

and child participation, starting from the very first stage of

life (0-5 years of age). ChildFund’s programming seeks to

empower caregivers and communities to stimulate, develop, and

promote children’s skills, engagement, and ability to be active

agents of change. Among other approaches, in disaster- prone

and disaster-affected areas, ChildFund uses Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management (DRRM) work as a vehicle for

developing children’s skills and agency as well.

Statement of Purpose

Between July 2013 and December 2014, ChildFund Indonesia,

together with their local partner, Sumba Integrated Development

(SID), piloted a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project in eight

early childhood development (ECD) centres in two districts in

Nusa Tenggara Timur Province of Indonesia. The province of Nusa

Tenggara Timur is ranked the 4th most disaster-prone province

in the country. The DRR-ECD project worked on ensuring that

children ages 3-6 years in the targeted communities were less

vulnerable during disasters. In addition, the overall purpose

of this pilot project was also to explore how DRR is best

integrated into ECD programming.

The outcomes of the pilot DRR-ECD project included:

Key Outcome 1: Renovate/rehabilitate 8 ECD centres and 8 health

posts in order to provide structurally safe environment for

young children

Key Outcome 2: Build the capacity of

teachers/tutors/supervisors cadre and parents on developing ECD

DRR action plans from 8 ECD centres/8 posyandu

Key Outcome 3: Increase awareness of the importance of DRRM for

communities and young children

Importantly, the DRR-ECD project worked on how to best

incorporate DRR into the ECD curriculum for the very young

children (3-6 years of age), both for the purposes of working

out an integration model (as directed by the Government of

Indonesia for regional levels) and for developing children’s

skills, emergent agency, etc.

The ECD+DRR integration model of the project is aimed at

enhancing resilience skills in children. It works with

parents/tutors so they know how to handle emergencies and

disasters, and how to work with their children at home and in

the ECD center in case a disaster strikes. Just as important,

the tutors/parents are better prepared because they are

building capacities in disaster mapping, basic DRR and child

protection in an emergency. In addition to a structurally safe

ECD center, the children learn disaster songs, about disasters,

and participate in drills etc., so they are not nervous or

stressed when a disaster happens. Teaching under this model is

also value-based, emphasizing children’s executive function,

agency, willingness and ability to help self and others/take

care of others, and leadership.

ChildFund Indonesia is currently finalizing a project

evaluation, focused on the main outcomes as well as on the

process of implementation.

ChildFund is seeking consultant services to conduct a rigorous

impact evaluation on the model implemented in the DRR-ECD

Indonesia project, addressing the evaluation questions,

methodological requirements, and target audiences below.

Evaluation Questions

The following evaluation questions have been formulated with a

view to contributing to knowledge and evidence building in the

DRR-ECD fields, not replicating existing research or monitoring

and evaluation (M&E) activities of the project, and

influencing the audiences described below. Please note that

these research questions are in near-final draft and are

subject to modification based on feasibility and methodological

considerations when the evaluation design is developed and

finalized with the Consultant.

1) The ECD+DRR integration model builds executive function,

agency, pro-social behavior skills (of particular interest,

taking care of others), which lead to resilience in children:

Does the model effectively build skills related to resilience

in children 3-6 years of age? Does the model enhance ECD

outcomes and skills related to resilience, such as the

executive function described above? Does the model enhance

these skills in children – compared to ECD models that do not

integrate the DRR component?

2) Is this model cost-effective? Is it sustainable? Can it be

used for scale-up to multiple locations in Indonesia?

Target Audiences

With this evaluation, ChildFund seeks to target researchers and

practitioners in the ECD and DRR fields. ChildFund is

particularly interested in examining the integration of DRR

into the ECD curriculum as a vehicle for developing executive

function and agency, as skills that lead to resilience, in very

young children. This is envisioned as a contribution to the

evidence base in ECD and DRR globally.

In addition, the intersection of DRR and ECD work is an area

where ChildFund Indonesia has experience and learning, and is

interested in establishing as a niche in country. It is

envisioned that the results of this evaluation will help

support ChildFund’s positioning, visibility, and advocacy

efforts.

Evaluation Design and Methodology

Attribution

ChildFund is seeking a Consultant to conduct a rigorous impact

evaluation – one that demonstrates attribution of the results

(e.g., the development of executive function, leadership,

agency in children 3-6 years of age who have had DRR+ECD

experience) to the model that was implemented (i.e., the

DRR+ECD integrated model). In other words, the evaluation will

aim to show how the results were “caused by” the model, net of

other factors that could have also influenced the results,

through a “with” versus “without” comparison.

To this end, ChildFund expects the Consultant to be able to

design the impact evaluation in a manner that allows for

attribution through the appropriate comparison. To facilitate

the implementation of such a research design, ChildFund can

facilitate the Consultant’s access to communities in Indonesia

that have experienced the DRR+ECD model and to communities

where ECD work and curricula do not incorporate DRR, for

instance. The design of the impact evaluation allowing for

attribution of results to the DRR+ECD model is expected to be

finalized in consultation with ChildFund.

Evaluability Assessment

As part of impact evaluations ChildFund commissions,

Consultants are asked to complete an evaluability assessment

(modified to fit a model rather than an entire project). For

this evaluation, besides other steps, the evaluability

assessment should:

• Document the DRR+ECD model in detail, including causal
  
  logic, components, mode and steps of implementation, materials
  
  developed and used in the model, cost structure, etc.
  


• Gather and synthesize all data and documentation on the
  
  model, short of primary field data collection
  


• Identify where primary data collection will be needed to
  
  answer the evaluation questions above, and what the comparison
  
  communities need to look like in order to get at attribution
  

This may necessitate an in-country trip to Indonesia, which

will likely be separate from a follow- up trip to complete the

primary data collection.

The evaluability assessment/model documentation portion

of this impact evaluation is to becompleted prior to

30 June 2015. The second portion of the impact evaluation is

expected to ****be completed in the Fall of 2015, with the

timeline to be agreed upon between ChildFund and****the

Consultant.

The RFP response should clearly indicate approaches to Phase I:

evaluability assessment/ model documentation and Phase II:

primary data collection, analysis, and final deliverables.

Specific Methods

For the purposes of rigorous impact evaluations that get at

attribution, ChildFund does not privilege one approach or

method over another, as long as the methods used get at

attribution. The Consultant should expect to discuss the

evaluation design with ChildFund (and other partners as needed)

and provide technical advice on the appropriate design, and

should be able to carry it out. This includes primary data

collection in country. The Consultant should also expect to

discuss the specific research tools with ChildFund and

partners, and either design them, or adapt them (if using

existing tools), in accordance with the evaluation design and

the specific research methods selected. ChildFund will work

with the consultants on design, methods, and tools.

Data

The Consultant should expect to collect primary data in

country. ChildFund will facilitate access to communities, local

logistics and travel, translation and interpretation, and the

like. ChildFund will also provide access to appropriate project

staff for their knowledge of the model, and help facilitate

contact with other relevant stakeholders. ChildFund will also

provide access to project documentation, including all

materials developed under the model, available reports, final

evaluation, etc.

Deliverables

Phase I: Evaluability report, including detailed documentation

of the DRR+ECD model (causal logic, components, steps, etc.)

Phase II: Evaluation report, detailing the evaluation design,

methods, approach to analysis, findings, implications for

programming and policy (to be discussed with ChildFund and

partners), and how the findings speak to existing evidence in

the DRR and ECD fields

Research brief, 5-7 pages in length, summarizing the above

information

Dataset of all primary data collected in the course of the

evaluation, in a format to be agreed upon between ChildFund and

the Consultant

Two presentations on findings and implications to key

stakeholders from ChildFund and partners: one presentation on

initial findings to vet and gather feedback; a second

presentation once feedback has been incorporated and content

finalized

RFP Guidelines and Information

1) Timeline: Deadline for expression of interest,

which does not constitute an obligation to submit a proposal

and may consist of no more than a brief email, is 14 May 2015.

Final deadline for questions is 21 May 2015. Deadline for

submission of proposals is 5:00 pm EST on 1 May 2015. However,

proposals will be considered on a rolling basis prior to final

deadline. ChildFund anticipates making a final decision on the

proposal on or before 5 May 2015.

2) The ChildFund point of contact for this RFP is:

Velina Petrova, PhD, Interim Director, Program Assessment &

Learning, ChildFund International

1200 18th Street NW, Suite 718 Washington, DC 2006

Direct telephone: 804.765.2700 Ext.2323

3) RFP responses must be made with the same order, number, and

headings outlined in the section of this RFP titled, “Proposals

Should Include”.

4) Responses must be comprehensive and complete, and posted

directly next to the corresponding RFP question. Answers to all

questions need to be explicit, clear, and to the point.

5) Please do not use referencing as a means of responding to

any question (do not respond by asking the reader to refer to

an attachment).

6) Proposals should be prepared simply and economically,

without use of elaborate and promotional materials beyond those

sufficient to provide a complete, accurate and reliable

presentation.

7) One (1) soft copy, sent via email, is required.

8) ChildFund reserves the right in its sole discretion, to

reject any and all responses and to waive any irregularity or

informality in any response. ChildFund shall not be liable for

any losses and/or expenses incurred by the respondents

throughout this process.

9) ChildFund reserves the right to request additional

information from any or all proposers to assist in its

evaluation process.

10) All representations, including fees, made by the proposer

shall be in effect for a minimum of 90 days.

11) Note that total payment for services will be paid at the

satisfactory completion of all deliverables.

Selection Criteria

The purpose of this request for proposal is to assist ChildFund

in selecting a qualified firm based on established criteria

deemed necessary by ChildFund. ChildFund will make its

selection based upon all available information and will not

rely solely on the lowest bid. Selection criteria include, in

no particular order:

1. Organizational capacity.
   


2. Depth, quality and experience of the dedicated service team
   
   to perform the work described
   


3. Degree of demonstrated knowledge in providing similar
   
   services, and degree of experience in the scope of services.
   


4. Adequacy of the proposed technical approach and its fit
   
   with the ChildFund context.
   


5. Degree of responsiveness to the RFP. working with
   
   non-profits, with global organizations and/or in the developing
   
   world.
   


6. Project management approach and capability to manage the
   
   project in a competent
   


7. Location and accessibility to ChildFund.
   


8. Total proposed cost.
   

Scope of Services

1. Work for this project will commence in May 2015; the final
   
   deliverable of Phase I must be provided no later than 30 June
   
   2015.
   


2. ChildFund seeks to work closely and in a collaborative
   
   manner with the consulting partner. We expect to define more
   
   exactly our mutual roles and responsibilities at the start of
   
   the contract, when this scope of services will be reviewed and
   
   finalized. Where ChildFund already knows it wants to lead a
   
   step, or we prefer the partner to lead a step, this is noted.
   
   Where neither is noted, we expect to engage the Consultant in
   
   decision-making. To this end, in collaboration with ChildFund,
   
   a detailed operational plan with timeline will be developed at
   
   the start of the consultancy.
   

Illustrative milestones are as follows:

i. Design the evaluation, select the appropriate method,

prepare research tools

a. ChildFund will provide existing information on the project

(description, documentation, data, etc.)

b. ChildFund will facilitate access to and engagement with

partners as needed iii. ChildFund will participate in

discussions on the design, methodology, and tools

ii. Conduct brief kick-off meeting in country

a. ChildFund will facilitate local planning and logistics

b. ChildFund will facilitate availability of country staff to

support local research on an as-needed basis

c. ChildFund will facilitate access to and engagement with

partners locally

iii. Collect primary data in country

a. ChildFund will facilitate local planning and logistics

b. ChildFund will facilitate access to and engagement with

partners locally iii. ChildFund will facilitate availability of

country staff to support local research on an as-needed basis

iv. Conduct Analysis

a. ChildFund and partners will provide access to existing

project data

b. ChildFund will ensure staff are available to answer

questions as needed

v. Report

a. ChildFund will reach out to partners, stakeholders and other

interested parties, to ensure findings are vetted and feedback

to report drafts is provided

Proposals Should Include

Brief Company Background

1. Company name and address, telephone number, web address and
   
   number and location of offices.
   


2. Please indicate the office that will service ChildFund. 2.
   
   Key contact for your proposal (name and contact information).
   


3. Number of employees and length of time your company has
   
   been in business.
   


4. Please briefly describe your firm’s written Code of
   
   Conduct, Ethics Policy and/or Conflict of Interest Policy.
   

Brief History

1. Briefly describe your firm’s experience and expertise in
   
   evaluation, applied research, and/or program or product
   
   strengthening, including how long this has been part of your
   
   service offering.
   


2. Provide summaries of two engagements that are similar to
   
   the scope of services ChildFund has requested.
   


3. For how many not-for-profit clients has your firm provided
   
   services? For how many global clients (with operations in 5 or
   
   more countries) has your firm provided services? Have you
   
   provided services similar to those requested by ChildFund to
   
   any of these clients?
   


4. Provide a copy of your annual report or any pertinent
   
   information about your company.
   

Approach

1. Please provide an explanation of your proposed technical
   
   approach and methodology to be used to provide the scope of
   
   services requested.
   


2. Please provide an estimated project timeline.
   


3. Please state how quickly your company will be able to
   
   mobilize to execute the proposal.
   


4. Please explain your company’s project management approach
   
   and capability.Personnel
   


5. List key personnel who would be responsible to provide
   
   services to ChildFund. Please include the year the individual
   
   joined the firm, current responsibilities, area of expertise,
   
   relevant past experience and education. Detail their roles and
   
   scope of responsibilities on this project.
   

a. Note: This project is expected to require travel to

developing countries. Individuals assigned to this project

should have the ability, if necessary, to travel in areas where

general conditions are considerably below what is experienced

in the United States or other developed countries.

Insurance and Indemnification

1. What type of indemnification is offered to clients?
   


2. Please describe insurance and coverage.
   


3. What other safeguards do you provide?
   

Costs and Fees

1. List your proposed fees for consulting for the scope of
   
   services outlined.
   


2. List all expenses anticipated and indicate how travel and
   
   miscellaneous expenses will be handled within the proposed fee.
   


3. List any additional services that may exceed the scope of
   
   responsibilities and duties contemplated within the set fee
   
   income.References
   


4. Provide at least three client references, one of whom is no
   
   longer using your services.