India: Consultant

Terms of Reference

Situational analysis of key child protection issues in the districts of

Dharmarapuri and Krishnagiri in Tami Nadu and

Kolhapur and Sangli in Maharashtra

I. CONTEXT

Asmae has been working in India for the past 20 years in the field of child education (preventing school dropouts) and promotion of adolescents’ participation. The first partnership started in Tamil Nadu with SEED providing sponsorship support to 25 children and later moved on to Maharashtra in 1998, through the partnership with Door Step School Pune supporting a Reading Class Project. Over the years, the number of partners in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra increased up to 15 in 2009. In accordance with Asmae’s global strategy, several phase-outs have been carried out since then. Asmae is currently supporting 6 partners.

Asmae in India recently developed its country strategy for 2018-2020 and child protection will be one key areas of intervention. In parallel, new geographical areas of intervention have been identified in the States of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra: Dharmarapuri and Krishnagiri districts in Tami Nadu and Kolhapur and Sangli districts in Maharashtra.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The overall objective of the study is to identify the key child protection issues in the new geographical areas, analyse social and cultural context, identify root causes and deficits in child protection responses, as well as provide a mapping of actors and stakeholders working on the priority child protection issues identified.

The study will be used as a tool to help Asmae develop a child protection programme in the above mentioned new districts.

Specific objectives

· Identify key issues in child protection, socio and cultural drivers and root causes in the proposed areas of intervention.

· Identify priority child protection concerns of children, families and communities and how child protection issues are perceived and understood in their communities

· Identify the most vulnerable children in relation with key issues and their respective protection needs (a gender analysis is also required)

· Examine child protection policies and mechanisms in place related to the key issues and identify deficits in protection response in the proposed areas of intervention.

· Provide a mapping of main actors in child protection in the areas, governmental and civil society, including community mechanisms.

· Describe and evaluate the type of protection interventions carried out and strategies used by these actors.

· Recommend intervention strategies to address the key protection issues that Asmae with partners could implement in the new geographical areas.

1II. GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE

The study will be conducted in the districts of Dharmarapuri and Krishnagiri in Tami Nadu and Kolhapur and Sangli in Maharashtra.

IV. METHODOLOGY

A combination of comprehensive review of secondary data and field work, conducting interviews and focus groups as well as literature and qualitative data analysis, will be required.

a) Review of the literature: an analytical review of already available research and documentation to get a better understanding of the situation of child protection in the geographical areas as well as to identify the most important issues on the target area

b) Conducting a mapping assessment of the main actors (government and civil society actors – including potential partners for Asmae) working on the field of Child protection in the geographical areas and child protection mechanisms established at state and community level

c) Field Work: Data collection in the different districts. Conducting interviews with main actors identified on the mapping exercise and interviews and focus groups with community members: community leaders, children and families in the areas of intervention.

The consultant is expected to work in close collaboration with both Asmae Project and partnerships managers (PMM) in the State of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

V. EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THE STUDY

The consultant is expected to produce before the end of the timeframe a final report in English addressing the objectives established in the TOR.

The consultant will produce two separate sections in the report one for the State of Tamil Nadu and another for Maharashtra. A third section should highlight how interventions in respective States can be consistent and be in synergy.

VI. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES and TIMEFRAME

Inception Report

Develop and submit an inception report including work plan one week after the start of the consultancy prior. The inception report is to be discussed with Asmae, adjusted as needed and approved.

Draft report

Deliver a draft report for discussion with Asmae team. One month after the start of the consultancy for the Tamil Nadu Section and two months for the other sections.

Final report:

Deliver the final report incorporating the comments of Asmae taking into account the feedback and adjustments of the draft report one week after final feedback.

The study will take a maximum of three months starting as soon as possible.

VII. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND and EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

· The consultant will have an academic background in child rights and child protection

· At least 5 years of experience in the field of child protection

· A thorough understanding of child protection systems at the National and State level

· Experience in participatory approaches.

· Experience in conducting studies and field work for international NGOs.

· Experience in project design.

· Excellent written English, fluency in Tamil required. For Maharashtra an interpreter will be provided.

The consultant is requested to send a CV to the following address, together with an outline of how the study will be conducted, including the methodological approach, tools that will be used and expected consultancy fees/budget.

Email Id: adminfinanceofficer.india@asmae.fr; india@asmae.fr