Consultant for Access to School Handbook Initiative - Capacity Building for Psychosocial Services to OVC Project

Background
Capacity Building for Psychosocial Services to OVC (CBPS): Building Capacity through Direct Services and Social Work Training is the project funded by USAID. This project is implemented with two sub-partners the University of Labor and Social Affairs Campus II (ULSA 2) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the An Giang University (AGU) in An Giang Province (AG). In Fiscal Year 2011, CBPS project has the strategic objective (SO) to
develop and distribute a reference guide for those who are working with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) on how to gain a successful outcome for OVC in the areas of access to education and integration into schools
WWO has more than four years experience working to eliminate stigma and discrimination against children living with HIV in Vietnam through work with three orphanages in three regions in the country. Access of OVC to school is one of the biggest challenges in this area and has been discussed among the organisations which work with OVC overall in Vietnam. For this activity, WWO and partners plan to bring together organisaitons in Vietnam that have experience in helping children gain access to school to share and document the experience of these organisations along with WWO’s experience for wider learning. A Handbook on best practices, successes, challenges, and lessons learned will be written as a reference guide for other CBOs to see examples of techniques and the different approaches needed to gain successful outcomes in the areas of access to education and integration into schools. .
WWO will share experience in reducing the risks and vulnerabilities a child may face in this process, the many different strategies that may need to be taken based on the local environment:
-  to mobilize support from community leaders
- to change a community’s understanding and acceptance of the children
- to prevent key mistakes that are made which may create more harm and resistance.

Purpose of the consultancy
The main purpose of the consultancy is to develop the reference guide (Handbook) for OVC in the area of access into school.
Scope of work
The Terms of Reference outlines the role and responsibilities of the consultant who will be a technical adviser (TA) to:.
1. Carry out the primary and secondary data collections including:
a. Desk review of existing handbooks and related documents.
b. Conduct IDIs, FGDs and key informants
c. Analyze the data
d. Present analysis to CBPS
e. Write a comprehensive research report

2. Organize workshop to present the analysis.
3. Design the handbook and get feedback.
4. Write a report on the process and results with suggestions for program changes or other areas for further research.
Expected outputs:
1. Research report
2. Workshop report
3. Handbook
4. Consultancy final report

All reports will be presented in both Vietnamese and English.
Duration
The expected length of consultancy is forty (40) days during the period March 10 – June 30 2011.
Suggested Timeline:
- Draft research report by April 25, 2011
- Final needs assessment report by May 10, 2011
- Organize and hold workshop to present the initial analysis by May 10, 2011
- Design and present a draft of handbook by June 6, 2011
- Complete the final version of handbook by June 30, 2011
- Complete the final report.

Supervision
The Technical Advisor will report to the WWO Deputy Director, Do Thi Nhu Tam and the Program Manager, Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet.

Requirements
- University degree and master prefer in social work, sociology or education.
- At least 5 years social research experience.
- Significant experience in social work that focuses on community – based approaches to serve children and families.
- Excellent report writing and presentation skills both in English and Vietnamese.
- Team work skills and experience in leading teams.
- Experience in facilitating workshops, particularly in the application of participatory methods.

Application Instructions
Deadline for applications: March 1, 2011. Interested applicants please send application letters, CVs, and a costed Proposal to Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet ([email protected]); Ms. Do Thi Nhu Tam ([email protected]) . No phone calls please.
Budget
Salary and benefits: competitive.