Case Management Coaching Package Consultant ( Child Protection) - Beirut - National Candidates Only

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 cities in the United States, the IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions of vulnerable individuals who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC Child Protection (CP) team works to improve the protection of children in Lebanon focusing on 2 pillars: the first pillar consist on direct implementation of child protection case management services for vulnerable children; the second pillar consist on supporting the capacity development of CP service providers to provide quality case management services and strengthen community-based protection mechanisms for children at risk, and through working directly with children and youth at risk and with their families.

In November 2013, Lebanon was overwhelmed with the rapid influx of Syrian refugees of which alarming 76% of refugees at that time, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR were children under the age 11. several NGOs contributed to the response to the child protection concerns including the delivery of case management of children at risk.

However, varied understandings of minimum standards in child protection including in emergencies was noticed, as well as irregular practices of child protection case management (CM) among responding agencies.  National Standard operating procedures for the protection of children in Lebanon were developed and contributed to the harmonization of case management interventions, yet, with increasing surge of children requiring protection and the national system understandably overwhelmed with the humanitarian needs of the population, the urgency to further contribute to building the capacity of CM actors remains valid.

Following the successful and promising outcomes of the implementation of a coaching project since 2013, through provision of technical support for frontline case workers, and supervisors of national and international actors at various levels, and looking for more institutionalization and sustainability, IRC decided In 2021 to establish a pool of coaches selected from a number of International and National NGOS with the aim of equipping them with advanced skills on coaching and providing them with technical tools and materials so they may replicate the coaching program internally within their organization and externally by training and coaching other CP actors in their area.

Objectives

The purpose of the consultancy is to collaborate with the IRC coaching program team to develop a case management coaching package that includes curriculum, various educational techniques for different roles and skill sets and relevant tools, building on the previous learning sessions and training program of IRC as well as the ongoing pool of coaches’ sessions being delivered to the new identified participants in 2021. 

Scope of Work

The scope of work for this consultancy consists in 3 phases that that might overlap as follows:

PHASE 1:  Desk review and Needs Assessment

1. Desk review

• Review IRC coaching curriculums and existing training package to be able to adapt and graphically design the facilitation and coaching skills training package following a similar structure.
• Review the peer-to-peer sessions materials and reports in addition to any other relevant reports and documentations related to the coaching program provided by IRC to gain a full understanding of the IRC experience in CPCM capacity building and identify possible gaps or unaddressed areas.
• Review of other similar global and national toolkits including but not limited to training modules, evaluation tools, curricula on coaching, mentoring and on the job shadowing in child protection and case management.

2. Needs Assessment

• Coordinate with the IRC Child Protection Coordinator, CP Technical Advisor, Child Protection senior manager, Child protection Coaching Manager, as well as other CP coaching staff members to get a briefing on the coaching program, and build upon IRC’s experience, strengths, challenges and needs.
• Collaborate closely with IRC’s coaching staff and participate when possible and upon the guidance of the coaching manager to the pool of coaches’ sessions to understand the dynamic, identify the specific challenges that will inform the coaching package content development and structure design.
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews with selected staff of other NGOs who collaborated at the finalization of the Inter-Agency Case Management Supervision and Coaching Package  under the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

This phase will be concluded by the submission of an inception report that includes the main findings of the desk review and needs assessments in addition to the tentative structure of the package and its main content. Based on the report review, the IRC team might request a meeting to discuss the content inquire clarifications and advise on recommendations and inputs for the design and structure of the package.

PHASE 2: Package development

1. Based on existing materials, adapt, and develop a coaching package for the child protection Case management that fits the Lebanese context. The package should include:

• Introductory overview section, giving a general overview of the training package, present the specific approach used and the strategic and operational objectives as well as the target group and the key considerations for its use.
• A theoretical part that includes definitions of the different learning techniques and methods in child protection with a specific emphasis on coaching and the competency framework of a good coach for CPCM and key challenges that might face a CP coach.
• A fully fledged training modules that would include themes, sessions, objectives, facilitator guide, materials needed, handouts, and other supporting materials such as PowerPoint presentations and evaluation and auto evaluation tools as appropriate. Sessions should be using different learning methods such as simulation, case studies, role play, small group exercises, learning assignments with examples inspired from CP cases.
• List of resources and references of materials existing and used, including relevant standards, guidelines, and complementary training resources for further guidance should be stated throughout the materials development under related sections.
• A specific chapter should tackle recommendations on specific approaches and sustainable ways for the coaches to continue learning and to provide trainings on case management by themselves.

PHASE 3:

1. Workshops & trainings

• Carry out a ToT for IRC CP coaching staff members and additional members on the toolkit package. 

Reporting and coordination:

The consultant will work closely with the IRC CP coaching manager and will provide updates through regular meeting to the senior child protection manager and the Child Protection Coordinator as appropriate.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible of the following deliverables:

• Inception report following the first phase of desk review and needs assessment.
• CP CM coaching package including (training modules, tools, handouts, exercises and case studies, facilitator guide, pre and posttest questionnaires, the package should be in English.
• ToT training materials and PowerPoint presentation.
• Consultancy final report as described above.

All materials developed must be original work. If information from existing resources is integrated into the materials it must be done with the permission of the original source, and clear attribution, reference and credit must be provided to the source.

All curricula and materials designed and produced under this consultancy will be the property of IRC.

Timeframe and Payment modality:

The consultant will be hired till the end of Dec.21 and will be paid as lumpsum once IRC approves the curriculum and the consultant conduct the training session to the pool of coaches.

Location:

Beirut based with possible travel in Lebanon- however movements during COVID-19 are in line with the government of Lebanon recommendations.

Qualifications Requirements and Knowledge:

Education:

• Higher Education University degree in Social Work, Humanitarian Affairs, or another relevant field.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience in child protection with proven experience in child protection case management including the use of the standard operating procedures for juvenile protection and related tools in Lebanon.
• Solid experience in developing training materials, tools, and curriculum Proven experience in training including organizing ToT, mentoring, shadowing and coaching staff in child protection approaches and core competencies.

knowledge Skills and Competencies:

• Good Knowledge of national and international legal frameworks and conventions relating to childcare and protection including the UNCRC, law 422 and law 293; the challenges associated with addressing children’s rights holistically with limited time / resources.
• Good knowledge of the tools developed by the child protection working group and the case management task force required for service mapping, documenting the case management, information management, data protection, information sharing, and working with others in case management.
• Good knowledge of the indicators for and consequences of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence on children; core theories related to childcare, child development and protection.
• Good understanding of protection concerns for children in Lebanon, relationship dynamics, cultural practices impacting child welfare
• Good understanding of child protection programming:  knowledge of the main principles and approaches; linkages with other sectors; the basic roles and responsibilities of agencies involved with safeguarding children.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including providing feedback and guidance towards new goals and directions.
• Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, prioritize work under pressure.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Objective and impartial attitude in dealing with team.
• Ability to applying technical expertise and capitalize it in producing tools, checklists, and guidance notes.
• Ability to work under pressure and in emergency.
• Ability to work individually and within a team.

Language Skills:

Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Other:

The consultant must abide by IRC policies, procedures, code of conduct and child safeguarding policy.