TERMS OF REFERENCE – NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION OR COMPANY
| Consultancy Title | Childcare Advocacy Partner Organization |
| Project Name | Catalyzing Quality Sustainable and Replicable Daycare Services in Lesotho Project |
| Location | Maseru, Lesotho |
| Contract duration | January – September 2023 (9 Months) |
| Deadline | 18 November 2022 |
CRS Background:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health and nutrition, WASH, agriculture and food security, livelihoods, education (ECD), microfinance, peacebuilding and Integrated Catchment Management (ICM).
Purpose: Catholic Relief Services through the Catalyzing Quality Sustainable and Replicable Daycare Services in Lesotho project wishes to engage a partner non profit organization to support implementation of the project’s advocacy initiatives in FY 2023. The main responsibility for the partner organization will be to develop advocacy strategy to influence the Government of Lesotho and other key stakeholders on the full endorsement of national daycare center guidelines. The partner organization will further conduct advocacy dialogues and other related activities with the Government of Lesotho and other key stakeholders on full endorsement of national guidelines for day care centres. The organization will also organize awareness campaigns at various levels on the importance of ECD including endorsement of day care center guidelines.
Project Summary: Catalyzing Quality Sustainable and Replicable Daycare Services in Lesotho will transform the quality of childcare at 30 daycare centers in Maputsoe and Thetsane industrial settlements in the Maseru and Leribe Districts, resulting in improved nutrition, health, and developmental outcomes for children 0-4 years through an affordable and replicable model of quality daycare services. Core project components include:
- Enhancing quality daycare through improved infrastructure and training of daycare center providers to provide age-appropriate stimulation and play-based learning; support proper child nutrition and hygiene practices; and provide childcare that meets national guidelines,
- Linking daycare centers with village health workers for immunization status verification, malnutrition screening and referral, if necessary,
- Developing a replicable business model that allows daycare providers to offer affordable, quality services and earn a living wage,
- Supporting parents with the establishment of Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) which would increase their access to funding,
- Promoting adoption of national daycare center guidelines informed by the global nurturing care framework, ensure centers’ compliance, and promote government support of centers to improve quality and access through engagement and advocacy with Lesotho Government stakeholders.
Deliverables:
- An advocacy strategy document that includes among others; the advocacy goal, topics, primary target (Ministry of Education and Training, and Ministry of Social Development) to influence to achieve the goal, the secondary target (local and international NGOs including UN agencies), and key advocacy messages and channels to be followed,
- Detailed advocacy strategy implementation plan covering key activities (i.e., dialogues, awareness campaigns, talking to media, etc.) to be implemented as part of the strategy,
- Guidelines for day care centres are endorsed by relevant Government Ministry and published,
- The partner organization shall produce documented minutes/report for all activities conducted under this appointment i.e. meetings held with government officials,
- Develop a fact sheets (2 pagers) and posters which CRS can use for awareness creation and results dissemination,
- The partner organization shall produce final report covering activities implemented, achievements, challenges, lessons learned, best practices and the list of key stakeholders.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal to CRS: Project Manager, MEAL Staff and Program Quality Manager.
External: Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Social Development, National IECCD Multisectoral team.
Qualifications:
- Experience in implementing ECD projects at national level,
- Experience in implementing advocacy initiatives is a must,
- Familiar with the Government of Lesotho’s key ECD guiding documents such as the IECCD policy.
- Ability to convene meetings with high profile stakeholders such as; Members of parliament and ministers.
- Experience writing comprehensive donor reports,
- Excellent computer literacy (internet, software such as word, excel, etc.)
- Good organizational skill,
- Fluency in English and Sesotho language skills (preferred).
Submission: Interested organizations or companies should submit their proposals (technical and financial – not more than 20 pages) with clear methodology and schedule describing how they will attain the intended deliverables. The CV of the Project Lead and other team members who will be supporting the project should be included as appendix to the proposal. Proposals should be sent no later than 18th November 2022 at 14:00 hrs. by email to crslesothojobs@crs.org with the subject line: Advocacy Partner: Catalyzing Quality Sustainable and Replicable Daycare Services. HARD COPY APPLICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.
Please be advised that CRS requires its staff and stakeholders to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, all successful candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate their behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.