Terms of Reference (ToR) – Local expert/Company to Conduct Research on the necessary reforms for social services and sector policies

Strengthening social services provision for the most vulnerable groups in Kosovo, in response to COVID-19

Terms of Reference (ToR) – Local expert/Company to Conduct Research on the necessary reforms for social services and sector policies

Background on Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading global independent organization for children. Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our vision: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Our mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Our values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.

We are committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, to focus them on achieving maximum impact for children.

• General information on the project

Through the project “Strengthening Social Service Provision for the Most Vulnerable Groups in Kosovo in Response to Covid-19”, financed by European Union Office in Kosovo, Save the Children Kosova/o aims to contribute to an effective transformation of the social services system in Kosovo to improve quality and availability of the local social and community-based services for children and vulnerable people living at social risk. This will be achieved through three (3) components: Enhancing availability of and accessibility to social services; Strengthening the capacities to enhance the adequacy, effectiveness, efficiency, affordability and quality of the social services; and Awareness raising and advocacy.

• Objective

Save the children Kosova/o will conduct a research on the necessary reforms for social services and sector policies based on the current stance of the followings:

1. The existing cases of violence against children (VAC) including cases of sexual violence against children, reported, managed and closed by Center for Social Work (CSWs). The aim of this research focus is to depict the ratio of cases that remain open and the factors that delay their closure, in relation to the total cases reported to CSWs.
2. The trends of CSWs in implementing full scope of case management cycle for cases handled in the period from 2022-2023

• Location and official travel involved

Contracted services are to be carried out in Kosovo.

Experience and skill set required

Save the Children Kosova/o is seeking a local expert/company with the required research expertise on the social protection system in Kosovo.

Interested applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:

• A Master’s degree in the field of Social Sciences; International Development, Human Rights (PhD would be considered an asset);
• Proven extensive knowledge and experience of social protection policies and services in Kosovo;
• Exceptional analytical skills to understand and explain complicated ideas and problems in a simple and understandable language;
• Expertise in conducting and facilitating quantitative and qualitative research with various stakeholders (previous experience with social service stakeholders would be considered an asset)
• Ability to produce high-quality products on time;
• Excellent command of English and Albanian (written/spoken) (Command of Serbian language would be considered an asset)
• Ability to produce well-written reports, in a reader-friendly format, demonstrating excellent analytical and communication skills.

Save the Children Kosova/o expects the following deliverables and timeline:

For the selected expert / company to fulfil the timeline provided below, will be needed 15 working days.

Estimated Commencement Date: 29 November 2023

Estimated End Date: 14 December 2023

Status updates/reporting

The selected local expert/company should maintain ongoing communication with representatives of Save the Children Kosova/o during the entire period. Furthermore, the consultancy requires close coordination and cooperation with the International Expert which will support the development of the Research namely on overall research design, data analysis and recommendations.

• Acceptance

The assigned deliverables will be accepted by:

       -   Project Manager within 5 days of the delivery date

• General assumptions and dependencies

Save the Children Kosova/o within the project, ‘Strengthening social service provision for the most vulnerable groups in Kosovo, in response to COVID-19’ funded by European Union Office in Kosovo, foresees to strengthen the cooperation of public and non-public service providers. Additionally, within the consultancy, Save the Children Kosova/o besides its technical role during the consultancy, feedback on proposed approaches will be provided.

• Payment information

Save the Children Kosova/o will remunerate the facilitator on a daily gross fee (from which the income taxes and pension contribution will be withheld and paid, based on Kosovo Law) or/and in an amount free of VAT in the case of the Company. Save the Children Kosova/o will make the payment through bank transfer in the bank account upon completion and approval of the assignment and submission of the completed timesheet/invoice.

• 100% of the total cost payable within 15 days of satisfactory completion of assigned deliverables;

Sometimes the nature of the services required necessitates that Suppliers are paid on a daily/hourly rate. Timesheets are required for all service providers on a daily/hourly rate e.g.
Payment will be made based on the contractually agreed daily rate and only for the contractually agreed services. Timesheets using the template provided are to be submitted monthly during the Engagement. Payment will only be made upon receipt of a valid invoice accompanied by the timesheet/s for the relevant period.
The Fees are inclusive of all costs, overheads and expenses, including travel, subsistence and accommodation.

Other important information

As a condition of entering into a consultancy agreement, the Company/individual(s) must sign the Save the Children International Child Safeguarding Policy and abide by the terms and conditions thereof.

• How to apply for the services

Interested Candidates are welcome to apply by sending the documents listed below to procurementkosovo@savethechildren.org. with the subject line: SS_Research paper on social services

1. The Technical proposal should have the following details: Understanding of the assignment and its tasks, Methodology and approach to be used;
2. Financial proposal for each working day including an offer in amount free of VAT (company) and gross amount (individual) before any legal deductions of the country of origin.
3. Curriculum Vitae.
4. Business Certification (for Companies)

The deadline to apply is: November 27^th, 2023, until 16:30