Consultancy Scope of Work

Situational Analysis

Faith Engagement in Childcare Reform

April – July 2021

Background:

Changing the Way We Care^SM (CTWWC) is a global initiative to promote safe, nurturing family care for children from institutions and children at risk of child-family separation by strengthening families, reforming national systems of care for children, and shifting commitments nationally, regionally and globally.  CTWWC is implemented by a consortium led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Maestral International with funding from a variety of donors including a public-private partnership. 

CTWWC has three main components: (1) Governments promote family care through improvement and uptake of policies, investment in social workers, therapists, and other social service staff and the national and community systems that serve vulnerable children and families; (2) Children stay in or return to families through family strengthening that includes the voice of children, community engagement, and transitioning institutions to family support initiatives; and (3) Family care promoted globally, through global, regional and national advocacy to advance policies, best practices and redirection of resources by multi-lateral, bi-lateral, corporate, philanthropic, faith-based and secular organizations and individuals. 

CTWWC recognizes that there has been significant investment and improvement in the childcare system in Moldova over the past decade.  Even with these important advances, family care, preventative and community-based family strengthening services are still underdeveloped.  Improving these services and strengthening families to prevent separation of children is within reach, but it will take a coordinated and collaborative effort.  CTWWC therefore seeks to engage diverse participants in the agenda of care reform.

Faith communities in Moldova are critical factors in the formation of public opinion and social development of communities.  Faith leaders have strong influence on social matters and the faith-based structures reach deep into communities to provide an array of social services.  There is also a wide variety of faith communities in Moldova, ranging from the Russian and Bessarabian Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, and evangelical churches to the Jewish community and other smaller minorities.  These groups have significant potential to participate in and impact care reform if engaged effective.

Purpose:

CRS seeks individuals or organizations with expertise working with leaders of different faith communities in Moldova to conduct a situational analysis of past, present, and potentially future engagement of faith communities in care reform.^[1]

^[1] CTWWC uses “care reform” as an overarching term inclusive of deinstitutionalization of children, expansion of alternative care, and preventative family strengthening interventions.

Description of Work:

Situational Analysis of faith engagement in care reform

Objectives:

• Positions: Understand the various faith communities’ position(s) on residential institutions for children, alternative care, and family strengthening and any underlying basis (theological, liturgical, strategic) for those positions.
• Roles: Understand the role that various faith leaders or faith-based groups have, can and/or want to play in care reform (currently and in the future).
• Structure: Understand the structure(s) of various faith communities (and inter-faith cooperation) and how it might be leveraged to influence public opinion and advance care reform.
• Stakeholder Analysis / Power mapping: Understand the role, position, influence, and risks associated with various individuals or powerbrokers within faith communities.
• Social Services: Identify the scope, scale, and target population of social services targeting vulnerable children and families provided by faith communities.

Activities:

1. Stakeholder List: Review and add to CTWWC’s stakeholder list of faith-based actors in Moldova, building out the relevant institutions, entities, and organizations at the national, rational, and community levels as well as the relevant individuals/contact persons and contact details.
2. Desk Review: Review of formal statements, publications, project documents and documented initiatives in which faith leaders/communities engaged in supporting or hindering care reform.
3. Key Informant Interviews (KII): With leadership of faith communities to understand
   1. positions, basis for those positions
   2. roles
   3. structure
   4. stakeholders
   5. services provided, target population and impact/results of services
4. KII: With leaders in child protection sector to understand
   1. Positions and roles of faith communities regarding care reform (triangulation)
   2. Stakeholders and power mapping (triangulate)
   3. Lessons learned from past efforts to engage faith communities
   4. Perceived risks and opportunities associated with engaging faith-based actors
5. Present findings and gather feedback / ideas / suggestions from participants in the situational analysis and sector leaders to identify potential opportunities and priorities for faith engagement, including leading a webinar to present findings to a broader group within CTWWC.

Deliverables:

• Updated stakeholder list with contact details of relevant individuals
• Data collection tools and raw data sets
• Report on the situational analysis of faith engagement for childcare reform in Moldova, in English and Romanian, according to objectives outlined above.
• Presentation of key findings from the report in a relevant software format (Powerpoint, Prezi, etc.) in English and Romanian
• Delivery of the presentation of findings in two settings – internally for a team of stakeholders working on CTWWC in Moldova and more broadly in a webinar format.

Conditions:

• Upon selection, Contractors will receive an initial briefing from CRS to provide additional context and parameters for the scope of work. Some adjustments are possible at this time.
• CRS may accompany Contractors in any meetings that require representational introductions for the initiative.
• Contractors must follow relevant research standards and CRS’ policy regarding informed consent and data protection when conducting the Services.
• Contractors will utilize their own workspace, equipment and supplies and manage their own transportation (if needed); this will not be provided by CRS unless included in the financial offer.
• All products/deliverables should undergo a first draft, revision, and final draft stage in business English. Where possible, CRS and the contractor shall agree on the format of all written products in advance of the first draft.
• All information received during the execution of the scope of work shall be treated as confidential and proprietary to CRS and cannot be reused without written consent of CRS.

Timeline:

Qualifications:

Successful candidates will have previous experience working with or coordinating among faith-based leaders in Moldova.  Strong relationships and contacts within the faith communities is an asset.  A background in research or previous experience conducting in-depth qualitative interviews a strong plus.  Ability to communicate in business English, Romanian, and Russian preferred.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter highlighting qualifications and fit for the position to britton.buckner@crs.org.  CRS will keep the consultancy open until an appropriate candidate is identified and will consider applicants in the order in which they are received.  Only candidates selected for next steps will be contacted.