Terms of Reference for an International Expert to conduct an external needs assessment for transition to a sustainable, NEXUS-based approach, intervention for Tdh Moldova

Terms of Reference  

for an International Expert to conduct an external needs assessment  

for transition to a sustainable, NEXUS-based approach, intervention for Tdh Moldova 

Type of contract: Service contract 

Background: 

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is the leading Swiss child relief agency. Founded in 1960, we are committed to improving the lives of millions of the world's most vulnerable children. Through our innovative protection and health projects, we provide assistance to over four million children and their families in more than thirty countries each year. 

Working in Moldova since 2004, Terre des hommes Moldova (Tdh Moldova) is dedicated to ensuring the fulfilment of all children’s fundamental rights and to contributing to the improvement of the Moldovan child protection system. By means of its projects, Tdh Moldova aims for sustainable prevention of and response to violence, neglect and exploitation against children at the community, district and national levels. Tdh Moldova is geographically operating in the entire country. Currently, Tdh’s work in Moldova is built along three complementary axes – Child Protection Systems, Children Affected by Migration and Access to Justice, and seeks to develop synergies between them as well as with other key thematic areas of Terre des hommes Foundation. 

Tdh Moldova has been at the forefront of humanitarian and development efforts in Moldova, focusing on the protection and well-being of children and their families. Since its establishment, Tdh Moldova has implemented numerous projects aimed at enhancing child protection systems, providing psychosocial support, and promoting social inclusion. These initiatives have been important in responding to the immediate needs of vulnerable populations, especially during times of crisis. 

In response to recent emergencies, particularly the war in Ukraine, Tdh Moldova has provided immediate humanitarian support to refugees and host communities. These efforts included the establishment of Child Friendly Spaces, Mother and Baby Corners and mobile teams offering multi-disciplinary protection services, such as mental health and psychosocial support, information and referral, support in accessing available services for refugees, cash and voucher support, case management for meeting the basic need. The success of all these activities underscored the importance of flexible and adaptive responses in emergency contexts. 

As the emergency phase stabilizes, Tdh Moldova is strategically shifting towards a Nexus approach. This approach integrates humanitarian aid with development and peacebuilding efforts to foster long-term resilience and sustainable development. The transition from direct service delivery to strengthening the national protection system is important to ensuring that the needs of vulnerable populations are met effectively and sustainably. This needs assessment will guide this strategic shift, ensuring interventions are informed by a comprehensive analysis of current needs and opportunities. 

More information about the work of Terre des hommes Moldova may be obtained on our websites: www.tdh.md, www.tdh.org. 

This needs assessment for transition to a sustainable, NEXUS-based approach, is conducted within the framework of the project "Strengthening support for war-affected children and youth in Moldova," funded by Swiss Solidarity. The project's objective is to provide sustainable support to Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable host communities through enhanced child protection and social support systems. The insights gained from this assessment will inform the strategic planning and implementation of activities aimed at improving resilience and social cohesion in the target communities in the next period. 

The assessment aims to support Tdh Moldova’s shift toward a sustainable NEXUS-based approach, offering targeted recommendations to inform future strategic interventions. This analysis will incorporate a review of relevant documentation, insights from Tdh Modova’s humanitarian efforts, alignment with the strategic directions of authorities and donors, and beneficiary perspectives. By integrating these elements, Tdh Moldova aims to build a solid foundation for sustained support, ensuring its interventions are strategically aligned and effective in fostering well-being and resilience among the affected populations. 

Through this assessment, Tdh Moldova also aims to engage with key stakeholders, including local authorities, community members, and other non-governmental organizations, to foster collaboration and synergy in addressing the needs of refugees and host communities. The findings will guide the allocation of resources, the design of capacity-building initiatives, and the development of strategic partnerships to enhance the impact and sustainability of the project's interventions. 

Objectives of the assessment: 

1. Conduct an in-depth analysis of the Tdh Moldova’s humanitarian projects and interventions implemented during 2022-2024, including reports, internal analyses, beneficiary feedback, and other sources. 

2. Analise the existing documents and studies on emergency responses to the Ukrainian refugee crisis in Moldova: available reports, research studies, and assessments from various partners and stakeholders to gain insights into the needs landscape and understand the broader context of the crisis response. 

3. Map out current policies, initiatives, and challenges that align with a NEXUS-based approach, identifying areas where humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding intersect. 

4. Identify pathways for integrating humanitarian support with development and peacebuilding efforts. This also includes mapping existing resources, partnerships, and potential areas for collaboration. This will help to avoid duplication and ensure alignment with the broader landscape of actors involved. 

5. Provide actionable recommendations for transitioning from direct service delivery to supporting and strengthening the national protection system.  

6. Identify and suggest potential alignment to NEXUS interventions with the priorities established by Tdh strategies, relevant authorities, donors’ strategies. This convergence will form the foundation for developing robust and appropriate projects.  

Ensure that all interventions are aligned with the principles of long-term resilience and integration. This alignment will support sustainable development and the creation of robust social protection mechanisms. 

Scope of work: 

The international expert may collaborate with a local consultant to: 

1. Conduct an in-depth review of relevant documents, including previous project reports, national policies, and existing assessments. This review will provide a contextual understanding of the current landscape and inform subsequent stages of the assessment. 

2. Engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, community social workers, beneficiaries, and other relevant entities. This engagement will ensure a comprehensive understanding of different perspectives and needs. 

3. Utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data from various sources. This will involve surveys, interviews, and other relevant data collection techniques. 

4. Analyze the collected data to identify gaps, needs, and opportunities. This analysis will be critical in developing evidence-based recommendations. 

5. Develop detailed recommendations for transitioning of Tdh Moldova humanitarian interventions to a Nexus-based approach.  

A local consultant may be involved in order to support: 

• Translating relevant materials and providing cultural and contextual insights to enhance data collection and engagement strategies. 

• Conducting interviews, focus groups, and surveys in the local language, if needed. 

• Assisting in data analysis, contextual interpretation, and the development of recommendations aligned with local realities. 

Methodology: 

The expert will determine the most suitable methodologies to ensure comprehensive data collection and analysis. Possible methods may include: 

1. Desk review of existing literature, project reports, and policy documents to gather background information and context. 

2. Key Informant Interviews/focus groups with stakeholders/beneficiaries to gather insights and perspectives on current needs and opportunities.  

Deliverables: 

The international expert and local consultant are expected to deliver the following: 

1. Submit a detailed inception report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline within the first two weeks of the assessment. 

2. Submit a comprehensive final report including detailed findings, analysis, and recommendations. This report will serve as the foundation for strategic decision-making and planning for the transition from humanitarian to a Nexus-based approach. 

3. Prepare and deliver a presentation of key findings and recommendations to the project team. This presentation will facilitate discussions and ensure that all relevant parties are informed and engaged in the next steps. 

Timeline: 

The assessment will be conducted during the period from October 2024 to January 2025. The specific timeline is as follows: 

• Inception phase: 2 weeks  

• Data collection: 4 weeks  

• Analysis and reporting: 3 weeks  

• Presentation: 1 week  

Budget: 

The proposed budget for the evaluation will be provided by the consultant in the Financial Offer. Upon reviewing the Financial and Technical Offers, Tdh Moldova may choose to negotiate the final price with the preferred expert in light of the Financial Offer and Tdh’s available budget. The total proposed budget is expected not to exceed 12,000 CHF (including VAT and any other applicable taxes). 

Qualifications and experience 

The international expert should have: 

1. Advanced degree in social sciences, international development, or a related field. 

1. Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting needs assessments in humanitarian and development contexts, with a focus on Nexus-based approaches. 

2. Strong understanding of the national protection systems, and the specific socio-economic and political context of Moldova. 

3. Proficiency in data collection and analysis methods, excellent communication and report-writing skills, and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. 

Application process: 

Interested entities should submit the following: 

1. Technical proposal - including an understanding of the Terms of Reference, proposed methodology, and detailed work plan. The proposal should demonstrate the expert's capability to conduct the assessment effectively. 

2. Financial proposal - a detailed budget breakdown, including all costs associated with the assessment. The financial proposal should be transparent and justify the costs outlined. 

3. CVs - highlighting relevant experience and expertise. 

Submission deadline: 

Proposals should be submitted by October 25, 2024, to mda.office@tdh.org. Please include “Need Assessment NEXUS, name and surname”, in the subject line of the application email. 

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria: 

The application achieving the highest number of points will be selected for contracting. In addition to the review of applications, short interviews may also be conducted if deemed necessary to clarify details of the offers and motivation and experience of the applicant. 

All bidders will be informed of the outcome of the tendering and selection process by e-mail following the closure of the contract with the selected applicant. 

Other information: 

Child Safeguarding Policy: 

To commit to respect Tdh Risk Management Policies including Child Safeguarding Policy, Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy. 

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance: 

By sending your application, you agree that your personal data will be used in the selection process. All the documents we will request in different steps of the selection process will only be used for this purpose.