Terms of Reference for Needs Analysis and Parents’ Study.

Caritas Switzerland (hereafter Caritas or CACH) is looking for qualified service provider or expert for then needs analysis and parents’ study (with a focus on single-headed households) & An action plan for reaching out and capacitating parents in line with the following Terms of Reference (ToR).

Date: 18.08.2023 Deadline for submission of offers: 06.09.2023

• Project: Together Advancing Kosovo’s Training and Employment within the Education Sector - TAKE
• Assignment: Needs analysis and parents’ study (with a focus on single-headed households) & An action plan for reaching out and capacitating parents
• Location: Prishtina

1. Background

The current momentum of prioritizing ECE in Kosovo and the education reforms taken on by the current government paves the way for the professional development of preschool educators and the requalification of surplus teachers translating into opportunities for higher earnings. Likewise, by increasing inclusion rates of children in preschools, mothers and other caregivers have higher opportunities to enter the labour market and increase their family income.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the quality training of early childhood professionals, strengthening employment in education and capacitating caregivers to enter the workforce.

This project builds on the achievements and the long-standing expertise and practice-oriented approaches to early childhood of CACH. The project envisages maintaining and reinforcing the collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Scinece, Technology, and Innovation and municipalities aiming to ensure quality and child-appropriate education. Through this approach, the previous investments and successes are rendered more sustainable and in close cooperation with government actors, the services are extended to more marginalised groups such as the hospitalised children.

The offer and quality of training, education, and collaboration in the early childhood education sector aims at capacitating the main actors involved in children’s upbringing and development through practice-oriented approaches and vocational education & training.

The project contributes to finding best solution for parents’ professional development and employment. It involves a dual approach: first, conducting a thorough study to understand the challenges faced by parents within single-headed households, with a focus on single parents, by focusing on their professional development and employment barriers. Second, the mission aims to create a strategic action plan that empowers parents and single parents by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, professional training programs, and support for advancing their careers. This comprehensive initiative seeks to bridge gaps, improve parental engagement and employment, and enhance the well-being of both parents and children in single-parent households.

Objective(s) of the mission

Component A: Needs Analysis and Parents' Study

The primary objective of this mission's first component is to conduct a comprehensive needs analysis and study of parents, single-headed households, with the focus on single parents with a specific focus on understanding their challenges, requirements, and opportunities for professional improvement and employment. This includes a special emphasis on understanding the needs and concerns of single parents within these household and the opportunities of parents for professional development and employment. The aims include:

• To identify the unique challenges faced by single-headed households, particularly those headed by single parents.
• To analyse the socioeconomic factors affecting the well-being and development of children in these households.
• To explore the barriers that single parents encounter in accessing support, resources, and professional development and employment opportunities.
• To assess the existing level of parental engagement in single-headed households and its impact on child outcomes.
• To provide insights into potential interventions by supporting single parents to further professional development and employment that can enhance the overall quality of life for single parents and their children.

Component B: Action Plan for Reaching Out and Capacitating Parents

The second component's objective is to develop a comprehensive action plan that outlines strategies and activities to empower single parents within single-headed households. The plan should focus on enhancing parental skills, providing necessary resources, and creating a supportive environment that improves the overall well-being of both parents and children. Specific objectives include:

• To design a structured action plan that identifies key areas for intervention, such as education, skill development, professional training, and employment possibilities for single parents.
• To outline actionable steps for improving parental engagement, communication, and collaboration in single-headed households.
• To recommend initiatives for capacity-building that address the unique challenges faced by single parents, promoting self-sufficiency and well-being.
• To propose a framework for partnerships between relevant stakeholders, including community organizations, local institutions, government agencies, and educational institutions, to implement the action plan effectively.

Expected Results

At the completion of this study, the following results are anticipated:

• A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the needs analysis study, highlighting the challenges faced by parents, particularly single parents, and the implications for child development.
• Insights into the factors influencing parental engagement and their impact on child outcomes within single-headed households.
• A well-defined action plan that presents strategies, activities, and timelines for empowering single parents through targeted interventions leading to their employment.
• Recommendations for strengthening community collaborations, local institution engagement, and partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of the action plan.

1. Schedule

Total number of days: 15

1. Deliverables

The study will produce the following deliverables:

• A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the needs analysis study, highlighting the challenges faced by parents, particularly single parents, and the implications for child development.
• Insights into the factors influencing parental employment and their impact on child outcomes within single-headed households.
• A well-defined action plan that presents strategies, activities, and timelines for empowering single parents through targeted interventions leading to employment.
• Recommendations for strengthening community collaborations, local institutions, and partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of the action plan.

1. Experience and skills required

The consultant or team conducting the needs analysis study should possess the following experience and skills:

• Post-graduate degree (Master's degree preferred) in education, special pedagogy, or a related field in the social sciences;
• At least 4 years of work experience in the field of conducting research studies;
• Excellent command of Albanian or other official language and English;
• A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the needs analysis study, highlighting the challenges faced by single-headed households, particularly single parents, and the implications for child development.
• Insights into the factors influencing parental engagement/employment and their impact on child outcomes within single-headed households.
• A well-defined action plan that presents strategies, activities, and timelines for empowering single parents through targeted interventions leading to employment.
• Recommendations for strengthening community collaborations and partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of the action plan.
• The consultant or team should also have a track record of delivering similar needs analysis studies or research projects in the field of education and workforce development.
• References or previous work samples can demonstrate their expertise in this domain;
• Creative, motivating, and open to suggestions;
• Deadline-oriented

1. Application process

This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the key requirements for the development of an online training platform. Contractors are encouraged to provide additional details and insights in their proposals to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their methodology and approach and capabilities.

All interested applicants should submit the application with the proposed initial work plan and methodology for the needs analysis/ research in English of their expression of interest/proposal, signed/stamped in PDF, by 06.09.2023 16:00h, with the subject “ Needs analysis and parents’ study (with a focus on single-headed households) & An action plan for reaching out and capacitating parents.”, to the following email addresses: abakalli@caritas.ch CC: kosovo@caritas.ch

The application must submit the following documents:

Technical offer, including:

• Professional profile of the service provider or expert (CVs/portfolio of the expert or team and professional references with relevant experience - including contact details);
• The expert’s suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications, etc;
• A summary of the methodology to complete the assignment and tentative work plan including suggested timetable;
• Financial offer (including daily fee);
• For NGOs or other organizations, the copy of registration certificate.

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.

In case of questions or for further information, please contact abakalli@caritas.ch or kosovo@caritas.ch

Deadline for submissions of application is 06.09.2023. Please send your offer to abakalli@caritac.ch and cc. to kosovo@caritas.ch

Note that applications missing the required document swill not be considered for shortlisting!

1. Evaluation criteria

Administrative ( all documemt required are submitted)

Cost effective ( best price for the quality)

Quality of the service

Initial methodology and work plan for the needs analysis/research and Action Plan

1. Bidding Costs

CACH in Kosovo will not cover bidding costs and reserves the right to accept or refuse bidders, or to cancel or postpone the whole bidding process prior to signing of any agreements.