The Organisation
Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to ensuring children live a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children in gaining the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries. Plan International Jordan was established in 2016 and has programmes throughout the country on education, youth empowerment, and protection (CP, GBV, SRHR) in (Amman, Karak, Jarash, and Azraq camp). Plan’s Global Gender Equality and Inclusion policy states that the core objectives of Plan International’s work are to achieve gender equality, promoting gender justice, realising girls’ rights and fostering an inclusive society. This commitment is reflected in our five-year country strategy, our Values and Behaviours Framework, and our Theory of Change.
Our goals include:
- confront and challenge discrimination and human rights violations based on gender. This includes gender-based violence and other forms of exclusion.
- challenge stereotypes and unequal power relations between women, men, boys, and girls to promote gender equality, girls’ rights, and inclusion.
- foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion, while supporting staff to adopt good practices, positive attitudes and the principles of gender equality and inclusion.
Background about The Project
First Steps’ Big Step project is an Early Childhood project funded by Van Leer Foundation (VLF) aims to empower caregivers through parenting sessions to create a more enabling home environment to better respond to children’s needs without discrimination and away from violence. In addition to enabling caregivers to raise children in a safe and enriching environment, early childhood development services are integrated through service providers in different sectors, including the health sector. Since 2021 the project has been implemented in 14 health centres (7 governorates). The project consortium consists of Plan International Jordan, Royal Health Awareness Society, the National Council for Family Affairs, Humanity and Inclusion and Health Care Accreditation Council.
Study Background
The Ministry of Health recognizes the critical importance of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in ensuring the well-being and holistic development of children. Mid-level policy makers within the ministry, including Directorate directors, heads of departments, and other relevant stakeholders, play a crucial role in shaping policies, programs, and initiatives related to ECD. To maximize the impact of these efforts, it is essential to understand the behaviour, attitudes, and motivations of these policy makers and identify strategies to support and enhance their engagement in promoting ECD.
Plan International Jordan as a lead consortium partner, is seeking to hire an experienced consultant to do achieve the following:
Objectives
- Gain insights into the current behaviour, attitudes, and practices of mid-level policy makers regarding ECD within the Ministry of Health.
- Identify the determinants and barriers influencing their engagement and decision-making processes related to ECD policies and programs.
- Assess the knowledge gaps and training needs of mid-level policy makers regarding ECD concepts, evidence-based practices, and the potential benefits of investing in early childhood.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations and strategies to enhance the understanding, commitment, and action of mid-level policy makers in supporting and prioritizing ECD within the Ministry of Health.
The types of Policy Makers’ behaviours to be studied in the context of Early Childhood Development (ECD)
- Increasing the budget allocation for ECD programs:
- This behavior refers to policy makers taking actions to allocate a larger portion of the budget towards ECD initiatives and programs.
- It involves recognizing the importance of investing in early childhood and providing adequate financial resources to support the implementation and expansion of ECD services.
- Investing in training and capacity development for frontline staff regarding ECD:
- Policy makers can prioritize investing in training and capacity development programs for frontline staff involved in ECD.
- This behavior recognizes the importance of equipping staff with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively support children’s care and development, and well-being.
- Mainstreaming ECD into other health programs and initiatives:
- Policy makers may integrate ECD principles, practices, and interventions into existing health programs and initiatives to ensure a comprehensive approach to child health and development.
- Recognizing the intersectoral linkage between early childhood and health outcomes, and promoting the integration of ECD components into maternal and child health services, immunization programs, nutrition interventions, and other relevant initiatives.
- Policy makers can prioritize strengthening partnerships and collaborations with various ministries, NGOs, and programs to promote a multisectoral approach to ECD.
- Developing, approving, and implementing new policies and procedures related to ECD in the health sector:
- Policy makers may take proactive steps to develop, approve, and implement policies and procedures specifically focused on ECD within the health sector.
- Establishing a clear framework and guidelines for delivering ECD services within healthcare settings, addressing areas such as screening, early intervention, referral systems, and coordination with other sectors.
Accountabilities
The Behaviour change consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Identify and analyse the target behaviour(s) to be addressed in mid-level policy makers at the ministry of health (Directorate directors, head of departments, etc.) supporting Early Childhood Development (ECD) within the ministry, considering the social, cultural, professional/institutional, and environmental factors influencing them.
- Conduct a Qualitative method study, to gather insights into the drivers and barriers to these key behaviours, including but not limited to the attitudes and practices of mid-level policy makers regarding ECD.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, research, and best practices related to mindset behaviour change interventions from other programmes targeting policy makers in the specific domain.
- Identify and engage key stakeholders, including ministry of health, partners, and relevant organizations, to gather insights, perspectives, and inputs.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations and behaviour change strategies to address the identified barriers and enhance mid-level policy makers’ engagement in promoting ECD.
- Design an implementation plan outlining the key steps, activities, and timeline for executing the behaviour change intervention(s).
Deliverables:
Deliverable
Payment Percentage
20%: The inception report includes:
- Literature review based on secondary data.
- Methodology.
- Analysis of current behavior patterns, determinants, and barriers related to early childhood development (ECD).
- Examination of good practices from other countries regarding ECD in the health sector.
- Assessment of how key national actors, including the Ministry of Health (MOH), perceive ECD and whether it is considered a priority.
60%: The final report should include the following components:
- Executive Summary: A concise summary of the study objectives, key findings, and recommendations.
- Introduction: An overview of the study objectives, the importance of mid-level policy makers’ engagement in early childhood development (ECD), and the significance of the study in addressing knowledge gaps and improving policy and program implementation.
- Methodology: A description of the research design, including data collection methods, sample selection, and analysis techniques used to achieve the study objectives.
- Findings:
a. Current behavior, attitudes, and practices: An analysis of the behavior, attitudes, and practices of mid-level policy makers regarding ECD within the Ministry of Health, highlighting their current level of engagement and decision-making processes.
b. Determinants and barriers: Identification and analysis of the determinants and barriers influencing mid-level policy makers’ engagement and decision-making processes related to ECD policies and programs.
c. Knowledge gaps and training needs: An assessment of the knowledge gaps and training needs of mid-level policy makers concerning ECD concepts, evidence-based practices, and the potential benefits of investing in early childhood.
- Recommendations:
a. Evidence-based recommendations: Development of evidence-based recommendations to enhance the understanding, commitment, and action of mid-level policy makers in supporting and prioritizing ECD within the Ministry of Health.
b. Strategies: Suggested strategies to address the identified determinants and barriers, fill knowledge gaps, and provide necessary training to mid-level policy makers.
- Conclusion: A synthesis of the key findings, implications, and the potential impact of implementing the recommendations on improving ECD policies and programs within the Ministry of Health.
- References: A list of cited sources and relevant literature used in the report.
10%: Implementation plan detailing the key steps, activities, timeline, and resource requirements for executing the behaviour change intervention.
10%: Presentation of findings and recommendations to key stakeholders within the Ministry of Health.
Approach
The approach for the Behaviour Change Consultancy would involve a systematic and participatory methodology to ensure the successful achievement of the objectives, and to engage with key stakeholders, including representatives from Plan International and partners, to gather their insights and perspectives to achieve the deliverables agreed upon, in addition to working closely with the project team to ensure the achieved deliverables align with the cultural sensitivities and learning preferences of the target audience.
Methodology
No specific methodology is required, please refer to the Deliverables section for more details.
Timeline
The anticipated timeframe for this consultancy is August 18th- November 31st, 2024.
Level of contact with children
Limited contact with children is required, if any.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
- Academic degree in the field of social and/or behavioural sciences (e.g. sociology, anthropology, psychology), early childhood development, and/ or communication. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting behaviour change studies or research related to professionals’ and policy makers’ practices and behaviours.
- Strong understanding of the institutional, political, and policy environment and processes within the Ministry of Health.
- Proficiency in qualitative research methods, including interviews and thematic analysis.
- Knowledge of early childhood development concepts, evidence-based practices, and relevant policies.
- Familiarity with ECD and mid-level policy makers at the MoH and understanding of the cultural and contextual factors influencing behaviour change.
- Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and provide evidence-based recommendations.
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills
- The business is headed by a woman (e.g. a female CEO)
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Technical offer (65%)
10% Reach and ability to flexibly travel among different governorates inside Jordan.
10% Proficiency in Arabic and proven experience in the Jordanian context.
15% Detailed CV/ capacity statement of past experience with similar work.
15%Participation in the conduction of similar studies or valid assessments or reports.
15%Recommendation/ reference letters from three key clients for achieving BC studies or similar deliverables.
Financial offer 30%
Detailed financial offer specifying all costs, in a dedicated table including all taxes and charges.
Gender responsiveness 5%
Plan International defines a gender-responsive business as one that meets criteria for integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment principles in its policies and practices, and which is aligned to international norms and standards.
Consultant must fulfil at least one of the following criteria to get 5 points:
- A woman-owned business, i.e., “a business [which is] owned in whole, or at least more than half, by one or more women”
- Women occupy more than 35% of management positions in the organisation
- At least 55% of the workforce are women
- There are robust gender equality initiatives in place, e.g., a gender equality procurement policy, women empowerment principles are implemented in the organisational policies, etc.
Payment Procedure
With reference to the Deliverables section, payment will be in four instalments:
- First instalment: 20% after submitting the inception report.
- Second instalment: 60% after submitting the final report.
- Third instalment: 10% after submitting the implementation plan.
- Fourth instalment: 10% after delivering the presentation of findings.
All deliverables should be well-completed and approved by Plan International.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the service provider
The company/consultant will be responsible for carrying out the tasks outlined in this ToR and ensure the delivery of outputs stated above within the agreed budget and timeline.
Responsibilities of PLAN JORDAN
Plan Jordan primary responsibility will be to help the service provider achieve the objectives of this ToR and provide the needed contextual technical support.
Ownership
All documents, project designs, drawings, technical data, filmed and photographed material and other information shall remain the property of the Project and shall be treated as confidential by the consultant(s) at all times. They shall not be made available to any third party whatsoever, in any form, without the prior written approval of a properly authorised employee of Plan International. The utilisation of all proposals, plans and reports and other information provided by the consultant(s) to Plan International is the property of Plan International and the use thereof is solely at the discretion of Plan International. All documents and other papers, whether in soft or hard copy and whether containing data or other information, provided by Plan International shall be returned complete to Plan International upon completion of the assignment. All documentation and reports written during and/or as a result of this study, or otherwise related to it in any way, shall remain the property of Plan International and no part shall be reproduced or quoted, or otherwise used in any way except with the prior, express and specific written permission of authorised employee of Plan International.
Ethical and child protection considerations
The assignment will require the consultant to interface with children and therefore the consultant is required to provide a statement on the respect and protection of child rights, human rights and dignity of participants compliant with Plan’s Child Protection Policy.
The consultant shall read, and sign Plan’s child protection policy (CPP) as fully understood and in agreement to in all respects and shall follow this in all and every respect during the term of the consultancy.
The consultant must follow Ethical Principles in research and obtain written/verbal consent from the subjects. Permission from elders should be sought if the children under 18 years are involved as subjects. Signed informed consent of each child and his/her parents need to be taken after explaining the purpose of the study.
How to apply
Interested consultants should submit their separate technical and financial proposals by 11-August-2024 Via Email to: Jordan.procurement@plan-international.org
Email Subject: JOJUL24070 – Behaviour Change Consultant
The proposal should include the following:
- All costs expressed in Jordanian Dinars
- Contact information and CV of the consultant(s)
- Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two professional referees
- Examples of relevant work.