Nawiri Curriculum Development Specialist Consultancy

Country: Kenya

Organization: Mercy Corps

Closing date: 11 Aug 2023

Program Location(s): Remote and Nairobi, Kenya

About Mercy Corps

Background:

Implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with Save the Children, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), The BOMA Project, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and Caritas Lodwar, USAID Nawiri aims to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) by putting county governments and their citizens in the driver’s seat of their own journeys to self-reliance.

Nawiri Program Background:

The Nawiri program aims to sustainably reduce acute malnutrition in Samburu and Turkana counties. To meet this objective the program works with specific anchor groups through different anchor models. One core anchor group includes adolescents and youth - more specifically, adolescent girls and young women, and adolescent boys and young men. As part of a recent extensive program logic review exercise aimed at articulating the capacities of these key personas to sustainability reduce acute malnutrition the team has prioritized the need to review, update and develop the core curriculum for the adolescents and youth anchor group (specifically, adolescent girls and young women, and adolescent boys and young men).

Purpose / Project Description:

In this context, Nawiri seeks an experienced consultant with extensive experience developing and refining curriculum designed to reach adolescents and youth with a focus on social inclusion and gender, resilience, and behavior change. The consultant should have experience designing a curriculum that is interesting, engaging and incorporates experiential learning techniques to support the needs and learning style of adolescents and youth. The core curriculum will need to take into account Training of Mentors (both male and female mentors) and adolescent girls and young women (AGYM) and adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) recognizing the differing needs of the different genders, as well as taking into account age segmentation and life stage. The curriculum will need to be 1) accessible to the mentors delivering curriculum to youth (female and male mentors) 2) build capacities of AGYM and ABYM and 3) reinforce messaging and ensure monitoring and evaluation processes are clear and in place for quality control and adaptations.

Summary of Activities

To implement this curriculum update the consultant will be responsible for 1) Participating in an overview and onboarding of current documentation & current curriculum (The MC team is already in the process of mapping and establishing a library of internal resources for curriculum development) 2) Reviewing curriculum in use and mentor capacities 3) Developing a core curriculum that includes a) Training of Trainers Facilitation Manual and process for Mentors (sex segregated) n) Core curriculum for delivery of key themes for AGYW and ABYM taking into account sex, age and life stage. The consultant will also be responsible for validating the approach and curriculum with the team and requested adaptations. The curriculum will also need to include evaluation tools to assess curriculum quality and adaptations.

The consultancy will work with the GYSD program team to develop a core curriculum for AGYM and ABYM that is packaged as a handbook for printing and distribution to program mentors that is specific to the needs of the different participant groups outlined above (i.e. AGYW & ABYM). The consultancy will conduct validation meetings throughout the development process with the team to ensure the content is aligned with program goals, easy to use, relevant and interesting to adolescents and youth, includes appropriate illustrations and language to support low literacy users and support ease of delivery for program mentors. The consultancy will also include facilitation and training of ToT on the modules together with the technical team to the key persons who will cascade down the training to the direct implementers at group level (Mentors).

Specific Activities:

Background work:

1. Participate in overview presentation to understand the updated core values for curriculum for each anchor group and thematic area.


2. Review the work done to map existing processes for delivering curriculum, including training processes, process evaluation, and informal data regarding current effectiveness of curriculum.


3. Review existing curriculum across core implementation partners for adaptation and testing.

Develop and test Curriculum for the following groups:

Ensure a feedback process is integrated into the process as outlined below.

Develop ToT Agenda & Facilitation Manual for Mentors:

1. For: Mentors (Women & Men, separately)


2. What: Facilitator Manual & ToT Agenda and training structure


3. Content: Foundational training for Mentors (i.e., adolescent and youth friendly safe spaces, PSEA/Code of Conduct/Child Safeguarding, etc., & Core Curriculum for Anchor Groups

Adapt Core Curriculum for Adolescent Girls & Young Women

1. For: AGYW groups (i.e. 10-14, 15–19/ pregnant, with children)


2. What: Core Curriculum that is accessible to AGYW, addresses Nawiri core themes, is youth-friendly and reflects sex, age and life stage

Develop Core Curriculum for Adolescent Boys & Young Men

1. For: ABYM (considers age, lifestyle and life stage - i.e., pastoralist, etc.)


2. What: Develop core curriculum that address core Nawiri themes, is youth friendly & reflects sex, age, lifestyle and life stage

Adapt Enabling Environment Activities

1. For: Parents, community leaders, etc.


2. What: Activities and dialogue sessions to support and build an enabling environment around adolescent and youth outcomes, related to program themes

Develop MEL tools and guidance:

1. Review existing MEL tools used across programs and current Nawiri tools for training of AGYW and ABYM.


2. Develop and test tools to monitor and evaluate the training with different groups for quality, impact and adaptation.

Deliverables

1. Revised Training of Trainer Agenda and Facilitation Manual for AGYM Mentors and ABYM Mentors (taking into account sex, age and life stage)


2. (Revised) and piloted core curriculum and training model for AGYW


3. Developed and piloted core curriculum and training model for ABYM


4. Develop enabling environment activities to engage parents and other key stakeholders.


5. (Revised) evaluation system and tools designed to assess curriculum (and mentor training curriculum) outcomes, linked to indicators in learning plan.

1.Adolescent Girls & Young Women

Core Curriculum

Adapt current resources to develop a AGYW friendly core curriculum that address core program themes and take into account sex, age & life stage.

Mentor Training

Develop ToT Facilitation Manual that includes foundational training for mentors + delivery of core curriculum.

Training of Trainers

Conduct ToT with Nawiri trainers to deliver to Mentor groups.

MEL

Develop tools to assess curriculum (and mentor training curriculum) outcomes, linked to indicators in learning plan.

2.Adolescent Boys & Young Men

Core Curriculum

Develop a ABYM friendly core curriculum that address core program themes and take into account sex, age & life stage.

Mentor Training

Develop ToT Facilitation Manual that includes foundational training for mentors + delivery of core curriculum.

Training of Trainers

Conduct ToT with Nawiri trainers to deliver to Mentor groups.

MEL

Develop tools to assess curriculum (and mentor training curriculum) outcomes, linked to indicators in learning plan

3.Enabling Environment

Core Curriculum

Develop enabling environment activities (i.e. dialogue, etc.) to engage parents and other key stakeholders

Mentor Training

Develop ToT Facilitation Manual that includes foundational training for mentors + delivery of core curriculum.

Training of Trainers

Conduct ToT with Nawiri trainers to deliver to Mentor groups.

MEL

Develop tools to assess curriculum (and mentor training curriculum) outcomes, linked to indicators in learning plan

Timeframe / Schedule:

The consultancy period shall be for approximately 40 days to cover all core aspects of the curriculum development starting ASAP through the end of October. The ToT agenda, facilitators manual, core curriculum handbook for AGYW & ABYM and monitoring and evaluation tools must be submitted to Mercy Corps within 10 days after validation exercise.

The Consultant will report to:

Patricia Murie

The Consultant will work closely with.

The consultancy will work with the GYSD program team, Mercy Corps Young People and Protection technical unit, and the GYSD task force supporting this effort.

Required Experience & Skills:

• A postgraduate degree in Education, Childhood Development, Gender and Development, social sciences, or another relevant field.


• Over 5 years of experience development of curriculum for adolescents and youth.


• The consultant must be able to demonstrate experience in development and training of a similar or related assignment. (i.e. experience developing youth-friendly curriculum for AGYW and ABYM across different sectors)


• Experience in working collaboratively with government and other development partners.


• Experience working with marginalized and special groups.


• Experience supporting programming in Turkana and/or Samburu a plus.


• Ability to communicate in English and Kiswahili and in local languages in Turkana, Samburu is an added advantage.

Application Process

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

1. Detailed technical proposal (between 3-5 pages) clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including the following:

• Description of the Capacity and qualifications of the individual, including previous relevant experience (maximum 1.5 pages)


• Description of the proposed approach and methodology, including data collection, integration of gender considerations and ethical standards, quality assurance (maximum 3.5 pages)


• A proposed schedule/work plan (i.e., a Gantt chart) (maximum 1 page)

1. A financial proposal (in KES) with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study

• i. Itemized consultancy fees/costs


• ii. Validity period of quotations


• iii. Expected payment plan and method

1. Curriculum Vitae of the consultant outlining relevant experience


2. Names and contact information of three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience.


3. Example curriculum and previous work (At least 2-3 products)

Application Deadline:

Please submit your detailed proposal to ke-pr@mercycorps.org by Close of Business on 11th August 2023.

Selection criteria.

1.Fit to technical specification -20%

0-3 marks: Weak methodology, no work plan or that the one provided is not sufficiently detailed.

4-7 marks: Moderately strong methodology which demonstrate a modest ability to complete the task. Existing work plan is detailed but has some gaps.

8-10 marks: Very strong methodology which demonstrates a strong ability to complete the task. The work plan is well detailed and is sequential.

2.Demonstrated experience in development and training of a similar or related assignment- 20%

0-3 marks: No previously completed assignments of similar nature.

4-7 marks: 1 to 2 examples of recently completed similar assignments (quality)

8-10 marks: More than 3 examples provided of recently completed similar assignments (quality)

3.Experience and quality of personnel - 20%

0-3 marks: Individual has less than 2 years of experience in curriculum development, youth work, education, childhood dev.

4-7 marks: Individual has 2 to 3 years of experience in the required experience.

8-10 marks: Key personnel has 4+ years of experience in the required field.

4. [Experience with supporting programming for marginalized and specialized groups

(Including youth, hard-to-reach audiences, low literacy, etc) --10%

0-3 marks: Limited experience working with marginalized groups, specifically youth, women, etc.

4-7 marks: At least 5-7 years of experience working with marginalized groups, specifically youth, women, etc.

8-10 marks: At least 7+ years of experience working with marginalized groups, specifically youth, women, etc.

**5.Experience working in Turkana/Samburu or similar contexts -**10%

(i.e., agro-pastoralist communities, Kenya, Etc.)

0-3 marks: No experience

4-7 marks: Some experience

8-10 marks: Extensive experience

6.Independent verified references. - 5%

0-3 marks: No references provided, or referees are less than 3 or referees cannot validate the quality of work.

4-7 marks: Between 1 to 2 referees provided. Referees’ account provides sufficient proof of quality of work.

8-10 marks: 3 or more referees provided. Referees validate the quality of work.

7.Cost and value for money -15%

0-10 marks: Lowest technically acceptable to get full marks 10; other to be ranked relative using reverse scoring. Formula: [(Lowest Cost of All Bids / Cost of Bid for This Firm) * 10]

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

How to apply

Please submit your detailed proposal to ke-pr@mercycorps.org by Close of Business on 11th August 2023.