In the context of achieving the general objective of ensuring a family environment of care for children separated from their families or at risk of separation, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups of children: children with disabilities, children with health problems, young children, but also others groups of children, CCF Moldova requests offers for the contracting of consulting services in the field of policy review/development in order to diversify family-type placement services. Both national and international consultants can participate, individually or in consortium.

Background Information

The HOPE project - Holistic approach to child protection in Moldova - aims to promote and defend the rights of children in the Republic of Moldova. We work with children, young people, parents, carers, foster carers, social workers, teachers, entrepreneurs, local and central authorities and the community on measures to prevent violence against children. The project focuses on three areas:

• Juvenile justice: we support the reintegration and inclusion of children and young people in conflict with the law through individual support and professional training.
• Specialized Foster Care: we support families with children at risk, strengthen the capacity of foster carers through relevant training and capacity building, and lobby for the approval of policies and guidelines.
• Rural education: we work with children, parents and teachers in rural schools to prevent violence against children.

Our activities are carried out in the municipality of Chisinau and in the districts of Nisporeni, Străseni, Anenii Noi and Cimișlia.The project is implemented by Caritas Austria through its Moldovan partners: CCF Moldova, Regina Pacis and Diaconia and is financed by the European Union, the Austrian Development Agency and Caritas Austria.
 

CCF Moldova is one of the implementing organizations of the HOPE project, especially contributing to Specific Objective 1: To contribute to the contextualization of policies, models and practices in order to identify family-type placement solutions for all children in IR, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups - children with disabilities, children under the age of 3, child victims of violence, etc.In this context, it’s worth mentioning the recommendation of the Commissioner of the Council of Europe, who encourages the authorities to make efforts to deinstitutionalize children, to establish a moratorium on admissions to residential institutions, especially for young children, to continue to increase the number of carers in family type alternative services of for children with disabilities and to ensure the availability of the necessary services. Children left in residential institutions are at greater risk of violations of their human rights, including violence and abuse[1].CCF Moldova intends to contract consultancy services in order to achieve the following objective:1. Revision of the normative and policy framework for alternative family-type services, as well as their harmonization with the best practices at the international level, in order to facilitate the access of the most marginalized categories of children.CCF Moldova requests offers from consultant/consultants who will perform:

1. General analysis of international practices and quality standards of alternative family-type services in the child care and protection system and documentation of good practices;
2. Analysis of the national policy framework, which regulates alternative family-type services and the formulation of concrete suggestions and recommendations regarding the improvement of the normative framework, policies, procedures and practices in the field in order to facilitate the access of children from the most vulnerable groups to alternative services of family type;
3. Formulation of costing recommendations for the provision of placement services for children from the most vulnerable category; aligned with the policy documents (revised regulation and minimum quality standards), which would allow budgeting of the necessary funds.
4. The consultation of the stakeholders interested and involved in the process of diversification of alternative family-type services is a precondition and will be carried out throughout the duration of the consultation.

The maximum duration of the consultancy – 25 days (regardless of the work format: individual or in consortium)Tasks and Deliverables (to be agreed with the consultant(s))

Requirements for consultant/s:

• Knowledge of international social protection practices and existing policies in the field of family-type alternative services;
• Knowledge of the national social protection system and existing policies in the field of family-type alternative services;
• University degree, preferably in humanities and social sciences, economic, legal fields;
• Min. 10 years of experience in developing policies in social field;
• Monitoring and Evaluation and Impact measurement skills;
• Experience in providing technical assistance and consultancy to Central and Public Local authorities and institutions that manage/provide social services for children (will be an advantage);
• Analytical and synthesis skills; critical and creative thinking;
• Economic and financial analysis skills;
• Ability to plan and organize own work;
• Fluency in Romanian and Russian languages; (English language will be an advantage) – for national experts 
• Fluency in English; (Romanian and/or Russian will be an advantage) - for international experts
• Good communication and reporting skills;
• Excellent skills in using Microsoft Word Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and operating online communication platforms, etc.

Contracting periodThe period of provision of consulting services is May-June 2023. Total number of consulting days – 25.CCF Moldova will ensure the transportation of the consultant, in case of necessity and possibility of travel.Working with CCF Moldova teamThe consulting services will be monitored by the CCF Moldova team.Compliance with precautions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, if neededFinal provisions

• CCF Moldova declares zero tolerance towards all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults.
• CCF Moldova is guided by a child protection policy and the policy on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse; the consultant will sign a declaration by which they commit to comply with its provisions.
• Interested candidates can send the technical and financial offer to the e-mail address: livia.marginean@ccfmoldova.org  by May 8th, 2023, specifying in the subject line "Family-type alternative services".
• Only pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview

For additional details, contact CCF Moldova: contact person - Livia Marginean, tel. +373 690 42 368