Design & Development of an HIV Sensitive Child Protection Case Management Training Manual, SOPs, and Tools

CONSULTANCY TERMS OF REFERENCE
Provision of technical assistance in the design and development of an HIV Sensitive Child Protection Case Management Training Manual, Standard Operating Procedures, and Tools

Background

Over the past decade, the Government of Malawi has developed a comprehensive child protection case management system and suite of policies, resources and tools with support from USAID/PEPFAR and UNICEF (and other partners) for the care, protection and welfare of children in Malawi.   The suite of resources and tools. has been a key part of the successful operationalization of the system, as they detail the core competencies for service providers in the case management of broad range of child protection, care and welfare issues such as neglect, violence, abuse and exploitation.  The suite   includes the Child Protection Case Management Framework, Training Manual, and standard operating/reporting guidelines (Red booklets), referral directories, etc.).

However, while the system has been effective in providing services to children at risk of abuse, neglect, and violence there is still critical gaps in the effective delivery of services and  monitoring of children living with HIV, a highly vulnerable population/group especially those living with persistently high viral loads due to non-adherence to  pediatric anti-retroviral therapy (ART).  Some of the underlying causes of non-adherence to medication, which results in high viral load, are child neglect and abuse (predominantly neglect), low ART literacy, and nutritional challenges.

The social services workforce can play a vital role in engaging families to support the adherence to ART for children by addressing family dynamics, educating caregivers, and creating supportive environments that are essential for sustaining adherence – aspects that clinicians are not specialized in handling. This critical gap that the social services workforce can fill includes tailored adherence counseling in the home, coping strategies (e.g. parenting and communication skills), and tackling social determinants like poverty, food insecurity, and transportation challenges.

Building on its already existing achievements, the Ministry of Gender (MoGCDSW) seeks to develop a training Manual (as an addendum to the current training for Child Protection Workers) for HIV Sensitive Case Management. The JSI/WE led Ana Patsogolo Activity (APA) will support and work with the Government of Malawi to develop an HIV Sensitive Case Management training manual (facilitator’s guide and participant handbook) that aligns with the National Child Protection Case Management Framework document. The updated national training manuals and tools will be distributed in print and digital formats and downloadable from the MoGCDSW website. This ensures accessibility for all implementing partners to access and utilize them.

Objectives

The main objective of this consultancy is to support Government of Malawi, Ministry of Gender Community Development and Social Welfare to develop a comprehensive HIV Sensitive Child Protection Case Management Training Manual, Standard Operating Procedures, and associated tools that provide guidance and support to child protection practitioners working with children living with and affected by HIV.

Scope of Work

The consultant will facilitate and provide technical leadership in the development of the Manual and tools leveraging existing relevant materials and tools for HIV Sensitive Case Management, including:

• case management tools for high viral load cases that were developed under PEPFAR OVC programming in Malawi as well as specific tools and protocols such as the joint high viral load tracker, SOPs for high viral load case management, multi-sectoral case conferencing, and root cause analysis tools.
• Government of Malawi clinical and social protection manuals for relevant themes,
• Similar work and other open-source training materials developed in the Southern/East Africa context and
• manuals and training materials developed by clinical and social protection CSO partners including Ana Patsogolo Activity’s (APA).

The consultant will ensure that the training manual (content and activities) will:

• be interactive and incorporate practical activities that support learning through field-based practicum activities, ensuring that participants can apply learned skills in both simulated and real-world settings.(Preferably the practicum will be done between workshop sessions, accompanied by coaching and supportive supervision)
• Use and align with best-practices in adult education that recognize and build on participants knowledge and life experiences
• supports participants continuous professional development.
• Be structured in an accessible, digital and print friendly layout

The Consultant is expected to:

• Write an inception report detailing the Consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, approach, and timelines;
• Conduct a desk review of existing materials mentioned above including a thorough review of the existing child protection case management training manual, SOPs, and tools,
• Facilitate workshops to consult and gather feedback from Government and other stakeholders on the training manual to ascertain structure, content, duration of training
• Work with a core group of (experts and) resource persons to develop and finalize Training Manual (which contains guide for Training Trainers, Participant Handbook, and tools) utilizing input from GOM and stakeholders.
• Incorporate feedback from the review team composed of various government departments, donor community, clinical partners and other child protection implementing partners.
• Provide recommendations for the dissemination and utilization of the developed materials.

Expected Deliverables:

• Inception report detailing the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and approach;
• HIV Sensitive Case Management Training Manual (Facilitator’s Guide, Participant Handbook, and Tools) developed.
• All tools (Participant Handbook, and HIV sensitive case management tools) translated to Chichewa
• Final summaryactivity report with the above deliverables attached

The Consultant will work with Government, the in-country JSI/WE team, and JSI International/Regional Senior Technical Advisors to develop the HIV Sensitive Case Management training manuals, handbook, and associated tools.

Logistics

JSI/WE will be responsible for all logistics.

Timeline

The assignment is expected to be finalized by 31 August 2024.

Coordination

The APA Chief of Party  will provide guidance during activity planning in terms of deliverables

Minimum Requirements

The Consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Advance degree in social work, child protection, public health, international development or a related field.
• Knowledge and expertise in multisectoral approach to HIV Sensitive Case Management, child protection, gender equity and social inclusion;
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to draft and communicate high quality and concise outputs;
• Proven expertise in designing training manuals, handbooks, and tools in HIV-prevention or other related fields;
• Proven expertise in facilitating stakeholder co-creation sessions;
• Capacity to set priorities, self-organize, plan, and deliver tasks on time;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Interested candidates should submit applications to Bantwana_admin@mw.worlded.org no later than 11 June, 2024. The application should contain:

1. Cover letter describing consultant’s interest, qualifications, and experience to complete the work
2. CV highlighting relevant work experience and qualifications to complete the work described in the terms of reference above
3. High level work plan and methodology that outlines their proposed approach for completing this assignment
4. Three references
5. Daily consultancy rate