CONSULTANT FOR TRAUMA HEALING TRAINING FOR EARLY WARNING STRUCTURES AND YOUTH/WOMEN PLATFORMS IN ADAMAWA AND BORNO STATES

INTRODUCTION

Plan International strives to advance children’s rights and equality for girls all over the world. As an independent development and humanitarian organization, we work alongside children, young people, our supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge. For over 80 years, we have been building powerful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 75 countries.

The Lake Chad region faces a complex crisis due to armed conflict, displacement, food insecurity, climate change, and gender inequalities. This has led to devastated livelihoods, limited access to services, and high risks for children, women, and girls. The region has a high prevalence of gender inequalities and issues like forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The number of affected individuals, including IDPs, returnees, and refugees, is significant. The situation requires urgent attention and support.

Adolescent girls in the Lake Chad region face many challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. These barriers include lack of information, limited availability of services, financial constraints, and stigma. Due to the food security crisis, SRHR services are deprioritized, leading to unintended pregnancies and poor menstrual health. Gender and social norms also contribute to limited access to family planning and high rates of risky adolescent pregnancy. The region has low contraceptive prevalence and high adolescent fertility rates. Barriers such as lack of medications, distance to facilities, cost, and limited trust in the health system further hinder access. SRHR is often seen as a women’s issue, with limited male engagement and knowledge. Services are restricted to married women, requiring approval from husbands and sometimes in-laws. Unmarried girls and single women face even greater challenges.

In general, Livelihood activities in the North-East Nigeria are hampered by five critical structural barriers as a result of the insecurity: a) restricted movement of goods and people; b) restrictions on marketplaces and economic activity; c) limited access to financial services; d) limited access to inputs and extension-related services; and e) the effect of aid on markets [1]

Lack of employment and livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth, is a significant cause of hopelessness and frustration with the State, and has been identified as a potential “push factor” for radicalization and violence. With a high proportion of IDPs currently separated from their families, there is increasing pressure on children especially women as on average 30% of households (up to 54% in some areas) are now female-headed. In North-East Nigeria there are entrenched gender biases when it comes to engagement in certain livelihood activities – cultural and religious context of a significant population of the proposed areas of intervention is not favorable to children and caregivers working outside the home. Types of work are gendered as well; for example, 60% of farmers reportedly prefer hiring young men as casual laborers and men are also preferred for on-farm irrigation work, while women are considered for small-scale processing such as grinding and simple tasks such as weeding, picking, collection and harvesting. While such biases present a challenge, it also provides the opportunity to educate communities on this topic and train vulnerable adolescent children and caregiver’s in those sectors which have not yet been dominated by entrenched gender norms.

Objectives of the Consultancy Services

Plan International Nigeria seeks an external consultant to develop and conduct a 3-day trauma healing training for 41 Early Warning structures and 30 youth/women-led platforms. The training aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to provide counseling to trauma victims, particularly those affected by gender-based violence.

The specific objectives of this survey are:

1. Assess the current capacity of participants regarding trauma counseling and
2. Develop a comprehensive training curriculum that includes practical guidelines for working with trauma victims.
3. Deliver the training effectively, ensuring active participation and engagement from all attendees.

Gender assessment components

• Assess the effectiveness of women’s and adolescent early warning structures and youth/women platforms
• Provide targeted training to early warning structures and youth/women platforms
• Foster a gender-inclusive environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to enhance gender-sensitive risk mitigation efforts

Approach / Scope and Method of Work

The approach for this consultancy will be structured to ensure a comprehensive and effective training experience for participants. This section outlines the key steps and methodologies involved in the consultancy process.

Needs Assessment

• Objective: Identify the current knowledge, skills, and challenges faced by participants regarding trauma counselling.
• Methods:
  • Surveys and Questionnaires: Distribute pre-training surveys to gather information on participants’ existing competencies, experiences, and specific needs.

Curriculum Development

• Objective: Create a tailored training curriculum that meets the identified needs of participants.

• Components:

  • Theoretical Framework: Outline key concepts related to trauma, its effects, and the impact of gender-based violence. GBV minimum standards (do-no-harm principle)
  • Practical Guidelines: Develop user-friendly tools and techniques for counselling trauma victims, including safety planning and referral pathways.
  • Interactive Elements: Incorporate role-playing, case studies, and group activities to facilitate experiential learning.

• Methodology:

  • Collaborate with local experts and stakeholders to ensure the curriculum is culturally relevant and sensitive to the local context.
  • Interactive Workshops: Use small group discussions, simulations, and hands-on activities to engage participants actively.
  • Expert Presentations: Invite local experts in trauma counseling and gender-based violence to share their knowledge and experiences.

• Feedback Mechanisms: Implement ongoing feedback loops throughout the training to adapt content and methods in real-time, ensuring participant needs are met.

  Post-Training Evaluation

  • Feedback Surveys: Distribute post-training evaluations to gather participant insights on the training content, delivery, and applicability.
  • Follow-Up Discussions: Conduct individual or group discussions to reflect on the training experience and identify areas for improvement.
  • Impact Assessment: Evaluate participants’ ability to apply learned skills in their respective roles, possibly through follow-up interviews or assessments conducted weeks after training.

Timeline Overview

• Days 5-8 Conduct needs assessment and develop the training curriculum.
• Days 3-5: Deliver the 3-day training workshop, incorporating participant feedback and engagement.
• Post-Training: Compile evaluation findings and provide a comprehensive report to Plan International.

Key Considerations

• Cultural Sensitivity: Ensure that all materials and methods respect local cultural contexts and norms.
• Inclusivity: Strive for gender balance and inclusivity in participation, ensuring all voices are heard during the training.
• Ongoing Support: Plan for follow-up sessions or resources to support participants in implementing their new skills effectively.
  • Advanced degree in psychology, social work, or related field.
  • Proven experience in trauma counselling, particularly in contexts involving gender-based violence.
  • Strong understanding of gender protection issues and labour market programming.
  • Experience in training facilitation and capacity building.

Qualifications Required:

Familiarity with the local context and cultural sensitivities.

Work scope of External consultant:

The consultant(s) activities, outputs and working conditions are outlined below.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Conduct a needs assessment to identify specific training needs among participants.
• Develop training materials and practical guidelines tailored to the audience.
• Facilitate the 3-day training, employing interactive and inclusive methods.
• Evaluate the training’s effectiveness through feedback and assessments.

DELIVERABLES

Presentation of findings and recommendations to Plan International: The consultant is expected to lead, accomplish and submit the following deliverables within the agreed timeframe:

• Needs Assessment Report detailing current capacities and training requirements.
• Training Curriculum that includes objectives, content, methodologies, and materials.
• Training Delivery for all participants, ensuring an inclusive environment.
• Evaluation Report summarizing participant feedback, outcomes, and recommendations for further support.

Plan International’s Responsibilities

Provide logistical support for the training, including venue, and participant coordination.

• Facilitate communication between the consultant and relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure participant recruitment and adherence to the training’s gender and inclusivity goals.
• Provide feedback and support throughout the consultancy process.

1. Ownership of Research Data

All data collected for this remain the property of Plan International Nigeria. Any work product resulting from this must cite Plan International Nigeria and BMZ as a primary or contributing author.

“This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the BMZ. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the funders.”

1. Safeguarding Children and Young People

Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy represents a serious commitment by the organization to hold ourselves accountable to children and young people, ensuring that they feel safe and protected with us and those who represent Plan International at all times. Everyone working with and associated with Plan is expected to adhere to the provisions of the policy. This means always acting appropriately with children and young people, assessing and reducing risks to children and young people in all our operations and activities including research and studies, and taking appropriate action in line with global and local procedures to report and respond to concerns about a child or young person’s welfare. Plan International takes stringent measures against any Plan staff, associate, or visitor who breaches this policy. The consultant(s) and all members of his or her team are expected to sign and adhere to Plan’s policy and Code of Conduct.

Consultants are required to provide a statement within their proposal on how they will ensure appropriate, safe, and non-discriminatory participation, informed consent, and confidentiality and anonymity of participants. Environments and working methods should be adapted to the capacities of participants. Time and resources should be made available to ensure that participants, particularly women and girls, are adequately prepared and have the confidence and opportunity to contribute their views. This must also include any safeguarding risks related to the study and how these will be mitigated.

Evaluation Criteria

The Consultant selected for this trauma healing training will be either a firm, a group of consultants, or an individual. The following criteria apply to ensure the selection of a qualified and capable consultant.

Team Leader Requirements:

• A university degree in social sciences, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, or a relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience in research and evaluations, particularly in humanitarian and development settings.
• Proven track record of conducting training and capacity-building programs related to trauma counseling and gender-based violence.
• Relevant references demonstrating successful previous work in similar contexts.

Team Composition:

• At least one additional team member should possess expertise in trauma counseling or gender and protection issues, contributing to the overall quality of the training.
• Members should have experience working with local communities and an understanding of cultural sensitivities in Nigeria.

Selection Process

The selection process will be conducted in two phases:

• Phase 1: Technical Proposal Evaluation
  • The technical proposal will be assessed first, focusing on the following criteria:
    • Clarity and relevance of the proposed methodology for the training.
    • Experience and qualifications of the team members, particularly in trauma counselling and gender-based violence.
    • Demonstrated understanding of the local context and cultural considerations.
    • Quality of the proposed training curriculum and materials.
• Phase 2: Financial Proposal Evaluation
  • After the technical proposals are evaluated, the financial proposals will be reviewed.
  • The evaluation will consider cost-effectiveness and alignment with the proposed scope of work.

Scoring System

• A team from Plan International Nigeria will score the submitted documentation based on the following weighting:
• Technical Proposal: 70%
• Financial Proposal: 30%
• The consultancy will be awarded to the candidate(s) with the highest combined score, ensuring the best value for money and cumulative evaluation of both technical and financial proposals.

The Consultant’s proposal should include a detailed budget breakdown including fees, number of working days, social and medical insurance, translation and interpretation, software licenses, electronic devices, travel and VISA cost (if applicable), cost for the development of data collection tools and all other output-related costs.

Be informed that all consultancy contracts is subject to 10% WHT.

Application Package and Procedures

Applications for the consultancy will be accepted until 2nd January 2025. The application must include the following components, to a total of not more than 10 pages (not including appendices, CVs for all consultants, etc.).