United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Consultant, Youth Advocacy Programme Review

The main objectives of this review are to:

1. Identify robust evidence of how young people’s participation and advocacy have influenced/ contributed to structural change at the local, national level and or international level i.e. policy, legislative, constitutional, institutional or attitudinal

2. Propose policy and programmatic recommendations for strengthening youth-led advocacy work in Plan

Scope and coverage of research

The review will cover youth-led advocacy in 5 countries overall. This will include the three main youth advocacy countries, Kenya, Malawi and Pakistan. The review will also cover youth advocacy activities taking place in Mali and Tanzania. Background details will be provided upon award.

Review Questions

1. Is there evidence that young people’s advocacy at local, national or international level contribute to influencing any policy, institutional or attitudinal change?

 What role did young people play, particularly girls , in relation to Plan and its partners in the advocacy influencing process?

 Did young people, Plan or its partners effectively address the dynamics of power and politics (formal and informal) that impacted on their advocacy ask?

 What role did Plan and its partners play in the advocacy process to support policy influencing and change?

 What were the enabling and hindering factors that impacted on young people being able to effectively influence policy outcomes?

 Are there potential good/bad practice for Plan’s youth advocacy work as observed across the various countries/ contexts?

Research methodology

This review aims to establish an evidence base for how young people’s advocacy has influenced policy decision-making at local, national and international levels and the key learning or lessons from the experience

We expect the selected consultant to propose an appropriate and potentially innovative methodology that will provide robust evidence on how youth participation and advocacy has been able to (or not) contribute to policy-decision making. A methodology involving the youth in an active way would be welcomed.

We expect the review to meet Plan’s International’s evaluation and Plan International UK’s evidence standards . Consultants may also refer to DFID’s evidence standards. Proposals will be assessed and selected based on the expected quality of evidence to be generated from the proposed methodologies.

Uses of the Report

This report will be used to help establish Plan’s evidence base on effective youth advocacy. This will serve to:

1. Inform programme design models for youth advocacy
2. Raise Plan’s profile as a credible actor on youth advocacy and governance
3. Influence UK government work on “ youth as agents and advocates”

As a result, Plan will organize a number of activities and events linked to the report to disseminate information, learning and raise Plan’s profile in line with the findings of the research.

Outputs

1. A draft or interim report would be expected for review by Plan UK before the final report is received

2. The final research report, with an executive summary, comprising the evidence, findings and recommendations is expected to be 25 – 30 pages ( excluding annexes) with) with the main audience being Plan, policy makers and civil society.

3. A youth-friendly version of no more than 10 pages would be expected for sharing with youth advocates that participated in the process

4. A short external version that can support profile raising and sector engagement

5.  A final presentation to be delivered at a Plan UK hosted event

Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant(s) will report directly to the Governance and Accountability Adviser throughout the research.

Skills and Qualifications

The consultant(s) must have the following expertise/experience:

• Proven expertise in designing, delivering or evaluating national-level programme advocacy experience
• Conducted previous research and evaluation of advocacy programmes
• Significant knowledge and understanding of governance and accountability practice and processes
• Experience of evaluating youth advocacy and / or participation projects
• Experience devising and managing multiple country primary research programmes
• Demonstrable analytical skills

Excellent interpersonal skills & communication skills – including extensive report writing experience
Ability to deliver on tight time frames and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of French desirable

Budget

Consultants will be required to submit a full budget that is in line with their methodology and that covers trips and accommodation costs to Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Mali and Tanzania and delivers the specified outputs for this assignment. Bids will be competitively assessed

Timeline

This assignment is expected to commence end of September and delivered by November 15, 2016 at the latest.

Plan International UK welcomes a response to these Terms of Reference, with a CV and cover letter outlining :

• How the consultant meets the above skills and qualifications
• the consultant(s)’ suggested approach including an outline of the methodology
• A schedule and timeline for delivery of research products • A budget • Examples of relevant previous work

Responses should be sent to: Steadman Noble (steadman.noble@plan-uk.org) no later than the 6th September 2016. Shortlisted consultants will be contacted by Wednesday Thursday the 11th and invited for an interview. Contract negotiation will take place the week of the 19th with a view to commission the research by the 22nd of September, 2016.

Please note a fuller description of the TORs with more background details on the programme to be reviewed can be found here:

http://www.plan-uk.org/assets/Documents/pdf/TOR_for_Youth_Advocacy_Research_final.pdf