Terms of Reference for Participatory Situational Analysis at Plan International

BACKGROUND
100 million reasons, Plan International’s Global Strategy 2017 – 2022 reminds us that “In our world, half of the people own just 1% of the wealth. More than half the population of the world’s 48 poorest countries are aged 19 or under.
Nine out of ten of the world’s 1.8 billion 10-24 year-olds live in less developed countries.”
“Inequality of wealth and inequality between the sexes leaves the poor, young and female particularly likely to be denied basic human rights.” “Girls and young women suffer ill health, disadvantage, discrimination and limited life opportunities simply because they are female. Over 30% of girls in developing countries are married before they are 18 and complications in pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for girls aged 19 or under.”
“At times of natural disaster or crisis it is marginalised children whose rights to health and safety are most badly affected. Those living in fragile and conflict- affected states are more vulnerable still.” “Yet at this time of great challenge for many children, the world has embarked
on a journey that brings hope to those who would otherwise be left behind.” “Every government has signed up to deliver the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Also known as the Global Goals, they promise to end extreme poverty, realize the human rights of all and heal the planet within 15 years.
They apply universally, not just to the poorest countries, and their promise is to leave no one behind.”
For the next 14 years the Global Goals will set the framework for Plan International’s development and humanitarian endeavours, inspiring us to do ever more to fulfil our purpose: “WE STRIVE FOR A JUST WORLD THAT ADVANCES CHILDREN’S

RIGHTS AND EQUALITY FOR GIRLS.”
Plan International Nigeria current strategy is for two years (July 2016 to June 2018), and is now in its second year of implementation. A review of the
country strategy is due and a new five-year country strategy is also expected.

Terms of Reference for Participatory Situational Analysis

• As a member of Plan International, Plan Nigeria is committed to the same purpose and is anchored on the same Global Goals. In this process of
• reviewing the country strategy and developing a new one, we therefore aim to better understand our context (the Nigerian context) by carrying out a
• participatory situational analysis so as to better align with our purpose and contribute effectively and efficiently so that 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive.

Objectives of the Situational Analysis

• Generally, the situational analysis will focus on understanding the extent to which Nigeria has achieved child’s rights goals to which she signed up to and the present state of the girl in Nigeria. Specifically, the exercise will aim:
• 1. To explain the political economy in terms of the distribution of power and wealth between different groups and individuals, and the process that create,
• sustain, and transform these relationships overtime for or against the respect, protection and fulfilment of the rights of children, adolescents and equality for
• girls. Specifically, it will focus on understanding:
• The interests and incentives available to the different groups in society and how these generate particular policy (formal and informal) outcomes
• that encourage or hinder the fulfilment of children and adolescents’ rights, particularly the girl;
• The role that formal institutions and informal social, political and cultural norms play in shaping interactions and political and economic competition
• at all levels; and
• The impact of values and beliefs, including political ideologies, religion and cultural beliefs on behaviour and public policy in relation to the rights
• of the child and the adolescent, and equality for girls.
• To determine aspects of the social, political, economic and legal environment that have a major influence on children’s rights, adolescents, youths, and equality for girls, including identifying relevant laws, policies,
• budget allocations, and social practices in view of the major rights’ gaps identified at community, state, national and international levels.
• To find out major gaps in children, adolescents, youths’ rights and equality for girls that are significant at local, state and national level.
• To explain the root causes and drivers of the major gaps found out and how they affect specific groups of vulnerable and excluded children,
• adolescents, and youths, particularly girls.
• To review and update the humanitarian situation within the context of the insurgency and climate change in the northeast and other parts of the
• country, and explain the perspective of international NGOs, government and donor agencies, and opportunities for programming for Plan
• International Nigeria.
• To identify organizations that have a major influence on children’s rights and equality for girls, their major priorities and interests/power dynamics.

Expected Deliverable
From the above objectives the study will produce a comprehensive but concise situational analysis report that includes an executive summary and recommendation for programming.

METHODOLOGY

• To be able to achieve the objectives above, the situational analysis exercise will collect secondary and primary data. Desk review will be used to generate secondary data, while primary data will be collected using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, questionnaires, and field observation.
• Techniques such as power, policy, gender, and problem and decision tree analyses, and other tools will be used to generate and analyze information. It will be a participatory process that will actively involve staff of Plan International Nigeria, women and children, communities, local partners, critical stakeholders, and others at some stage. It will also require the support of Plan WARO and selected NOs.
• There may be the need for the Consultant/s to travel to Northeast to meet and interview some stakeholders. The Consultant/s will also be required to make a one (1) day presentation of their findings to Plan Staff and some selected critical stakeholders before finalizing their report.
• Plan International Nigeria has created a Committee to oversee the development of its new country strategy. This committee will coordinate the activities of the consultant/s.

TIME FRAME OF THE STUDY

• The situational analysis exercise will be for 15 days, and will actively commence from January 8, 2018 and by January 31, 2018 the final report has
• been produced. Therefore, the Consultant/s are expected to draw up 15 days’ schedule of activities that includes data collection, analysis and first draft
• reporting.

CONFIDENTIALITY

• All official documents of Plan International shared with the consultant in the course of this assignment must be treated as confidential, including all
• documents developed from the course of this consultancy work which must be submitted, and which will be, and remain the intellectual property of Plan
• International.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

• At least a postgraduate degree in the field of political economy and development studies.
• Proven experience in the field of organizational and social development. Past experience of a facilitating a country situational analysis or other
• research processes. Past experience of facilitating an Organizational Country Strategic Plan development in Nigeria will be an added advantage
• Proven experience of submitting high quality technical reports and presentations from desk and field research processes.
• A thorough understanding of the development sectors, including laws, policies
• and trends within Nigeria and in the international context.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft basic applications, and possession of a working computer.