TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs)

DEVELOPMENT OF SAFEGUARDING POLICY FOR VULNERABLE PERSONS AND YOUTH

FARM RADIO TRUST

 1.0   ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Farm Radio Trust (FRT) is a leading non- governmental organization dedicated exclusively to serving smallholder communities through the provision of ICT based information, communication, extension and advisory services in Malawi with a growing reputation and involvement in program and policy development processes across sub-Saharan Africa. Our vision is a ‘world that has sustainable livelihoods of farming communities’. FRT was registered under the Trustees Incorporation Act on 14 June 2009; registered as a local non-governmental organization under Council for Non-Governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA) on 17th November 2010 with registration number C510/2010. FRT is also registered with NGO Board since June 2013 with registration number NGO/R/13/58.

2.0. LAKESHORE-YOUTH IN EMPLOYMENT AND AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (LEAD) PROJECT

Farm Radio Trust (FRT) is implementing the Lakeshore-Youth in Employment and Agribusiness Development (LEAD) Project to increase agriculture productivity, resilience, incomes and economic opportunities for young Agripreneurs and farmers in Salima and Machinga Agriculture Development Divisions (ADDs).

The LEAD project is part of the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food in Agriculture (YEFFA) programme, a 5-year programme being implemented by AGRA in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, whose goal is to catalyse an inclusive agri-food system transformation through a competitive agro-processing industry that drives farmer productivity, resilience, and dignified work opportunities particularly for youth and vulnerable people.

FRT recognizes that there is potential for Abuse to take place within the context of its programs, which are intended to address the needs of vulnerable communities and groups. Hence, seeking to engage the services of a consulting firm/ consultant to develop a safeguarding policy for to protect the Vulnerable Persons and the Youth that are engaged.

3.0.    OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of the safeguarding policy is to provide guidelines on preventing any form of Abuse and Exploitation of Vulnerable Persons and Youth.  The safeguarding policy will enhance FRT’s commitment to the protection and safeguarding of Children, Youths, and Vulnerable persons.

• SPECIFIC SCOPE OF WORK

Specifically, the consulting firm/consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Undertake a desk review of Safeguarding Policies for other development programs/organizations
• Review the draft FRT Safeguarding Policy.
• Through a consultative process with internal and external stakeholders, including targeted youths, children, vulnerable groups of people understand the unique safeguarding needs and risks within the organization and its programs
• Develop a comprehensive policy on Safeguarding of Vulnerable Persons and Youths for FRT as an organisation that responds to its scope of work that clearly outlines the reporting and responding mechanisms for safeguarding breaches.
• Develop a corresponding safeguarding strategy that will supports implementation of the policy.
• Develop a safeguarding code of conduct for FRT inline with the safeguarding policy
• Review the institutional capacity, and make recommendations, if any, for the effective implementation of the policy, including any training needs for staff and stakeholders.

4. DELIVERABLES

The consulting firm/consultant is expected to submit the following key deliverables to FRT:

• An Inception Report outlining the methodology and work plan for the consultancy, to be submitted at the start of the assignment.
• A draft safeguarding policy and its  code of conduct  for FRT’s review.
• A final version of the safeguarding policy and code of conduct, incorporating feedback from FRT.
• A detailed Implementation strategy Plan for the operationalization of the Safeguarding Policy including training and capacity-building recommendations.
• Safeguarding awareness materials to support popularization of the safeguarding policy.

5. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

This assignment is expected to be carried out for a period of 45 working days. The consultant is expected to close the assignment by end November 2024.

6. INSTITUTIONAL/ REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant or consulting firm will report directly to the Director of Programs and Policy of Farm Radio Trust. Farm Radio Trust will provide relevant background documents necessary for the assignment. Farm Radio Trust Management shall be responsible for the coordination of meetings and other activities under the Consultancy. Progress updates will be required on a bi-weekly basis, with feedback sessions scheduled as needed.

7. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least a master’s degree in a relevant field – human rights, social studies, humanities, gender, rural development and any other relevance qualification.
• At least 5 years’ experience in gender and protection in youth programming
• Demonstrable understanding of the concepts of Safeguarding of youths and other vulnerable groups, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Be familiar with legislation, government guidance, and national frameworks for safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• Proven track record of undertaking similar work and implementation of safeguarding policies

8.  APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested Consultant/s or consulting firm should submit a technical proposal with a detailed workplan, a financial proposal, and share two similar works done to the Chief Executive Officer at Farm Radio Trust by 5:00pm (Malawi time) through info@farmradiomw.org no later than 10^th October 2024.