Regional webinars on Child Development for the members of Plan International Child Protection Network in Asia and Pacific At Plan International

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Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. 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 adulthood and enable children and young people to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, regional and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. For over 80 years we have been building meaningful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 75 countries. For more information, please visit https://plan-international.org/
II. Background
Every child has the right to grow up and live a life free from violence and fear (UNCRC Article 19). However, violence against children occurs in every country in the world, and in all spaces in which children spend their childhood. In fact, 1.7 billion children globally – more than half of all children aged 2 to 17 years – have experienced emotional, physical or sexual violence in the past year.i It is estimated that around one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lives.ii
Families hold great potential for protecting children from all forms of violence, but they can also be dangerous places for children. Violence is often perpetrated by the people closest to children, such as their parents, family members, boyfriends or girlfriends, partners, caregivers and teachers.iii Six in ten children between the ages of 2 and 14 worldwide are subjected to physical violence by their caregivers on a regular basis. Around 30 per cent of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner.iv
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, with one in three girls aged 15 to 19 (84 million) worldwide having been subjected to emotional, physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by their husbands or partners. Violence perpetrated against children by people closest to them causes complex emotional reactions. Children often love those who perpetrate the violence and so may not report what they experience for fear of the negative consequences for the perpetrators. Such forms of violence often happen within the privacy of the home, and can be the subject of much taboo and impunity.
Children from marginalized, excluded and particularly vulnerable groups are at highest risk of being affected by violence, particularly younger children, those from extremely poor and indigenous communities and children with disabilities. Girls’ vulnerability to violence increases significantly as they reach adolescence. Those experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities – for example, a poor, indigenous disabled girl living in a remote, conflict-affected community – are most at risk. Children, adolescents and young people are increasingly exposed to violence and exploitation online.
Asia is home to more than half of world’s 1.1 billion girls under the age of 18. The gender inequality faced by girls in many parts of the region means that they are often systematically disadvantaged and oppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. Girls’ development is hampered by child, early and forced marriage and high adolescent pregnancy rates. Across the region, gender-based violence against girls and women constitutes a serious and widespread rights violation, particularly with regard to domestic violence, marital rape, and trafficking in women and girls.

Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against girls and women, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. UN Women has described Gender based violence (GBV), as a “shadow pandemic” occurring alongside COVID-19 across the world. Globally, 243 million girls and women aged 15-49 have been subjected to sexual and/or physical violence over the previous 12 months. This number is likely to increase as security, health, and income concerns heighten tensions and are aggravated by further confined living conditions.v
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures, children are further affected because the systems and services that are mandated to prevent, identify and respond to violence are operating with little or no capacity. Existing challenges have been exacerbated and low levels of government and donor investment, as well as gaps in functionality of systems and effective enforcement of laws and policies to end violence against children, are now affecting all children, while disproportionately impacting girls.
Violence against children, and girls in particular, has been a silent emergency that is now threatening to escalate dramatically triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the UN Secretary-General declared, zero tolerance for violence against children is a priority: it is high time to change the continuum of violence that shapes children’s lives to a continuum of protection of their human rights.vi In April, responding to what he referred to as ‘a horrifying surge in violence’, the Secretary-General called for a global ceasefire on domestic violence against women and girls,vii making recommendations for countries to make prevention and redress of gender-based violence a key part of national COVID responses. More than 140 countries have now signed on to this commitment.

The Protection from Violence Area of Global Distinctiveness (AoGD) covers Plan International’s work in child protection, as well as our work to prevent and respond to family violence affecting children and violence against young women, reflecting the increased youth focus of our global strategy. Our work to strengthen the child protection sector remains integral to our protection from violence AoGD and a systems strengthening approach is vital. A primary aim of child protection systems is to prevent and respond to violence against children.
Violence against children (VAC) and violence against women (VAW) intersect at many levels. There are many shared risk factors, the social and gender norms that condone violence drive both forms, and they frequently coincide in the same families. Both VAC and VAW have inter-generational effects, and have common and compounding consequencesviii. Plan International is addressing VAC in all its forms depending on the context, as well as VAW when it affects children, for example living in a family with Intimate Partner Violence, and when it affects young women. By promoting coordination, collaboration, networking and joint actions between actors working on both child protection and violence against girls and women, more efficient and effective services will be delivered to children, adolescents and young women who have experienced violence.

III Emerging focus on preventing violence in early childhood
Ending violence in children’s lives and investing in early childhood are first and foremost a question of children’s rights, further supported by scientific evidence which shows that a violence-free early childhood matters: the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are the foundation for a person’s whole future development. Early childhood is where violence prevention must begin and is when investment can achieve a particularly high return. There is growing evidence that violence prevention in early childhood is a highly cost-effective strategy leading to better outcomes.
Scientific research shows that early childhood stress – including exposure to violence – compromises children’s development, health and education, with long-term negative mental and physiological consequences. Neuroscience advances have vastly increased our understanding of how a child’s early brain development can be impacted by exposure to violence. Violence can alter the developing brain’s structure and function which can impact language acquisition and cognitive functioning, resulting in social and emotional competency deficits and generating fear, anxiety, depression and the risk of self-harm and aggressive behaviour. Alterations to the brain resulting from childhood violence can also shape later adult behavior. Longitudinal studies show that children exposed to violence are more likely to: be victims of violence later in life and become perpetrators, using violence as adults against domestic partners and their own children; and, be at increased risk of engaging in criminal behavior. Breaking this vicious cycle for the child, the adult and for society – requires that every child lives free from all forms of violence from the very start.
Neuroscience research shows that the human brain develops wider and faster during its first 1.000 days than at any other stage of life, and that during this crucial developmental period the foundation for a person’s future well-being is laid. A nurturing and caring environment provides positive opportunities for child development, helping to secure children’s health, nutrition, early learning and sense of belonging. Promoting positive attachments with caregivers helps children to develop resilience in the face of adversity, while early childhood interventions protect children against stress, laying the foundation for learning at home and at school.

A violent and abusive childhood environment on the other hand, can lead to negative consequences. Enhanced neural plasticity during childhood makes this a particularly dangerous time for children to experience violence. Exposure to stressful experiences calibrates biological and neurocognitive systems to suit threatening, uncertain situations. As processes needed for ‘normal’ brain architecture are modified, a functional alternative is developed to compensate and adapt accordingly. This adaptability, however, does not always serve a positive purpose and can create a range of problems for children, including ill-health, anxiety, depression, poor school performance, risky behaviour and self-harm. Most acts of childhood maltreatment are forms of toxic stress which can result in the production of abnormal levels of stress hormones which A nurturing and caring environment provides positive opportunities for child development, helping to secure children’s health, nutrition, early learning and sense of belonging.

IV. Objectives and expected outcomes of the webinars on Child Development
The series of Child Development webinar will aim at achieving the following objectives and expected outcomes:
a) Increased awareness and knowledge of the Plan International Child Protection senior staff and other interested colleagues on key aspects of child development and development across the life cycle (childhood and beyond);
b) Expanded insights on the child’s internal world and intersect between emotional wellbeing and development;
c) Provided theoretical concepts and practice of nourishing and non-violent parenting and the importance of parents/caregivers;
d) Introduced and unpacked key aspects of cognitive and language development and the importance of environment for development;
e) Strengthened understanding of socialization and social skills, including developing morals, Importance of play in supporting development, role of peers and siblings in children’s lives, and empowerment and participation;
f) Explained common developmental challenges, including common emotional and behavioral problems and other developmental concerns, with strategies for mitigating against and managing developmental challenges;
g) Tackling resilience and coping mechanisms, developing self-protection skills including links to Early Childhood Development.

V. Target audiences
The primary target audience of this webinar series are the members of Plan International Asia Pacific regional Child Protection Network, but other interested colleagues from across the organization are welcome to join as well. The webinars will be recorded and the recordings will be disseminated across the Plan International Federation for internal learning and sharing purposes.

VI. Suggested Methodology
The webinars are expected to be conceptualized and delivered on the basis of the following approaches and principles:
• Combined theory and practice: introduction of theoretical concepts will be followed by practical illustrations and examples from the global community of practice and related experiences;
• Action-oriented: the information and knowledge received will be expected to be applied in practice and to guide planning and implementation of the related strategizing and implementation;
• Learning by doing: all the participants will be encouraged to take a proactive approach and share their experiences, ideas and suggestions for advancing programmatic practice based on the acquired learning. This will encourage integration of knowledge in the actual day-to-day activities under the ongoing programming and influencing cycles.

NB. The exercise is entirely desk-based and expected to be executed remotely and via online platforms, no travel or field work is required.

VII. Key deliverables
The final expected deliverable includes a series of six webinars. Each webinar will be scheduled in advance and delivered on a monthly basis, with estimated duration of up to two and a half hours. The webinars will be recorded for further internal use. The project will be managed by Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Head of Child Protection and Partnerships, in close collaboration with the national CP and ECD Managers and Advisers to obtain necessary information and inputs. The following deliverables are expected to be submitted by the selected consultant:

VIII. Table of Deliverables

1. An Inception Report (Format: word/ Length: Maximum 10 pages/ Due: By 30 November 2021) at a minimum, should include:
   1.1 A list of themes and topics/contents to be covered under each webinar
   1.2 A detailed methodology for the series of webinars execution
   1.3 A detailed work plan with a specific timeline, estimated number of work days for each deliverable and delivery date
2. Final Summary Report including the overview of webinars delivered and observations on the learning process, action points and recommended way forward (Format: word/ Length: Maximum 20 pages/ Due: By 30 June 2022)
   2.1 A final presentation summarizing the entire series of six webinars

IX.Tentative timeframe
The assignment is estimated to be completed within eight months starting in mid-November2021, to be completed by 30 June 2022. The timeframe is indicative and can be re-evaluated inconsultation between Plan International APAC and the consultant.

Task and Timeframe

• Hold an initial meeting to discuss the overall methodology and deliverables: By 20 November 2021
• Develop and submit an inception report, detailed work plan and methodology: By 30 November 2021
• Inception report and work plan approval: By 30 November 2021
• Schedule and deliver monthly webinars (from December 2021-June 2022): By 01 December 2021
• Develop and submit a draft Summary Report: By 15 July 2022
• Final Summary Report approval: By 30 July 2022

NB. The total number of working days is subject to planning and agreement with the consultant

X.Qualifications
Academic qualification:

• Advanced university degree in social work/social sciences, or other relevant fields including child development

Technical Knowledge, skills and experience:
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience preferably in the field of Child Development, Child Protection, Social Work, women’s empowerment, children’s, girls’ and women’s rights or other related issues;
• Strong knowledge of and experience working with Early Childhood and/or Child Protection Services, including planning, conceptualization and delivery;
• Robust knowledge on Child Development and Psychology;
• Knowledge of socio-cultural dynamics in Asia Pacific is a plus;
• Successful track-record of collaboration with Plan International is desirable;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to quickly incorporate feedback from different sources.

XI. Evaluation criteria
Candidates will be evaluated against the following criteria (100%):
Academic qualifications: 20%
Technical knowledge, skills and experience: 40%
Methodology: 20%
Financial proposal: 20%