LRPS-2024-9189913 Assessment of child protection risks and status of child protection service provision for children affected by migration in Tak, Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai provinces, Thailand

UNICEF Thailand is seeking a qualified institution to conduct assessment of child protection risks and status of child protection service provision for children affected by migration in Tak, Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai provinces, Thailand

Background

The ongoing situation in Myanmar has led to the displacement of a number of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), particularly along the border provinces. Some are moving into the centre of Thailand for their safety and development, particularly in education, exacerbating challenges within boarding houses, group homes, shelters, migrant learning centres (MLCs), (charity) boarding schools, and religious institutions (incl. temples). These facilities are overwhelmed, lacking the necessary capacity and resources to cater to these vulnerable children's needs adequately. Consequently, many individuals have established informal schools and shelters to address their immediate needs. However, these activities often operate clandestinely due to security concerns, raising concerns about the adequacy of child protection and safeguarding measures, including standards of care.

Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts from child protection and welfare agencies and relevant stakeholders to establish robust supporting systems and safeguard the rights and welfare of children affected by migration especially unaccompanied and separated children from Myanmar.

The plight of Myanmar unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) in Thailand necessitates a comprehensive child-centred, inclusive and gender-responsive policy and plan that addresses their protection and support needs. This study will outline evidence-based strategies to inform policy development and guide the establishment of robust supporting systems for vulnerable children affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The assessment will be jointly conducted by UNICEF Thailand and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT).

Objectives, Purpose & Expected Results

The primary objective of this assignment is to leverage timely evidence-based studies and a set of practical recommendations to inform the development of policies and plans that enhance the management, protection, and provision of services for Myanmar UASC in Thailand.

This study aims to support the Thai government and partners in formulating effective policies and strategies to safeguard the rights and welfare of these children by understanding the current situation and addressing existing gaps.

This study will hold significant relevance in strengthening child protection mechanisms and addressing the needs of Myanmar UAM/SC in Thailand. By providing evidence-based information, it will support advocacy efforts aimed at influencing policy changes and resource allocation, ultimately ensuring the rights and well-being of children affected by migration, including forced displacement. The study will have the following broad objectives:

1) Conduct a comprehensive assessment of all forms of institutional care catering to Myanmar UASC, excluding the temporary shelters along Thailand's Myanmar Border and Temporary Safety Areas (TSA) / Holding Areas (HA) for the current influx.

2) Identify the protection concerns and risks faced by Myanmar UASC in Thailand

3) Assess existing protective mechanisms and capacities within institutional care (against minimum standards of care (Child Protection Act 2003 and UN Guideline on Alternative Care).

4) Assess the capacity and adequacy of child protection systems and services for Myanmar UASC against demand and mixed movement scenarios.

5) Analyze patterns and drivers of separation of UASC, including identification of protective factors.

6) Recommend a set of policy and service recommendations for various stakeholders (state authorities, agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs) and service providers to inform the development of policies and plans that uphold protection, and care standards, and support the safety and well-being for Myanmar UASC.

Deliverables and Timeline

The assignment will consist of four main phases, as described below. The contractor is expected to propose a concept note and detailed work plan indicating the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the technical proposal.

• Deliverable 1: Inception Report (English Only)

• Deliverable 2: PowerPoint with preliminary findings (English Only)

• Deliverable 3: Draft report (English Only)

• Deliverable 4: Final report and PowerPoint presentation in Thai and English including raw data

Location and Duration

Duration

• All deliverables should be completed by October 2024. A detailed timeline will be agreed upon during the preparation phase with the awarded contractor.

Location

• The assignment will be completed at the contractor's premises based in Thailand. Regular virtual follow-up meetings are expected.

• The contractor is expected to interact with key stakeholders in the selected target districts in 3 provinces in Thailand which are Tak, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

For more details, please refer to the attached Terms of Reference.

This tender will be run through the UNICEF e-submissions system (UNGM).

By clicking on the blue ‘Express Interest’ button in the UNGM tender notice, the full UNICEF e-submission system instructions to bidders document (including instructions on how to access the tender documents and submit an Offer) will be automatically emailed to the ‘contact persons’ included in your UNGM registration. Alternatively, the full UNICEF e-submission system instructions to bidders document is publicly available on the UNICEF supply internet pages here: https://www.unicef.org/supply/index_procurement_policies.html .

In the tender management site, if you navigate to the documents tab and opt in to confirm your intention to submit a Bid – you will then see the mandatory placeholders for documents that must be attached prior to submitting your Offer (you will also see if there are any mandatory questionnaires to complete). As such, you are recommended to `opt in` well before the submission deadline so you are clear exactly what documents are required to be uploaded prior to completing your submission.

Please note that in order to access the full-set of tender documents through UNICEF’s e-submissions system, vendors must: (1) be registered with UNICEF in UNGM as a company/NGO; (2) have successfully completed all mandatory information currently required by UNGM when registering.

Please ensure that any files submitted as part of your bid are not corrupt or damaged in any way. Please exercise caution when using compressed files. Any corrupt or damaged files may lead to your Bid being invalidated.

All vendors are strongly recommended to regularly log-in to the UNICEF e-submissions system to check for any deadline extensions, new clarifications, new correspondence or updated tender documents relating to this tender.

Should you have any questions against this solicitation, please submit your queries to Tongchanok Sonsawangphol at tsonsawangphol@unicef.org with CC to: thl-ml-bkksupply@unicef.org - no later than 20 May 2024 so that all queries could be clarified and circulated to all bidders before the deadline.

We look forward to receiving your proposals within the given timeline.

Best regards,

UNICEF Supply team