Description

Consultant – Toolkit Development for Integrated Messaging on Safeguarding & Community Feedback Mechanisms

Remote Consultancy

 
Project Location(s):  Remote

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Asia region is comprised of Afghanistan, Georgia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. Programming in these countries focuses on humanitarian response, economic and market systems development, resilience, financial inclusion, food security, nutrition, sustainable energy, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), among others. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors. Our locally led approach emphasizes the need to consider and integrate community voices and our partners who are on the frontlines to direct our technical approach and work together.

Mercy Corps’ Community Accountability Reporting Mechanisms (CARMs) provide multiple channels for all community members to provide feedback, suggestions, complaints, and concerns in a manner that is safe, confidential, transparent, and accessible, enabling Mercy Corps to respond and make any necessary programmatic or safeguarding adaptations and to ensure the safety, security, and empowerment of program participants. Safeguarding is an umbrella term that refers to the prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking and exploitation, internal sexual misconduct and child abuse, neglect and exploitation. We define Safeguarding as our responsibility to ensure team members, operations and programs do not cause any harm to the people and communities we work with, including our team members, and that we respond in an appropriate, survivor-centered way.

Background

Global data show that under-reporting of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and human trafficking is chronic. In recent years, significant investment and progress has been made through the introduction of community accountability and reporting mechanisms (CARM) and safeguarding core standards, policies, and operational commitments. These policies include a set of mandatory minimum standards and guidance related to ensuring reporting systems are trusted, operational, accessible, and well-communicated.

The focus of this consultancy is intended to address several challenges related to community awareness and engagement around community feedback mechanisms and safeguarding in Asia. First, often fragmented messaging delivered by different teams creates confusion, as communities may understand reporting channels only as a way to provide feedback about programs but rarely understand that the same mechanisms serve as a way to report safeguarding concerns. Additionally, staff often lack the training and confidence to engage with communities on sensitive safeguarding topics, leading them to share only "easier" elements such as program feedback while avoiding safeguarding messages altogether. Best practice guidance for effective community-based complaints mechanisms emphasizes the importance of integrated approaches where safeguarding issues are addressed within the overall feedback system using consistent community engagement opportunities.

Second, current community sensitization methods rely heavily on static information materials such as posters and handouts, with insufficient guidance on interactive, face-to-face integrated engagement methods. Communication materials and engagement approach also require stronger adaptation to respect local cultural norms and use contextually appropriate understanding of barriers when addressing sensitive topics.

There is therefore a need to develop an integrated community sensitization toolkit that aligns with established best practices, unifies messages, builds staff capacity and confidence, provides practical guidance for diverse engagement strategies, and ensures cultural appropriateness across different contexts.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The primary objective of the consultancy is to generate evidence and insights to inform, design, and pilot an integrated Community Accountability and Safeguarding (CARM+Safeguarding) community dialogue and information-sharing toolkit. The toolkit will provide practical guidance and adaptable tools for (a) effectively communicating CARM+Safeguarding messages to communities, and (b) contextualizing these messages and tools for different country settings, including the development of one country-specific toolkit version.

The assignment will involve reviewing existing internal and external practices, documents, and guidelines, and developing a harmonized set of adaptive tools and guidance. The toolkit containing such tools and guidance will support country-level CARM and Safeguarding teams, as well as program teams and partners, as they work to ensure that community members understand MC’s commitment to accountability, feel comfortable with the idea of sharing their feedback, and develop trust in the system. Key messages should include (i) harmonized messages related to the overall purpose of CARM, as well as their right to be free from exploitation and abuse; (ii) the expectations we hold of anyone who works on our behalf; (iii) the channels available to share Safeguarding concerns; and (iv) how Mercy Corps manages such reports.

Specific Objectives and Deliverables of the Consultancy:

Activity 1: Develop an integrated Community Accountability + Safeguarding toolkit

Task 1.1: Analyze results of recent survey and then carry out or facilitate follow-up, qualitative “pause & reflect” conversations to determine way forward.

●        In order to inform the design and content of the toolkit, and also to measure impact/improvement over time, an initial assessment will be conducted by Mercy Corps (MC) to evaluate whether communities, partners, and staff are aware of their rights and prohibited Safeguarding behaviors, whether they feel safe and have the confidence and knowledge to report misconduct and what are the potential barriers for reporting. Consultant will design participatory assessment tools (anonymous survey, KIIs, FGDs) in coordination with Mercy Corps regional and country teams to measure awareness, trust, and barriers related to Safeguarding and CARM.

●        The consultant will be tasked to analyze the assessment data using standard quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, designed to compare information about men and women and where relevant, other categories (e.g., ethnicity). Coach and guide country focal points and partners through the assessment process, supporting them in data collection, ethical considerations, and contextual adaptation. Analyze collected data using qualitative and quantitative methods, disaggregating findings by gender, age, and other relevant identity markers. Facilitate a “Pause and Reflect” session with regional and country focal points to interpret results, identify implications for community sensitization, and determine priorities for toolkit design. Summarize findings, trends, and recommendations into a concise analytical brief to inform toolkit co-development.

Task 1.2: Review existing internal and external CARM and Safeguarding IEC materials and community sensitization efforts[HJ1][JB2]

●        The Consultant will conduct a desk review and consultations with regional, country, and partner teams to document existing internal and external CARM and Safeguarding IEC materials, sensitization tools, and communication practices. Identify effective strategies, challenges, and lessons learned from current community sensitization efforts.Compile a brief inventory and gap analysis of IEC materials, highlighting content integration opportunities for CARM+Safeguarding messaging. Consolidate promising practices and insights from the review to inform the structure and content of the new integrated toolkit.

Task 1.3: Put together/update a workplan for the development of the toolkit

●        Based on the analysis and discussion following the survey findings, the Consultant will be expected to produce an updated workplan. It is understood that the findings from Tasks 1.1-1.2 may result in a slight shift in the focus of activities 1.4-1.6.

Task 1.4: Develop draft version of integrated CARM+Safeguarding toolkit and share for feedback[HJ3]

• Facilitate a co-creation process with country focal points and partners to synthesize assessment findings and good practices into a CARM+Safeguarding integrated toolkit. Draft toolkit components, including: i) A master IEC materials template (integrated CARM+Safeguarding) ii) A community dialogue and facilitator guide iii) Guidance for local adaptation and contextualization. Collaborate with Mercy Corps’  behavior change expert, regional teams, and brand/translation specialists to ensure technical accuracy, cultural relevance, and compliance with organizational standards.  Incorporate behavior change and low-tech communication strategies to enhance accessibility for diverse community groups.

Task 1.5: Support the development of Workshop content

●        To ensure the selected country team and partners are ready to effectively pilot and adapt the toolkit, the Asia Regional teams will conduct one pilot orientation workshop with the country’s CARM, Safeguarding, program teams, and partners (if appropriate). The Consultant will play a key role in preparing for this workshop, including developing slides, facilitation notes, and toolkit sensitization materials tailored to the country context. Based on the outcomes of the workshop, the Consultant will also support the adaptation of the master toolkit into a country-specific version. This localized toolkit will then be piloted by the country team with their partners and communities. The teams will then proceed to pilot their country-specific tools, which will also allow for feedback to be gathered from the communities.[1]

Task 1.6: Finalize toolkit incorporating feedback received from pilot and Mercy Corps key stakeholders

●        The Consultant will be expected to review the feedback received through the workshop, the pilot, and broader feedback process and adjust the master toolkit and sample country-specific tools accordingly.

Timeframe / Schedule

The proposed activities/task and schedule for the consultancy are summarized in the table below. The number of days required for each activity/task is a best-guess estimate based on past consulting experience. The Consultant will charge Mercy Corps for the days used, not the estimated level of effort. Should the work require more time than the estimate, the Consultant will agree on priorities and confirm changes to the consultancy workplan in writing before exceeding the agreed-upon estimate. The anticipated completion dates are based on an expect commencement of the consultancy agreement on Nov 3 , 2025 and ending on March 30, 2026. The total estimated LOE is 28 days.

Table 1 - Consultancy Tasks and Estimated Level of Effort 

Mercy Corps Responsibilities

Mercy Corps will provide the Consultant with the necessary support to undertake and implement the assignment and execute the objective of this SoW. Such responsibilities include:

●        Provide relevant documents and technical support to the Consultant.

●        Select pilot country program/s.

●        Develop and conduct the initial assessment referenced in Task 1.1.

●        Orient the Consultant on any relevant pilot country and institutional information.

●        Explain to the Consultant the rationale and vision of the toolkit.

●        Provide the Consultant with necessary documents.

●        Introduce Consultant to relevant program and country team members.

●        Include Consultant in relevant conversations.

●        Hire translators and graphic designers, as required.

●        Lead in gathering team members for workshops or other consultation processes.

●        Pilot tools and gather feedback from community members.

●        Monitor regularly, provide feedback, and ensure the effectiveness of the tasks and deliverables.

●        Disburse payment as per the agreed schedule in the Consulting Contract.

Skills and Knowledge Requirements

●  Minimum of five years of experience working on safeguarding and/or community accountability issues, ideally for humanitarian or development programs in a relevant context.

●        Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required in Social Work, Psychology, Behavior Science, Development Studies, Sociology, or other a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

●        Specific experience and expertise in tool/curriculum development.

●        Experience in processing and analyzing qualitative data.

●        Excellent writing skills.

●        Ability to work effectively and collaboratively under tight deadlines in a variety of cultural contexts.

●        Required languages: English. Fluency in other relevant regional language a plus.

The consultant will report to:

Regional Social Integration Advisor – Asia

The Consultant will work closely with:

The Safeguarding Advisor, Community Accountability Advisor, members of targeted program and country teams, as well as other members of regional SDI working group and global SDI team.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, the consultant should provide the following documents:

-          CV

-          A cover letter describing their relevant experience, and a proposed daily rate.