Kenya: Child Protection Needs Assessment in Dadaab, Kakuma Refugee Camps and the Kalobeyei Settlement in Garissa and Turkana Counties, Kenya

Tdh has been present in Kenya since 2011, supporting access to basic services for populations affected by displacement, natural crises, and poverty. Currently, Tdh is implementing child protection interventions in Dadaab, Kakuma refugee camps and the Kalobeyei settlement in Garissa and Turkana Counties together with the surrounding host community. The intervention in these refugee camps and host communities is focused on prevention and response to child protection needs while strengthening formal and informal protection mechanisms. In Nairobi, Tdh is implementing an early childhood development project adopting the socio-ecological model aiming at expanding the protective space for children between 0-6 years old in the Korogocho informal settlements. In Garissa County, since 2022, Tdh has been implementing health and nutrition interventions with a protection component in response to drought and its effects in the horn of Africa region.

Background and Context: 

Refugees and asylum seekers in Dadaab, Kakuma camps and Kalobeyei settlement are faced by limitations in movement outside the designated camps. They rely on humanitarian actors providing basic services and food in a context where humanitarian funding is decreasing every year. The 2022/2023 drought situation led to a steady influx of refugees causing considerable strain on the already fragile infrastructure and economic situation of communities in Dadaab. Children affected by displacement face a complex range of vulnerabilities and exposure to risk due to external factors related to the context they live (limited access to services and enjoyment of rights, poverty and exclusion, blurry of future opportunities, uncertainty, etc) and other drivers as gender inequalities, lack of information, age or social dynamics. Children are part of a broader family, community and societal environments that must be considered while addressing children’s needs and trying to contribute to their well-being and development.

Protection concerns were (and still are) prevalent in the camps and the risk of children, adolescent girls and young women being exposed to child labour, child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Most of the new arrivals cited drought/famine followed by insecurity as the reasons for flight. A relatively high number of separated children, GBV survivors and persons with disabilities (PwDs) were identified amongst the new arrivals who will need special attention and support. Many arrived without their belongings; a few are hosted by friends and families but live in overcrowded conditions. Those with no family or connections and available space in existing camps live in the outskirts in very poor and squalid conditions.

Violence towards children is a major concern in Kakuma refugee camp. The cases affecting children include physical and sexual abuse, child marriage and FGM, threats of abduction, physical violence, tribal conflict, and psychological and emotional abuse. The exact prevalence and incidence are difficult to capture accurately as a large proportion of cases remain unreported by both the refugee and host communities.

Tdh with support from its funding partners has been working to provide protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees, asylum seekers in Dadaab, Kakuma refugee camps as well as Kalobeyei settlement. The evolving protection landscape exacerbated by increasing vulnerabilities, risks and other extraneous factors in the respective areas of operation necessitates regular assessment of the child protection needs.

Scope of the Assessment: 

This need assessment's main objective is to conduct a comprehensive child protection assessment in the Dadaab, Kakuma refugee camps and Kalobeyei settlement to identify and address the key challenges faced by children and their families and develop targeted interventions promoting their safety, well-being, and development.

The specific objectives of the assessment: 

• Assess the prevalence and forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and children rights violation within Dadaab camp, Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement with the aim of providing an understanding for current and future child protection programming.
• Examine the underlying child protection issues, causative factors, as well as the roles and supportive factors to child protection (or lack of it).
• Assess gaps in the existing child protection services including case management, pprocess of care and protection.
• Analyze the capacities of stakeholders, including Community Based Structures, in addressing the child protection needs in the refugee camps and the Kalobeyei settlement.
• Assess how much affected populations have access to context and age-appropriate child protection information and identify approaches best suited to achieving access to information services by the affected populations.
• To determine the scope of Mental Health and Psychosocial needs among children and families in Dadaab and Kakuma and to identify major gaps in access to MHPSS services.

This study builds on previous studies and reports to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the response, enhance coordination amongst responding agencies as well as inform fundraising and advocacy efforts based on the needs and niche`s identified.

Geographical Scope: Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps as well the Kalobeyei settlement.

Study Approach and Methodology: 

The consultant shall adopt an appropriate sampling method that will allow correct conclusions about the study population. The sampling methodology and size will be jointly agreed by Tdh and the consultant. Tdh should in all cases review and decide whether to approve any further modifications or changes made.

The process MUST be participatory and should ensure that Government representatives, partner organizations and their protection networks are proactively involved in the process. The methodology MUST be designed to ensure that voices of children and youths are heard, and their participation is child friendly and inclusive i.e., there is a clear focus on reaching and empowering the most deprived children and their communities to ensure that they are part of the findings and analysis.

The study proposes mixed methods of information gathering. These include: 

• A literature review of available up to date secondary sources on the context and implementation sites.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) held with relevant stakeholders engaged in policy making and implementation of protection-related activities in the selected locations (including relevant government departments, CSOs, NGOs, INGOs etc.)
• Individual Interviews with children, youth and adults from the selected study locations. Sampling MUST demonstrate attention to age, gender and diversity dynamics.
• Participatory Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in the selected study locations, with disaggregation by age, gender and diversity.

Tdh expects the consulting firm/ individual to adhere to ethical principles in research as well as Tdh`s risk management policies. Data collectors will be trained in how to identify and respond appropriately to situations of concern they might encounter.

Expected Deliverables and Timelines: 

1. The study team will submit an inception report within 1 week after signing the contract. The inception report willinclude the following: study objectives, scope and key study questions, description of the methodology, including design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, data sources, and study matrix against the key study questions. It must also include the following: 

• Data analysis and work plan.
• Caveats and limitations of study
• Risks and mitigation plan
• Ethical considerations including details on consent.
• Stakeholder and children communication and engagement plan
• Key deliverables, responsibilities, and timelines
• Resource requirements
• Data collection tools (in line with the study matrix)
• Report structure and estimation of pages

2. Draft study report including the following elements:

• Executive summary
• Background description of the context relevant to the Study
• Scope and focus of the study.
• Study limitations
• Overview of the study methodology and data collection methods, including a study matrix
• Findings aligned to each of the key study questions/objectives.
• Specific caveats or methodological limitations of the Needs Assessment
• Conclusions outlining implications of the findings or learnings.
• Recommendations by area and by actor, including advocacy

3. Final study report incorporating feedback from consultation on the draft study report including a session with stakeholders, analysis outputs and Annexes (Study ToR, data collection tools, inception report, study schedule, list of people involved and their contacts.)

The consultant will be required to present their findings by area of Tdh`s operation. Further, findings and analysis should be reported separately for boys and girls and should distinguish the needs and services specific to age categories and children with disabilities.

The timeline provided for this is 8 weeks from awarding of the tender.

To facilitate the process, Tdh will provide: 

• Timely review and validation of the inception report.
• Timely review and validation of data collection tools and data collection approaches.
• Provision of requisite documents for the desk reviews i.e., project reports, assessment reports
• Provision of research assistants/ enumerators (to be paid by the consultant) where they will be required.
• Lead in management response to react and take necessary actions to findings and recommendations of the study.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights: 

The title rights, copyrights and all other rights of whatever nature in any materials used or generated under the provisions of this consultancy will exclusively be vested with Tdh. All products developed under this consultancy belong to the Tdh exclusively, guided by the rules of the consultancy contract. Under no circumstances will the consultant use the information of this study for publication or dissemination to any individual or organization without official prior written permission from Tdh Kenya Country Office.

Selection Criteria: 

A consultancy firm/ individual with valid legal registration paperwork in Kenya and formal access to the locations of the programme implementation.

The selected firm/ consultant should possess the following minimum qualifications as follows:

Academic Skills: 

Master's degree in advanced applied research, Monitoring and Evaluation, population studies, or any related academic discipline or an affiliation with a research institution or a university, holding a PhD, or being in pursuit of a PhD in a relevant field is an advantage.

Previous Experience: 

• At least 5 years of conducting studies of a similar nature and scope.
• At least two contracts of a similar nature and complexity implemented over the last three years or more.
• Practical knowledge on child protection with approaches on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support to children and families affected by displacement.
• Strong background in monitoring and evaluation and/or application of research methods and ideal experience in humanitarian contexts in Kenya or abroad.
• Conversant with the context in Dadaab and/or Kakuma will be an added advantage.
• Experience in developing and implementing works of a similar nature with the UN, International NGOs or donors.
• Have access to Tdh interventions’ areas.
• Mastering of the SPHERE and Child Protection Minimum standards in humanitarian action including gender and diversity.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in survey design, implementation of surveys and statistical data analysis.
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills in English and Swahili.

How to Apply: 

The interested firm/ consultant should submit their applications no later than September 10th, 2023. The submission of proposals (technical and financial) and/or related questions should be directed to Tdh via email to: ken.tenders@tdh.org.

Applications MUST include all the following:

• Technical proposal
• Financial proposal – with a detailed line-item budget.
• Up-to-date CV of the consultants/team members – max. 3 pages/CV.
• Reports of previous work carried out.
• Confirmation of legal registration of the applicant

*Contacts of 3 professional references will be requested by Tdh if the bidding firm/ individual is shortlisted for further consideration.

Applications including annexes must be in English. Submissions in other languages will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted as a single application package – documents sent separately will not be accepted.