Kenya: Research on Child Trafficking and Unsafe Migration (between Kenya and Ethiopia) to Transform Social Norms and Strengthen Child Protection Mechanisms

Intervention Details: 

Title: Child Protection through Capacity Building, Transformation of Social Norms and Strengthening of Protection Mechanisms in Northern Kenya

Goal: Elimination of all forms of child exploitation (child trafficking and unsafe migration of children in particular) and all child rights violations through harmful cultural practices in the pastoralist communities of Marsabit County in Northern Kenya.

Location: Moyale Sub County, Marsabit County

Project Duration: 1st November 2022 to 31st October 2025.

Target Beneficiaries:

Direct Beneficiaries: 

• 1,510 children aged 5-18 years,
• 890 parents/Caregivers
• 200 representatives from government agencies,
• 90 representatives from executive agencies (police and judiciary)
• 50 representatives from the private sector and other civil society organisations

Implementing Agency: Strategies for Northern Development (SND) and Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL)

Introduction: 

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is an international non-governmental organisation committed to stopping child exploitation. Our mission is to protect children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our vision is that children can flourish in a world free of all forms of exploitation.

Our vision and mission are inspired and guided by international human rights instruments and standards, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Council of Europe's Lanzarote Convention, the International Labour Organisation Conventions and aligned with achievement of the SDGs, in particular Goals 5, 8 and 16.

In 2022, Terre des Hommes Netherlands launched its 2023-2030 Listen up! Strategy with the aim of creating systemic change that addresses the root causes of child exploitation. We will achieve this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, engaging in lobby & advocacy campaigns, working with partners to build resilience of children, families and communities and utilising our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.

On the African continent, TdH NL works in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Madagascar. In these countries, TdH NL develops and implements programs in close collaboration with local partner organisations. In Kenya, TdH NL programmes are implemented in Central, Rift Valley, Coastal, Western and Northern regions of Kenya where we work with communities, government, private sector, civil society organisations and children themselves, at the centre, to address systemic and structural drivers that expose children to exploitation.

Strategies for Northern Development’s (SND) vision is a society in which all pastoralist communities of northern Kenya live lives of dignity and operate in resilient and self-reliant communities. SND implements activities in thematic areas of Child Protection and Education, Peacebuilding and Governance, Food Security in the Context of Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience, Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) and Humanitarian Assistance. SND cooperates with government institutions in implementing measures to protect children from abuse and exploitation and is part of the ASAL humanitarian network at the national level. In addition, SND has partnerships with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the Federation of Women Laws, and the SRHR Alliance in the fight against gender-based violence.

Project Background: 

Strategies for Northern Development, in partnership with Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Terre des Hommes Germany, with financial support from Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in German (BMZ) is implementing 36 months project aimed at contributing to the elimination of all forms of child exploitation and unsafe migration for children aged 5-18 years in Moyale Sub County.

The project aims at realising systemic change by strengthening the child protection systems; in Kenya(National, County, Sub County and Community) that prevent and respond to the exploitation of children while promoting their physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be achieved by engaging all stakeholders (Department of Children Services(DCS), private sector, Border management committees (BMC), members of child right clubs (CRC), community resource persons (CRPs), community elders, youth, women groups, local media houses, law enforcement agencies and CSOs)

The desired results of the project include:

1. To influence the elimination of harmful traditional practices and promote the adoption of positive norms that reduce child trafficking and unsafe migration of children
2. To strengthen the capacity of existing child protection institutions and structures to implement policies and mechanisms that effectively prevent and respond to child exploitation
3. To improve evidence-based program design, knowledge management, and advocacy in the fight against child exploitation in Northern Kenya
4. To facilitate coordination, collaboration, networking, and partnerships to effectively serve children at risk or victims of child rights violations.
5. About the Research Consultancy

TdH NL and SND seek to commission a research on child trafficking and unsafe migration, with a cross border angle between Kenya and Ethiopia, through an external thematic-area research expert(s) who will adopt participatory mixed method (Quantitative and qualitative) approaches for the study. The study will include methods that allow meaningful participation of children, their families and communities, with a keen emphasis on safeguarding.

The Purpose of the Research: 

The research seeks to establish the trends of child trafficking and unsafe migration in Marsabit County, including determining the specific child trafficking risks, drivers and enablers . The study will serve to determine the scale of child trafficking in Marsabit County capturing the context, push and pull factors that contribute to this phenomenon, any (changing) trends, pathways to child trafficking , demographics of children/youth, forms of exploitation related to child trafficking, common perpetrators, recruitment patterns, source, routes and destination, age, sex/gender, socio-economic background of both child victims as well as the perpetrators.

The research findings will be used by TdH NL and SND to strengthen child protection mechanisms, adopt a targeted approach in programming and advocacy in ensuring children are not exploited. The findings and evidence generated from the research will be published, disseminated and used to inform local and national level advocacy, as well regional level in case of any cross border child protection policy or practice. Moreover, findings of the research will be shared with key stakeholders (Sub County and County Government Officials), the communities and children for engagement and discussions on topical issues emanating from the research .

Research Questions:

The research will seek to answer the following questions:

1. What push and pull factors put children in Moyale, Marsabit County at risk of child trafficking and unsafe migration?
2. What are the pathways to trafficking of children i.e. recruitment,patterns, source, routes, main recruiters and destination?
3. What are the key risk factors, or forms of exploitation child survivors of trafficking and unsafe migrations face in Moyale in Marsabit County?
4. What is the capacity level of the local community to the County government in addressing or combating child trafficking and unsafe migration in Marsabit County.
5. What are the knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to child trafficking and unsafe migration in Moyale, Marsabit County among the community members, state and non state actors?
6. What key messaging is recommended for use in advocacy addressing Child trafficking and Unsafe Migration at Local Level in Marsabit as well National level?

Research Objectives:

The specific objectives for the research are:

1. To investigate the structural (formal and informal) drivers and enablers of child trafficking and unsafe migration in Marsabit county and explore demographics of children at risk and survivors.
2. To assess the local capacity in effectively addressing or combating child trafficking and unsafe migration in Marsabit County
3. To explore legislative and policy framework and reinforcement measures in place by the government in combating child trafficking and unsafe migration in Marsabit County
4. To conduct analysis of the knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to Sexual Exploitation of Children in general and child trafficking and unsafe migration in particular
5. To explore the capacity of community based child protection systems in combating child trafficking and unsafe migration in Marsabit County

Methodology:

The research consultant is expected to employ a participatory, trauma informed, mixed method approach to conducting this research with a cross-border angle.

Key Deliverables: 

The consultant will be required to successfully deliver the following:

• A draft inception report which responds to the scope of work with a clear methodology, a child safeguarding and risk assessment plan, data collection instruments, detailed work plan, and budget.
• A fieldwork implementation plan (to be submitted before field work begins). This field work plan should be presented to TdH NL and SND for comments and revised as necessary prior to commencing fieldwork.A fair draft research report incorporating feedback from TdH NL and SND. The fair draft report will synthesise all data, identify conclusions, and make recommendations (taking into account ALL comments and additions from TdH NL and SND following submission of the Draft Report).
• Oral presentation and validation of the findings: The consultant will make a presentation to TdH NL and the partner staff of the findings of the assessment. The debriefing meeting will be an opportunity to clarify outstanding aspects of the assessment findings before finalisation of the report. Thereafter, the research findings will be validated with all key stakeholders involved in the research.
• The Final Report: The consultant will be expected to produce a final report, with comments from the debriefing taken into account. While the substantive content shall be determined by the consultant, the report is subject to final approval by TdH NL in terms of whether or not the report meets the conditions of the ToR and expected standards. TdH NL will provide the reporting template and layout. Final reports submitted in a printed/publishable format and a summarised PowerPoint presentation of the assessment findings for dissemination.
• Full clean data sets. The consultant will be required to submit anonymised data sets/ transcripts used for analysis, as appendices to the final report.
• Dissemination Workshop: After the research report is finalised, TdH NL will organise a dissemination workshop with key stakeholders. The consultant is expected to co-facilitate the workshop and present the results of the research.

Child Safeguarding Measures: 

In line with the UNCRC, Terre des Hommes Netherlands strives to keep children safe in all its undertakings by keeping the principles of 'do no harm' and 'best interests of the child' top of mind. A screening and reference check of the successful candidate will be conducted during the selection process to confirm the suitability of working with children. The successful applicant will be required to read, understand, and commit to abide by TdH NL’s Child Safeguarding Policies and Guidelines. The institution/firm or individual consultant will sign the policies to indicate an understanding of, and commitment to follow the policy requirements. The methodologies used in this study must abide by the universally accepted ethical standards for involving children in research. These include:

• Ensuring children will not be harmed by involvement in the research
• Protecting children from secondary trauma
• Securing authentic informed consent
• Voluntary participation of children in research
• Privacy and anonymity. i.e. what locations and methods are best for respecting children's privacy?
• Protocols in place for responding to a child's disclosure of harm or abuse

A risk assessment and mitigation plan will be developed at the onset.

Ethical Considerations: 

The consultant will be required to get ethical approval from a recognised body before data collection in the field. Terre des Hommes Netherlands will coordinate with the consultant to ensure this approval is provided prior to field activities.

Timeline: The assignment is to be conducted and completed between 1st August 2023 and 8th September 2023.

Consultant Profile:

Competencies, Experience, and Skill Requirements: 

The consultant engaged to undertake the assignment must fulfil the following requirements:

The team for this assignment will consist of the consultant(s) who will have overall responsibility for designing, implementing, and coordinating the entire assessment guided by the ToR.

The knowledge, skills, and expertise required areas are as outlined below:

• The lead consultant is required to have at least a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, or other related fields. A PhD will be given preference
• Sound understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Counter Trafficking in Person Act, Code of Conduct, and UN Global Compact.
• A minimum of five years of experience working in the child rights and child exploitation prevention field
• Extensive knowledge/experience in conducting research focusing on child exploitation, especially child trafficking and unsafe migration.
• Has proven skills, knowledge and experience in participatory mixed method research with children and/or vulnerable groups
• A strong commitment to and proven experience in utilising child participatory
• methodologies.
• Has proven experience in conducting research using various methodologies such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys etc.
• Experience in working with or leading research for INGOs.
• Has excellent communication skills in writing and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Is familiar with social and cultural norms, and attitudes especially in relation to child protection/child exploitation

How to Apply: 

Qualified and interested applicants to submit Technical and Financial proposals electronically in PDF formats, addressed to “The Selection Committee”, with subject line clearly marked TdH NL Research on Child Trafficking and unsafe Migration via email on or before Friday 21st July, 2023 at 1700 hrs (EAT) to: recruitment.africa@tdh.nl with the aim to select the consultant by 28th July, 2023 and start the assignment by 8th August, 2023.

All applications should include the following:

1. Technical proposal (max. 8 pages) outlining the motivation for the application, the technical approach on how to conduct the research, including an assessment matrix outlining how the four (4) research objectives will be assessed and the resources required
2. A proposed detailed work plan outlining research activities with clear timelines
3. Financial proposal in KES detailing itemised fees, data collection, logistical and administrative costs. (this should be inclusive)
4. A copy of the CV of the lead consultant who will undertake the research.
5. Copies of similar assessment reports (research reports on Child Trafficking and unsafe Migration) conducted by the applicant where possible and or a recommendation letter from an INGO’s who the consultant has worked with before. A sample similar report is mandatory.

Note that due to the expected large response only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.