Consultant – Content and Learning Specialist (‘Introduction to Disability Rights’ Module)

Reporting to: Sunanda Mavillapalli, Head of Quality Assurance, Impact and Learning, Plan International UK

Closing date: Monday, 29th August 2016

Background

Founded 76 years ago, Plan International is an independent child rights organisation, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. It is one of the oldest and largest children’s development organisations in the world. We work in 51 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty particularly those who are excluded with high quality programmes that deliver long lasting benefits.

Plan International is committed to tackling the root causes and consequences of exclusion and gender inequality (Plan International, Tackling Exclusion Framework, 2015). Although some progress has been made in advancing gender equality and inclusion, exclusion and gender inequality continue to lead to grave rights violations for many girls, boys and youth everywhere we work. Poverty when combined with other factors of exclusion – such as age, gender, ethnicity, caste, remoteness, race, religion, disability, health status, migratory status or sexual orientation create significant barriers to realise rights. Understanding how exclusion and gender inequality intersect and manifest themselves is fundamental for an organisation that aims to achieve equal rights for all girls and all boys.

Learning lies at the heart of Plan International’s organisational wide commitment to gender equality and inclusion. Through Plan Academy, our in-house Learning Department, we offer a range of opportunities to enhance the capacities, skills and behaviours of staff and partners to effectively tackle exclusion and gender inequality in programmes and in the workplace.

With the support of the Department for International Development (DFID), Plan International UK will develop an Introductory Module on Disability Rights. The module will be available for the wider Plan International organisation, as part of the Planting Equality courses, which is Plan International’s staff capacity building programme on gender equality. The module aims to build staff capacity, understanding and awareness of disability rights among Plan International UK staff, Plan International staff and partners.

The Introduction to Disability Rights module must be suitable for staff at multiple levels, in both development programmes and in humanitarian response. The module will be available in two different formats:

• Face-to-face training for staff and partners. The training will be available for staff and partners, adaptable so that it can be delivered over 1 or 2 days.
• Online module for staff and partners. The online module will be facilitated by a Plan Academy accredited facilitator. The course is expected to last for a maximum of six weeks, for at least 4 hours per week.

General Description of the Role

The consultant will be responsible for;

• Scoping and identifying existing disability awareness learning resources for mainstream development organisations.
• Developing content and materials for the face-to-face ‘Introduction to Disability Rights’ training, in collaboration with key stakeholders. The materials must be suitable for one day and 2 day workshop; however the materials must be adaptable for a shorter sessions if required.
• Developing content and materials for the online ‘Introduction to Disability Rights’ module as part of Planting Equality, in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Supporting the face-to-face facilitation of ‘Introduction to Disability Rights’ module during a one day workshop in Plan International UK, as needed.
• Supporting the review and evaluation of the ‘Introduction to Disability Rights’ modules, as needed.

Lines of Communication

The consultant will report to Sunanda Mavillapalli, Head of Quality Assurance, Impact and Learning with Plan International UK and will work closely with Gillian Quinn, Gender and Inclusion Project Officer with Plan International Headquarters. The consultant may also consult with relevant stakeholders, particularly Plan Academy, Plan International partner organisations and Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs).

The consultant is expected to communicate with Plan International via email and Skype, and to attend in person meetings at Plan International UK, as needed.

Deliverables and Timelines:

The module development is expected to commence in September 2016, and the courses are to be piloted in September – November 2016. The start date and timelines will be confirmed with the consultant(s) once identified.

The three key deliverables include;

• A facilitator’s guide for a face-to-face workshop (preferably in Microsoft Word)
• Facilitator’s guide for the online component of the module (preferably in Microsoft Word)
• Learning content / materials for both online and face-to-face trainings (including pdf PowerPoint material, links to relevant resources etc.)

Plan International will support a maximum of 20 consultancy days for the development of content for this module and facilitation of the pilot.

Please note that all materials developed must apply universal design principles and be accessible for persons with disabilities. All materials must in line with Plan International’s branding requirements.

Payment for services

The consultant shall invoice Plan International UK quarterly, against a timesheet and agreed expenses. Plan International UK will cover travel cost associated with deliverables. Upon presentation of satisfactory receipts, the consultant will be reimbursed for additional expenses to the extent necessarily incurred in the provision of services.

Skills and Qualifications

Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of disability rights
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the intersection between gender equality and inclusion

Skills

• Experience in disability rights capacity building, either in writing training sessions and/or facilitating trainings will be considered an asset.
• Adult education skills and experience with diverse adult learning pedagogies will be considered an asset.
• Organizational skills, as well as information gathering, assessment and presentation skills.
• Experience working in the area of disability rights will be considered an asset.
• Educated to Master’s degree level.
• Fluent in English (both written and verbal). Capacity in French and/or Spanish will be considered an asset.

Behaviours:

• Demonstrating Plan International’s values in particular with regard to equity and justice.
• Self-driven, organized and results-oriented.
• Good listening skills and capacity to work effectively with others.
• Promotes innovation and learning.
• Strong team-work, influencing and motivational skills.

Application Requirements

Organisations and individual consultants are invited to apply for this consultancy.

All proposals must be submitted in English, with a maximum length of 4 pages (excluding evidence of previous or similar work). At a minimum, proposals must include the following:

• A brief description of the consultant(s)/organisations recent experience in learning
• A description of services and draft work plan (with suggested dates) for performing the assignment
• A reasonable budget and distribution of resources/efforts
• Recent CV of consultant(s) and 2 references of previous work.

All proposals and supporting documents must be submitted by 29 August 2016 to Gillian Quinn (gillian.quinn@plan-international.org).

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.