Consultancy to develop an Advocacy Plan for Implementation

1. Project Description 

The project will enable children to reach their full developmental potential, which in the long run will have many impacts at the individual and collective levels, particularly in terms of social cohesion. The project is also part of a continuum between the different educational levels – early childhood development and education (nursery and pre-primary school) to primary school entry (acquisition of prerequisite skills, support for children and parents for the enrolment in primary school). Furthermore, this project proposes a holistic collaborative approach, involving public and private service providers, relevant ministries, civil society and communities. This project is based on a strong partnership with the partner CSO, Imam Sadr Foundation, which, with the support of Asmae, will be responsible for the direct implementation of capacity building activities in 10 early childhood centres (nurseries and pre-primary schools) in the Tyre region, as well as parent support and community mobilisation. In a child rights-based approach, another key component will be to foster inclusive services, at the level of nurseries and pre-primary schools: through the review of educational programmes, through the training of the staff of the supported centres as well as through the provision of specialised support to children identified with special needs (related to disability, protection risks, gender discrimination, origin for refugees, etc). In addition, the project will promote sustainability by institutionalising a network of actors (directly involved in the project as well as other local and national actors) in order to promote quality inclusive initiatives in the long term.

The network will involve early childhood and pre-school service providers and local CSOs involved in the referral of children with special needs. Other early childhood stakeholders will be invited: local CSOs, regional agencies of MOSA (in charge of nurseries) and MEHE (in charge of pre-school), early childhood unions (Syndicate of Nurseries Owners in Lebanon, Syndicate of Professional Daycares in Lebanon) and other actors such as the Lebanese Association for Early Childhood Development. This network will aim to strengthen collaboration and the sharing of experiences between actors. In this logic, a work of capitalization / documentation of good practices will be carried out. It will also support stakeholders in their advocacy for inclusive and quality services. Additional coordination meetings will be organized with the Ministries concerned to discuss their priorities, issues related to early childhood and to promote inter-ministerial coordination. This network will be managed by Asmae in a holistic collaborative approach, involving public and private service providers, relevant ministries, civil society and communities, all together working for the same purpose. In order to ensure strong processes for this network Asmae will Create and facilitate a Network forming from at least 20 members from nurseries, KGs and CSOs involved in the program as well as other key stakeholders, then form a steering committee from at least 5 members to manage the network and draft a ToR specifying the roles of the steering committee and network member, frequency of meetings, mechanism of work and collaboration), Asmae will also take the lead of facilitation the regular meetings and the documentation of best practices.

Moreover, a planned 3-awareness raising campaigns will be merged into one extended advocacy campaign through the network component. Asmae team decided to launch the advocacy campaigns related to early childhood education and inclusion in collaboration with the network's participants and members. This strategic integration aims to amplify the reach and impact of these campaigns by leveraging the diverse perspectives and expertise of field actors. Given that many network members actively implement ECD and inclusion activities, their involvement will enhance the campaigns' effectiveness and ensure a comprehensive approach. This process will also enhance the effectiveness of the Network, initially created to strengthen coordination among ECD actors. Therefore, involving the members in the national campaigns will reinforce the Network's credibility within the early childhood education and inclusion sectors.

D.   Scope of Work

The development of Advocacy campaign plan which will be led by external consultant in close coordination with ISF team and Asmae team.

The consultant team will be responsible for undertaking following tasks:

  · Attend and conduct a brainstorming workshop regarding the upcoming advocacy campaign during and after the launching of the network (which will be held on XX/XX/2024) and identify priority areas for advocacy for the next year;

  · Draft a complete advocacy campaign plan, outlining clear objectives, target activities, allies, deliverables and indicators;

  · Identify specific stakeholders on advocacy strategy in influencing the implementation of child protection, inclusion, and ECD policies or activities at national level;

 · Provide activity recommendations, on potential structure of the Network and the advocacy campaign;

 · Share the draft advocacy campaign plan with stakeholders;

 · Prepare the final advocacy plan and give detailed orientation for both Asmae and ISF staff on how to implement the advocacy plan 

E. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Main output, Deadline, Duration, Involved stakeholders / resources

Inception meeting + Signature of Agreement

• 11 Sep
• 1 working day
• ISF + Asmae relevant staff

Advocacy organizations’ assessment ISF + Asmae (optional)

• 17-20 Sep
• 4 working days
• ISF + Asmae relevant staff

Brainstorming session with stakeholders & actors

• 25 Sep
• 1 working day
• During the Network Launching Event

Draft plan

• 4 Oct
• 7 working days
• Revision from ISF and Asmae (feedback on Oct 8)

Final plan

• 11 Oct
• 3 working days

 Orientation and discussion

• 15-16 Oct
• 2 working days
• ISF + Asmae relevant staff