Closing date: 06 Oct 2017
Terms of Reference
Europe Feasibility Consultancy
Location: Europe
Background
The Open Society Foundations (OSF) is establishing a new global organization – tentatively named Include – to advocate for the equal participation of people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in all aspects of social and economic life. The organization’s goals will be: 1) to build capacity through partnerships for the promotion and development of community-based alternatives to long-stay residential institutions, and 2) to support the development and implementation of laws, policies, and practices that promote social and economic inclusion.
The organization will launch as a new non-profit organization in early 2019 to continue work performed over the last two decades through the Mental Health Initiative, of OSF’s Public Health Program (PHP). Building on this work to expand globally, and to strengthen civil society’s response to the stated goals, 2017/18 is a time to plan and implement the organization’s creation, including programmatic and operational aspects. In order to determine whether work in targeted countries is feasible, both in terms of content and in terms of funding available for it, the organization seeks a consultant to conduct a desk-based study on the fields of intellectual disability and psychosocial disability in Montenegro, Macedonia, Italy and Portugal.
Distinctive features of INclude
The new organization’s work is expected to operate within a model that includes:
i) Making long-term commitment to key partners in countries of engagement to bring about systemic change
ii) Grantmaking to key partners
iii) Catalysing regional networks for learning and advocacy
iv) Engaging in a direct advocacy role
Rationale
INclude is considering Montenegro, Macedonia, Italy and Portugal as countries for development, and this desk study is designed to inform decisions around its future work in these countries. The study will deliver country overviews that include a stakeholder analysis and will provide a basis for further detailed country feasibility studies, where applicable.
The study will collate baseline data, which can be reviewed at a future time for change and progress.
Methodology
The study will be desk-based but will also include relevant meetings and/or interviews with relevant stakeholders.
The consultant will carry out a Capacity and Assets Assessment (CAPAA) for each country that will be based largely on their own knowledge supplemented by reliable and available third party data and interviews with key individuals. It is envisaged that it will take no more than three working days to carry out, and report on, the CAPAA per country. The CAPAA will assess: the social and economic context, government commitment to reform in visible policy or practice; Political stability and openness, government understanding of the value of models of good practice in intellectual and/or psychosocial disability, Presence of local social entrepreneurs/local champions/non-profit leaders/CSOs that offer or could offer alternative community based models.
Additional factors and indicators can be written into the CAPAA at the discretion of the consultant to take account of contextual or other factors that are specific to a region or to a country.
The consultant will review respective national legal status with regards relevant international treaties and conventions (first and foremost the CRPD). This will include where possible respective domestic laws which have some bearing on INclude’s work.
The study will review and use information from CRPD reports, both governmental and shadow, and any comments received from the CRPD Committee. It is hoped that these reports will help provide some necessary culturally specific information, including the nature of stigma and discrimination, in those societies towards people with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities.
The review will establish the existence (or lack) of residential institutional care outside of prisons.
The study will put together a map of NGOs working in fields directly or closely related to INclude’s work both at a national and regional level (and where relevant, activities of International NGOs in the region).
The impact, treatment and governmental response to drug addiction (a serious problem in the region) will be considered in relation to INclude’s work.
Other factors, which will be taken into consideration during the research will include: young people and mental health and the role of religious organisations in the treatment of mental health and intellectual disability.
The study will begin to map out individual leaders and drivers of agendas related to INclude’s work both in the government and non-governmental sectors which will help INclude decide decide on programmatic priorities.
The study will also, where possible, flag areas of particular concern and areas where there might be ‘quick wins’ i.e. where limited support might be expected to have quick favourable outcomes.
Potentials for replicability of programming and influence within the region will be considered.
Output
A written report, to be delivered electronically, no later than October 13, 2017. The report will be organized by country, and will not exceed 30 pages.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate brings:
· Knowledge of the fields of intellectual disability and mental health in the target countries;
· Knowledge of NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in the target countries;
· Experience performing feasibility studies and working with international civil society actors;
· Knowledge of the international donor landscape and funding field in the target countries, and/or in the fields of intellectual disabilities and mental health;
· Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
How to apply:
Application Instructions
Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:
mental.healthinitiative@opensocietyfoundations.org
The Open Society Foundations is an equal opportunity employer. We are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues across the Open Society Foundations, and we welcome and actively seek applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
Application deadline: October 6th, 2017
