Request for proposal: Scalable approaches, methods and tools for child-centred risk reduction & resilience

Save the Children International Asia Regional Office is accepting proposals for research on “Scalable Approaches, Methods and Tools for Child-centred Risk Reduction & Resilience”.

Background

Two main problems identified in child-centered disaster risk reduction and comprehensive school safety are (1) the need for the documentation of effective and scalable approaches, methods and tools, and (2) the lack of application of learning from other related and longer-standing programming areas (eg. school health and nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene). These problems relate to issues with both the assessment of program effectiveness and to the need for systematic approaches to design and assessment for scalability.

In terms of program effectiveness, the range of current practices in school-based and community-based interventions have not been sufficiently well-documented to discern important variables. Some school-based programs have implemented cascading models of in-service teacher training seeking to reach children with DRR education in the classroom, while others focus on experiential learning through participatory school disaster management activities, such as hazard and vulnerability assessment, risk mitigation activities, and school-based disaster drills. It is not at all clear whether evidence of best practices and framework approaches from the literature on cascading methods of teacher in-service training or from the implementation of experiential learning (especially simulation drills) have been applied, respectively, in these projects.

Some common obstacles to successful implementation in DRR education projects include busy curricula, lack of teacher training, lack of necessary resources and tools, and lack of partnerships with DRR professionals/emergency management agencies. These appear to underpin what has been described as a resultant “project mentality”.

Many other innovative and potentially scalable approaches that are being used in other programming areas have been largely neglected in this field.

Rationale

In just the past 15 years, the growth in research in DRR and education has been substantial. There is now a strengthened empirical and theoretical foundation for research. This project aligns with goals to drive the development and delivery of effective, scalable, and sustainable Child-centred Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) and Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) programming.

Save the Children is currently developing a common approach to Comprehensive School Safety and is implementing a set of foundational tools, and a toolbox of CSS-related guidance and activities to support this work. Similarly, other GADRRRES partners are contributing to technical support for the Worldwide Initiative for Safe Schools. Other organizations have also developed projects with scalability in mind (eg. The Great ShakeOut, IFRC Pillowcase Project).

Aim and Objectives

The aim is to provide an evidence-base for scalable C-CDRR and CSS approaches through understanding ‘scalability’, evaluating existing interventions and recommending rigorous means for identifying, testing and scaling those that are most effective and scalable at national, sub-national, and local levels.

Objectives:

1. To understand approaches to assessing and designing for scalability. This will be undertaken through a review of the literature and production of a “research-into-practice” brief (2,000 words) to introduce practitioners to this arena of implementation science, and to link this to best practice frameworks for C-C DRR and CSS as found in that literature.

2. To undertake a scoping review of existing and most promising scalable practices, tools and methods in C-C DRR and CSS program implementation, as identified by practitioners associated with GADRRRES members. This should include research, program documentation, program evaluations, and key informant interviews.

3. To specifically appraise the effectiveness, ongoing impacts, and scalability of current CCDRR/CSS programming approaches. This review should include on-site Scalability Assessments conducted with program and technical staff and education sector partners. It should also include the application of cross-cutting gendered and inclusion lenses.

4. Provide recommendations for evidence-driven scalable, design and implementation, and ongoing methods for appraising and tackling scaling up of effective projects, programs, methods, and tools that can be used within and across countries.

5. Summarize gaps and deficiencies in the evidence-based.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

Applicants please note: The full Scope of Work will be agreed upon following submission of successful Research Proposal.

Ethical statement regarding human subjects: Note that any results that are to be published in a peer-reviewed academic journal will require approval by academic institutional human subjects or ethics board.

Deliverables:

1. Brief Inception Report as needed to finalize methods
2. Research-into-Practice Brief (2,000 words, template to be provided) (for general practitioner audience) This should summarize the existing evidence base for effective work in child-centered disaster risk reduction and resilience and climate change adaptation in urban settings.
3. Full Research Report to include:

• Scoping of scalable approaches to C-C DRR and CSS based on desk review of documents from GADRRRES members
• Description on number of methods/approaches selected for review
• Scalability assessments of 4-5 approaches

4. Recommendations for next steps in application of scalable approaches to C-C DRR & CSS
5. PowerPoint presentation of findings for general practitioner and stakeholder workshop
6. Full data set (where applicable)

Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate that the primary investigator(s) should have:

• Masters or Doctoral degree
• Subject-matter expertise in education sector, and or disaster/disaster management research
• Proven track record in designing and implementing social science research
• Firm grasp of ethical/human subjects review considerations
• Experience in participatory-action research, desirable
• Commitment to research dissemination and interest in implementation science highly desirable
• Appropriate cultural and language skills to carry out research in this particular context

Research Timeframe

Research Duration: 15 May - 15 October 2017