Consultant - Development of Parenting

The purpose of this position is to lead the development of a comprehensive parenting package. This involves conducting a situational analysis of current parenting practices, identifying the needs of diverse parent groups, and assessing existing parenting programs in Pakistan. The Consultant will prioritize key parenting behaviors, conduct stakeholder consultations, and create a tailored positive parenting package for children aged 0-10 and adolescents aged 11-19. Additionally, the role includes designing user-friendly training materials, implementing a Master Trainers training plan, and establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework. The overarching goal is to enhance parenting skills, contribute to positive family dynamics, and promote the successful implementation of parenting programs in targeted areas.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Produce a comprehensive situational analysis report on current parenting practices including analysis of parenting styles, and strengths, and determine the needs of both fathers and mothers of various socio-economic backgrounds. The analysis shall also cover the availability and accessibility of existing parenting packages/programs in pakistan and the target groups they are reaching.
2. Priority behaviors parents and caregivers need support on that would lead to positive parenting. consultations with key stakeholders-a minimum of two FGD for manual
3. Develop a positive parenting package for children upto 10 years and 11-19 adolescents that incorporates a variety of interventions, consistent with the diverse needs of parents and international best practices. The programme shall differentiate between the parenting needs of parents with children of various age ranges, (including early and middle childhood and adolescence) and shall address the topics parents are faced with and include at least: child developmental stages; evidence based parenting techniques (e.g. positive reinforcement, communication and active listening; responsive stimulation; parental stress management; non-violent disciplining); gender equality; parenting children with special needs, children’s technology use (including online safety); reproductive health rights and gender-based violence. A more detailed list should be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Present a draft programme outline to key stakeholders in Punjab for feedback and validation.
4. Develop user-friendly training materials (including, for example, a facilitator’s manual, implementation guide, links to background literature, handouts, learning goals, learning method, key messages for parents, practical examples and cases) and learning resources to conduct positive parenting training programmes for in Punjab. These learning resources should include brochures, posters and other appropriate learning tools to create and enhance public awareness. Graphic design can be outsourced through SWD/UNICEF if needed. The design of the training and learning resources must be of a high standard, consistent with current international best practice, culturally relevant, drawing from knowledge and practice in Punjab, and must include interactive learning opportunities.
5. In consultation with relevant stakeholders, develop a comprehensive Master trainers training plan and Conduct training for approximately 50 professionals to enhance their capacity to support parents and contribute to the implementation of parenting package in targeted district and prepare the training report
6. Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the evaluation of the training plan and assessment of learning outcomes. Include pre-and post-training questionnaires
7. Conduct an evaluation and submit an evaluation report on the training for facilitators. The report shall include common evaluation criteria such as relevance, effectiveness, sustainability and provide recommendations for continued implementation of positive parenting programmes

Requirements:

Qualification:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or above) in social sciences including Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Gender and Women Development or a Related Field
• *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree

Work experience:

• A minimum of   8 years of relevant professional experience in developing and implementing similar programs, preferably in the areas of positive parenting, child rights policy, child and adolescent psychology and family wellbeing.

Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Pakistani especially Punjab parenting practices
• Demonstrated experience as a training facilitator, preferably with parenting 9 practitioners.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documents, reports and training materials.
• Demonstrated experience of working collaboratively with government institutions, CSOs and international development agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in research design and development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Fluency in English and Urdu is required. 
• Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Disclaimer:

• MicroMerger reserves the right to reject any or all applications or change the number of positions at any stage without assigning any reason or as per requirements.
• Any Candidate/Applicant who attempts to or influences the recruitment process or the Selection Panel by any means shall be disqualified immediately.
• MicroMerger will not consider applicants not fulfilling the requirements/criteria mentioned above.
• Incomplete applications will not be entertained.
• MicroMerger reserves the right to cancel the whole hiring process at any stage without mentioning any reason.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for tests and/or interviews via call or Email.
• MicroMerger provides equal opportunity to all qualified Males & Females candidates. Females are encouraged to apply. 
• All jobs are of visual nature. Visually impaired applicants cannot be entertained.
• Recruitment will be made on a contract basis, extendable based on arising needs
• Shortlisted candidates will have to bring their CVs, attested copies of CNIC, certificates, experience certificates and educational qualifications at the time of the interview
• No TA/DA or any expense would be admissible during the whole hiring process including interviews, tests etc.