Ireland - Mincéirí Port Láirge: Invitation to Tender

Description

Mincéirí Port Láirge CLG Invitation to Tender forEvaluation of the Brighter Futures Young Travellers Education Programme Background to Mincéirí Port Láirge Waterford Traveller Community Development Project CLG, operating as Mincéirí Port Láirge, is a Traveller-led organisation established in 1995, becoming a limited company in 2003. Mincéirí Port Láirge engages in community development work as a means of achieving social change. Its main aim is to contribute to the creation of a more just, sustainable and equal society for Travellers in Waterford and throughout Ireland. Mincéirí Port Láirge is committed to working with all members of the Traveller Community in Waterford City. The Management Board is made up of members of the Traveller community and non Travellers, who direct the work of Mincéirí Port Láirge. The Board works to improve the quality of life for all Travellers in Waterford. We also support national campaigns and work closely with our sister projects throughout Ireland on many issues such as human rights, health, accommodation and education and training opportunities for Travellers. Mincéirí Port Láirge works towards addressing human rights issues such as poor, unsuitable, and hazardous accommodation, discrimination, and the main concerns that affect Travellers in Waterford. The main aim of Mincéirí Port Láirge is: To work in partnership with Travellers to create opportunities that build the confidence and skills of Travellers, enabling the community to bring about improvements in their status, life chances and living conditions. We work from a place of respect for Traveller culture and ethnicity, using a community development approach. To this end, Mincéirí Port Láirge established The Brighter Futures Programme, an innovative education initiative working with Traveller children in a number of primary and secondary schools in Waterford City. Objectives of Brighter Futures Programme To identify the educational needs/ experiences of Traveller Children and young people in Waterford and develop a local action plan to deliver supports. To improve the learning experience and outcomes for Traveller students in schools. To improve parental/guardian engagement with the school community and foster an appreciation of the value of education among the Traveller community. To improve attendance, participation and retention with the aim of improving the educational outcomes of Traveller students. To develop and promote community linkages and better connectivity between local services. To promote the positive practice of protection and respect for the cultural identity of the Traveller community with education providers in the local area. The Brighter Futures programme of work includes: Weekly workshop with Traveller students (Lunch time club) where issues such as sense of belonging in school, difficulties with schoolwork, pride in community, reading, and Traveller history and role models etc. are discussed in a relaxed age appropriate way Engagement with Traveller parents and guardians Traveller awareness training with teachers Identification and promotion of Traveller inclusive materials, books, film and traditional crafts in the schools. The context for tender As part of its remit, Mincéirí Port Láirge has a citywide brief to deliver education programmes aimed at achieving our aim and objectives https://minceiriportlairge.ie/ Specifically Mincéirí Port Láirge, with the support of SETU PATH funding and the National Traveller Partnership/Department of Education Dormant Accounts fund, developed a programme of work based in a number of Waterford City primary and secondary schools. In its fourth year of operation, Mincéirí Port Láirge wishes to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the work of the Brighter Futures Programme, an initiative set up to support young Traveller children in school. The aim of this tender To engage a researcher to carry out a 360° evaluation of the work of the Brighter Futures Programme, examine the outcomes and impact of the work on the ground for Travellers, determine key findings and recommendations and propose strategic actions for the future development of the work. The project will: Undertake a comprehensive consultation process with all stakeholders listed below. Ensure equality and human rights-based approaches throughout the process and in the final findings and recommendations Collate relevant data including statistics, national and local policies, possible other funding streams etc. Present the final report with findings and recommendations within the agreed timescale and aligned with the National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Plan. Engage with an Advisory Committee who will guide the process, review progress and agree draft report Present final report to the Board of Mincéirí Port Láirge Methodology The researcher should set out a detailed methodology for the evaluation with consideration of the following: Consultation with local & national stakeholders, specifically: Participating Traveller children Parents & guardians of participating children Home School Liaison teachers of participating schools Principals of participating schools Mincéirí Port Láirge Community Education workers CEO of Mincéirí Port Láirge Relevant staff of National Traveller Partnership (funders) Relevant staff SETU (funders) Conduct a literature review and analysis of relevant written documentation and policies including CSO data, National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy, Irish Human Rights & Equality Act and other relevant policy documents, including international best practice for improving educational outcomes for indigenous or nomadic communities. Review reports and materials of the Brighter Futures Programme Draft structure of Final Report and key headings in line with National Adult Learning Agency plain English guidelines where possible Outcome of the evaluation Concise collation of relevant information, reports, consultation meetings and policies to inform the findings and recommendations Findings and recommendations aligned with the National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy with additional needs highlighted Final report to provide clear, defined recommendations with proposed actions to inform progression Final report presented will inform & strengthen strategic planning and delivery of community development/education initiatives and services provided by Mincéirí Port Láirge. Final report presented will inform education policy at a local & national level across all levels of delivery. Reporting for the evaluation This evaluation is being commissioned by Mincéirí Port Láirge CLG who will issue all contracts for the work. It is expected that there will be meetings with the researcher on a regular basis to consider progress and support the needs of the researcher throughout the process. An Advisory Group will be established to guide and support the researcher. Timescale - The work should be completed over a four - month period with desktop research commencing in mid February 2025 with the final report to be completed by end of end of May 2025. Budget and Tender process – The maximum budget inclusive of VAT and travel is €9,000 All proposals must reference the information outlined above and include the following: All tenders must be addressed to the CEO, Mincéirí Port Láirge CLG Tender must be signed, dated and on headed paper indicating Business Name, Contact Name, Address, Telephone, Email and VAT Number. If the contact person is different to the lead person, please include them. Understanding the brief: Present a clear understanding of the tender proposal and a summarised briefing of your understanding of the expected outcomes of the tender brief with an emphasis on the stakeholder engagement, consultation and innovativeness. Methodology: Outline a detailed methodology as to how the tender brief will be completed including: The process used for completing the brief, overall approach to the work and tasks outlined. The number of days/hours associated with each task required to complete the brief. A detailed budget for the delivery of each strand of the brief and an outline of all associated costs/expenses e.g. Travel, accommodations etc Track record and experience: Please provide: Name and contact details of the tenderer/organisation and the personnel who would be involved in the delivery of the work, a lead researcher needs to be identified as a contact person. Previous experience of all personnel involved in undertaking the work (copies of relevant previous work can be attached to responses) Detail of at least 2 assignments of a similar nature which demonstrates working with a similar group with contact details to check for references. Tax Affairs: Evidence of Tax Compliance, provide a current tax reference number and eTax Clearance. Please complete the Declaration. Insurance: The successful tender must have professional indemnity insurance. Please complete the Declaration. All Documents submitted in word or PDF format. Assessment criteria for selection of successful tender Tenders will be evaluated on the information provided at the time of tender. The contract will be initiated immediately following confirmation of funding. Unsuccessful tenders will be notified when the appointment of the successful tender has been confirmed. The contract will be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender based on the following criteria: Criteria - % available Cost: The researcher is required to provide detail costs associated with each strand of the brief - 20% Addressing Project Specifications of Requirements: Clearly demonstrates an understanding of the scope and objectives of the tender brief and its intended outcomes. - 30% Methodology: Has clearly outlined a systematic and comprehensive methodology and engagement/consultation process to secure the tender brief is met. - 30% Capacity to Deliver: Demonstrates capacity to deliver based on the level of resources indicated and details of personnel involved. - 20% Total - 100% Tenders will be required to score a minimum of 70% to be shortlisted. Tenders must demonstrate how they meet all the above criteria in their tender submission in order to enable the warding authority to assess fully the extent of their offers. Mincéirí Port Láirge CLG is entitled, but not obliged to seek clarification of the tenders during the evaluation process. No change in the price or substance of the tender shall be sought, offered or permitted. The successful Consultant/Consultancy Team will be engaged through a sub-contract with Terms & Conditions. Submission of Tenders  Please submit tenders by 5 pm February 7th 2025 (late submissions will not be accepted) by email to ceo@waterfordtravellercdp.com Queries on the tender will be accepted via email only. The successful consultant must be available to commence work i.e. initial meeting with Advisory Group and desktop research in mid February 2025.

Opportunity closing date

07 February 2025

Value of contract

to be confirmed