public Notice

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP ORGANIZATIONS’ SAFEGUARDING POLICIES

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs) FOR THE CONSULTANCY

 PROJECT NAME: CREATING WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES AND REFUGEES IN MALAWI

1. Background 

The consortium of Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA), Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA) in partnership with AGRA is implementing a 34-month project (November 2025–August 2028) aimed at creating 16,000 work opportunities in agriculture for youth with disabilities and refugees in Malawi. The project, “Creating Work Opportunities in Agriculture for Youth with Disabilities and Refugees in Malawi”, is particularly looking at promoting economic empowerment and livelihood of these vulnerable and marginalized groups through decent work and jobs in agriculture. 

This project will target 21,000 young women and men (16,000 youth with disabilities and 4,000 refugees) across 15 districts in five (5) Agricultural Development Divisions (ADDs): Lilongwe, Kasungu, Machinga, Salima, and Mzuzu. The targeted value chains include soybeans, maize, groundnuts, poultry production, beekeeping, piggery, and horticulture. 

The overall objective of the project is to create 16,000 work opportunities in agriculture for youth with disabilities and refugees in Malawi by August 2028.  The overall objective of the project is to create 16,000 work opportunities in agriculture for youth with disabilities and refugees in Malawi by August 2028. Specifically, the project aims at: 

  • Increasing inclusive agricultural productivity and employment opportunities for young people with disabilities and young refugees through skills development, access to productive assets and technologies.
  • Expanding inclusive market opportunities for young people with disabilities and young refugees through strengthened linkages, access to finance, BDS, and market information in the targeted value chains.
  • Strengthening inclusive policies, safeguarding frameworks, and institutional capacities that promote the participation of young persons with disabilities and young refugees in agri-business.

 The consortium would like to engage an experienced and well qualified individual consultant to develop a comprehensive disability inclusive safeguarding policies for MACODA and FEDOMA 

2. Objective of the Assignment 

The consultant will be expected to develop a comprehensive and disability inclusive Safeguarding Policy for MACODA and FEDOMA. The policy should address key safeguarding risks, define procedures for reporting and responding to incidents, and outline clear roles and responsibilities for all involved parties. 

3. Scope of Work 

The consultant will work closely with MACODA and FEDOMA’s management team and other stakeholders to: 

  • Assess Current Safeguarding Practices: Review MACODA and FEDOMA’s existing procedures, guidelines, and frameworks related to safeguarding, if any.
  • Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to understand the unique safeguarding needs and risks within the organization.
  • Policy Development: Draft a safeguarding policy that includes, but is not limited to:
    • Definitions, primary target and scope of safeguarding within MACODA and FEDOMA’s operations.
    • Procedures for preventing, identifying, and reporting safeguarding issues.
    • A code of conduct for staff, contractors, and partners.
    • Confidentiality and protection of whistleblowers.
    • Response mechanisms and disciplinary actions for safeguarding violations.
  • Capacity Building and Training Recommendations: Provide recommendations on how MACODA and FEDOMA can effectively implement the policy, including any training needs for staff and stakeholders.
  • Finalization of Policy: Incorporate feedback from MACODA and FEDOMA and finalize the safeguarding policy for adoption and implementation.
  • Orient MACODA and FEDOMA management and staff on the developed safeguarding policy 

 4. Deliverables 

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following: 

  1. Inception Report: A report outlining the methodology and work plan for the consultancy, to be submitted within 5 days of the start of the assignment for each organization.
  2. Draft Safeguarding Policy: A draft safeguarding policy and a code of conduct each for MACODA and FEDOMA’s review.
  3. Final Safeguarding Policy: A final version of the safeguarding policy and code of conduct for each organization, incorporating feedback from MACODA and FEDOMA.
  4. Implementation Plan: A detailed plan outlining how MACODA and FEDOMA can implement the policy, including training and capacity-building recommendations.
  5. Orientation: orient MACODA and FEDOMA Management and staff on the newly developed safeguarding policy and the code of conduct

 5. Duration of the Assignment 

The consultancy is expected to take place over a period of 8 weeks from the date of contract award. 

6. Required Qualifications and Experience The consultant should have the following qualifications: 

  • Master’s Degree in law, human rights, social studies, gender, rural development and any other relevance qualification
  • At least 5 years’ experience gender, inclusion, safeguarding and protection in youth programming

 Strong understanding of gender equality principles and practices, the gender equality sector, gender laws, policy priorities and key gender inequalities impacting children, youth men and young women in Malawi 

  • Demonstrable understanding of the concepts of Safeguarding of youths, people with disabilities, refugees and other vulnerable groups, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • Be familiar with legislation, government guidance, and national frameworks for safeguarding children and adults at risk
  • Be able to provide in-depth technical analysis and recommendations in safeguarding policies, procedures, reporting and report handling and organizational culture and change
  • Proven track record of undertaking similar work

 7. Reporting Requirements 

The consultant will report to MACODA and FEDOMA management as well as to the AGRA safeguarding officer. Progress updates will be provided on a bi-weekly basis, with feedback sessions scheduled as needed.

9. Application Process Interested consultants are requested to submit the following: 

  1. A cover letter outlining their approach to this assignment.
  2. CV(s) of the consultant(s).
  3. A list of previous relevant assignments.
  4. Financial proposal outlining the consultant’s fees.

 Submission is strictly by email to: info@macoda.mw with the subject line Safeguarding consultancy – NAME OF FIRM  Deadline for Submission: 3rd April, 2026.