Request for Quotation (RFQ) ref: RFQ/2023/010

RECRUITING A CONSULTANT FOR SETTING UP A PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAM BASED ON ART-THERAPY APPROACH.

1. Context

Humanity &Inclusion (HI) is an independent international solidarity organization that intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Currently, it helps people with disabilities and the most vulnerable people in over 60 countries around the world by responding to their basic needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since 2007, HI has built expertise in protecting and fighting against violence, in association with the establishment of a mechanism of follow up of survivors as part of prevention activities at individual and community level, by promoting an inclusive and survivor- centered approach to support participation of children, persons with and without disabilities.

Psychologists play a crucial role in addressing the psychological impact of violence and providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced violence. By recognizing the therapeutic potential of art therapy in such contexts, HI thought to organize a training wherein an art therapist will provide specialized training to psychologists who will be working with children affected by violence. Psychologist can use art therapy as tool to understand an individual’s emotion that might be difficult to express verbally. Through the analysis of art, psychologist helps an individual to experience personal growth and positive behavioral changes that contribute to safer and more harmonious community.

Art therapy provides a safe space for violence survivor to process their trauma non-verbally, helping them express feelings and memories that might be too difficult to put into words and improve communication skills that are crucial for successfully reintegrating into social and interpersonal situations. Survivors of violence often struggle with feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem, through creating art and receiving positive feedback from psychologist and peers can boost their self-confidence and self-worth which are essential for successful and social reintegration.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Based on third result, the following are the objectives of consultancy activities:

• Main objective:

• To Set up a psychosocial program for survivors of gender, age handicap-based violence using art therapy for facilitating violence’s survivors in holistic healing, self-expression, personal empowerment as well as successful reintegration into society.
  • Specific objectives
• Enhance Therapeutic Skills: Equip psychologists with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate art therapy techniques into their interventions with children affected by violence.
• Foster Healing and Resilience: Empower psychologists to utilize art therapy as a therapeutic tool to help children express and process their experiences of violence, promoting healing, resilience, and psychological well-being.
• Strength psychosocial reintegration system for children-victims of violence: Define the scope of art therapy according to the child victim's needs for social reintegration (individual, family, neighborhood, school, church, etc.)  and improve communication skills for survivors that are crucial for successfully reintegrating into social and interpersonal situations.
  • Proposed activities

Activity 1:  Develop a training program: the consultant will design a comprehensive training program addressing the specific needs of psychologists working with children affected by violence. The program should cover art therapy principles, techniques, ethical considerations, and the integration of art therapy with existing therapeutic approaches.

Activity 2: Deliver the training to HI and partners staff with basic training in psychology: the consultant will organize workshops which include theoretical sessions, experiential exercises. The workshops will provide psychologists with practical skills and strategies to incorporate into their practice.

Activity 3: Provide continuous support and clinical supervision: the consultant will make a follow up and ensure psychologists are coached after the training. This may include regular consultations, case reviews, and group discussions to reinforce learning, address challenges, and share experiences.

Activity 4: Monitoring and Evaluation: the consultant will conduct assessments to evaluate the impact of the training program on the psychologists' knowledge, skills, and confidence in utilizing art therapy techniques. Monitor the implementation of art therapy interventions and gather feedback from children and their families to assess the effectiveness and benefits of the integrated approach.

Activity 5: Transfer and application of learned knowledge: the consultant will encourage psychologists to share their experiences and outcomes through case studies, research papers, and presentations at relevant national and international conferences and events. This will contribute to the growing body of evidence on the efficacy of art therapy in addressing violence against children.

3. EXPECTED RESULT

• Expanded therapeutic approaches: psychologists will gain a deeper understanding of art therapy and its application in addressing violence-related trauma. They will be able to incorporate art therapy techniques into their existing interventions, enriching their therapeutic approaches.
• Increased engagement and expression: Children affected by violence will have additional avenues for self-expression and healing through art therapy. Psychologists' enhanced skills in utilizing art therapy will facilitate improved engagement and communication with these children, leading to better therapeutic outcomes.
• Empowerment and resilience: Through art therapy interventions, children will develop coping mechanisms, self-esteem, and resilience, enabling them to overcome the effects of violence and build a positive future.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration strengthened: The settings of collaboration between psychologists and other service providers will be reinforced for a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing the needs of children affected by violence.

4. METHODOLOGY

Art therapy can enhance skills, knowledge and sensitivity in addressing violence related trauma in children and combination of different methodology like theoretical instruction, experiential learning it ensures a comprehensive and impactful training experience.

• Theoretical Instruction: the consultant will provide in-depth theoretical instruction on the psychological impact of violence on children, trauma theories, child development theories and the role of art therapy in addressing trauma and promoting healing. This instruction will cover evidence-based practices, and best practices in using art therapy as a tool for intervention.
• Experiential learning and art-Making: the consultant will incorporate experiential learning activities that will allow psychologists to engage in art-making exercises themselves. These activities will provide firsthand experience of the therapeutic process, increase self-awareness, and deepen understanding of the potential impact of art therapy on healing from violence.
• Cultural sensitivity and diversity: the consultant will integrate discussions on cultural sensitivity and diversity into the training, emphasizing the need to adapt art therapy interventions to the cultural and contextual backgrounds of the children. This will promote culturally appropriate and inclusive approaches.
• Supervision and feedback: the consultant will provide regular supervision and feedback sessions where psychologists can discuss their experiences, seek guidance, and receive constructive feedback from experienced art therapist. This ensures ongoing support and helps psychologist integrate art therapy techniques effectively into their practice.

5. Profile of the consultant (experience and qualification required)

The consultant must be a firm or an independent individual with the following profile:

• An experienced professional in psychology or specialist in Art-Therapy with significant professional experience of more than 2 years in GBV response and child protection
• Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology and Mental health
• Experience in conducting professional training in psychosocial support for GBV and child abuse response
• Experience in setting up response programs especially in Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)
• Experience in coaching and clinical supervision for MHPSS professionals -
• Experience in working for persons with vulnerability including persons with disabilities
• Ability to adapt trainings materials and tools on specific needs for people with disabilities
• Familiarity with the Rwandan context and culture
• Fluency in working languages (written & spoken French and/or English)
• Absolute availability during the mission period.
• Authorized to work in Rwanda

     6. Deliverables

• Inception report with detailed and adapted methodology and tool in link with socio-culture context as well as chronogram
• Training module, materials and report 
• Protocol on Art-Therapy: propose a document describing the process of art-therapy integration into community psychosocial support based-approach of violence victims
• Quarterly reports on supervision sessions
• End mission report (detailed report one soft and one hard copy (after its validation)

7. Duration of the consultancy

The consultancy is expected in 120 days spread over four quarters and it will include:

• Production of training material
• Training sessions: Theoretical and practical training on Art-Therapy
• Designing Art-Therapy application (a Protocol)
• Clinical supervision (4 quarterly sessions) during one year
• Capitalize results of Art-Therapy application: this will be an ongoing activity throughout the consultancy period.

8. Technical and financial documents required

All interested applicants are required to submit both technical and financial documents that contain the following information:

• Application letter
• Curriculum vitae for the consultant and academic certificates 
• RDB registration certificate
• TIN/ VAT (Tax Identification Number)
• Clearance certificate issued by Rwanda Revenue Authority
• Clearance certificate for RSSB
• Evidence for having EBM invoice
• Three Good completion certificates for similar types of work
• Financial offer in Rwandan francs
• Bank details (Account name, account number, and Bank name)
• Payment conditions
• Facilitation plan proposal
• Declaration of acknowledgment of policies, ethics, and adhesion to the HI code of conduct by signing two declaration forms.

9. Submission of bids

Electronic submissions must be received at the address specified below by September 29, 2023, 5:00PM, Rwanda Standard Time and please make sure that the submission is titled with the exact same solicitation reference number stated above. Submissions must be forwarded in electronic format only in PDF to dao@rwanda.hi.org 

Quotations should not contain any unnecessary promotional material or elaborate presentation formats (black and white is preferred). Companies/individuals must not submit zipped files. Those pages requiring original manual signatures should be scanned and sent in PDF format as an email attachment. Please reference the RFQ Number and RFQ Name in the e-mail subject line.

Melanie GEISER

Country Manager