Projects

While Maestral engages on a diverse range of programs and projects, we always focus on one question—what is the ultimate impact on children? Please review some of our recent work below.

Capabilities Statement

Changing The Way We Care

Changing The Way We Care (“CTWWC”) is a bold initiative designed to promote safe, nurturing family care for institutionalized children or children at risk of child-family separation. This includes strengthening families and reforming national systems of care for children, including family reunification and reintegration, development of alternative family-based care (in keeping with the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children). CTWWC is a consortium of three partners (Catholic Relief Services, Lumos and Maestral International), joined, through a Global Development Alliance (GDA), by three donors (MacArthur Foundation, USAID and GHR Foundation). CTWWC is starting up in a context of growing interest in care reform, and as a result of a growing global understanding that institutional care of children is a significant problem that will be best addressed through collaboration between national, regional and global stakeholders to develop alternative care systems supportive of family care. Grounded in the work of three demonstration countries (Kenya, Guatemala, Moldova), as well as regional and global engagement, CTWWC will seize the momentum to help advance care for children toward and over a tipping point where government and non-government care systems, civil society initiatives, and public attitudes and behaviors focus on keeping children in safe and nurturing families.

MWENDO: OVC Program Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley Counties of Kenya

Kenya

MWENDO will reach 326,000 OVC from 140,000 households in the five years of the project period, with diverse services based on identified and assessed need. In Year 1, MWENDO will not recruit new OVC but will re-assess and enroll the 238,145 OVC being served by APHIA plus Western, AMPATH and APHIA Plus Nuru Ya Bonde. After re-assessment and enrollment, MWENDO will develop case plans and/or graduation plans for each of the OVC and OVC households that are on path to graduation and those that are ready to graduate respectively. The project will then conduct a second phase-in re-assessment (6 months after the initial re-assessment) for the households that will be on the path to graduation. To ensure continued care and support to OVC transferred to MWENDO from previous projects during the transition period, MWENDO will enter a three months temporary working arrangements with the current 79 LIPs to ensure a necessary and smooth transition of the OVC. The process to establish longer term engagement with a total of 45 LIPs will take place concurrently and should be in full operation by October 2017.

Zimbabwe Pathways

Zimbabwe

In partnership with Catholic Relief Services, Maestral provides technical support to the Pathways project under USAID Zimbabwe. Pathways will use economic strengthening, local ownership and leadership, and gender transformation to strengthen the capacity of HIV-affected individuals, households (HH) and communities to progress along pathways out of poverty, along functional service referral pathways, along continuum of care pathways to reach the 90-90-90 targets, and along age and stage appropriate pathways that promote positive child, adolescent, and youth health, wellbeing, and development. Pathways will deliver a child-centered, family-focused, community-based package of evidence-based/informed interventions in Bulawayo, Guruve, Gweru, Harare, Insiza, Lupane, Matobo, Mazowe and Nkayi.

Coordinating Comprehensive Care for Children (4Children)

Maestral International is a member of a consortium led by Catholic Relief Services for the Coordinating Comprehensive Care for Children (4Children) project. 4Children is a five-year, USAID-funded project addressing the need for improved health and well-being outcomes for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV/AIDS and other adversities. 4Children aims to identify and promote appropriate, effective practices in child welfare and protection. The project is designed to provide capacity building and system strengthening support for national and local governments and civil society organizations to foster country ownership. Other members include IntraHealth, Pact, Plan, and Westat with collaborating partners African Child Policy Forum, Parenting Africa Network (PAN), and the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI). More info can be found here.

Positive Parenting Programme Review in the East Asia and Pacific region

Cambodia

Malaysia

The Philippines

Papua New Guinea

Thailand

Vietnam

Under the guidance and support of the UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office and in close collaboration with country offices, Maestral conducted a review of parenting programmes in the East Asia and the Pacific region and developed guidance for planning, designing and strengthening public positive parenting programmes and create an enabling environment for nurturing care, policies and services for children. The guidance was designed for key national level stakeholders engaged in or responsible for promoting parenting interventions. The parenting review involved desk review, developing methodology and tools, and data collection in seven countries: Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.

Parenting Programming Webinars

Maestral International delivered parenting programming webinars that helped participants understand what parenting programmes are and their rational, understand the link between the programmes and early child development, methodologies for delivering the programmes, as well as discussing challenges with implementation and working with stakeholders.

Consultancy on the Implementation of Child Protection Programming for Unaccompanied Minors and Survivors of Gender Based Violence

Lebanon

Maestral International Senior Associate Severine Chevrel supported Caritas Lebanon (CL) and Catholic Relief Services in implementing quality protection programming in-line with international standards for unaccompanied minors and children (UAM) and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Lebanon. This effort included drafting guidance notes of standard operating practices for service providers and contributing to the design of a concept note to support service providers.

Case Management Supervision and Coaching Lessons Learned Report

Burundi

Iraq

Between 2016 and 2018, the Global Alliance for Child Protection for Humanitarian Action (CP Alliance), through the Case Management Task Force (CMTF) prioritized the creation of Supervision and Coaching guidance, tools and a training package as a supplement to the Interagency Child Protection Case Management Training. Trainings of trainers (TOT) targeted interagency country teams in eight countries to disseminate the materials with the goal of increasing supervisors’ confidence, capacity and technical support to case management teams in order to provide safe, ethical and competent services to vulnerable children and their families.

Maestral International developed a report to summarize lessons learned from the project and identify recommendations with a focus on:
• The successes and challenges of the project roll-out in the eight countries participating;
• Interagency collaboration;
• The effectiveness of the contextualization and localization approach; and
• Influence on case management teams’ supervision practices.

Conceptualising a Child Footprint Index for Businesses

Maestral in partnership with DevStat scoped options for creating a “child footprint” index, providing detailed information about each option, including strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities, with an overview of methodological and strategic considerations and challenges. Maestral and DevsStat presented strategies for how UNICEF could take forward the development of a selected tool or index, including options for operationalization that considered the role of third-party institutions supporting the work or hosting the Index.

Kafala Study in Morocco

Morocco

This study was undertaken as part of the project “Himaya”, jointly implemented by UNICEF, the Ministry of Justice and funded by the European Union. The main objective of the study was to deeply explore the administrative and judicial procedures of Kafala implementation in Morocco, identify the main gaps and accordingly, develop informed recommendations to strengthen the system. Building on the Moroccan experience, the study aimed to contribute in developing a leading Moroccan model in Kafala, to guide other Arab and Islamic countries, in improving their alternative care system.

Dancing with Data: How to use data and how not to use data to strengthen child protection systems – Harvard FXB

Maestral Senior Associate David Tobis developed and taught a module on using data and evidence for policy and program decisions to strengthen child protection systems. The presentation was part of the Harvard FXB course, Child Protection Executive Education.

Childonomics Research Project

Childonomics presented research findings help people reflect on the long-term social and economic return of investing in children and families within a given national or sub-national context. The project evaluated and presented a rights-based foundation for investing in children and covered a range of universal and targeted services including social protection, disability services, parenting programs, child protection programs, and alternative care.

Development of Terre des Hommes Netherlands three-year country strategic plans for Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Ethiopia

Kenya

Tanzania

Uganda

Maestral provided technical support in the development of Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) three-year country strategic plans for Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as well as a regional plan. The project included reviewing challenges, achievements and lessons learned, as well as assessing the opportunities, networks and stakeholders in the countries where TdH NL operates.

Child protection system and services costing and review of budgetary processes and allocations for child protection in Kenya

Kenya

Maestral conducted a costing analysis of the child protection system and prevention and response services for children in Kenya as well as providing an estimate of the financing gap to fund national child protection related programmes and strategies. The analysis took into consideration the approach and status of the child protection system in Kenya as reflected in its laws, policies, strategies, guidelines, and regulations.

Mapping of the Family Strengthening and Children’s Alternative Care Landscape in Zambia

Zambia

Maestral conducted a mapping of the family strengthening and children’s alternative care landscape in Zambia. The project included an analysis of the linkages, strengths, weaknesses, gaps and challenges in relation to family strengthening and children’s alternative care in Zambia considering issues such as funding, human capacity, evidence-base and levels of knowledge and awareness. The resulting report was disseminated to Zambian stakeholders in order to help inform discussions during the Zambia national consultation on children’s alternative care and care reforms.

Performance Evaluation of the Child Care Reform Project in Uganda

Uganda

Maestral is supporting the JSI Research and Training Institute and Advancing Partners and Communities to conduct an independent performance evaluation of a child care reform project that will be implemented in Uganda. The performance evaluation will be designed to measure the performance and sustainability of the project activities and will identify broader lessons related to preventing unnecessary separation of children from families and facilitating family reintegration.

Evaluation of Retrak-Chisomo’s Children’s Club’s Project: “The Provision and Strengthening of Support for Street Children, Families and Communities in Malawi”

Malawi

“The Provision and Strengthening of Support for Street Children, Families and Communities in Malawi” is a Retrak project funded by Humanitarian Dignity Fund (HDF) aimed at providing protection and other basic services to street connected children. Maestral conducted an evaluation that assessed the performance of the project in terms of the following: output and outcomes, achievements, and identifying good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The evaluation also investigated the overall effectiveness of the project against the objectives and provided further insight and learning to Chisomo Children’s Club, helping them to plan the way forward for the organisation, including how to adjust, build on or phase out activities. The final evaluation assessed the extent to which the project was succeeding in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, relevance and sustainability.

Development of a contextually appropriate model of cross-sectoral case management for strengthened IECD, child protection and disability inclusion in Oman

Oman

Maestral worked with UNICEF and the Government of Oman’s Ministries of Social Development, Health and Education to assess current cross sectoral referral pathways and access to IECD, child protection and children with disability services, and design a contextually appropriate cross-sectoral platform including standard operating procedures and tools for improved case management for all children in Oman, particul

Review of the National OVC Policy 2004 and Development of the National Children Policy

Uganda

Maestral provided technical assistance to Uganda’s MoGLSD and MoIA for the development of Comprehensive national child protection policy and costed action plan. Specifically Maestral is worked with the key stakeholders to assess the relevance of the underlying vision, principles and actions of the OVC policy in; make recommendations on the current OVC policy to pave way for a new child policy; review all identified child related policies including the Child Labour Policy for their appropriateness with a view to align them into one comprehensive Child Policy; develop a comprehensive Child Policy that addressed all four pillars of children’s rights to Survival, Development, Protection and Participation; and to develop a costed Child Protection National Action Plan that is aligned to the new child policy.

Develop Roadmap for Ending Child Marriage and FGM/C by 2025

Ethiopia

Maestral worked with IPE Global and UNICEF Ethiopia to cost the action plan to end FGM/C and child marriage, develop a report showing what was spent at national level in the previous 3 years on efforts to end FGM/C and child marriage; and develop a national and 9 regional costed action plans to end FGM/C and child marriage.

Rapid Assessment of Institutional Effectiveness and Operational Capacity of the Social Welfare Fund in Yemen

Yemen

Maestral worked with key stakeholders to assess the institutional effectiveness and operational capacity of the Social Welfare Fund (SWF) at both central and decentralized level in Yemen to delivery social cash transfers, understand how the conflict affected the SWF’s capacity, diagnose institutional challenges and bottlenecks, and propose strategies, next steps, and approaches to mitigate identified concerns and improve the SWF’s capacity to deliver cash transfers to beneficiary list recipients throughout the country.

Action Plan on Children in Adversity

Maestral International was contracted by GH Pro, Dexis Consulting Group to work with USAID, other USG agencies and additional actors to write the new U.S. Government Action Plan on Children in Adversity. Maestral provided technical support in planning, facilitating and coordinating the process to draft a new USG strategy for children in adversity. Maestral provided assistance with interagency consultations, drafting the new strategy under the policy guidance of DCHA/DRG and the interagency strategy working group, coordinating and facilitating interagency working groups, providing organizational development guidance, and other tasks to facilitate the completion of the new USG strategy.

Funding Stream Analysis

Nepal

Uganda

In 2015, Elevate Children Funders Group (ECFG) Care Working Group (WG) members pooled funds to support research and advocacy initiatives to better understand key drivers and funding streams for alternative care. To this end, ECFG commissioned Maestral International, LLC to conduct a funding stream analysis in Uganda and Nepal in order to verify funding stream assumptions and get a clearer understanding for the role private and government funding plays in promoting (versus discouraging) different forms of family and alternative care. The study findings will help actors within and outside of the countries to advocate for shifts in funding and increased awareness on the risks of residential care, ultimately resulting in better care for children and more support for families.

Review of the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs’ national plan for safeguarding children and women of Lebanon

Lebanon

Maestral conducted a review of the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs’ national plan for safeguarding children and women of Lebanon by conducting an assessment of the first National Plan and completing a capacity assessment of MOSA at central and local levels. The findings were used to determine the current capacity to fulfil its mandate in child protection and GBV (prevention and response), and to inform MOSA’s needs for capacity strengthening during and beyond National Plan 2. Maestral also assisted the government of Lebanon in preparing a Draft National Plan 2 with detailed narratives that included the situation of children and women in Lebanon, detailed outputs and activities, coordination and partnership mechanism, and monitoring and evaluation framework.

Facilitation of the Development of the New National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children in Tanzania

Tanzania

Maestral supported the development of the new National Plan of Action to end violence against Women and children in Tanzania, by facilitating the work shop with all stakeholders, support the writing of the strategy, and developing the costing and budgeting of the national plan of action.

Case Management and Social Service Workforce Strengthening

Maestral supported the Global Social Service Workforce Alliance (GSSWA) in the collaborative development of a case management core concepts and principles document and compendium of resources and tools to enhance the provision of case management services by the social service workforce. Through this project Maestral assisted GSSWA in establishing a new participatory case management interest group, facilitating regular discussions with this group, organizing and facilitating discussions at case management events and gathering feedback from participants, and synthesizing existing resources and case management tools into new products relevant and useful to the GSSWA membership.

Development of the EAC Regional Minimum Package of Services for vulnerable children and youth in the EAC region

Burundi

Kenya

Rwanda

South Sudan

Tanzania

Uganda

Maestral International and the Global Trauma Project (GTP) were commissioned to support the East African Community (EAC) in developing a Regional Minimum Package of Services for Vulnerable Children and Youth (VCY) with an accompanying conceptual framework on Psychosocial care and Support (PSS) for VCY. The EAC Minimum package provided policy and programmatic guidance to the six EAC Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) and other relevant regional actors (such as international organizations, civil society and donors) on how to provide a coordinated and comprehensive set of minimum services, including HIV and AIDS, for vulnerable children and youth, to include PSS.

Development of Best Interest Assessment Tool and Guide and Best Interest Determination Procedure in Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Maestral worked with Save the Children Ethiopia to strengthen the case management practice that are evolving as a strategy to address the issues of internal unsafe child migration and child trafficking. Maestral developed and utilized tools similar to BIA and BID procedures that leads for adequate, quality, and timely child protection services including ensuring accountability.

Development of a Pilot Model on Child and Family Welfare in Indonesia

Indonesia

Pusat Kajian Perlindungan Anak (“PUSKAPA”) and Maestral International (“Maestral”) collaborated to support UNICEF and the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs to generate an effective model of integrated child welfare services that comprises early detection and identification, referral and follow up for child centered case management. The integrated child social welfare programme model is called Program Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak Integratif (PKSA-I).

Support for the Next Phase of the Better Volunteering, Better Care Initiative

Maestral, in coordination with the Better Care Network, Save the Children, BVBC co-chairs and global working group members, supported the development of a comprehensive strategic plan and proposal for the next phase of the BVBC initiative. The consultancy included the evaluation of the current strategy and activities to develop a concept note outlining a clear strategic direction toward global behavior change aiming to shift the story around orphanages and volunteering. With the ultimate goal to end current practice and promote ethical volunteering alternatives that protect children.

Social Service Workforce Legislative Review

In collaboration with the Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, Maestral provided an in-depth analysis of the social service workforce-supportive policies and legislation in order to promote the importance of this type of legislation, provide specific examples that feature the workforce and profile strategies implemented by countries that have effectively prepared and enacted legislation. The availability of (or gaps in) policies and legislation that provide a mandate for and definition of the social service workforce has a profound impact on the development and sustainability of social services in a particular country. The prepared report provides a glimpse into the momentum that is building around policy development in support of the workforce.

Social Service Workforce Strengthening Evidence Review

This project, building on the work of the Building Evidence for Social Service Workforce Strengthening Interest Group (BEIG), assessed gaps in research and recommended a future research agenda and structure to inform workforce strengthening strategies. The Maestral consultant took the lead in analyzing gaps and enhancing the current evidence matrix. The final report consolidated information and provided recommendations for addressing any gaps in research.

The Mapping and Formative Evaluation of the Child Protection System in Comoros

Comoros

Maestral International conducted a mapping and formative evaluation of the protection system of Comoros. This mapping and assessment is to contribute to the development of a national policy and action plan for protection of children in the Comoros. Through a formative and advisory approach, the team aimed to strengthen national capacities and ensure that the findings and recommendations of the mapping and assessment are appropriate by the Government of the Union of the Comoros and its stakeholders. The development process was conducted with multi-sectoral consensus on an action plan to strengthen the child protection system.

End Phase Review of the Safeguard Young People Programme

Malawi

Namibia

Swaziland

Zambia

Maestral conducted an end of phase review that assessed the extent to which SYP is achieving progress, relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability towards reaching its mandated strategic objectives. The Safeguard Young People Programme aims to empower adolescents and young people aged 10-24, with a special focus on adolescent girls, to protect themselves from STIs including HIV, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, early marriages, harmful cultural practices, gender based violence and to promote equitable gender norms in eight Southern African countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Reviewing and Developing Magomero College Social Work Diploma and Certificate Curriculum and Costed Delivery System

Malawi

Maestral and Rutger’s University are working to review and develop a two-year social work diploma program and a one-year social work certificate program in Malawi, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare and Magomero College. The overall goal of this consultancy is to improve the quality of the workforce through an established competency-based social work education curriculum – integrating knowledge (theory), values, and practice skills through academic instruction and a structured field practicum or internship. In order to adequately prepare students and those already employed, it is important that educational competencies and outcomes are culturally relevant and closely linked with policies and requisite job functions for respective professional and paraprofessional positions to ensure implementation of the National Child Protection System at the district and community level.

Discussion Paper on Violence Against Children

Maestral, with the Better Care Network, is developing a discussion paper on violence against children in all care settings in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, including an analysis of the links between violence against children and placement in alternative care, as well as violence against children in the alternative care settings. The document will include a review of findings from the literature, case studies of promising practices in the region, and key recommendations for the regional consultation.

Development of Transition Toolkit

Maestral is developing and producing content for a toolkit that will serve as a resource for faith-based organizations seeking to transition from models of institutional/orphanage care to family and community-based care.

Strengthening Case Management Systems in Eastern and Southern Africa

Kenya

Mozambique

Rwanda

Zimbabwe

Namibia

The overall goal of this project was to assist ESAR countries in establishing and/or improving and rolling out national frameworks for integrated case management systems. More specifically, to develop a readiness toolkit to support country-level diagnosis of existing system components and overall capability. The team developed a case management business model that country offices can adapt based on the results of their own situational and needs analyses. Technical support was provided for the participatory development of national strategies for the implementation and adaptation of four country’s chosen model as well virtual learning with other countries in the region.

Building the Capacity of the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan on Independent Child Rights Monitoring

Azerbaijan

Maestral is providing capacity building support and technical assistance to the National Preventive Group on Ill-treatment and Torture of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan to better monitor and report on violations of children in justice, social care and special education systems in order to: improve independent child rights monitoring capacity; prevent or reduce cases of child rights violations in closed facilities; and improve coordination, response mechanisms, and reporting on child rights monitoring.

Situation Analysis of Women and Children in The Gambia

Gambia

Maestral is conducting an analysis to strengthen government capacity to collect, analyze, and use data to inform policy and decision makers and conduct evaluations on policies and programs by 2016. The consultancy is expected to result in a clear and concise Situation Analysis of Women and Children in The Gambia that provides UNICEF Gambia with a high quality report using evidence-based analysis. It is expected to both inform the development of the next UNICEF country program, as well as the UN Development Action Framework.

Map and Assess Child Protection Systems in the State of Tabasco, Mexico

Mexico

Maestral International with Grupo de Economistas y Asociados (GEA) conducted a rapid assessment of the social assistance system in Tabasco, Mexico between June and December 2014. The findings of the rapid assessment were presented to the government of Tabasco in January 2015. The rapid assessment contains a framework and recommendations to strengthen the existing social assistance system in Tabasco. The Government of Tabasco has approved the recommendations for implementation. Maestral, in collaboration with the government of the State of Tabasco, will implement the recommendations of the rapid assessment that are identified as priorities by the Government.

Assessment of Adolescents and Youth Development in Malawi

Malawi

Maestral has conducted an in-depth analysis of adolescent and youth development programming in Malawi. The research is expected to result in a comprehensive report of existing services that support the needs and rights of adolescents and youth aged 10-24, with a clear articulation of gender-specific issues for both adolescent males and females and young men and women. The analysis will explore the gender-specific needs of especially vulnerable groups, such as adolescents without parental care, the disabled, adolescents and young people living with HIV, those in conflict with the law, out-of-school youth, teenage parents and street-involved youth.

Develop Costing Model for Child Protection Component of Ebola Recovery Plans

Guinea

Liberia

Sierra Leone

Maestral assisted UNICEF WCARO Child Protection and Social Policy team to develop a costing model for the child protection component of the Ebola Recovery plans. Activities included rapid assessment of relevant reports and policy documents related to the three affected countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia and develop a model that could be used by all country teams.

Analysis of National Child Protection Systems, in the wider context of Social Protection Systems in Albania

Albania

Maestral is conducting a mapping and analysis of the child protection systems in Albania to identify major child protection issues and functioning structures of the system. The exercise will analyze groups of children most affected and how all structure elements interact for the protection of children and their families. A comprehensive situation analysis will produce recommendations to strengthen systems and form a basis for a national strategy on child protection as well as the development of a national plan of action.

Literature Review for REPSSI's Strategy Development

Maestral conducted a literature review focusing on the psychosocial care and support landscape in Africa to inform the development of the REPSSI Strategy for the period 2016-2020. The literature review included an extensive search of published materials and existing mapping initiatives addressing the needs of OVCY to identify key areas in PSS programming for REPSSI to consider in its strategy development.

Development of Training Curriculum for the Department of Social Welfare Case Managers and coaching package for newly-assigned DSW Case Managers

Myanmar

Maestral worked with UNICEF, the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) and other Government and non-Government stakeholders to revise relevant training curriculum and materials, assisting the DSW in developing a human resource plan and assisting the DSW in establishing a work plan. We partnered with Boston College School of Social Work and Jini Roby on this initiative.

Guidelines on Alternative Care of Children in Nepal

Nepal

Provide Support in the Finalization of the draft Guidelines on Alternative Care of Children in Nepal and developing an implementation plan with costed interventions. Maestral is working with stakeholders to develop guidelines to ensure that children in need of care and protection benefit from care and protection decisions in their best interests and from quality prorgrammes and services which will contribute to the fulfillment of their right to protection, as well as survival, development and participation.

Supporting the Development of a National Social Protection Strategy in Myanmar

Myanmar

From 2013 – 2014, Maestral’s president provided qualified technical assistance to the Ministry of Social Welfare to develop a multi-sectoral national Social Protection Strategy. His work included technical expertise and guidance for the overall process involving the contribution of a critical mass of stakeholders at national and sub-national level. In December 2014, a major decision was made by the President of Myanmar to approve and launch the country’s first ever Social Protection Strategy.

Map the Child Protection System, Assess the Capacity of the Department of Social Welfare and Develop a National Child Protection Strategy Plan of Action for the Republic of The Gambia

Gambia

Maestral supported the Government of The Gambia in assessing, designing and implementing a comprehensive Child Protection System, including assessing and strengthening the capacity of the Department of Social Welfare to effectively lead its implementation, coordination and monitoring and evaluation. The second phase of the project included building on the mapping and assessment to facilitate a consultative and participatory process to deliver a comprehensive strategy and costed plan of action.

Mapping and Assessment of the Child Protection System and Development of a Child Protection System Strengthening Orientation Paper for Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso

Maestral supported the Government of Burkina Faso and its partners in carrying out a mapping and assessment of the current child protection system which should lead to the development of a strategic plan for strengthening the system at national and sub-national levels. A call to action from the report included immediate follow-up on the exercise and intensive efforts to disseminate the mapping results to ensure that child protection problems become widely known and understood at national and regional levels.

Technical Assistance for the Development of Alternative Care System for Children without Appropriate Care in Liberia

Liberia

Maestral will clarify the Department of Social Welfare’s legally-mandated roles and responsibilities regarding the identification, placement and care of Children Without Appropriate Care, develop a framework through which the DSW intakes, processes and provides solutions and monitoring for Children Without Appropriate Care under its jurisdiction, develop the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare/Department of Social Welfare to execute that framework.

Mapping and Assessment of Existing Child Protection System and Design of Strategy and Plan of Action to Strengthen the System

Lesotho

Maestral provided technical assistance to the Government of Lesotho to map and assess the existing child protection system in 2013 which led to the development of a child protection strategy and plan of action for 2014-2017. The strategy is aligned to an expanded program of social protection for all, with a strong focus on vulnerable children and families.

Mapping and Assessing the Child Protection System in Six Selected States in Nigeria

Nigeria

Maestral was engaged by Capacity Plus/USAID to conduct a comprehensive mapping, assessment and programming exercise on the child protection systems of six states of Nigeria. This was the first time so many mapping and assessments had been completed in one country.

Develop a National Child Protection Strategy and Action Plan

Mauritius

Maestral provided qualified technical assistance to the Government of Mauritius, specifically the Ministry of Gender, Child Development and Family Welfare. A functional audit of the Child Development Unit was performed in view of strengthening the gatekeeping of the child protection system as well as a Situation Analysis on Child Protection. Based on a consultative process, the National Strategy on Child Protection and its accompanying Action Plan were prepared.

+ more projects

The Partnership for Children: A Donors’ Collaborative

Azerbaijan

Guatemala

Kenya

Nepal

Ukraine

Vietnam

In 2010, Maestral (in cooperation with the Fund for Social Change) worked with the Oak Foundation to assist with the design of The Partnership for Children, a donors’ collaborative that will aim to prevent separation of children from their parents and to transform the lives of children who are living in residential institutions. Maestral prepared the initial concept paper for the collaborative and supported related consultations with the Foundation and interested donors in May and June 2010.

Global Toolkit to Map and Assess Child Protection Systems

In 2009 and 2010, Maestral developed a Toolkit to map and assess child protection systems, supporting the implementation of UNICEF’s 2008 Child Protection Strategy and helping countries and communities to develop, prioritize, cost and implement programs to develop and strengthen systems. The Toolkit draws on best practices in child protection, is Excel based and fully customizable and includes links to an extensive array of resources. It was field tested in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Tunisia. The mapping and assessment process covers the country’s risk profile, the global context, the legal and policy context, data for decision-making, system structures / functions / capacities, ministry mapping, children and justice, community structures, functions and capacities, civil society and public accountability, the continuum of care, the future strategy and costing and resource mobilization. A copy of the toolkit can be found here.

Eastern and Southern Africa: Child Protection System Strengthening

Maestral was retained by UNICEF through the end of 2012 to assist Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somaliland, South Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe with the mapping, assessment and development of their child protection systems, utilizing the above Toolkit. It provided on the ground coordination, technical assistance and training support as well as a help desk function for the key stakeholders engaged in developing, costing and implementing new child protection systems. Maestral also prepared an investment case for child protection and developed a conceptual framework for the region.

The Children in Families Initiative: Targeting Grants and Utilizing them Effectively

Azerbaijan

Guatemala

Kenya

Nepal

Ukraine

Vietnam

Since 2008, Maestral has been assisting the GHR Foundation with the development, administration, monitoring and evaluation of its Children in Families Initiative, which was operating in Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Kenya, Nepal, Ukraine and Vietnam. The Initiative’s grant-making program aims to strengthen families while supporting gatekeeping to prevent the placement of children in residential institutions and also helping children to be placed out of institutions and into stable family environments.

HIV-Affected Children and Residential Care

Malawi

Uganda

Thailand

Kenya

The phenomenon of residential care has been growing in recent years and HIV is one of the factors considered to be a cause. UNICEF commissioned research by Maestral and EveryChild to find out the scope of this problem and recommend how to develop family and community-based options for HIV-affected children without parental care. In 2012, a desk review and four country case studies were conducted in Malawi, Uganda, Thailand and Kenya.

Give a Child a Family: Evaluation

South Africa

Give a Child a Family (GCF) provides family supports and alternative care to vulnerable and orphaned children in KwaZulu Natal South Africa. Its model is being replicated in several countries in Africa. GCF contracted with Maestral to evaluate its foster care and training programs as well as other program components to ensure that they meet international standards.

Early Childhood Development: Developing Global Capacity

Rwanda

In cooperation with MANNET, Maestral supported an assessment of UNICEF’s capacity to carry out Early Childhood Development programs at the global and country level. The review included development of a strategic framework for UNICEF to move forward on ECD, whereby issues and gaps were identified and resolved, consensus reached on the framework and initiatives developed and tested to address the identified challenges.

Rwanda De-institutionalization and Child Protection Program

Rwanda

Maestral supported the Government of Rwanda and other in-country stakeholders to develop a program to strengthen its child protection system, building on a new Government policy to place all children currently residing in institutions in families by end-2013. Key activities included development of a funding proposal to support a comprehensive system-wide reform, design of a rapid assessment of children being placed in families to ensure that their best interests are being met and to inform program design and support in developing new and effective national coordination mechanisms for child protection.

UNICEF Ukraine: Strategic and Policy Review

Ukraine

In 2010, Maestral undertook an overall review of development priorities and UNICEF’s strategic positioning in Ukraine, and assessed the three thematic areas of UNICEF’s Country Programme: Social Policy, Child Care Reform and Early Childhood Development, and in addition, the communications activities which support the programme. The review was based on a comprehensive study of existing programmes and partnerships, accompanied by discussions with UNICEF staff and key partners and a series of thorough field visits. The review resulted in the preparation and submission of findings together with a model for positive change for UNICEF’s operations in the country. The Ukraine office used the review’s findings and recommendations in the design of its downstream country programme.

IntraHealth/Capacity Plus: Technical Brief on Social Service Workforce

Cape Verde

Maestral developed a technical brief describing and analyzing the different social work cadres involved in the social welfare workforce globally with particular emphasis on PEPFAR targeted countries. The brief included commonalities, differences, typologies, educational requirements, functions and responsibilities.

Develop Multi-country Case Studies Profiling Child Care Reform

Maestral documented significant child care reform work being done at the country-level in three African countries on legislation, policies and programmes including service delivery, advocacy and networking in order to promote exchange and learning within the region and reinforce and encourage care reforms in other countries.

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Map and Assess the Child and Adolescent Protection System in Cape Verde

Cape Verde

Maestral assisted UNICEF Cape Verde with the mapping, assessment and strengthening of their child protection systems, utilizing the above Toolkit. It provided on the ground coordination, technical assistance and training support as well as a help desk function for the key stakeholders engaged in strengthening, costing and implementing new child protection systems.

Map and Assess the Child Protection System in Uganda

Uganda

Maestral assisted UNICEF Uganda with the mapping, assessment and strengthening of their child protection systems, utilizing the above Toolkit. It provided on the ground coordination, technical assistance and training support as well as a help desk function for the key stakeholders engaged in strengthening, costing and implementing new child protection systems.

Impact Evaluation of the National Plan of Action for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children

Malawi

Maestral assessed how the implementation of the Malawi National Plan of Action has led to positive outcomes for orphans and vulnerable children and the role of the National Plan of Action in coordinating and guiding Malawi’s national response for orphans and vulnerable children. We partnered with Susan Amoaten, Felix Kakowa and Juliet Kamanga on this initiative.

Introductory Training on Child Protection Systems Mapping and Assessment Toolkit

United Arab Emirates

Maestral assisted UNICEF Maldives with the mapping, assessment and strengthening of their child protection systems, utilizing the above Toolkit. It provided on the ground coordination, technical assistance and training support as well as a help desk function for the key stakeholders engaged in strengthening, costing and implementing new child protection systems.

Mapping and Assessment of the Child Protection System in The United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Maestral is assisting UNICEF UAE with the mapping, assessment and strengthening of their child protection systems. It is providing on the ground coordination, technical assistance and training support as well as a help desk function for the key stakeholders engaged in strengthening, costing and implementing new child protection systems.

Technical Note on Prevention and Response to Violence against Children in Early Childhood

Maestral developed a comprehensive, synthesized and user-friendly technical note for country offices, regional offices and headquarters to give background and context of the issue of violence, abuse and neglect in early childhood, nature and extent of the problem, different forms of violence in early childhood, the impact on children, families and communities, risks and protective factors. It also included key elements to effective programming in this area from a systems approach at the national and community levels and community-based initiatives, mechanisms and services to strengthen the protective role of families and communities and to promote positive social change.

Joint Inter-Agency Statement on Child Protection Systems Strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa

Swaziland

In early 2013, Philip Goldman of Maestral facilitated the work of a variety of organizations (UNICEF, NGO) working in sub-Saharan Africa to craft, formulate and ultimately endorse a joint statement and call to action to strengthen child protection systems in the region.

Mapping and Assessment of the Child Protection System in Swaziland

Swaziland

Maestral assisted UNICEF Swaziland with the mapping, assessment and strengthening of their child protection systems, utilizing the above Toolkit. It provided on the ground coordination, technical assistance and training support as well as a help desk function for the key stakeholders engaged in strengthening, costing and implementing new child protection systems.

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Midterm Review for REPSSI

Maestral worked on an independent assessment of the results of the REPSSI programme across the whole organization, with a focus on lessons learned and recommendations, including what has not worked, focusing on the results planned in the organization’s results matrix and key identified strategies.

Capacity Development on Child Protection Systems Mapping and Assessment in South Asia

In cooperation with Child Frontiers, Maestral facilitated a regional UNICEF workshop in South Asia on the child protection systems agenda in the Region. This workshop was conducted in July 2013.

Strengthening Monitoring, Evaluation, Costing and Budgeting of Child Protection National Programmes in UNICEF ESAR and WCAR Offices

Azerbaijan

Maestral, with the Columbia Group for Children in Adversity, is supporting UNICEF’s monitoring results for equity systems agenda in Sub-Saharan Africa. This work will support strategies towards developing practical, costed national action plans which focus on implementation and contain monitoring systems to enable reporting on progress and to aggregate results. The overarching goal is to provide UNICEF, policy makers, development partners and national stakeholders with a systematic approach to make informed decisions on child protection.

RIATT-ESA Mid Term Review

Vietnam

Maestral conducted a midterm review for Regional Inter Agency Task team on Children and AIDS for Eastern & Southern Africa (RIATT-ESA). The main purpose of the review was to obtain insight on the outcomes and operations of RIATT in contributing towards a scaled up, coordinated and more effective response for children affected by AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa. The recommendations aimed to ensure that RIATT-ESA remains a strategic regional platform for vulnerable children in the region.

Understanding and Improving Informal Alternative Care Mechanisms to Increase the Care and Protection of Children

Azerbaijan

Maestral developed and led national workshop on Children without Appropriate Care in Uganda and supported desk review on informal care practices in East and Southern Africa.

Conducting Functional Review of the New Child Care Services in Two Pilot Rayons of Baku City

Azerbaijan

Maestral reviewed to what extent the pilot project facilitated coordination and cooperation; assessed the level of implementation of responsibilities of each party under the MoU; reviewed laws, policies and regulations developed, analyzed financial allocations made by ministries; measured the impact of activities targeted at children and families; compared and contrasted planned activities vs. activities undertaken; identified major gaps in implementation; provided set of key policy and strategy recommendations for the government and each party of the MoU; assessed quality of newly established child care services and a need for scaling them up at the national level; and advised on the feasibility of scaling up the pilot mechanism in other parts of the country.

Modernizing Social Security: A World Bank Project in Vietnam

Vietnam

In 2009, Maestral’s President was retained to assist the World Bank to prepare a Social Security Modernization Project on behalf of the Government of Vietnam. Support was provided to identify and confirm project objectives, components and activities, the system’s investment plan and a number of technical areas related to social security administration.

Conduct Research and Design Models for Re-integrating Children that are in Child Care Institutions with their Family Members of Family Care Takers

In partnership with Family for Every Child, Maestral worked with UNICEF to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and conducted research and design models for re-integrating children that are in child care institutions with their family.