Projects

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.

Changing The Way We Care website

Maestral conducted a rights-based and equity-focused analysis of business impact on children’s lives in Kazakhstan and the potential to enhance the positive contribution of business to the realization of child rights, linked to the key programmatic outcome areas of the new country programme document. The analysis will serve as evidence-based information and guidance for UNICEF to develop sustainable shared-value partnerships with business, strategically embedded in country programme results across the areas of thriving, learning and protecting.

Maestral International provided technical support to the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and of Ghana to lead the process of developing a Framework of Action for a new Public Private Partnership to reduce child labour in the cocoa growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The Framework for Action was informed by prior steps taken to fight child labour in the cocoa growing regions of these two countries, including Child Rights Impact Assessment for children in the cocoa growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire; preexisting national plans of action for fighting against child labour and child trafficking; existing national strategies on health (nutrition and WASH), child protection, social protection and education; evidence from national and international strategic interventions to reduce child labour. The Framework for Action is linked to commitments made in the Statement of Intent for the partnership developed with the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

Maestral worked with UNICEF Kenya and the Kenyan Department of Children’s Services to conduct a series of 12 sensitive virtual learning (webinars) and peer support action-oriented meetings for more than 400 Professional Child Protection Professionals. The webinars contained content which included up-to-date information on COVID-19 and highlighted specific child protection considerations during the pandemic including increased risks and means of preventing and responding to those risks through a COVID-19 lens. The virtual platform also facilitated an exchange of experiences and virtual “community of practice” where child protection professionals discussed, shared and identified gaps and challenges as well as designed practical solutions and county-level action plans in responding to COVID-19 related child protection concerns. Additionally, Maestral designed a series of 16, three-minute phone scripts targeting 1300 community-based child protection actors with messages related to COVID-19 and child protection.

Maestral worked with UNICEF and the Government of Ghana (Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Office of the Head of Local Government Services) to Develop a Long-Term Capacity Building Strategy for the Social Welfare Services Sector to effectively deliver social welfare service to vulnerable girls, boys and their families; and to effectively coordinate and implement the National Social Protection Policy, National Child and Family Welfare Policy, National Justice for Children Policy and Children’s Act at the national and decentralized level.  The Capacity Building Strategy was developed from the findings of an assessment undertaken to assess the current capacity of the social welfare service sector to deliver decentralized social welfare services.

Social Welfare Service Workforce Capacity Assessment

As an immediate follow on to UNICEF regional activity to map the human resources for child protection, UNICEF Mexico contracted Maestral to conduct a virtual presentation of the key findings and recommendations to the national DIF and DIF Chiapas, sites where the mapping took place. One of the main objectives was to focus on the recommendation of developing a core competency for the human resources for child protection focused on prevention and response. This included presenting the justification for such a competency, what it would include and how it is directly related to the overall strengthening of the child protection workforce in Mexico.

Maestral provided technical support to the UNICEF Child Protection section on their Child Protection COVID-19 response. Maestral’s work included supporting technical notes, guidelines, and other technical products related to COVID-19 and violence against children, adolescent participation, and child helplines.

In partnership with UNICEF, Maestral has built upon the two regional reviews of parenting programmes that Maestral had undertaken in UNICEF MENARO and EAPRO, along with other global experiences of the service provider, to develop practical guidance on parenting programmes to prevent violence in the home. The guidance focuses on family and community factors that contribute to a protective environment and on those factors that help eliminate risks of violence. The guidance also addresses gender norms alongside or as part of parenting and caregiver support programmes tackling VAC and IPV in the home.

In partnership with Catholic Relief Services, Maestral provided technical support to the Pathways project under USAID Zimbabwe. Pathways uses 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 delivers a child-centered, family-focused, community-based package of evidence-based/informed interventions in Bulawayo, Guruve, Gweru, Harare, Insiza, Lupane, Matobo, Mazowe and Nkayi.

About Pathways

Maestral International supported the FAPE Association to consolidate its expertise in foster care and auto-evaluate the foster care project’s results. The team also supported FAPE to document, organize and strengthen its processes and related tools in comprehensive and clear operating procedures aligned with best practice. The assignment also identifies how foster care practice implemented by FAPE, and other organisations in Morocco, align with international standards and best practice.

Maestral supported the UNICEF MENA Regional Office and UNICEF Jordan Country offices to contribute to the provision of technical assistance and quality assurance of programme implementation by ensuring that country offices in MENA and other regions have strengthened and timely access to high quality technical expertise and implementation guidance on positive parenting programmes across the life cycle. For UNICEF MENARO, Maestral developed: a global desk review on the parenting interventions and intervention elements associated with effectiveness across the life course with a particular focus on the MENA region; mapped parenting programmes across the region; developed a regional strategic framework for parenting support interventions for UNICEF, with a road map for implementation; and developed a practical guide of resources for designing and delivering parenting programmes. For UNICEF Jordan, Maestral supported a review of the existing national parenting programme – Better Parenting Programme’ and developed a revised programme, for younger years and adolescents, that reflects recent evidence and feedback from parents and facilitators.

Maestral worked with UNICEF Sierra Leone to develop and carry out a formative study to situate the current state of violence against children (VAC) in homes, including violent discipline, in Sierra Leone, and to inform opportunities for positive parenting interventions in Sierra Leone. The study measured the prevailing trends of knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to negative forms of child discipline and care, through an in-depth exploration of the underlying factors contributing to the intractability of the problem, personal and community beliefs, cultural values, the decision-making process within families, and perceived social benefits and consequences of physical punishment in six selected geographic regions. Based on the evidence, the Maestral team provided suggestions for evidence-based positive parenting programmes and other family strengthening initiatives to prevent violence against children in Sierra Leone.</p

Maestral Senior Associate Atieno Odenyo, provided technical support to the CRS Greece Urban Shelter Project Team to transition case management support from provision of immediate service needs to longer term asylum seeker and refugee integration planning with an overall strengthened beneficiary-centered approach. Maestral supported in identifying necessary project staff behavioral competencies needed to implement improved case management system and provided training to the teams on priority areas.

Maestral consultant Francesca Stuer, supported CRS Cameroon in the development of guidelines for establishment of health district level referral networks to ensure effective referral and counter referral in support of their Key Interventions to Develop Systems and Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (KIDSS) project. Maestral assisted the team in conducting necessary consultations and information gathering remotely, and led the process in finalizing all referral guidance, tools, assessment and training materials.

Maestral Senior Associate, Kelley Bunkers, supported UNICEF Oman in designing and preparing the content for a High Level Political Meeting (HLPM) event held in New York in July 2019 highlighting the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts in reaching SDG 16.2 (ending violence against children). The Maestral team prepared an extensive desk review of the current child protection landscape in Oman to support this event as well as a run of show, designed materials for a panel discussion including questions, background information and suggested content for responses. The event involved high level government leadership from the Sultanate of Oman, UNICEF HQ and various diplomatic missions. The HLPM was instrumental in highlighting efforts to address VAC in the Sultanate as well as create interest in and draw attendance to the ISPCAN conference held in Muscat in September 2019.

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).

4Children program website

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.