REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to US$4,762,000.00 million towards the cost of Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOSL and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than GOSL shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment, the executing Agency, now wishes to procure consultancy services for Wrap-Around Officers – Youth Empowerment Project.

The objective of the consultancy is to support and strengthen the delivery of case management for the beneficiaries of the Youth Recidivism Reduction Programme and the Out-of-School Suspension Programme. The two wrap-around officers will connect beneficiaries and their families to a range of services required to address their needs while being supported by social service professionals including a dedicated social worker. The duration of this consultancy is expected to be for thirty-six (36) months.

The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment, the Executing Agency, now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing consultancy services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

Eligible consultants should be able to participate if:

(a) the persons are citizens or bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country; and

(b) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country.

Eligible countries are member countries of CDB.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of CDB’s Guidelines for the Selection and Engagement of Consultants (2011), setting forth CDB’s policy on conflict of interest.

In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to technical competence, qualifications and

experience on similar assignments. All information must be submitted in English. Further information Terms of Reference may be obtained from the first address below between 0830 and 1600 hours to Friday.

Five (5) hard copies of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the first address below no later than 1600 hours on July 22, 2019 and one(1)electronic copy must be sent simultaneously to CDB at the second address below. The sealed envelope containing each submission should include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for WrapAround Officer – Youth Empowerment Project”

Following the assessment of submissions, the most technically capable and appropriately experienced applicant will be invited to negotiate a contract to provide the consultancy services. GOSL reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not selecting any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.

Wrap-Around Officers, Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) through the Integrated Court Diversion Programme, Department of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment.

1.01 The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) has requested assistance from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in financing a project, which would respond to the challenges facing vulnerable groups, particularly youth-atrisk in Castries, Saint Lucia. Castries is challenged by, inter alia, increasing crime, inadequate social infrastructure and limited access to social services. The Youth Empowerment Project (the Project) will seek to examine address these challenges by supporting the expansion of, and access to, existing social services as well as the development and implementation of new services so as to reduce social exclusion among youth and families in target communities. In the main, the Project will provide services to address mal-adaptive behaviours, enhance employability skills, support community safety and security and improve inter-linkages and the sharing of current good practices among participating agencies working in target communities. The Project is being implemented through the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment (MOE).

1.02 The goal of diversion programmes is to reduce recidivism or the occurrence of problem behaviours without having to formally process youth in the justice system. One Initiative under the Court Diversion Programme is the Youth Recidivism Reduction Programme (YRRP). This Programme will cater to young persons aged twelve 12 to 19 years. This sub-programme will be executed by the Probation and Parole Services of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice and National Security. These include pre and post court diversion youth who have been recommended to the programme or received non-custodial sentencing. Another initiative is the Out-of-School Suspension Programme (OSSP) which will cater for students who have been suspended from a secondary school and “walk-ins" who hear about the programme and seek to be a part of it. Engagement of the key stakeholders like the target schools, Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice and National Security (MOHA), Ministry of Health and their active participation in programmes and activities during project implementation is critical to attaining project outcomes and sustaining the effective use of social services and infrastructure both during and after implementation. Case management services for YRRP and OSSP that link with the social protection system and include assessment of family needs, and development of family plans to attain health, education and economic objectives are critical elements of these programmes. The Wraparound Officers who are appointed under the Youth Empowerment Project will connect beneficiaries and their families to a range of services required to address their needs while being supported by social service professionals including a dedicated social worker.

2.01 The objective of this activity is to support and strengthen the delivery of the case management system for the beneficiaries of the YRRP and the OSSP.

3.01 The Wrap-Around Officer will be responsible for the duties and tasks as listed below:

(a) Investigation of Cases — financial and material assistance and support to individuals and families living in poverty and vulnerable situations;

(b) Assessment of cases to determine the requisite post-investigative support services;

(c) Development of care plans for individuals and families;

(d) Provide advocacy for the clients to be served;

(e) Preparation of Reports — Investigative, Social Enquiry, Family Assessment;

(f) Complete and maintain comprehensive case management

records;

(g) Assist in developing and implementing hurricane/disaster plans;

(h) Serve on assigned committees;

(j) Coordinate and liaise with relevant Governmental, NonGovernmental and Private Organisations to support the care plans of individuals and families;

(k) Plan and conduct educational/public awareness activities;

(l) Report all challenges associated with implementation of the literacy and numeracy programme, including all related incidence and concerns;

(m) Conduct emergency case response as required and specialise

operation working services as required;

(n) Perform other related work as required; and

(o) Attend training sessions and meetings associated with the programme.

4.01 The Officer should possess the following minimum qualifications:

(a) Associate Degree in Social Work or related field; and

(b) Five years relevant experience.

5.01 The assignment is expected to last for no more than 36 months from the date of contract signing.

6.01 The Wrap-around officers will be under the supervision of the Administrator for the YRRP and the OSSP.