International Consultant - Caregiver involvement in pediatric rehabilitation - Training Design and Materials Development

Consulente-Diritti Umani

Descrizione

Soleterre (www.soleterre.org) is a non-profit organization that works towards the recognition and application of the right to health in its broadest sense. In addition to providing medical care and assistance, Soleterre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the psychophysical well-being of all people, at any age and in any part of the world. Its programs integrate prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation to support holistic recovery and long-term well-being.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Soleterre operates in multiple countries, including Ukraine, where it implements programs that provide mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), rehabilitation services, and capacity building for children, families, and caregivers affected by the ongoing conflict.

To strengthen its support to caregivers, Soleterre is seeking an International Consultant to design caregiver training curricula and develop accompanying materials. The consultant will work on a home-based basis, collaborating virtually with Soleterre Ukraine office and relevant program teams.

1. Background and Project Description

The war in Ukraine has placed extreme strain on the health system, creating urgent needs in pediatric rehabilitation, especially for children affected by war-related injuries, disabilities, and psychological trauma. Many children require integrated physical and mental health support, yet access to quality rehabilitation remains limited, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

Since 2023, Soleterre has been supporting pediatric rehabilitation services at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lviv and Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv. This work includes establishing a specialized pool for pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as rooms for psychological and speech therapy sessions, and collaborating with national and international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s pediatric rehabilitation capacity.

Building on an initial project phase, the first and this second phase aims to further improve pediatric rehabilitation service quality in eight pediatric health facilities located in frontline oblasts. Activities included advanced training for pediatric rehabilitation professionals, with continuation of strengthening the capacity of the pediatric rehabilitation professionals, provision of essential rehabilitation equipment, and on-site mentoring to ensure the application of best practices.

A key component of this phase is strengthening caregiver involvement in the rehabilitation process. Needs assessments showed that caregiver participation is inconsistent, and follow-up activities at home are often lacking. To address this, the project will:

• Train physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and therapy assistants to actively involve caregivers during rehabilitation sessions.

• Equip caregivers, with the skills and confidence to continue therapeutic activities at home.

• Promote age-appropriate engagement, including involving children, especially those who are at an age where they are capable, in expressing their preferences and needs.

• Integrate approaches from Positive Parenting and the Nurturing Care Framework, encouraging responsive care, stimulative play, and embedding rehabilitation into daily family routines.

Through this approach, the project will promote family-centered care, strengthen caregiver autonomy, and help ensure continuity of rehabilitation beyond the hospital setting, improving long-term outcomes for children in need.

2. Scope of Work

An external consultant will be hired, under the supervision of Soleterre Rehabilitation Expert, to develop a training module and accompanying educational materials aimed at strengthening caregiver involvement in pediatric rehabilitation.

The consultant will be responsible for developing the full training content (all rehabilitation-related), covering:

• The importance of caregiver involvement at each stage of the rehabilitation process.

• An introduction to the Nurturing Care and Positive Parenting approaches as integral components of rehabilitation services.

• The basic needs of all children, including those with physical, intellectual, emotional, and social disabilities, and the shared responsibility of caregivers, families, and communities in supporting their growth and development.

• The role of stimulative play and structured home exercises in promoting early learning, achieving developmental milestones, and reducing the risk of developmental delays within the rehabilitation context.

• Essential elements of quality home care for children in rehabilitation, including stimulation, sensitive and consistent emotional caregiving, safety, health, and home modifications relevant to rehabilitation needs.

• Encouraging family-based care and inclusion for children at risk of, or with, developmental delays or disabilities as part of rehabilitation efforts.

• Guidance on recognizing early warning signs (“red flags”) requiring urgent rehabilitation attention and follow-up, particularly important when rehabilitation packages often cover only limited durations (e.g., two-week sessions in cases involving shunts).

The training content must be age-specific, covering the full developmental range from birth to 18 years, and tailored to the specific needs and milestones of each age group to ensure maximum rehabilitation relevance and effectiveness.

As part of the assignment, the consultant will also develop a competence framework for pediatric rehabilitation specialists, outlining the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for effective caregiver engagement.

In addition to training sessions, the consultant will support in the design of educational and awareness materials, including:

• Posters and printed materials for waiting rooms.

• Informative leaflets for parents, providing practical guidance to support rehabilitation at home.

The final deliverables will be developed in close consultation with Soleterre Rehabilitation Expert and relevant program team to ensure alignment with best practices, project objectives, and the Ukrainian healthcare context.

3. Expected Output

By the end of the 45-day consultancy, the consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

a) Comprehensive Training Module on caregiver engagement in pediatric rehabilitation, including:

o Full session content addressing caregiver involvement, Nurturing Care and Positive Parenting approaches, stimulative play, quality home care, and early warning signs.

o Age-specific guidance covering children from birth to 18 years, tailored to developmental stages and rehabilitation needs.

o A competence framework for pediatric rehabilitation specialists focused on effective caregiver engagement.

b) Educational and Awareness Materials for caregivers, ready for printing and use in health facilities:

o Posters and printed materials for waiting rooms.

o Informative leaflets for parents, with practical guidance for home-based rehabilitation support.

c) Supporting Documents:

o A brief implementation guide for trainers on delivering the module in Ukrainian health facilities.

o A summary of recommendations for integrating caregiver engagement into existing pediatric rehabilitation services.

d) Final Report summarizing activities undertaken, training content developed, materials produced, and recommendations for next steps.

4. Deliverables and timeline

The consultancy will be carried out over a period of 45 calendar days from the date of contract signature. The consultant will work under the supervision of Soleterre Rehabilitation Expert and in coordination with the relevant program team.

Deliverables:

1. Detailed Work Plan: including methodology, structure of the training module, and proposed timeline (submitted within 5 days of contract start).

2. Draft Training Module: complete draft of all session content, including:

o Thematic content as outlined in the Scope of Work.

o Age-specific guidance (0–18 years).

o Competence framework for pediatric rehabilitation specialists.

o Proposed agenda/structure for training delivery.

3. Draft Educational & Awareness Materials: design concepts and draft content for:

o Posters and printed materials for waiting rooms.

o Informative leaflets for parents.

4. Final Training Module: incorporating feedback from Soleterre Rehabilitation Expert and program team.

5. Final Educational & Awareness Materials: ready-to-print versions in agreed formats.

6. Brief Final Report: summarizing the work undertaken, key considerations, and recommendations for implementation.

Indicative Timeline:

Task Timeline

Submission of Detailed Work Plan Day 5

Submission of Draft Training Module Day 20

Submission of Draft Educational & Awareness Materials Day 25

Feedback & Revisions Days 26–35

Submission of Final Training Module & Materials Day 40

Submission of Final Report Day 45

5. Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education:

o Advanced university degree in a health-related field, preferably Medicine and Surgery, or rehabilitation health professions (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, pediatric neuropsychiatry, orthopedics, or public health).

o Additional specializations or postgraduate qualifications (specialization courses, master’s, doctorate) in pediatric rehabilitation, public health, international relations, or development cooperation are considered strong assets.

• Technical Expertise:

o Solid knowledge of pediatric physical rehabilitation, including approaches for children with physical, intellectual, developmental, and psychosocial disabilities.

o Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering age-specific training content (0–18 years) for multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams.

o Proven capacity to develop structured training modules, curricula, and supporting educational materials tailored for pediatric healthcare and rehabilitation staff.

o Familiarity with the Nurturing Care Framework, Positive Parenting, and other family-centered care approaches applied in pediatric rehabilitation.

• Professional Experience:

o Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in pediatric rehabilitation or closely related fields.

o Experience working with multidisciplinary teams (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, nurses, PRM doctors) in clinical or training contexts.

o Previous work experience in complex emergencies, post-conflict, or low-resource healthcare settings is an asset.

• Languages:

o Excellent command of written and spoken English (mandatory).

o Knowledge of Italian and/or Ukrainian is an advantage.

• Other Competencies:

o Strong analytical, facilitation, and training skills with the ability to translate technical rehabilitation concepts into practical guidance for caregivers and health workers.

o Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and deliver outputs to a high standard within tight deadlines.

o Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, with sensitivity to working in humanitarian contexts.

o Commitment to Soleterre values, mission, and vision.

6. Submission of Applications

Applicants should express their intention to participate to this tender via e-mail.

Expression of interest should be submitted by email to the following address: rehab.expert.ukr@soleterre.org no later than 10 September 2025, 23:55 (Central European Summer Time – CEST / Kyiv time). The subject line of the email must clearly state the title of the consultancy applied for (International Consultant - Caregiver Training Design and Materials Development).

Any applications received after the stated date and time will not be accepted.

Applicants will receive an invitation letter to submit their technical and financial proposal.