Invitation to tender: “Supporting Disability Organisations for mainstreaming”

November 23 2010, 03:02pm

DFI LOGO COLOUR

The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) together with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) invites tenders for the implementation of a new project funded under the ‘Genio’ funding stream.

The Project is entitled: “Supporting Disability Organisations for mainstreaming” and will be awarded for a 9 month period commencing January 1st 2011 ending 30th September 2011.

Closing date for receipt of tenders is Wednesday 1st December at 5pm.

“Supporting Disability Organisations for mainstreaming”

The aim of the project is: To achieve empowerment and independence for people with disabilities, and to support their representative organisations to fully understand their responsibilities to their members and to the national policy of social inclusion.

The shared vision underpinning the National Disability Strategy is of “an Ireland where people with disabilities have, to the greatest extent possible, the opportunity to live a full life with their families and as part of their local community, free from discrimination” (Towards 2016, 2006: 66).

This initiative enhances the capacity of people with physical, sensory and neurological disabilities and mental ill health and their representative organisations to advocate for access to general community services and facilities. It is intended that, through the initiative, organisations will actively listen to their members, help them to envisage a different future where they direct their own lives, and strategically plan appropriate supports with them. The initiative will work to change the focus of organisations from the delivery of services to supporting the aspirations of people, so that the valuable know how, resources and commitment of the organisations will be better oriented towards enabling them to become full participants in the mainstream. It promotes organisations in repositioning themselves to progress the priorities of their members.

About DFI

The Disability Federation of Ireland is the National Umbrella organisation for disability organisations. DFI represents and supports voluntary disability organisations and groups including very many Neurological organisations.

Allied to this DFI works with and supports organisations and groups around the country. These organisations come mainly from the statutory and voluntary sectors and show a significant and growing disability interest.

DFI covers all areas of disability and disabling conditions.

DFI provides

  • Information
  • Training and Support
  • Organisation and Management development
  • Research and Policy Development
  • Advocacy and Representation
  • Networking
  • Regional Support

About NAI

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland aims to promote the development of services and supports for people with neurological conditions. NAI undertakes activities to promote awareness of the needs of people with neurological conditions and to promote awareness and recognition of NAI as an organisation as well as the work of its member groups. NAI has a joint workplan with the Disability Federation of Ireland.

The Project

Project Title: Supporting Disability Organisations for Mainstreaming

Specifically:

Seven organisations will be selected from those organisation that have expressed an interest in participating in the project, taking into account geographic and life cycle considerations.

First stage:

  • The development facilitator and the organisation’s DFI Support Officer (each DFI Member has a designated support officer assigned to work with them) will, through desk research, gather and analyse existing information on the people with disabilities that the organisation represents. The development facilitator will guide the organisation in identifying gaps and in systematically maintaining the profile data. The CSO survey, HRB database, other Irish sources and comparable internationalevidence will be used, as well as in-house material
  • The development facilitator, together with the organisation’s working group, will implement several consultation methods suitable for the organisation’s members, and will actively explore their members’ possibilities and aspirations. People will identify their priorities and what they require to be able to live more independently
  • Together with the organisation’s working group, the development facilitator will review the content in the context of the organisation’s current work and/or strategic plan. For example they will consider how the organisation might reorient its services and measure its progress in terms of the member’s priorities.
  • The development facilitator will prepare a report with the working group to present to the organisation’s board.

NOTE: it is envisaged that work with more than one organisation will run concurrently.

Second stage:

The second stage of the initiative involves the analysis, by the development facilitator and the DFI liaison Support Officers, of the overall learning gained from the experience across the seven diverse organisations and disabilities. e.g. useful tools for profile analysis and for effective consultation will be placed on DFI’s website.

The development facilitator will prepare a brief on practices and approaches that were effective in promoting change in the organisations, so that DFI staff can deploy these to person-centred supports across the disability sector. At the same time the participating organisations will be asked to act as role models at regional seminars, which can be web streamed to extend the coverage. DFI itself will reflect on the experience and, at its National Council meeting, explain its own repositioning to support organisations to accelerate the development of cost effective personalised supports in the community

Expected Outcomes:

Tools and systems used for data collection, analysis, consultation, planning,change promotion and support developed in the course of this project will be standardised for use throughout the DFI membership and will be placed on the DFI website as a member resource.

Seven participating organisations will have begun the process of re-positioning their strategic agenda for consultation, particiption and responsiveness to the needs of their membership.

Seven participating organisations will have the capacity and IT skills to manage the Data collected and maintain a current data profile for the organisation.

Regional Seminars displaying and sharing the learning will have taken place before the end of September 2011.

The report of the evaluation of the project will be presented to the Project steering committee for review.

The development facilitator will prepare a final written report reflecting on the process and implementation of the project and present it to the Project steering committee.

Expectations:

The development facilitator will attend all Steering Committee meetings.

Reflecting the geographic spread of the project there is an expectation that a percentage of the work will take place out of Dublin.

The development facilitator will attend full staff meetings in DFI at the request of the Steering committee. This will be for the sharing of information, progress and interim learning insights.

The development facilitator may use the facilities, but not the office personnel, of DFI for administrative purposes e.g. photocopying, mail-outs etc.

The development facilitator will organise together with relevant SOs the collective meetings with the Support Officers for shared learning.

Timelines:

Expressions of interest are invited to arrive before 5p.m., Friday 26th November, full tenders to reach us by 5 p.m., on the 1st December. Short-listing will apply. Interviews will take place in the week of 13th December. The project is required to be completed by 30th September 2011.

Applications:

Tenders that respond comprehensively to the above requirements will be presented to a project steering group for assessment and selection. Applicants will be required to attend for interview.

Please provide details of the following with your tender:

  • Current CV
  • Examples of similar work carried out
  • Proposed work schedule and timeframe to align with requirements of the project (SC to include draft action plan for project)
  • A detailed breakdown of your estimated total cost including travel, subsistence and VAT (this will be subject to the Project Budget available and must be negotiable -insert broad ball park figures here)
  • Names and contact details of two referees with whom you have done similar work

The tender proposal for the above project should be submitted to:

Toni Gleeson, Support Officer, Disability Federation of Ireland, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane Dublin 8.

Telephone: 0504 22977 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0504 22977 end_of_the_skype_highlightingor 086 6004526 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 086 6004526 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

The closing date for receipt of tenders is 5pm on Wednesday 1st December.

Person Specification:

Required:

  • Self starter with initiative
  • Advanced facilitation skills
  • Desk Research re: Demographics and data analysis; experience and skill
  • Skills and experience in the area of data systems, access, storage and maintenance
  • Comprehensive knowledge of and experience of using MS office, particularly MS Access
  • Experience of facilitating consultation in the disability/community sector
  • Experience of training and development in voluntary sector
  • Experience of report writing
  • Knowledge of the Health sector
  • Knowledge of current legislation and National policy as it pertains to Disability and Advocacy
  • Full clean driving licence
  • Willingness to working nationwide

Desirable:

  • Training skills in MS Access IT application
  • Creative and innovative
  • Event organisation experience
  • Evaluation skills
  • Ability to assess disability impact
  • Change management knowledge and experience

Required:

  • Proof of Qualifications
  • Names and address, contact details of at least 2 referees
  • Examples of previous similar work carried our – hard copy of some reports written (names can be deleted for confidentiality)

Applicants will be interviewed by an interview panel of the Steering Committee to assess suitability.

Interviews will take place in the week of 13th December 2010.

Applications to include all of the above including a cost breakdown of the work involved referring to the proposed timelines to be sent to Toni Gleeson, Disability Federation of Ireland, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8. Applications can be in either hard copy or on email. Email: tonigleeson@disability-federation.ie