Request for Consultant Proposal: Save the Children Canada’s National Reconciliation Program Review
BACKGROUND
Save the Children Canada (SCC) is part of the global Save the Children movement, working to uphold the rights of every child to survive, learn, and be protected. In Canada, this includes recognizing that not all children’s rights are equally realized, and those most deprived of their rights are First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children. For children not to exercise their rights equally has devastating impacts on them, their families, communities, and nations.
SCC recognizes the enduring impacts of residential schools and colonial systems, as documented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and affirms the importance of responding meaningfully to its Calls to Action.
In 2015, Save the Children Canada committed to addressing Indigenous child inequality and discrimination by engaging with Indigenous knowledge-keepers and Indigenous child rights experts to develop the Wi-Mino-Kisikat Relationship Framework (Wi-Mino-Kisikat means “it is going to be a good day – a new beginning” in the Saulteaux language. The framework was named by Raymond Shingoose).
The Framework was developed to exemplify the principles of Reconciliation and take an Indigenous-led and rights-based approach to establish meaningful relationships with Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities and children. In 2017, the launch of the National Reconciliation Program (NRP) reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Indigenous children by establishing a domestic program to contribute to Truth and Reconciliation efforts in Canada.
The philosophy of the National Reconciliations Program aligns with statements made by former Senator Murray Sinclair, who noted, “Reconciliation will never be achieved so long as one side sees it as a recognition of rights, and the other side sees it as an act of benevolence.” The NRP’s approach to partnerships and programs is consistent with the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Close to ten years since its launch, the National Reconciliation Program has evolved through relationships with Indigenous partners and communities. As SCC deepens its commitment to reconciliation, there is an opportunity to reflect on past efforts and co-create a path forward that contributes to the realization of Indigenous children’s rights, supports self-determination, and responds to the Calls to Action in a meaningful and accountable way.
To support this, SCC is seeking an Indigenous-led consultancy to undertake a review of the National Reconciliation Program and to guide its future vision, mission, and direction.
The purpose of this consultancy is to walk alongside SCC and partners in a process of reflection, learning, and renewal by: reviewing SCC’s past and current reconciliation efforts in light of the Calls to Action; listening to and learning from Indigenous partners and communities; assessing the program’s vision, mission, and mandate; and, developing recommendations that strengthen SCC’s contribution to reconciliation and the realization of Indigenous children’s rights.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
OBJECTIVES
1. Reflect on Past and Current Work
- Review SCC’s reconciliation-related initiatives, partnerships, and approaches.
- Assess alignment with relevant Calls to Action, including those related to child welfare, education, and youth wellbeing.
- Identify strengths, gaps, and lessons learned.
- Consider how SCC’s work contributes to addressing inequities experienced by Indigenous children.
2. Listen and Learn Through Engagement
- Design and facilitate culturally appropriate, distinctions-based engagement processes.
- Conduct consultations with Indigenous communities, partners, and organizations with whom SCC has worked or is currently working.
- Create space for dialogue, reflection, and relationship-building.
3. Assess Vision, Mission, and Mandate
- Review and reflect on the current vision, mission, and mandate of the National Reconciliation Program
- Assess alignment with:
- Indigenous worldviews and self-determination.
- Child rights principles.
- SCC’s organizational strategy and SCI’s global strategy.
- The Calls to Action and principles of UNDRIP.
- Needs and opportunities in rural, remote, and Northern communities.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen clarity, relevance, and accountability.
4. Provide Recommendations
- Develop strategic, actionable, and forward-looking recommendations on the future focus of the National Reconciliation Program including identifying priority areas that respond to the Calls to Action and community-identified needs. This will include recommendations on best practices for the inclusive hiring of employees to staff this program.
- Develop a roadmap to roll out the recommendations with time-specific action points and deliverables.
- Propose ways to measure impact that reflect both child rights outcomes and Indigenous perspectives of wellbeing.
PROCESS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The consultancy will take a relational and inclusive approach and is expected to:
- Review relevant documentation (strategies, program reports, evaluations, partnership materials).
- Map SCC’s existing and past relationships with Indigenous partners and communities.
- Undertake consultations with Indigenous communities and partners across regions where SCC has worked or is currently engaged.
- Engage SCC staff and leadership to understand internal perspectives and systems.
- Apply Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing throughout the process.
- Identify promising practices from Indigenous-led organizations and others advancing the Calls to Action.
SCC is committed to ensuring this process is not extractive and contributes to strengthening relationships with partners and communities. To that end, the consultancy will be grounded in:
- Indigenous leadership and self-determination.
- Child rights and child-centered approaches.
- Alignment with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Respect for the rights affirmed in UNDRIP.
- Localization and equitable partnership.
- Relational accountability and reciprocity.
- Respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, cultures, and protocols.
- Distinctions-based approaches (First Nations, Inuit, Métis).
DELIVERABLES
1. Work Plan
- Detailed methodology and approach including support needed from SCC.
- Engagement and consultation plan including partners and communities with whom the consultant wants to engage.
- Timeline and deliverables.
2. Final Report
- Overview of past and current reconciliation work.
- Analysis of alignment with relevant Calls to Action.
- Key themes and insights from consultations with Indigenous partners and communities.
- Analysis of the program’s vision, mission, and mandate including strengths, gaps, future opportunities, and lessons learned.
- Strategic recommendations for the future of the National Reconciliation Program.
- Suggested roadmap for implementation, including how SCC can meaningfully advance the Calls to Action.
3. Presentation / Sharing Session
- Presentation(s) of findings to SCC leadership.
TIMELINE
While the consultancy will not last longer than seven (7) months, SCC is open to proposals of timelines that reflect inclusive processes, space for meaningful discussion and input, and appropriate ways of working.
QUALIFICATIONS
SCC welcomes applicants from diverse groups, noting that the consultant/consultancy team must:
- Be Indigenous led, with leadership from First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis experts.
- Demonstrate strong relationships and credibility with Indigenous communities in Canada.
- Have experience leading engagement processes grounded in Indigenous methodologies.
- Bring expertise in reconciliation, Indigenous rights, and child and family wellbeing.
- Demonstrate familiarity with Calls to Action and their application in organizational contexts.
- Bring experience working in the Canadian non-profit environment.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:
- Understanding of the TOR.
- Methodological approach to delivering the scope of work.
- Previous experience and track record of the consultant or firm with similar work in Canada.
- Financial feasibility.
Proposal Requirements
Interested consultants are invited to submit:
- A detailed technical proposal demonstrating a thorough understanding of this TOR and including the following:
- Consultant’s profile or firm’s profile.
- Proposed methodology.
- Proposed timelines.
- A financial proposal providing cost estimates and consultancy fees.
- CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the consultancy.
- A minimum of two references who can validate the quality of your work.
- A minimum of two samples of similar types of work.
How to Apply:
Submissions are due (via email: [email protected]) by 5:00pm ET on Friday, May 22, 2026.
