INTERGRATED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SEASONAL ASSESSMENT AND BMZ MID TERM EVALUATION

World Vision International – Somalia Programme

Integrated Terms of Reference for Seasonal Assessment and BMZ Midterm Evaluation

Study Summary

Project Name

SomReP Communities in Baidoa

Study Type

Seasonal Assessment and Mid Term Evaluation

Goal

Improve wellbeing of vulnerable Somali people.

Study Objective

  1. Assess seasonal impacts and household sensitivity to more immediate changes (seasonal or otherwise) as well as capture household responses in the face of shocks closer to the time they happen.
  2. Evaluate the extent to which resilience interventions implemented under the BMZ project have delivered on relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability in order to develop a body of evidence that will enable SomReP and its partners to enhance programme effectiveness, increase accountability, and inform any necessary programmatic changes.

Study Specific objectives

Seasonal Assessment

  1. Understand the status of food security and how seasonality affects household income, household expenditures, access to water for households, livestock and irrigation across locations, livelihood zones and other household vulnerabilities.
  2. Understand the nature and frequency of idiosyncratic and covariate shocks in SomReP operational areas motivated by season and its effects on food consumption and ability to recover from shocks.
  3. Track the completion, employment, access to capital and business start-up of TVET graduates seasonally.
  4. Understand the efficiency of markets and track prices of basic commodities in SomReP operational areas.
  5. Understand agricultural activities carried out by beneficiaries across SomReP locations seasonally.

Midterm Evaluation

  1. Assess the implementation progress made in activities towards achieving the planned results.
  2. Assess the continued relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the project in supporting local government in enhancing resilience and livelihood of communities in Baidoa and Afgoye and engagement of stakeholder groups in implementation actions.
  3. Recommend strategic, programmatic and management considerations for implementing the remaining part of the project.

Project location (Districts and # of villages/ sub-locations)

SomReP implementation areas

Proposed dates of Study/ data collection

June to July 2022.

Anticipated Date of Draft Report Submission

20 days after data collection completed

Validation workshop

05 days after submission of final draft report

Anticipated Date of Final Report Submission

30 days after data collection completed

  1. BACKGROUND
    1. About SomReP

The Somali Resilience Programme aims to increase the resilience of chronically vulnerable Somali people, households, communities and systems to climatic shocks and other related risks in targeted pastoral, agro-pastoral and peri-urban livelihood zones by 2023. The consortium is designed to effectively mitigate the effects of recurrent shocks and stressors and alleviating the chronic vulnerability among pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and peri-urban households across Somalia. The programme addresses communities’ unique needs by building resilient livelihoods. Limited alternative livelihood opportunities through agriculture or other employment has resulted in higher poverty rates making it one of the most vulnerable regions. The programme is managed by a consortium of seven international NGOs namely Action Against Hunger (AAH), the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), Cooperative Assistance for Relief Everywhere (CARE), Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Oxfam and World Vision Somalia.

Generally, the Programme contributes to the resilience of vulnerable communities in Somalia by bringing communities at the center of cross-border policy and investment discourse and actions; not only as beneficiaries but also as key stakeholders defining the agenda of their future. To achieve this, SomReP programming supports resilience through:

  1. Livelihoods & food security: HHs in targeted communities have improved access to productive livelihoods for enhanced food access and diversity;
  2. Social Safety Nets: HHs in target communities have their livelihoods and assets protected during shocks and stressors through the establishment and strengthening of social safety nets, including the use of crisis modifier mechanisms such as Savings Group Schemes;
  3. Natural resource management: Ecosystem health improved through promotion of equitable and sustainable natural resource management;
  4. Local governance capacity building: Communities, civil society and local institutions are better equipped with resilience strategies and response capacities to cope with recurrent shocks and stressors.

Since its inception in 2013, SomReP has invested efforts to develop robust outcome measurement approaches for resilience. This has largely been based on development of strong partnerships with research and academic institutions, consequence of which has been continuous improvement in resilience measurements approaches as a means of providing evidence as to what works for resilience programming in Somalia. The premise of SomReP current resilience measurement approaches lies in viewing resilience as a strategic means, of which the goal is to improve wellbeing of vulnerable Somali people. As part of its efforts to analyze and understand the pathway to positive resilience outcomes, SomReP continues to prioritise investments aimed at strengthening the resilience capacities at community and household level. Existing measurement approaches have been significant in the analysis of outcomes to resilience capacities and development outcomes, in the face of hazards and risks that Somali people face.

SomReP continues to learn from previous experiences, and these have shaped the way SomReP intervenes with communities and develops innovations both at pilot stage and to-scale across different grant designs but anchored centrally to SomReP’s phase II strategy. SomReP also underscores the need for a robust Impact measurement approach that will test SomReP’s theory of change through drawing relationships that underpin pathways from activities to outputs, outcomes, and impacts. It is thus critical that a study is carried out in order to understand the quality of life of the vulnerable communities with which SomReP works, as well as the extent to which that quality of life contributes to or has an effect on the communities’ well-being and ability to graduate from poverty.

    1. About BMZ Project

Launched in October 2020 for a project period of 36 months, the BMZ project “Increase the resilience of chronically vulnerable Somali people, households, communities and systems to recurrent climatic shocks” is being implemented in 43 villages in South West State of Somalia. The implementing partners are CARE Germany implementing in Afgoye, Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) both in Baidoa and Shaqodoon supporting the three partners through online crowdfunding for community projects selected from community action and adaptation plans (CAAPs) developed together with target communities. The BMZ project aims to contribute to the resilience of chronically vulnerable Somali people, households, communities and systems through enhanced food security, sustainable livelihoods and strengthened disaster risk management capacities in affected areas in Southwest State by 2023. The intended outcomes are:

  1. Improved capacity of households to implement effective disaster risk management and positive coping strategies to mitigate the immediate effect of exposure of shock.
  2. Improved capacity of individuals, households and communities to adhere to positive development trajectories; despite exposures to shocks and utilize strategies designed to allow adaptation to rapid and slow on-set hazards.
  3. Enhanced food security and resilience through improved capacity to engage in strategies for sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
  4. Transparent and accountable governance structures at community, district and national levels to ensure an enabling policy and regulatory environment for sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
  5. Local and international stakeholders use Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems to measure resilience data and use it for evidence based programming and strategic investments in transformative capacities.
  6. Purpose of the integrated Seasonal Assessment and BMZ Midterm Evaluation
    1. Seasonal Assessment

The seasonal assessment forms part of the monitoring approach to improve sensitivity to more immediate changes (seasonal or otherwise) as well as capture household responses in the face of shocks closer to the time they happen. The assessment helps SomReP understand how individuals, households and communities draw on resources and employ strategies to respond to shocks and stresses and how this affects their well-being trajectories in the short-term from season to season. Ideally, the seasonal assessment should be carried out after every season(Jilaal, Gu, Hagaa and Deyr) months and it reviews key well-being outcome indicators based on the three core areas of change; Absorptive Capacity, adaptive capacity and Transformative Capacity.

    1. BMZ Midterm Evaluation

The purpose of the mid-term evaluation is to provide the SomReP and its stakeholders with an assessment of the performance of the BMZ project to date, based on the agreement, logical framework and activities. The evaluation will further elaborate on whether assumptions made and theory of change drafted at project start are still valid It is expected to assess the continued relevance of BMZ intervention and the progress made towards achieving its intended outcomes. The evaluation will provide an opportunity to make modifications to ensure the achievement of the outcomes are within the lifetime of the project. Furthermore, the evaluation will provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to provide feedback, as well as identify lessons learned and recommendations for the remainder of the project’s implementation.

Table 1: Midterm Evaluation Questions

Evaluation objectives

Evaluation questions

  1. Effectiveness
    1. To what extent are the delivery of outputs and outcomes contributing to the achievement of the Results and overall objective?
  2. Relevance
    1. To what extent are the project’s adopted strategies/approaches pertaining to each Result and overall objective still valid?
  3. Sustainability
    1. To what extent has the project contributed to local capacity to sustain the gains?
    2. To what extent are local structures capable to sustain the benefits of the project?
    3. To what extent are the project effects towards building capacity sustainable?
    4. To what extent does the project benefit different stakeholder groups, especially women and men? Any difference?

As the data collection for seasonal assessment and BMZ mid-term evaluation will be completed by mid-July, SomReP seeks a Data Analysis and Report Writing Consultant to analyze the data, review pertinent documents, and draft and finalize the report. In order to write the report, the Consultant will review all pertinent SomReP and BMZ planning and reporting documents from 2020 to 2022 (Project document, Annual Work Plans, annual reports, Seasonal assessment reports and Annual Resilience reports). The Consultant will finalize the report in close collaboration with the SomReP Technical Unit, led by the Monitoring and Evaluation department. The assignment is divided into two phases. Phase I, data analysis 10 working days. Phase II, report writing, will take no more than 15 working days.

SomReP invites qualified Data Analysis and Report Writing Consultant familiar with the context of Somalia to apply for this position.

Scope of work

  • The Consultant will write the Seasonal Assessment and Mid-Term Evaluation, in line with SomReP standards and requirements;
  • The assignment will take in two phases: phase I will be Data analysis, phase II will be Report Writing.

Deliverables for the Consultant

  • Produce the data analysis plan,
  • Submit analysed data in form of data tables, graphs, charts and STATA do file.
  • Annotated outline of the report (of not more than 5 pages) presented to WVI to get approval from Monitoring and Evaluation unit. This should detail the approach and methodology to be used, detailed execution plan and data sources.
  • The write-up and delivery of a high-quality Seasonal Assessment and Midterm Evaluation report in August 2022 (in English), polished editorially and rigorous in terms of evidence-base, sources and citations.
  • Interim report products and drafts consulted with WVI include (by way of illustrative information): overview with key messages (2-3 pages); drafts of full report (est.2-3 rounds of revisions with WVI feedback); drafts of recommendations (est. 2-3 rounds with WVI feedback); summary of recommendations. This includes regular updates, consultations with Monitoring and Evaluation team
  • The report’s visuals, graphs and infographic, through identification and execution of innovative concepts, and/or inclusion of relevant data to the report from relevant data hubs and sources.
  1. Evaluation Criteria

3.1 Technical Evaluation

Applicants need to clearly articulate on the following criteria, but not limited to;

  • Understanding of the TOR – 1 page
    • General understanding of the project requirements; coverage of principal components as stipulated in the ToR
  • Methodology – 3 Pages
    • Adequacy of the proposed approach
    • Methodology
    • Data analysis
    • Proposed work plan
  • Experience- consultant’s general experience and record in the field covered by the ToR, with particular focus on resilience programming – 2 pages
  • Previous experience(s) with similar assignments in a fragile context or in Somalia in particular – 1 page.
    1. Mandatory Documents

The listed documents are mandatory and should be provided when bidding

  • Provide Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Registration
  • Provide Valid Tax Compliance Certificate
  • Provide Company Profile with Organogram/Organization Chart
  • Provide 3 references from previous or current customer
  • Sign Supplier Code of Conduct, (To be provided by World Vision upon successful award
    1. Financial Proposal

Financial Proposal needs to be submitted indicating the following

  • Total cost inclusive of VAT for the laptop and accessories (Quote in US dollars)
  • Payment Terms
  • Credit Period

Note: World Vision shall withhold the withholding tax component as per the applicable tax rate provided

  1. Timeframe

The assignment is expected to take place within a maximum of 25 days including preparation, data review, and analysis and submission of final report. The consultant should be able to undertake some of the tasks concurrently to fit within the planned time-frame, without compromising the report writing quality and standards.

  1. Authority and Responsibility

The M&E team will be responsible for the overall coordination of all the report writing assignment. The M&E team would also review the report and provide comments and recommendations to improve its quality.

  1. Qualifications of the Consultant
  • The consultant should hold an Advanced University Degree/Masters/PhD degree in; Agriculture/Livelihoods/Food Security, Biostatistics, Social Sciences, Development studies, Monitoring & Evaluation or related discipline
  • Should have experience in analysing Livelihood and resilience indicators.
  • Proven record as lead author, researcher and technical coordinator of major international publications and reports.
  • At least 10 years of solid experience, technical specialization and proven experience working on international development issues with emphasis on resilience and graduation approach.
  • Familiarity or knowledge and experience of policy contexts, implementation context and operational realities of Somalia humanitarian context (Baidoa and Afgoye preferred) and responses highly desirable.
  • Excellent writing skills in English, and proven analytical skills and ability to synthesize findings from diverse materials and sources.

Technical competence:

  • The consultant must have a strong background in statistics and data analysis.
  • Excellent reporting and presentation skills.
  • Excellent knowledge of Somalia and/ or other fragile context
  • Excellent knowledge of and experience with humanitarian guidelines and principles.
  • Fluency in English and local languages spoken in the working area is an advantage.
  1. Seasonal Assessment and Midterm Evaluation Report

The assessment report will follow the following format.

  • Executive summary.
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Full Seasonal Assessment and Midterm Evaluation design
  • Sampling
  • Data collection and management
  • Data analysis
  • Survey teams among others
  • Data quality control and plausibility checks.
  • Results
  • This will correspond to the sampling method that has been applied in the field. At minimum, the following chapters should be included;
    • Additional quantitative and qualitative data.
    • Validation of accuracy, representativeness and precision of data. These have to be supported with the plausibility check to be added in annex
    • Seasonal assessment results for the sampled districts.
    • Midterm evaluation results for Baidoa and Afgooye following the evaluation questions among others taking into account the selected DAC criteria.
    • The limitations of the results.
  • Discussions including the interpretation of the Seasonal Assessment results.
  • Discussions including the interpretation of the Midterm evaluation results for Baidoa and Afgooye.
  • Conclusions and recommendations
  • Annexes: Maps, tools used, plausibility check, row data etc.
  1. Application process and requirements

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following;

  • Letter of interest in submission of a proposal
  • A detailed technical proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including but not limited to the following;
    • Consultant/Company Profile
    • Description of the Methodology
    • Demonstrated previous and excellent experience of report the candidate has written, with description of their responsibilities as outlined in this ToR (with submission of at least TWO most recent Reports as evidence).
    • Proposed data management plan (cleaning, analysis and visualization).
    • Proposed timeframe detailing activities and a work plan.
    • Latest personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least three references

APPLICATION PROCESS

All interested bidders are requested to submit their proposal in English electronically to somo_supplychain@wvi.org on or before 14 July 2022. Proposals should be submitted in three distinct/separate attachments, namely. Mandatory Requirements, Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal (Bidders who will combine both technical and financial proposals shall be disqualified).

Email subject line: Report writer Seasonal Assessment and Mid Term Evaluation, SomReP

How to apply

APPLICATION PROCESS

All interested bidders are requested to submit their proposal in English electronically to somo_supplychain@wvi.org on or before 14 July 2022. Proposals should be submitted in three distinct/separate attachments, namely. Mandatory Requirements, Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal (Bidders who will combine both technical and financial proposals shall be disqualified).

Email subject line: Report writer Seasonal Assessment and Mid Term Evaluation, SomReP

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