TOR: Young Child Feeding Practice (IYCF) Knowledge, Attitude & Practice (KAP) Survey for Sool and Sanaag regions

Terms of Reference for Infant, Young Child Feeding Practice (IYCF) Knowledge, Attitude & Practice (KAP) Survey for Sool and Sanaag regions.

July, 2021

Introduction

CARE International in Somalia has more than three decades of experience delivering emergency aid in Somalia/Somaliland. Our long-standing presence and experience in Somalia/Somaliland and as a leader in the emergency and development field distinguishes us from other organizations. With funding from different donors including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ECHO DG, European Union (EU), German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Department for International Development (DfID), CARE has been at the forefront of emergency response in Somalia. Our response mainly targets Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Returnees, and vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral populations.

Program Background

CARE is implementing integrated Health and Nutrition targeting vulnerable women, children, and displaced populations in Sool,Sanaag, Bari, and lower Jubba funded through USAID/OFDA. The Nutrition sub-sector includes IYCF interventions that is aimed at improving awareness and behavior of mothers/caregivers and the general community as well as promotion of best practices at the household and community level to support improved nutrition practices for children.

Findings from CARE’s IYCF KAP survey in 2020 revealed poor infant feeding practices. Exclusive breastfeeding for first six (6) months was 43% and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two (2) years was 28.5%. Knowledge of caregivers about feeding recommendations and practices was generally suboptimal. Low-income levels and poor dietary diversification were the main contributing factors to the poor IYCF practices. The quality of young children’s diets was poor because the majority of IDPs were not able to purchase and consume balanced diets. CARE’s efforts have shown that IYCF practices are about five times higher than the national average in its project areas, but there is still significant work to be done.

CARE aims to conduct an in-depth Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey to monitor changes in IYCF behavior including rates of exclusive breastfeeding for children less than six (6) months and appropriate complementary feeding practices for children aged 6 to 24 months in CARE areas of operation. The survey results is expected to help the Organisation determine the IYCF changes in knowledge, attitudes and practice that took place since the last KAP in 2020 following interventions through the 10 Months OFDA supported Integrated Somalia recovery Program.

Overall goal and objectives of the assessment:

The main objective of this survey is to determine knowledge, attitude, and practice of infant and young child feeding practices in selected districts of Sool and Sanaag regions,Bari and Lower Jubba. The study will also identify an implementation strategy that is feasible in terms of program quality and community involvement in order to scale up the most effective approach to promote better child feeding practices.**

The specific objectives are:

1. To determine mothers/caretaker’s knowledge and caring practices regarding infant and young child feeding (among children aged 0-23 months) in our project areas.
2. To assess the number and percentage of infants 0<6 months of age who are exclusively breastfed in the project area
3. To assess the consumption of the different types of food for children aged from 6- 23 months and estimate the food diversity within the last 24hours.
4. Ascertain the level of IYCF integration into other sectors and assess the capacity of key staff undertaking IYCF interventions
5. Identify knowledge gaps, cultural beliefs, or behavioral patterns and practices that create barriers to infant and young child feeding and care practices and design appropriate behavior change communication and provide sustainable recommendations to strengthen the nutrition activities based on the survey findings.

6. To ascertain the impact of nutrition activities in relation to positive IYCF, hygiene practices and set new baseline for anticipated USAID/BHA funded program in Sool, Sanaag, Bari and Lower Jubba **

· Study area

The survey will be conducted in 20 villages in Badhan, Erigavo, Ceelafweyn, Lascaanod,**Bossaso ,Afmadow and Dhobley District** where CARE is implementing IMAM/IYCF services.

· Study population

Mothers with children aged 0-23 months and under 5 years will be interviewed to estimate the infant and young child feeding practices in all selected villages.

Districts

0-23 Months

Laas Caanood

609

Bossaso

1,134

Afmadow

241

Dhobley

182

Ceel Afweyn

491

Ceerigaabo

857

Badhan

166

Total

3,680

· Study Methodology

The consultant is expected to propose and an appropriate study design involving both quantitative and qualitative data collection entailing beneficiary household survey; Health Facility document reviews, focused group discussions, beneficiary, Key informant, and stakeholder interviews. A comparative analysis approach will be used to report on project achievements for selected sub-sector indicator values.

· Consultant role and responsibilities

• Develop and design KAP survey protocol and questionnaires, including sample size estimation, population size, clustering of the villages and validate contextual tools
• Assume overall responsibility for design and implementation of the KAP, including daily supervision of KAP teams and daily data collection quality assurance
• Train the KAP data collection teams and data clerks in data collection standards and use of the tools (including field testing)
• Implement the KAP survey in Sool, Sanag,Bari and Lower Jubba
• Be responsible for data cleaning and analysis using appropriate software (i.e. Epi Info, SPSS, ENA for SMART, and ODK).
• Prepare a draft KAP survey report for review by CARE Somalia , ensuring that the assessment is comprehensive and includes all relevant indicators
• Prepare and lead a validation workshop (debriefing) for CARE Somalia Team
• Prepare a final report including background, methodology, results, limitations, conclusions, and recommendations incorporating feedback from CARE Somalia staff and other Nutrition stakeholders on the draft report and tools.

· CARE’s role and responsibilities

· Facilitate logistic arrangement including travel, accommodation etc

· Recruit Enumerators

· Mobilize the target groups for interviews

· Provide input to the inception report, tools, and KAP draft report

· Activity plan.

No

Activity

Number of days per camp

1

Preparation of survey tools, inception report and sharing with CARE and finalization after feedback

3 days

2

Presentation to AIM WG and validation of tools

1 Day

3

Training of survey enumerators and field testing

2 days

4

Data collection (Quantitative and qualitative)

5 days

5

Data cleaning and analysis

2 days

6

Report Writing

2 days

7

Technical review and comments by CARE team

2 day

9

Final Report

2 days

Total Days

19 Days

· Deliverables.

· Inception report that includes the design, implementation, and supervision strategy of the KAP survey including data collection tools

· COVID 19 adherence plan

· Data Collectors training PowerPoint

· First draft KAP survey report including raw data set in SPSS

· Submit PowerPoint presentation of the key finding

· Final detailed report with recommendations

· Qualifications:

· Advanced degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Nursing or related field**

· At least five years of work experience at national or international levels in infant and young child feeding and nutrition.**

· Sound understanding of the international standards on IYCF-E **

· Experience in conducting IYCF-E surveys in Somalia/Somaliland.**

· Experience in design and implementation of IYCF-E programs**

· Experience in organizing and leading IYCF-E training**

· Strong communication and training skills**

· Experience working in Somalia/Somaliland and understanding of the dynamics **

· Experience and knowledge of IYCF data collection, analysis using EPI Info, SPSS and KOBO.**

· Somali language speaking is a pre-requisite**

Application Requirements.

The below requirements will be considered as part of the selection process and therefore, all interested applicants are encouraged to send;

1. A technical and financial proposal highlighting their understanding of the ToR and how they propose to respond to the ToR requirements including the evaluation design, tools, and technologies in place for them to perform the assignment, implementation plan, etc, and financial quote.
2. Team structure: details of consultant’s capacity and how they structure the evaluation team. This also includes the CVs of key evaluation teams including the lead consultant(s).
3. Sample work: at least three (3) samples of similar work (evaluation reports) performed for peer organization in Somalia or in the Horn of Africa region for the last 3 years.
4. References: Names and contact details of at least three (3) organizations that have been performed similar work.

NB: Proposed key personnel used for bidding are expected to be the people executing the work of this contract.

· Duration of the Assignment.

The duration of the assignment is 19 working days after the signing of a contract. Days are inclusive of traveling, fieldwork and reporting. The field data collection is expected to take place in June 2021. The first draft of the report should be submitted no later than 10 working days after data is completed.

How to Apply.

All applications MUST be accompanied by a technical and financial proposal including a brief outline of the proposed methodology, 3 references with contact details, a tentative work plan, and the candidate’s availability.

Interested consultants or firms are expected to submit their applications, updated CVs of individuals to conduct the study or profile of applying company to: som.consultant@care.org. Please indicate ‘’Infant, Young Child Feeding Practice (IYCF) Knowledge, Attitude & Practice (KAP) Survey for Sool,Sanaag,Bari &Lower Jubba regions’’ as the subject heading not later than 10 ^th June 2021.**

CARE is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity, and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.