Jobs
Open position: Baseline Survey for the Action: Building Drought Resilience in Isiolo County through sustainable Livelihoods (DRIC)
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Terms of Reference
Baseline Survey for the Action: Building Drought Resilience in Isiolo County through sustainable Livelihoods (DRIC)
Contract No FED/2019/409-181
Funded by EUROPEAN UNION
- Background Information
Pastoralists and agro-pastoralists form the majority of Isiolo County inhabitants and their livelihoods are impacted by drought and unpredictable rainfall, leading to reduced crop yields, low livestock productivity, high livestock mortality, low income and food and nutrition insecurity. Building Drought Resilience in Isiolo County through sustainable Livelihoods (DRIC) is an EU funded action addressing vulnerability through a multi-sector One Health approach which encompasses human health, animal health and environmental interventions, together with the creation/facilitation of a common platform for coordinating at institutional level and sharing good practice. The project aims at enhancing drought resilient and nutrition sensitive agriculture/livestock production, while incorporating conflict resolution and peace building strategies, alleviating the effects of recurrent drought through strengthening and recovery of sustainable capacities with a particular focus on Women’s Economic Empowerment as well as empowering Isiolo County in addressing food security and nutrition (FNS) issues, improved data collection system and cross-sectoral collaboration to facilitate local political commitment and awareness raising. The project is aligned with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Common Programme Framework (CPF) that operationalizes Kenya’s ”Ending Drought Emergencies” (EDE) strategy that focuses on the most drought prone counties in Kenya, including Isiolo. The project targets beneficiaries located mainly in 6 priority wards, in Isiolo County.
The project is implemented by a Consortium of 5 experienced NGOs, led by Vétérinaires sans Frontières–Suisse/Kenya (VSF-S/K). The other four organizations include: WeWorld Onlus (WW); Comitato Collaborazione Medica (CCM); E4IMPACT Foundation (E4I) and Social Ministry Research Network Centre (SOMIRENEC). Together, the five organisations have developed a comprehensive 48-months project that will support both pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Isiolo County.
- Objectives of the Action
The Overall Objective of the action is: to contribute towards increased resilience to droughts and other negative impact of climate change for vulnerable groups and reduce number of children under 5 years who are stunted in Isiolo County (WHA – Global Nutrition Target 1 for 2025).
The Specific Objective of the actionis: to enhance Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) for vulnerable Pastoralist and Agro-pastoralist Communities in Isiolo County, generating Sustainable livelihoods, protecting productive assets and improving climate smart County service delivery.
Below, is a summary of the Project Indicators at the Objective level as per the Consolidated Logical Framework (which will be provided to the successful consultant(s)/Firm).
| Objective | Indicators |
| Overall Objective | Reduction of Isiolo County food poverty rateNumber of children under 5 years who are stunted in Isiolo CountyIncidence of Household vulnerability and Food and Nutritional Security |
| Specific Objective | Change in Women dietary Diversity Index Citizens Drought Coping Strategy Index (CSI)Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index |
- Key Components of the Action
Output 1: Improved drought resilient and nutrition sensitive agriculture/livestock production, integrated with conflict resolution and peace building strategies
The main activities under Output 1 are:
- Promotion of pasture/rangeland management and commercial fodder production through controlled grazing; pasture, fodder and crop residues conservation; reseeding and introduction of drought tolerant fodder trees, shrubs and grasses
- Peace building initiatives to facilitate peace and reconciliation for sustainable livelihoods
- Improved livestock production (through better herd management-controlled herd size, strategic market offtake, breeding management and livestock insurance).
- Hygienic camel milk production, value addition and marketing
- Restocking with camels and goats as well as Improved poultry production
- Improvement of animal health measures, One Health promotion, disease recognition and reporting, zoonoses management and prevention
- Promoting use of climate services, integrating scientific evidence and indigenous knowledge, for climate-resilient decision making
- Improved nutrition, food security, food production, food diversification and gender mainstreaming through dissemination of a nutrition-sensitive toolkit
- Enhancing food crop production (promotion of good agricultural practices, soil conservation, agro-forestry) and market access to vegetables and fruit production for small scale farmers
Output 2: Key productive household assets and community investments are sustainably built and recovery capacities against recurrent droughts are strengthened, with a particular focus on Women’s Economic Empowerment:
The main activities under Output 2 are:
- Delivery of entrepreneurship and business training and support to value chains
- Promotion of alternative income generating activities, especially for women
- Mainstreaming peace building skills in entrepreneurship through cooperatives
- Promoting sustainable water supply (for crop production, animal and human consumption) and improved sanitation in schools and communities
- Elimination of defecation in the open in 11 villages through the application of the ‘Community-Led Total Sanitation’ methodology
Output 3: Isiolo County is empowered in addressing food security and nutrition (FNS) issues, improved data collection system and cross-sectoral collaboration to facilitate local political commitment and awareness raising.
The main activities under Output 3 are:
- Support to coordination for policy making
- Capacity building of County authorities and Non-State Actors on peace building and conflict management
- Support to grassroots and community-based networks working on resilience building and food and nutrition-sensitive approaches and formation of a county chapter of SUN CSA in Isiolo
- Improving coordination for policy decision-making and implementation at County level on food and nutrition through multi-stakeholder platform
- Strengthening the Nutrition Information Management System
- Establishment of a Zoonotic Disease Unit
- Organization of learning and sharing forums
- Training of traditional/religious leaders and their involvement in training activities during community aggregation events
VSF Suisse/Kenya is seeking to engage reputable organization or individual expert (s) to conduct a baseline survey of the action. The baseline purpose and objectives, scope of work, proposed methodology and duration, deliverables, requirements and experience of the consultant and the application process are highlighted below.
- Baseline Survey Purpose and Objective
A baseline assessment will be completed at the start of the action, with local stakeholders to measure the status of all indicators and to understand the starting point of key elements of the work against which later progress will be measured. This will enable project indicators at output and goal/outcome level to be measured and tracked.
The aim of this baseline survey is to gather and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data in six priority wards in Isiolo County namely Oldonyiro, Ngaremara, Chari, Cherab, Kinna, Garbatulla.. The data will measure the current status of the stated indicators at both the level of the Project Objectives and Result Areas. This will help in strengthening the monitoring and tracking of the progress and serve as a benchmark for comparison of the changes achieved at the end of the project. Besides, the qualitative data will provide valuable information on the current perceptions, attitude and socio-cultural perspectives that will likely influence the project. The baseline survey will be conducted in close collaboration with Consortium members and other stakeholders.
Baseline Target Audiences: The baseline is intended for project team, local communities in Isiolo county and stakeholders (government, non-government, etc) as well as other actors to understand the current situation and gaps for improving and enhancing Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) for vulnerable Pastoralist and Agro-pastoralist Communities in Isiolo County, generating Sustainable livelihoods, protecting productive assets and improving climate smart County service delivery.
Findings of the baseline survey will be reported to project team and local responsible partners e.g the County Government of Isiolo, GoK line ministries NDMA among others as well as to the donor.
3.0 Scope of Work
The selected consultant(s)/Firm will be expected to carry out the baseline survey covering the following:
Activity 1 – Revision, design and field test of the base line survey instruments:
- Conduct a desk review of the key documents including: the project proposal, Consolidated Logical Framework and relevant secondary data related to the project Overall Objective, Specific Objective and the Results.
- Consultation with stakeholders on baseline survey plans
- Preparation of draft quantitative and qualitative instruments and workplan
- Final draft of the instruments for the survey, field test and adjustments.
- Consultation with the relevant consortium members’ staff on modifications to the survey instruments (before and after field testing).
- Develop an inception proposal/report to VSF-S/K for review and refine tools, work plan and budget details as required. The inception report will describe i.e. the approach/methodologies to be used, sampling frame to be utilized, analysis and tools/questionnaires and reporting.
Activity 2A– Sampling:
- Design sampling strategy-based methodology
- Calculate sample size agreed-upon methodologies
- Conduct sampling
Activity 2B– Plan, design, and implement training of enumerators and supervisors:
- Recruitment of sufficient
number of enumerators.
- Preparation of training plan, field work protocols according to agreed methodologies.
- Training of enumerators and/or supervisors, including step-by-step instructions on data collection and guidance on handling problems and questions that might arise during data collection and logistics
- Creation of the data entry and analysis plan, cleaning, and analysis as well as discussions with stakeholders.
Activity 3– Implement and supervise field data collection, data input and cleaning:
- Coordination with all stakeholders
- Preparation of materials and equipment
- Notification to the Consortium, partners and communities
- Deployment of enumerators to the field.
- Conduct data processing: primary processing, comparison and validation of files, cleanfiles, tabulations
Activity 4 –Analyze and synthesize data; and prepare the baseline report and Program Indicator Tracking
- Preparation of initial results
in output tables.
- Discussion with consortium members staff and local partners and on the initial baseline results
- Data analysis and synthesis.
- Revision of the draft baseline report, discussions and report preparation
Activity 5 – Conduct final presentation.
- Coordination for final presentation to consortium members staff and
partners
- Deliver final baseline report, documents, files, and other materials
- Consultation with stakeholders
4.0 Methodology and Duration of the Assignment
The Consortium proposes that the Consultant(s) apply a number of methodologies in data Collection. The methods of data collection that will be used in combination include (e.g qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods):
- Desk review of relevant project documents e.g. the project proposal, Consolidated Logical Framework and relevant reports.
- Focus group discussions with key stakeholders, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and key actors in Isiolo County.
- Key Informant Interviews with relevant experts in targeted development interventions; County Government authorities and heads of departments from the collaborating actors
- Use of participatory skills and approaches and field data collection with pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in targeted areas.
The consultant will ensure that the rights of participants are always protected in line with safeguarding policies. The Consortium members will work closely with the consultant(s) and the consultant(s) shall provide regular feedback to the Consortium Manager in order to guarantee quality and adherence to the TOR. The consultant(s) shall have thirty-five days from the date of engagement to deliver on and complete the entire task and submit the final baseline survey report.
The consultant will undertake the assignment while respecting the government directives and guidelines on preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Location and proposed duration of the baseline survey
Location: The assignment will take place in the project areas in Isiolo County. However, the consultant will also meet some of the key stakeholders of the action in Nairobi.
| Proposed activity | ||
| Result | Days | |
| 1.1 | Review of relevant literature, development of methodology, study tools, production of inception report | 5 |
| 1.2 | Field work Focus Group discussions, key informant interviews, household questionnaires, validation meetings | 21 |
| 1.3 | Data entry, analysis and reporting | 9 |
Execution
- The consultant (s) should provide a detailed work plan and budget of the assignment.
- The consultancy is expected to be conducted in June/July 2020 and to be completed over a period of 35 days. The anticipated baseline report release date is 06 July 2020.
- Owing to the fluid COVID-19 disease situation and in in order to adhere to Government measures to contain the pandemic, the consultant and VSF-Suisse should maintain a measure of flexibility on the consultancy start and end dates
5.0 Deliverables
The consultant will deliver to VSF Suisse/Kenya the following products:
- Data collection instruments
- Final instrument for the baseline survey and tracking sheet for entry of baseline data
- Field manual for enumerators.
- Detailed report on sampling, including specifics on the design, methodology and sample size calculations
- Field implementation plan with protocols for the enumerators and supervisors
- Data entry and analysis plan
- Training of required number of enumerators, supervisors and data entry staff.
- Electronic files with all raw data
- Two printed and 2 electronic copies of the final report to include:
- Executive summary
- Background
- Description of the objectives of the mission and execution methodology.
- Results presented in narrative and tables, using descriptive and statistics
- Discussion
- Conclusion and Recommendations including for specification of indicators (as per the logframe).
- Annexes (e.g. Terms of Reference, questionnaires, sampling elaborations, field locations visited, references etc.)
6.0 Requirements and Experience of the Consultant(s)
The Consultants(s)/consultancy firm must demonstrate the following.
- Demonstrated solid background and experience in conducting livelihoods and environmental conservation Programming, Assessments and Evaluation work, Relevant experience (including food and nutrition security, crops/ livestock-based livelihoods and value chains, peace building initiatives, One Health, WASH, Climate smart technologies, Entrepreneurship skills and marketing)
- Experience in carrying out similar assignments and a proven track record of delivering excellent results.
- Experience in use of participatory skills and approaches among the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists communities.
- Excellent communication skills in both written and oral demonstrated in their ability to write comprehensive reports with in-depth analysis.
• Ability to work in multicultural, multi-religious and rural communities especially in Isiolo County.
• Experience of having conducted a similar job to the expectation for the European Union is an added advantage.
- Working experience in Isiolo County and other Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya is desirable.
7.0 Management of the Assignment
- The Consultant (s) shall report to the DRIC Consortium Manager who will be the manager of the assignment in liaison with consortium partners,
- VSF-Suisse/K will be responsible for the Consultants’ travel, per diem and accommodation within Isiolo County during the assignment period,
- The Consultant shall be responsible for their own medical insurance cover and any essential medications while on this mission.
- The consultant shall strictly adhere to the government’s rules and guidelines on precautionary measures against COVID-19
8.0 Application Process
Interested expert(s) and organizations (s) should prepare and submit to VSF Suisse/Kenya a technical and financial proposal for the assignment. The proposal should indicate qualifications and experience with a detailed baseline survey execution plan and budget (in EURO). The methodology should clearly indicate how the work will be executed in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposals, CV and letter of motivation as well as three (3) referees should be sent electronically to Office.Nairobi@vsf-suisse.org by 31 May 2020; 5:00 PM EAT.
