Call for Proposals: Research and Learning Partnership Consultant

WORLD VISION TIMOR LESTE | Better Food Better Health Phase II Project

Subject: Terms of Reference for Research and Learning Partnership Consultant

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to outline the Terms of Reference for the Research and Learning Partnership consultancy, to be implemented in conjunction with the World Vision Timor-Leste Better Food Better Health Phase II Project, funded by the Australian Government.

BACKGROUND

World Vision’s Timor-Leste (WVTL) Better Food Better Health (BFBH) Project Phase 2 aims to improve access, utilization, and demand for diverse, nutritious foods for 20,549 people in Aileu, Baucau, Bobonaro, and Covalima municipalities by 2027. Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of undernutrition globally, driven by poor child-feeding practices, household food insecurity, and limited access to essential health and nutrition services, particularly in remote settings. The project’s 2021-22 endline evaluation found a high prevalence of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under five, while on average 50% of pregnant women were anemic. The project aims to resolve these challenges of undernutrition and anemia through improved production, demand for, and utilization of nutritionally diverse foods.

OBJECTIVES

Objectives of the Research and Learning Partnership include the following:

• To establish baseline data for the WVTL BFBH Phase 2 Project;
• To contribute to the growing body of knowledge and evidence around nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) in Timor-Leste, in particular, NSA and the potential for nature-based solutions (e.g. Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration) to enhance sustained availability of and access to nutrient-dense foods;
• To establish a multi-stakeholder learning platform that supports the continual learning, adaptation, and strengthening of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific programming in Timor-Leste to impact nutrition, especially WVTL’s BFBH Project positively.

TIMELINE

The Research & Learning Partnership’s expected duration is four years (48 months), with an estimated start date of March 1st, 2023.

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work is comprised of the following key areas: (1) leading the WVTL BFBH Phase 2 project baseline assessment (2) developing a learning platform focused on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and (3) conducting research on nutrition programming as described below:

1. Baseline Assessment

Key Activities expected by the research partner for the baseline assessment include the following:

• Develop and submit the baseline inception report based on the project baseline TOR content.
• Lead the field data collection, analysis, and report writing in collaboration with the E&L team.
• Develop and share the baseline summary findings with the municipal and national staff and partners, including specific guidance to project staff, etc.

Key Deliverables:

• Completion of a baseline report to include (but is not limited to) the following:
  • Executive summary (max. 2-3 pages)
  • Evaluation aims, objectives, and scope
  • Methodology
  • Findings
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
  • Lessons learned
  • Annexes (including ToR, maps, questionnaires, list of interviewees, and bibliography and the database (raw data files with variable names and labels) as an attached file).
  • Deadline: May 31, 2023

1. Knowledge exchange platform focused on nutrition-sensitive agriculture: The focus of the platform is to establish and/or spur a multi-stakeholder learning platform that supports the continual learning, adaptation, and strengthening of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific programming in Timor-Leste, starting with the WVTL’s BFBH Project as a basis/impetus for convening the platform. The platform will serve as a knowledge exchange, peer learning, and networking opportunity amongst key stakeholders within WVTL and externally, working on nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific programming.

Key Activities:

• Develop a knowledge exchange platform (including key learning questions) with key national stakeholders every six-months
• Undertake assessments/operational research with WVTL, document, and share good nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices in accordance with learning questions
• At least one academic paper produced per year for a peer-reviewed journal (Timeline: Year 2, Year 3, Year 4; 3 in total)

Deliverables:

• Completion of Knowledge Exchange Platform Terms of Reference (TOR) in consultation with key national, multi-sectoral stakeholders (local/INGOs, private sector, government, technical specialists, academia, technology partners, etc.) outlining the main focus areas of the platform, learning questions, approaches, roles, activities, and timelines**. (Timeline: April 2023)**
• Completion of (1) best practice guidance document outlining nutrition-sensitive agriculture pathways and practices relevant to the Timor contexts with the evidence base
• Completion of (2) learning events per year (2×4 years = 8 total) (Timeline: February and July – Year 1, 2, 3)
• Completion of knowledge exchange platform MoU fully executed and signed by key stakeholders/partners (Timeline: August 2023)
• Completion of at least three (3) academic papers that are published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at academic/development conferences. (Deadline: July every year)
• Completion of (1) policy dialogue with relevant government stakeholders focused on the evidence base gathered through this initiative (Timeline: Year 2 – Exact Date TBC)

1. Research on the impact of the Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) approach on nutrition-sensitive agriculture: The objective of this research is to understand the impact of FMNR on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, its contribution to project outcomes, and the top-line goal, as well as to recommend best practices for integrating FMNR and/or nature-based solutions into nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Key Activities:

• Identification of learning or research questions for consideration by the team.
• Develop a research framework to examine the critical pathways and to measure the impact of FMNR on sustained availability of and access to nutrient-dense foods, especially through nutrition-sensitive agriculture, increased productivity of farming systems, and to highlight the role and/or potential impact of women’s engagement in FMNR
• Develop a research framework that identifies local indigenous practices and community insights that help to establish and/or strengthen local law/customary law.
• Develop tools for biophysical “re-greening benefits” measurement systems (yield or growth, tree density, uptake rates, vegetative cover, etc) and viability framework for assessing nature-based solutions on the basis of their livelihood and market potential.
• Developed and set up a mapping area of the Re-greening learning center and establish a Re-greening demonstration plot.
• Coordinate with WVTL to identify local champions for FMNR, provide training in FMNR, and establish demonstration/best practice centers.
• Support WVTL to develop drone/satellite mapping technology to form a geospatial baseline of the FMNR area and to remotely monitor re-greening efforts and practices.
• Develop guidance for land-use planning and standardize farming land practice, reforestation practice, watershed management practice, and forestry conservation practice.

Key Deliverables:

• Re-greening plot geospatial footprint which documents the ‘before and after’ impact and changes.
• Tool for measuring re-greening impact
• An agreed set of standard rules for communal land-use planning and private land-use system, advocated by the Directorate of Forestry under the Forestry Strategies plan.
• List of evidence-based re-greening activities for women to improve yield and nutritious food.

SCHEDULE

Activities WVTL Focal Point Deadline

Baseline Report – Domingos Bicik – May 31, 2023

Knowledge Exchange Platform – Evangelita da Costa Pereira – Ongoing

Research – Impact of FMNR on NSA – Goretti Goncalves Oliveria Ongoing

EXPERTISE REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated experience conducting baseline, midline, and evaluations
• Demonstrated experience conducting research in the area of:
  • Nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific approaches
  • Environment, climate change, land restoration, and application of nature-based solutions
• Demonstrated experience in preparing scientific articles or papers and excellent communication skills in delivering evaluation and research findings targeted to multiple stakeholders, including government, development partners, civil society, and academia
• Demonstrated experience in developing and/or applying GIS mapping, and/or usage of drone/satellite imagery for monitoring purposes