Consultancy for the End line Evaluation Survey

Terms of Reference 1. Introduction Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P) is a local Non-Governmental Organization registered with NGO Coordination Board with registration no: op.218/051/2002/071/2652 on 17th July 2003. The organization has its office headquarters at Merti and its field office at Isiolo Town, Isiolo County. MIDP envisions an empowered, just, equitable and resilient society in Northern Kenya. The organization exists to facilitate and coordinate development initiatives through policy influencing and resource mobilization that promote good governance. 2. . Project Background. MID-P is implementing 8 months’ project funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) through Johanniter International Assistance in Isiolo County The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the reduction of the food insecurity Situation of vulnerable pastoral households in Merti Sub County in Isiolo. Under this project, MID-P is providing a 7-cycle cash transfer amounting to 5000ksh per household to six droughtaffected villages (Merti South, Mata Arba, Malka Galla, Laffe, Dololo Dakiye and Basa) in Cherab Ward of Isiolo County. The cash transfer intervention supports 400HHs food insecure and drought-affected households to protect livelihoods and save lives. The cash transfer targets to reach 400 households within seven months from May to December 2022. The period of intervention was aligned with the County Steering Group (CSG) recommendation to provide food security and livelihood support for affected households. Project objectives: • To meet the basic needs of the 400 vulnerable households through unconditional cash transfers. • To enhance the diversification of consumed food per household to meet their dietary needs. • To meet the 3 meals per day target per beneficiary household. • To enhance tracking of project progress and collaboration through monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning. Project results: • The food security of 400 Households will be improved through 5 monthly transfers of unconditional cash assistance. • 400 households have access to at least 3 meals in a day • 400 households achieve meal diversification and meet their dietary needs. • Enhanced tracking of project progress and Collaboration through monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning. 3. Objective(s) of the survey; 1. Measure to what extent to which the cash voucher project has contributed to solving the needs and problems identified in the design phase of the project. 2. To gather feedback from the people we work with and key stakeholders on the intervention (relevance of the cash transfer, transparency and effectiveness of the process, key issues or challenges, good practices). 3. Comparative analysis of endline data against baseline data on output and outcome indicators/against what was originally planned. 4. Evaluate to what extent MID-P has delivered effective, efficient, relevant and timely activities to beneficiaries/people we work with as set in the project log frame and M&E framework 5. To measure the contribution of the projects and achievements towards the set project goal. 6. Assess whether the collaboration between MID-P, beneficiaries and other stakeholders has added value, to the interventions with a positive effect on beneficiaries and other stakeholders 7. Identify and assess and key lessons learned, challenges and draw recommendations for future programming. 4. Outputs and Deliverables The consultant shall deliver the following: i. An inception report that details the context analysis, the methodology to be undertaken and the approach that the consultant will employ for data collection, data analysis and validation of the findings. 20 pages Maximum. The inception meeting will involve the consultant, MID-P and possibly Johanniter to familiarize themselves with each other, review the TOR deliverables and agree on the workplan. ii. Tools development for the evaluation and submit them to the MID-P and Johanniter for review. iii. Secondary data collection of relevant data through physical or online reviewing of the respective resources by the consultant iv. Primary data collection by the data collection team through field visits to the 6 target villages in Merti, Isiolo County. v. Analysis of data and report writing vi. Submission of the draft report to MID-P and JIA by the consultant for review and feedback. vii. PPT presentation for the dissemination of the draft report. The PPT should provide details on the context, the data collection process, data analysis and preliminary findings. viii. Final report submission to MID-P and JIA by the consultant. The draft evaluation report with methodologies and initial findings is to be presented to MID-P, JIA and the People we work with. 40 pages Maximum. 5. Expected methodology The evaluation is expected the use a mixed-method approach consisting of both qualitative and quantitative data collections, and a review of the project background documentation as part of the desk review phase of the study. The consultant is expected to propose scientifically, culturally and socially appropriate approaches that will be used to answer the questions raised in this ToR. A quantitative approach should be used as well as primary and secondary data. Qualitative data shall be collected for triangulation of the quantitative data using KIIs and FGD when the need arises. 6. Duration of Assignment This exercise is expected to run for 14 working days which will include training of enumerators, data collection exercise and report writing. 7. Qualifications and Experience Essential: • An advanced-level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in statistics, and social sciences. • Minimum of 7 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result-based management framework • Proven experience in conducting feasibility studies, baselines, project evaluations and other research projects • Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of projects • Experience working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partnered projects • Fluency in written and spoken English. Desirable: • Experience in the relevant field/sector. • Professional familiarity with the project areas (Merti Sub-County) is desirable • Fluency in written and spoken Swahili and/or Borana will be an added advantage 8. Criteria for selection of Consultant Technical Proposal The consultantshall be selected based on their proven experience, qualifications and ability to deliver a quality product in a timely and efficient manner. Evaluation Criteria Sub criteria/Description Evaluation Score Technical Approach • A description of the approach and plan of execution in which the consultant proposes to perform the assignment, proposed methodology for the study demonstrating an understanding of the assignment expectation. • Detailed work plan responding to the Terms of Reference. • Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of projects 40% Team experience composition/ Lead researcher – Previous experience in project evaluations, baseline, Endline and assessments. – Over 7 years proven experience in undertaking project evaluation on cash programming, food security and livelihoods. – An advanced level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in statistics, monitoring and evaluation or any other social sciences master’s degree. – Experience with German Government -funded projects is an advantage. – Member of a relevant professional body. – Understanding of political, social and cultural context in Isiolo County is essential. – Experience working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partnered projects – Fluency in written and spoken English – Curriculum vitae of the team leader and assistants are to be attached where applicable. 30% 1 Organization/individ ual Capacity and Past Performance of the Firm – Three reference letters of similar assignments were conducted in the last five years of similar scopes. (Provide the client name; Address of Client; Email address and work phone of the client’s contact person; summary of the assignment; the value of t h e assignment; period of the assignment). – 3 contacts of referees from former clients – 3 samples of Endline evaluation were done previously. assignments. – Previous experience in evaluating cash programs in Kenya or HOA 30% Financial proposal The financial proposal should be in Kenya shillings and not any other currency. a. Professional fees chargeable b. Breakdown of reimbursable i.e Meals and accommodation c. All applicable taxes (VAT and withholding taxes) shall be included. The financial proposal shall be valid for 90 days from the date of bid closure. d. The financial proposal shall be sent as a separate attachment as a PDF document. 9. Roles of MID-P in management of this consultancy: i. Manage the consultancy contract from the beginning/inception to the end of the contract. ii. Have a daily and weekly meeting with the consultant in the field to review the progress in the data collection process. iii. Support the consultant in organizing the FGDs and KIIs as required in all the 6 villages iv. Coordinate all the consultancy activities in the field with the consultant to ensure high-quality standards of outputs. v. MID-P will provide the project documents, log frame, proposal, baseline reports and any other materials needed for the evaluations. project background documents. vi. The MID-P project team in collaboration with the JIA team will review the detailed inception report, draft field/data collection work plan, analytical plan and tools, as well as the preliminary findings and final report. 2 vii. If necessary MID-P project team will assist the consultant to recruit local research assistants or translators based on the needs. viii. Prepare and effect payment for the consultant upon completion of the assignment 10. The Responsibilities of the consultant The Consultant will be primarily responsible to: i. Develop/design mid-term evaluation based on Methodology including a questionnaire for the survey and checklist and tools for group interaction including FGD and KII with target beneficiaries and stakeholders at the local level. ii. Share study design including process, methods and questionnaires/checklist with the project team, collect feedback and finalize study design. iii. Design and pre-test questionnaires and other tools. iv. Debrief/discuss with the project team about the effectiveness of the questionnaire, checklists and other tools used in the pre-test, collect feedback and finalize them. v. Orient, train, supervise and pay the enumerators. vi. Carry out fieldwork together with enumerators. vii. Ensure the quality of information collected from the field, cross-check with the validity of information collected and verify/revise where needed. viii.Provide regular updates to MID-P programme manager and M&E staff on the data collection process, data analysis and report writing process ix. Provide the electronic version of the draft report, the electronic version of the final report and annexes in Word Format and four hard copies bounded signed copies of the final report to MID-P. 11. Ethical considerations: The produced materials shall be the absolute property of MID-P. Ownership and copyright shall automatically be vested in MID-P. Materials collected during the field trip cannot be used by any other parties other than what is intended for in this TOR. 12. Supervision The MID-P programme manager will be the key contact person for all the deliverables under this consultancy. 3 13. Assignment duration This consultancy is for 14 days within one month to be finalized before the end of December 2022. 14. Application requirement i. A technical proposal detailing understanding of the task, proposed methodologies of the consultancy, expected activities and deliverables (Must be submitted in PDF format). ii. The detailed work plan of the assignment cost per day. iii. Financial proposal submitted in KES and not any other currency. The financial proposal should indicate the professional fees including applicable Taxes, required to complete the assignment iv. MID-P will provide transport to project sites, so the consultant is not required to quote for this. v. Detailed CVs of all professional(s)who will work on the Consultancy Assignment. vi. If applying as a firm, the consultant must provide a Certificate of Incorporation/Business Registration. vii. The consultant must submit a valid tax compliance certificate (whether applying as a firm or an individual). viii. The firm/individual consultant shall not be sanctioned or blacklisted by any government or institution. ix. The Applicant must be a Kenyan National or a Registered Consultancy firm in Kenya x. Professional references: Please provide at least 3 references from your previous clients and full contact details of the referees. There will be no financial negotiations, as per The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) guidelines.