SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY: TERMS OF REFERENCE, VSLA-CHOMOKA APP EVALUATION

BACKGROUND

1. CARE International in Kenya.

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading global humanitarian and development organization fighting poverty. CARE International in Kenya has been working in partnership with Development and relief Organizations, the private sector, and Government of Kenya since 1968 and is currently under the direct management of CARE US. We seek a world of hope, tolerance, and social justice where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. CARE commenced its humanitarian program in Kenya in 1968. Since then, we have built a substantial development and humanitarian program including refugee operations, emergency response, livelihoods, food security, climate change adaption, sexual reproductive and maternal health, women and girls’ economic empowerment, and youth employability. CARE Kenya’s mission is to reduce poverty at the household level and to provide relief in emergencies.

2. SBOSH Project.

CARE International in Kenya in partnership with GIZ and CARE Germany, is implementing a three-year financial inclusion and economic empowerment project aimed at Strengthening Business Orientation of Smallholder farmers (SBOSH), in the dairy and sweet potato value chains. The current Phase is targeting to work with 2,000 smallholder Dairy and 5,000 Sweet potato value chain farmers in Siaya, Bungoma and Kakamega Counties. The project Interventions include Capacity building of 5,000 sweet potato farmers on VSLA methodology, Financial Literacy skills training to 2,000 farmers in the dairy value chain and Agri-preneuership skills training to 1,200 select lead farmers, from both value chains. The project will further identify 200 vibrant lead farmers from both value chains for Business Development Services, akin to the delivery approach, employed in SBOSH-I.

3. Justification.

The aim of the evaluation is to establish the compatibility of linkage/marketplace features of chomoka App, with existing platforms used by financial service providers in Kenya, the capacity requirements of VSLAs to effectively use the application and the system challenges.

4. Overall Objective.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to undertake evaluation of the chomoka App, compatibility with existing financial transaction digital platform offered by the formal financial service providers in Kenya, including advantages that the App provide to the VSLAs and inherent challenges.

Specific Objectives.

1. To establish the potential benefits of chomoka App, to VSLAs.
2. To assess adoption of chomoka App by the 5pilot VSLAs.
3. To establish the capacity requirements for VSLAs to effectively use the chomoka App.
4. To establish the inherent challenges in use of the chomoka App, by VSLAs.
5. To establish potential interface of chomoka App with existing digital Apps used by local financial service providers.
6. SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY.

The scope of the assignment shall include desktop review of relevant digital financial transaction platforms, in use by financial service providers, chomoka App literature review and field data collection from members of the pilot VSLAs in Siaya, Bungoma and Kakamega counties, analysis of the field data and corroboration with existing study reports in order to provide sound recommendations on the current and future benefits of the chomoka App, the required VSLA preparations for effective use of the App and embedded challenges, that needs to be addressed.

5. EXPECTED OUTPUT.

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant.

1. Development of the study tools.

The consultant is expected to develop data collection tools, based on the interpretation of the TOR, and share with CARE for review prior to field data collection. The correct interpretation of the TOR and development of sound and tailored tools will provide CARE Kenya with opportunity to confirm if the consultant share same understanding and interpretation of the TOR.

2. Draft Comprehensive report.

The draft study report, produced in English to be shared with for CARE Kenya for input, prior to preparing the final report.

3. The final report.

The final report will be produced within 3 days after receiving comments on the draft report from CARE Kenya team. Other than the technical content and structure, the report should capture feedback from beneficiaries, relevant actors, as well as notable challenges during the exercise and recommendations.

4. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSULTANT AND CARE KENYA.

1. Responsibility of –Consultant.

• Prepare both technical and financial proposal in power point (PPT), demonstrating clear understanding of the assignment, including activities and realistic timelines, during virtual technical evaluation session.
• Develop both quantitative and qualitative date collection tools relevant to the specifications in the TOR and share with CARE Kenya team, during virtual technical evaluation session.
• Prepare and present in power point (PPT) the inception report to CARE Kenya, prior to commencement of work. The report should demonstrate the consultants’ understanding of the assignment, the detailed breakdown of activities and timelines.
• Undertake thorough desktop review of relevant study reports.
• Supervision of field data collection in Siaya, Bungoma and Kakamega Counties.
• Analyze the study results and prepare a comprehensive report.
• Provide details of relevant documents required from CARE at inception meeting.
• Prepare and share draft report for review with CARE Kenya team.
• Prepare the final report in English language and share the soft copy with CARE Kenya.
• Prepare valid Invoice alongside the final report.

2. Responsibility of –CARE Kenya.

• Provide any information that may be required by the consultant during implementation of the assignment
• Participate in decision making according to consultant tasks above and be available for consultation as needed
• Review draft report and provide feedback.
• Introduce the consulting team to the County authorities in Bungoma and Kakamega.
• Facilitate payment as specified in the contract document.

5. EVALUATION TEAM. QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS NEEDED.

CARE Kenya is looking for experienced Consultant(s) who is/can work in collaboration with teams.

The Consulting firm should possess the following.

1. Duly registered with availed certificate of incorporation.
2. KRA tax compliant, with most recent copy of tax compliance certificate.
3. Evidence of undertaking similar assignment, within the last one year.
4. Recommendation letter from a recent engagement.
5. Excellent communication, reporting and presentation skills in English.
6. Knowledge of CIK work, or other international NGO’s (desirable).
7. SCHEDULE, BUDGET AND LOGISTICS.
8. Proposed timeline.

The engagement is expected to commence from 11th/01/2022 and conclude by 18th/02/ 2022, as scheduled in the table below.

DELIVERABLES

TIME FRAME

DATES

Inception meeting with project team and Program quality, leaning and Accountability (PQLA) Manager

1 Hour

July 14th ,2022

Desktop reviews.

3 days

July 15th to 18th, 2022.

Field data collection including training of data assistants.

4 days

July 19th to 22nd, 2022

Presentation of the Zero draft report

1Hour

July 25th, 2022.

Review of draft report by CARE Kenya team

2days

July 26th to 27th, 2022.

Incorporating inputs and Presentation of the 1st draft report to CARE Kenya team

1day

July 28th, 2022.

Presentation of the final report.

1 Hour

July 29th, 2022

1. Budget.

All costs inclusive of taxes should be included in the quoted budget outline by the consultant. Including the accommodation, transport, and communication expenses.

2. COORDINATION, RESPONSIBILITIES AND MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL.

The Program Quality, Learning and Accountability Manager will be the technical lead in the exercise. The consultant will report to Project Manager-Beiersdorf, who will also be the contact to the consultant(s) and ensure access to requisite documents and other support needed to facilitate work of the consultant.

The CIK will provide support during county visits, including letters of introduction to the County authorities in the project area.

3. APPLICATION PROCESS.

Prospective consulting firm is expected to submit technical and financial proposals in English, including the following:

• Copy of certificate of incorporation.
• Copy of most recent KRA-tax compliance certificate.
• Profile of consultant/consulting firm, a clear demonstration of previous experience in undertaking similar assignment.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the TORs. Proposed activities of schedule/ work plan with timelines
• Financial proposals including consultant fees and field costs
• Short cover letter stating interest and availability
• Professional CV / Resume of the lead consultant(s) who will undertake the evaluation
• Three Professional References
• Recommendation letter from a recent similar engagement.

Please email your application to [email protected] by 13TH July 2022, COB. Please use “SBOSH VSLA-CHOMOKA APP CONSULTANCY” as the subject title of your email. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to apply

APPLICATION PROCESS.

Prospective consulting firm is expected to submit technical and financial proposals in English, including the following:

• Copy of certificate of incorporation.
• Copy of most recent KRA-tax compliance certificate.
• Profile of consultant/consulting firm, a clear demonstration of previous experience in undertaking similar assignment.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the TORs. Proposed activities of schedule/ work plan with timelines
• Financial proposals including consultant fees and field costs
• Short cover letter stating interest and availability
• Professional CV / Resume of the lead consultant(s) who will undertake the evaluation
• Three Professional References
• Recommendation letter from a recent similar engagement.

Please email your application to [email protected] by 13TH July 2022, COB. Please use “SBOSH VSLA-CHOMOKA APP CONSULTANCY” as the subject title of your email. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.