Consultancy-Baseline Situation &Capacity Strengthening Strategy

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Background and rationale

The present study, reason for this terms of reference, arises in a situation where Save the Children Niger is implementing a resilience strengthening strategy for vulnerable households in its intervention areas particularly in Tessaoua Department in Maradi region. To properly evaluate this strategy, it was interesting to establish a baseline situation (before the strategy) to measure the effects and impacts of its implementation. This is what the present assessment intends to shed light on via a consultant or a competent research firm.

Objectives of the study

The study will establish a baseline situation of the beneficiary households and check the relevance of households’ resilience capacity strengthening strategy before its implementation.

Specifically, the job is to establish a baseline situation of beneficiaries and assess the relevance of the strategy and the feasibility of activities

Deliverables

At the end of this study, the following results are expected from the consultant:

1. Baseline situation

a) The core indicators for measuring the resilience ability of beneficiary households are defined and analyzed in coordination with various stakeholders and a simulation of possible intervention effects.

b) Thresholds for measuring each indicator are established at Baseline

2. Assessment of the relevance and feasibility of the strategy

c) The relevance of the intervention strategy is analyzed based on the potentials at the community level, the populations’ needs, policies in force, local initiatives etc…

d) A proposal for a strategy appropriate to the local context and easy to implement is proposed,

3. Final methodology and tools for interviewing key informants and beneficiaries

4. Training for surveyors

5. Workshop for validation and dissemination of documents

6. Report

A report of the baseline study containing:

• Summary
• Context of the study
• Study objectives and deliverables
• Clear description of the approach used
• Description of how the survey was conducted
• Main results
• Operational recommendations
• Conclusion
• Acronyms
• All quantitative and qualitative data

Period and duration of the contract:

The contract, purpose of these terms of reference, covers a maximum period of 35 days for the baseline study. The required period for the baseline study is January - February 2015.

Qualifications and experience

A competent international consultant will be commissioned to conduct these studies. He or she must have the following skills:

• Large experience in follow ups of projects and programs evaluation process with higher degree or equivalent;
• Be able to use a combination of methods for data collection and analysis on the living conditions of households generally and Household Economy in particular;
• Proven experience of evaluations or studies in the area of food security and livelihood, reference to Niger;
• Study experiences or analysis of households resilience capacity,
• Experience in analysis of a minimum package of activities to the same beneficiary households in the context of development projects or programs,
• Extensive experience in the analysis of farming activities, market gardening, cash transfer, rainy season production, warranting,
• Knowledge of the rural development issue in Niger in general, animal husbandry in particular and one of the national languages used in the project area would be an asset.

Technical and financial proposition

An open consultation will be held to select the consultant. The selection of the consultant/ study firm and the rereading of provisional report will be made jointly by Save the Children FSL teams of Tessaoua and Niamey country office.

On the basis of these terms of reference, the consultant/ research firm will make a technical and financial proposal to be sent to Save The children international.

The technical proposal will include understanding of the terms of reference and a description of the methodology the consultant intends to use to conduct the steps in the process of studies, with a clear implementation schedule.

Financial proposal will include, in addition to the fees and per diem of the consultant/research firm, all other costs related to the conduct of studies except housing.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

To see a full a job description, please visit our website at www.savethechildren.net/jobs

Please apply in English using your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role.

Application Email: Please apply with a covering letter and up-to-date CV to: asobossi.86269.4810@savethechildrenint.aplitrak.com