TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR

BASELINE SURVEY ON FOOD AND INCOME SECURITY, ACCESS TO WASH FACILITIES AND NUTRITION IN ELWAK TOWN, BARWAQO AND DEKA VILLAGES IN ELWAK DISTRICT, GEDO REGION.

Employer: Action Africa Help International-Somalia

Deadline for applications: 19/02/2020

Type of Contract: Short Term consultancy

Duration of Consultancy: 14 days

Expected Start and End Date: 25/02/2020-9/03/2020

Deadline to submit final report: 9/03/2020

Location: Elwak District, Gedo region -Somalia

1.0: Introduction

Action Africa Help International (AAH-I) is an international non-governmental organization that works with communities in Africa, particularly women, children and youth, to sustainably improve their quality of life. With Country Programmes in Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Ethiopia, AAH-I has over 30 years’ experience working with communities in humanitarian and development in conflict and post conflict situations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities.

In line with our resolve to link communities to the global development agenda, our primary focus is on the following thematic areas: Food and income security, Health and nutrition, Education and life skills, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Strengthen organizational effectiveness and sustainability.

In all our programming we aim to mainstream the following cross-cutting issues: Gender equality and equity; Conflict sensitivity; Information and communication technology for development (ICT4D); Good governance, policy and practice influence.

AAH-I moved into Puntland (Somalia) in 1997 and worked with the Ministry of Health in the initial years laying the groundwork for an effective health system in Bari region despite on-going conflict and insecurity. Between 2002 and 2006, AAH Somalia implemented the European Commission-funded Integrated Basic Health Services project, which included providing integrated Primary Health Care services in 6 districts, rehabilitating and strengthening of Bosasso Hospital, 18 health posts, and 4 Maternal Child Health facilities.

AAH-I resumed its operation in Somalia in 2013 in Mogadishu. The organization is currently implementing 1 Project (Improved livelihood for vulnerable households) in Elwak District, Somalia. Initially AAH-I has also been implementing Education and logistic projects in Mogadishu as well as Livelihood/self-reliance and promoting social cohesion Projects in Hargeisa.

2.0: Consultancy background

The predominantly pastoralist population in Elwak(Ceel Waaq) district and its environs has been affected by recurrent insecurity and droughts that led to chronic poverty and food insecurity over the years. Many households were unable to rely on traditional ways of coping due to the magnitude of the crises. The poor rains have resulted in water shortages, poor livestock performance, and low access to food, income and reduced access to livestock products (Milk and Meat).Many Livestock were reported to have migrated to other parts of the district and lower Juba region in search of pasture and water. The local livestock and commodity retail markets are dormant mainly due to suppressed consumer demand necessitated by limited income opportunities.

The worsening dry conditions have resulted in deteriorating pasture and water availability for crop and livestock production, compounding an already fragile humanitarian situation. Critical water shortages and a rapid decline in the remaining water reservoirs continue to impact on the livelihood of the communities in Elwak District. The main water sources are permanent shallow wells, seasonal rain fed water catchments, boreholes and rain harvest water mainly among the better off and middle households who can afford a storage facility.

3.0: Purpose and objective of the consultancy

Elwak (Ceel Waaq) is a district in Gedo Region, South Central Somalia and has an estimated population of 74,800. Elwak district borders Beled Hawa and Garbaharey Districts to the North, Baardheere District to the South and East, and Kenya to the West. The district has two livelihood zones which include pastoral and agro- pastoral; with the major livelihood zone being pastoral.

The main clans in Elwak District are Marihaan and Gareh. Within both clans, the group of traditional Leaders or Council of Elders, headed by the Ugas or ‘king’ is the top decision making organ within the community. They are the most respected male members of the community. They are entrusted with inter-clan negotiations in times of disaster, such as extreme drought, they work with counterparts (for example in Kenya) to resolve conflicts and negotiate use of resources such as pasture and water, therefore, they are a key stakeholder to engage and work with.

The overall objective of the baseline is to document the initial status of the targeted groups /individuals as per set indicators and outcomes. The projects goal is to improve quality of life of 150 vulnerable households in Elwak. The project has set out 4 indicators:

1. Percentage of households with all year round access to potable water within a radius of 500 metres for 900 people (150 households) in Barwaqo and Deka villages
2. Household dietary diversity Score (HDDS) for women among the 150 vulnerable households in Elwak.
3. Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 years of age (this will be determined at baseline
4. At least 60% of the 80 trained women opened up businesses that survived one year

In order to measure the above indicators within the project period, the baseline should provide information on and not limited to the following outputs:

a. Improved livelihoods for 150 vulnerable households in Elwak through strengthening the food security capacity of 60 vulnerable households to use basic irrigation techniques to establish vegetable gardens

b. 400 community members in Barwaqo and Deka villages participate in community nutrition promotion and behavior change forums and promote infant feeding practices (use of PD hearth model)

c. 12 functional Women groups of Emerging Women Entrepreneurs in Elwak supported to own and manage small, medium and large businesses for economic self-reliance –

d. 40 youth (organized in 5 groups) supported to gain skills and establish livelihoods pathways for gainful employment

4.0: Scope and expected outputs/ deliverables

The scope for this assignment should include a methodology that encourage participation and incorporate feedback from project participants. The methods can include and not limited to the following

i. Desk review/ Literature review of key documents including the project proposal, log frame, monitoring framework and other documents judged relevant

ii. Design the detailed methodology and data tools / templates that will collect data on the above outputs and indicators and execution of the baseline survey. The survey will target women, men, children and youth in Elwak town,Barwaqo and Deka villages in Elwak district.

iii. Field visit to conduct the conduct the baseline and data analysis

iv. Presentation of the draft report to stakeholders

v. Submission of final report

The consultant will be required to come-up with standard tools/ templates for each component that will be used in this project for the baseline, monitoring and end line.

The deliverable of the consultancy will include:

Proposed activity- https://www.actionafricahelp.org/procurement/

Final report Including a clean data set of the data collected in excel format

The consultant will provide an inception report outlining the most appropriate methodology required for the above mentioned deliverables to be discussed with AAH-Somalia before the start of the assignment. The consultant will work closely with the AAH-Somalia Project Office, Elwak.

5.0: Required Qualifications, competencies and Skills

The applicant should possess the following;

1. Proven background and experience in conducting baseline surveys and reviews of livelihood projects
2. A degree in social science, public health, epidemiology, nutrition. Master’s degree in any social science related field would be an added advantage
3. Extensive experience in measuring social behaviors, knowledge, attitudes in a pastoral context
4. The consultant must have demonstrated consultancy track record and be recognized as seasoned professional in conducting surveys with a high degree of proficiency.
5. Previous consultancy experience working with pastoralists, community of varied vulnerability with non-profit organization, for profit organizations and private public partnerships.
6. Extensive Statistic data analysis, display and interpretation skills
7. Excellent report writing skills and communication skills
8. Ability to present ideas and concepts to various audiences
9. Must be able to commit their time fully throughout the consultancy period
10. Must be able to travel in all the project areas with varied terrain and work on tight schedules.
11. Fluent in English, understanding of local language will be an added advantage.

6.0: Bid requirements

Firms /Consultant(s) that meet the requirements should submit an expression of interest (maximum of 5 pages) which should include the following:

1. A suitability statement, including commitment to be available for the entire assignment.
2. A brief statement on the understanding of the terms of reference, proposed assessment methodology and approach and a detailed work plan.
3. A detailed financial proposal, including daily cost.
4. Updated resume of key consultants that clearly spells out qualifications and experience.
5. Reports of 3 organizations that have recently (but preferably in the last 2 years) contracted the firm/consultant(s) to carry out relevant research/survey or related work.
6. If it’s a firm, must be registered within the laws of the practicing country.
7. https://www.actionafricahelp.org/procurement/