Baseline Analysis Consultant

Context

RET is a humanitarian organization founded in 2000 by former UNHCR Commissioner Sadako OGATA. With a remarkable track record, RET has actively been operating in more than 34 countries, implementing a remarkable portfolio of over 400 projects. These initiatives have been primarily dedicated to delivering essential protection and educational programs, with the overarching goal of nurturing resilience and self-reliance among program participants and beneficiaries, equipping them to conquer a wide array of challenges from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean made vulnerable by displacement, violence, armed conflict, and disasters. RET has made a significant positive impact on various communities through its extensive involvement, benefiting over 2 million individuals directly, with 55% being female participants. This includes training 12,500 young leaders who have overseen 430 tertiary education scholarships, fostering positive social change and stability. Our efforts have resulted in the construction, renovation, and equipping of 1,600 educational and community facilities, training 30,000 educators, and enhancing local and national education administrations. Notably, RET’s approach stands out by relying on locally based staff, with minimal foreign experts, ensuring effectiveness and sustainability. This has indirectly reached over 20 million beneficiaries overall. Providing multi-dimensional solutions and building the capacity of, particularly, youth and women has always been our core commitment. Today, RET is taking on a catalytic role in sustainable development to make our commitment a substantial reality and our impacts more durable.

Project Overview

The project aims at improving the livelihoods and food security of vulnerable youth and women in the border region of Nigeria and Niger, through training in climate-adapted agriculture and crafts; and by promoting peaceful relations and economic interdependence between conflicting parties.

Objectives and Activities of the Program

The aim and purpose: The livelihoods and food security of at-risk youth and vulnerable young women are improved, and peaceful relations and positive economic interdependence between conflict parties (different communities, including internally displaced persons and refugees) are strengthened.

Outcome 1: The employability and income opportunities of vulnerable young people and women are improved through the establishment of small businesses and support in entering the labor market.

1.1. 80% of vulnerable young people and women (60% of whom are women and at least 10% of whom are households with people with disabilities) who have completed training and an internship have found employment and are earning an income by December 2027.

1.2. 80% of young people and women at risk (60% of whom are women and at least 10% of whom are households with people with disabilities) who received support measures (training, internships, and start-up grants) generate their own income from their small business by December 2027.

Outcome 2: The target communities, especially vulnerable youth and women, have improved their food security through climate-adapted agricultural practices (including livestock farming) and cooperatives.

2.1. 80% of vulnerable youth and women (60% of whom are women and at least 10% people with disabilities) have better access to diversify food (measured by standard FAO indicators ‘MAHFP’-Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning, and ‘IDDS’ – Individual Dietary Diversity Score) by the end of the project due to increased agricultural production and livestock farming.

2.2. 80% of the young people and women at risk (60% of whom are women and at least 10% people with disabilities) can increase their agricultural yields by at least 30% on average by the end of the project by applying the newly acquired knowledge and skills.

2.3. 80% of the newly established and/or supported agricultural and livestock cooperatives operate independently by December 2027 and generate sufficient profits to ensure the livelihoods of their members.

Outcome 3: The target communities are better able to prevent and respond to conflicts, and vulnerable groups, such as young people at risk of joining violent conflicts, are better integrated into the local community.

3.1. The number of young people (20% girls and women) who state that they feel safe and feel less under pressure to join armed groups or militias has increased by 80% by the end of the project period compared to the baseline study.

3.2. 60% of young people and women state by the end of the project that they are less marginalized by the local communities because they are involved in handicraft businesses, agricultural activities, cooperatives, and peace projects.

3.3. By the end of the project, 30% more conflicts and disputes between communities in the target communities will have been resolved peacefully through conflict mediation committees (compared to the baseline study).

Objectives of the Consultancy

The primary objective of this EOI is to engage a qualified consultant or an organization to conduct a comprehensive baseline study for Improving the livelihoods and food security of vulnerable youth and women in the border region of Nigeria and Niger, through training in climate-adapted agriculture and crafts; and by promoting peaceful relations and economic interdependence between conflicting parties.

The assignment will establish a comprehensive baseline to monitor progress and evaluate performance and impact of the activities in line with the targets of the program. This baseline study is essential for multiple purposes. First and foremost, it will serve as a foundational tool for monitoring the progress and evaluating the performance and impact of the program activities, all aligned with the specific targets set for the program. Furthermore, the baseline study aims to capture a holistic understanding of the target group’s perspectives, dynamics, and risks across economic and social dimensions, providing critical insights for program planning and adaptation. The study will also furnish the necessary data for ongoing assessments, enabling informed decision-making during the program’s course. In addition to indicator data, the baseline study will include the collection of non-indicator information, shedding light on the context-specific conditions of the population and the beneficiaries targeted by the project activities. Furthermore, the methodology employed in the baseline study will be designed for reusability, forming the basis for midterm and final evaluations of the program. The study will specifically collect demographic information, assess sensitivity, vulnerability, and protection risks of the target group in the project four local governments, and evaluate their competencies and skills relevant to livelihood. Finally, the consultancy will deliver comprehensive reporting based on both quantitative and qualitative baseline data. Overall, the baseline study will play a pivotal role in setting benchmarks for the project’s activities and guiding the direction of food security, livelihood, and social cohesion efforts within the project.

Main Responsibilities

The selected consultancy firm will assume several key responsibilities in the course of the baseline analysis assignment:

Methodology and Survey Design: The consultancy will be tasked with designing a robust baseline methodology and survey, meticulously tailored to meet specific requirements. The methodology will consider key aspects, including the composition of the target groups, which includes 60% women, 40% men, 45% youth, 10% Persons with disabilities. The technical offer should encompass a well-defined sampling approach. The survey will focus on collecting essential data related to demographic information, protection risks, and livelihoods in the project provinces.

Gender-Inclusive Approach: Ensuring gender inclusivity is paramount. The survey will include participation from 60% female respondents to provide a comprehensive understanding of the target group’s diverse perspectives and experiences.

Extensive Fieldwork: The consultancy will conduct surveys in the four local governments where the target group is most prevalent. This extensive fieldwork ensures that a broad cross-section of the target group’s population is represented.

Survey Reporting: Following the data collection phase, the consultant will be responsible for preparing a comprehensive, well-structured report detailing the findings of the baseline survey. This report will serve as a critical resource for program assessment and decision-making.

Log frame Review: The consultancy will undertake a detailed evaluation of the project log frame. Based on the findings of the baseline survey, the firm will propose revisions to the proposed indicators where necessary. This step is crucial in aligning program indicators with actual on-the-ground conditions and expected outcomes.

Flexibility and Cooperation: In addition to the specified responsibilities, the consultancy firm will remain flexible and responsive to any other duties or tasks as required by the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Team. These additional responsibilities will be assigned in accordance with the evolving needs of the baseline analysis assignment.

By diligently carrying out these responsibilities, the consultancy firm will play a pivotal role in shaping the success and impact of the Improving the livelihoods and food security of vulnerable youth and women in the border region of Nigeria and Niger, through training in climate-adapted Agri-culture and crafts; and by promoting peaceful relations and economic interdependence between conflicting parties’ program, enabling data-driven decision-making and effective program management.

Deliverables

Inception Report: The consultancy firm will submit an Inception Report prior to commencing the baseline study. This report will undergo review and approval by RET Germany and CCDRN. The Inception Report will provide a detailed outline of the baseline study design, encompassing all aspects of fieldwork, including team composition, roles and responsibilities, activity schedule, participant selection, consent procedures, logistics, data collection, data entry procedures, quality assurance measures, verification protocols, and supervision arrangements. Additionally, the firm will conduct debriefing sessions and PowerPoint presentations for the project’s implementation team.

Presentation/Validation of the Draft Report: The consultancy firm will present and validate the Draft Report with the RET and CCDRN team.

Final Baseline Reports: The consultancy firm will prepare and submit a final baseline report, documenting the findings and insights gathered during the baseline study.

Soft Copy of the Database: The consultant will provide a soft copy of the database containing the primary data analyzed and used in the report. This database will serve as a critical resource for ongoing analysis and future reference.

Submission Timeline: The consultancy firm will submit the draft baseline report in soft copy to the RET Germany M&E Manager in Nigeria and the EMEAA Region Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, Country Representative for Nigeria and Country Programme Manager within 4 weeks of completing the analysis work. The final baseline report will be submitted within 4 weeks after receiving consolidated comments from the RET and CCDRN team. RET will approve the report if it meets the organization’s standards.

Report Format: The baseline report should not exceed 100 pages, excluding annexes. It should be structured to include essential components such as an executive summary, detailed findings, lessons learned, recommendations, and annexes as necessary.

Timeline and Location of the Assignment

The duration of this assignment is expected to take a maximum of eight (8) weeks. The consultancy firm or organization expressing interest should be prepared to complete all aspects of the baseline study, from the inception report to the final baseline report, within this specified timeframe. Timely execution and adherence to the outlined schedule will be a critical factor in the selection process.

The selected consultant or consultancy firm will be based in Nigeria. Travel to the project implementation areas will be necessary after consultation with RET and CCDRN team. The project is implemented in the following areas of Katsina state:

Batagarawa

Jibia

Mai’Adua

Funtua

Key Qualifications

Prospective consultants/firms should meet the following key qualifications:

1. The consultancy firm should have a robust background in research, including the design and execution of baseline surveys and assessments. This experience should ideally encompass protection risks, livelihood, and/or social cohesion.

2. A deep understanding of the geographical context is essential. The firm should have experience in conducting research, particularly baseline surveys, in Nigeria. Experience in the project implementation areas of the Northwest and the wider northern and border or cross-border regions will be an asset.

3. Proven work experience with IDPs, refugees, returnees, vulnerable groups, and projects related to women’s and youth empowerment, needs assessment, and/or baseline analysis is highly valuable.

4. Knowledge and practical experience in using participatory methodologies in monitoring and evaluation contexts, ensuring that data collection engages the target group effectively.

5. Effective communication and data collection skills with the target group.

6. A commitment to gender inclusivity is essential. A minimum of 60 percent of the staff and pollsters should be women, ensuring balanced representation and data collection within the target group.

7. Strong facilitation skills for effective data collection and the ability to write comprehensive reports in the English language is necessary for conveying findings.

Evaluation of Proposals/EOIs

The evaluation process for applicants will follow a cumulative analysis method, considering both technical and financial criteria. The weightage for each criterion is as follows:

Technical Evaluation: 80%

1. The technical evaluation assesses the qualifications, relevant experience, and the technical proposal submitted by the consultancy firm or individual.
2. The technical proposal’s quality, methodology, understanding of the Terms of Reference (ToR), and proposed work plan are crucial components of this evaluation.

Financial Evaluation: 20%

1. The financial evaluation criterion assesses the clarity, transparency, and reasonableness of the financial proposal submitted by the consultancy firm or individual.
2. The financial proposal should align with the budgetary expectations for the assignment.

The contract for the consultancy firm will be awarded to the applicant whose combined score on technical and financial criteria is the highest.