Consultancy for Baseline Study of Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder Farmers (INCLUDE) Project

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them improve their livelihood, increase incomes and access essential services. SNV focuses on only three sectors and has a long-term, local presence in over 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our team of more than 1,300 staff is the backbone of SNV. SNV implements development approaches tailored to local needs as we believe that countries and communities themselves should be the owners of change. With appropriate knowledge and resources, they can implement and maintain sustainable solutions to restore and or improve livelihoods. SNV operates worldwide as one legal entity and is registered as a corporate organisation (the 16th of July 1965 – The Hague). In Uganda, SNV has been implementing development programs since 1989, and its portfolio continues to grow with an expanded mandate from vast development clients. It, directly and indirectly, operates in over 100 districts of Uganda. To know more about SNV work in Uganda visit our website: https://www.snv.org/country/uganda.

The Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder Farmers (INCLUDE)

INCLUDE project is a five-year project (April 2024-March 2029) born out of the learnings generated from “The Integrated Smallholder Dairy Programme (ISDAP)”. Therefore, INCLUDE is a follow-on from ISDAP that was implemented by SNV in Southwestern Uganda between December 2021 and April 2024. However, there is a major change from ISDAP (From project formulated and led intervention), which had external motivation based on assessments made, to INCLUDE project that will be implemented through Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach, i.e. interventions solely based on household-formulated development vision where farmers and communities are empowered to be their own change agents to have sustainable development to improve livelihood (Intrinsic motivation). There is a major shift from Integrated dairy cow development approach under ISDAP to Farming systems approach, under INCLUDE, which is a mixture of farm enterprises such as crops, livestock, apiculture, agro-forestry and fruit crops. In this system, family allocates its own resources and efficiently manages them in the existing environment for the attainment of the family/household goal.

INCLUDE project is a €16.9 million implemented by SNV and funded by The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKN). The project shall be implemented in the following districts listed below:

Project geographical areas

The project covers four districts in Greater Ankole, six in Kigezi, 6 in Rwenzori and 5 in Busoga sub regions. The table below shows the geographical coverage of the project.

List of districts per sub-region

1. Greater Ankole – Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rubirizsi, Buhweju
2. Kigezi – Rukungiri, Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kabale, Kanungu
3. Rwenzori – Fort portal City, Bunyangabu, Kyenjojo, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa
4. Busoga – Jinja Rural, Luuka, Kaliro, Kamuli, Buyende

INCLUDE project vision

INCLUDE project envision equitable, sustainable, and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

INCLUDE project goal

The goal of INCLUDE project is increased SHF living income & resilient livestock-based livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kigezi, Greater Ankole, Rwenzori, and Busoga sub-regions of Uganda

The following long-term Outcomes will contribute to the overall program goal:

1. Increased SHF productivity: 90,000 smallholder farmers with increased productivity
2. Improved, more inclusive access for SHF to markets: 90,000 smallholder farmers with improved access to markets
3. Increased SHF sustainable land use: 37,500 acres of agricultural land under improved management
4. Contribution to improved access to nutritious food: 300,000 school-going children consuming milk or milk-based foods

Project design.

INCLUDE project is premised on three pathways i.e. 1. Sustainable production, 2. Inclusive livestock markets and 3. School Milk Programme and Milk Market. These formed the basis of the project theory of change (ToC), the logical framework (LF) and results framework (RF). Detailed ToC, LF and RF are in place subject to improvement based on the findings of the baseline study.

Pathway 1. Sustainable Production: This pathway promotes sustainable production through an integrated crop-livestock farming system. SHF will regularly review their action plans and make adoptions to their innovations. This will also feed back into INCLUDE learnings and interventions. SHF will increase their knowledge and awareness on integrated farming methods and increasingly recognise the livestock sector’s benefits and opportunities and use this increased recognition to enhance their participation in policy formulation and review processes of sustainable practices. This will lead to increased SHF adoption of integrated practices, including livestock integration into farming systems and accessing the SMP market. Adopting these practices will lead to improved soil fertility and SHF’s climate sustainable land management, an improved and diversified SHF enterprise mix and improved production and quality of SHF livestock products.

Pathway 2. Inclusive Livestock Markets: INCLUDE will be SHF-led and market-oriented by strengthening linkages between SHF and market actors for input and output markets and (financial) services. It will strengthen the capacity and voice of SHF, farmer groups, cooperatives, and value chain actors, including village-based marketing groups, contributing to the demand side. Supply-side interventions to develop products and services that will serve SHF’s interests and needs will increase interest from input suppliers, buyers and support service providers to do business with SHF. INCLUDE will work with financial service providers such as SACCOs and VSLA to improve their services to SHF. These outputs will lead to improved confidence and skills of SHF, and market linkages between SHF, input suppliers, buyers and service providers, and SHF increased access to finance through tailored products developed by Service Providers (SPs). This growth in business will also provide (off-farm) employment opportunities, which will lead to more inclusive and accessible markets for SHFs and SPs.

Pathway 3. School Milk Programme and Milk Market: INCLUDE will increase awareness and participation of the local community (parents, teachers, leaders) in the school milk programme. This will increase SHF and SHF group milk sales to schools, rural milk off-takers, and collection centres. Through the school milk programme, SHF will be able to sell more milk to schools and have a more secure income from milk. The SMP also contributes to increasing the consumption of milk and milk-based food by school-going children, improving access to nutritious food.

As presented in the Theory of Change, the intermediary outcomes of these three pathways will lead to long-term outcomes of improved SHF sustainable land use, increased SHF productivity and profitability, improved and more inclusive access for smallholder farmers and service providers to markets and contribute to improved access to nutritious food. These long-term outcomes will increase living income and resilient and inclusive livestock-based livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kigezi, Greater Ankole, Rwenzori and Busoga. 

Key Project Performance Indicators (DRAFT UNDER REVISION/VALIDATION)

Vision: Equitable, sustainable, and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

Impact: Increased inclusive, resilient livestock-based livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kigezi, Greater Ankole, Rwenzori, and Busonga (ABCD)

IM.1: Number of SHF households with increasingly resilient livelihoods (agency, buffer, connectivity, diversity) – 75,000

IM.2: Number of SHF who report attaining a living income (B&D- 75,000

IM.3: Number of SHF household that have climate mitigation & adaptability measures in place – 60,000

Pathway 1: Sustainable production

Long-term Outcome 1: Improved soil health, SHF climate sustainable land use and management (D)

1.1 Acres of agricultural land under improved management – 37,500

Long-term Outcome 2: Increased SHF productivity and profitability (B)

1.2 Proportion (or #) of SHF that with increased land productivity – 70%

1.3 Proportion (or #) of SHF that with increased livestock productivity-70%

Intermediate Outcome: SHF improve their soil fertility

1.1.1 Number of SHF households that report improved soil fertility due to applying soil fertility specific ISL practices – 90,000

Intermediate Outcome: SHF adopt more and new climate adapted technologies and integrated practices (D)

1.1.2 Number of SHF that adopted new and improved technologies and practices – 75000

Intermediate Outcome: Increased participation of SHF in policy formulation and review processes

1.1.3 Perceptions of SHFs regarding their involvement in policy formulation and review processes – N/A

1.1.4 Number of policies with proposed adjustments to practices – N/A

1.1.5 Proportion of SHFs households that report increased participation in policy formulation and review processes – 50,000

Intermediate Outcome: Improved production & quality of SHF livestock products

1.1.6 Number of SHF households with improved quality of livestock products – TBD

1.1.7 Number of SHF households with improved production of livestock products – TBD

Intermediate Outcome: Increased SHFs earnings/income from sale of milk (C)

1.1.8 Number of SHF households who report an increase in their income generated from milk sales (Disaggregated by point of sale) – TBD

Pathway 2: Inclusive livestock markets

Long-term Outcome 3: Improved, more inclusive SHFs access to markets (C)

2.1 Number of SHF households with improved access to markets – 90,000

Long-term Outcome 4: SP access the integrated SHF market (B&C)

2.2 TBD – TBD

Intermediate Outcome: SHF women and youth have confidence and skills to access the integrated market (A)

2.1.1 Number of people that gained decent off-farm (self) employment – 1,000

Intermediate Outcome: Improved market linkages between SHF, input suppliers, buyers & support service providers (C)

2.1.2 Number of market actors (existing and new) with business transactions with SHF-40

Intermediate Outcome: Increased SHF access to finance (B&D)

2.1.3 Volume of loans issued to SHFs – 7.5 bn

2.1.4 Number of SHFs receiving a loan (C) – 8,000

Intermediate Outcome: SP increasingly develop tailored services for the integrated SHF market (C)

2.1.5 Number of tailored services developed by SPs for SHF market – TBD

Pathway 3: Improved access to nutritious foods, School milk programme & milk markets

Long-term Outcome: SHF contribute to increased access to nutritious school meals (C&D)

3.1 Number of children at school accessing a nutritious diet – TBD

Intermediate Outcome: Schools and other off takers increasingly buy milk from integrated SHF (C)

3.1.1 Number of SHF households accessing school milk market (C & D) – 6,000

Intermediate Outcome: Number of children at school consuming milk or milk-based foods

3.1.2 Number of children at school consuming milk or milk-based foods – 300,000

Purpose of the baseline study

The main purpose of this baseline study is to establish a comprehensive information base on the current project status in relation to the baseline values of the project indicators at impact, outcome and output levels which will facilitate measuring progress and change over time, during implementation and at the end of the project through future evaluations. Additionally, the aim of the baseline is to facilitate the project in shaping well its design kick-off activities, determine whether the underlying assumptions are accurate in relation to leading to the desired behavioural change.

The baseline study will therefore establish monitoring and evaluation indicator status which will act as a benchmark for measuring project change over the implementation period. Further, the baseline key findings will inform design of a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and learning system of the project.

Specific objectives of the baseline study

The specific objectives of the baseline study are the following but not exclusively limited to the following:

1. To establish appropriate data as benchmark values for baseline indicators for key outputs, outcomes and impact of the project including along the three pathways.
2. Assess the feasibility and relevance of the project’s design in achieving its intended short-term, intermediate, long-term outcomes and impact.
3. To understand livestock production farming systems used by the different smallholder farmers that will enable the project to determine how to align itself along the current farming systems.
4. To comprehensively assess the socio-economic and environmental factors influencing SHF livelihoods and climate resilience, with particular attention to gender dynamics, vulnerable groups and resource sustainability, in order to inform inclusive and contextually appropriate intervention strategies.
5. To assess the current state of sustainable land management practices among SHFs, including soil conservation methods, water management techniques and to identify strategies and opportunities for promoting sustainable land use and enhancing resilience to climate change impacts.
6. To identify constraints to improving livestock and land productivity to implement targeted interventions to enhance livestock resilience and sustainable production.
7. To assess both the justification and viability of PIP and Integrated Farming System Approaches delivery model enablers for the effective implementation with the smallholder farmers and the readiness of SHF communities to receive and embrace it.
8. To assess measurability and/or relevance of the proposed project indicators.

Scope of the Study

The study focuses on gathering information on various result levels of the project.

• Geographical Scope: Regarding the geographical scope, the baseline study will cover districts in the four sub-regions as mentioned in section 2.1 above.
• Content scope: Pertaining content scope, the baseline study will establish baseline information on the key project indicators as per the three pathways mentioned in section 2.3, including cross-cutting themes on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.
• Time scope: Regarding time scope, this baseline study will have to be completed within 45 working days from date of contract signing.

Approaches and Methodologies

The methodology should include examining the project’s Theory of Change and Results Framework, with particular attention to the identification of assumptions, risks and mitigation strategies, and the logical connection between levels of results and their alignment with outcomes and impact.

For the baseline study, a mixed methods approach is strongly recommended to include both quantitative and qualitative methods. However, the choice of the exact tools and techniques is left to the consultant to propose and agree upon with the project baseline study management team. Based on the nature of the project, integrating Randomized Control Trial or a Quasi-Experimental design is ideal to establish a solid foundation for assessing the impact of project interventions by comparing outcomes between SHF groups that will receive the intervention (treatment group) and those that will not (control group).

The methodologies chosen for the Baseline study should be robust enough and replicable across baseline, mid-term and end term evaluations to generate strong evidence on project impacts.

Job Description

Introduction

These terms of reference (ToR) have been developed for interested bidders (either consulting firms or individual consultants) out of the need to conduct a baseline study (BL) for a new project referred to as “Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder Farmers (INCLUDE)” to be implemented by SNV in the four (4) sub-regions of Greater Ankole, Kigezi, Rwenzori, and Busoga. The approach and objectives of the baseline are stated in the terms of reference below.

Key Responsibilities

The selected consultant will be primarily responsible to:

• Develop a BL study inception report including detailed methodology, proposed tools.
• Develop and implement a detailed BL study workplan
• Work closely with the SNV INCLUDE team during the design of the methodology/ tools; agree on the tools that will be used.
• Protocols and ethical review clearance. Seek clearance of the field activities and researchers from relevant authorities where applicable.
• Constitute, deploy and supervise a competent BL study team.
• Conduct a BL study results validation workshop.
• Sign the SNV Safeguarding Policy and abide by the terms and conditions thereof.

Responsibilities of SNV

• Develop the BL terms of reference.
• Provide administrative support to the BL study team e.g. introducing the BL team to key stakeholders.
• Review and approve the BL study design, methodology and data collection tools.
• Review reports and provide feedback to the consultant and approval of final report. The reports include the Inception report and BL study report.
• Arrange or mobilise key stakeholders as per agreed assessment methodology and work plan.
• Ensure compliance to contractual obligations between the BL study partners/stakeholders.
• Provide necessary documents to support BL study.

Expected deliverables:

• Detailed Inception report. The inception report should include among others, profiles of key BL study team members, their roles on the team, a detailed workplan, proposed methodology and data collection tools.
• Baseline Study Reports: This includes drafts and final reports. The main body of all reports should be written in simple, non-technical language, with any technical material presented in annexes. Final report expected within 40 days from signing of the contract.
• Collected baseline Data: All primary data collected, and analysis conducted for the study shall remain the property of SNV-INCLUDE and must be submitted electronically, and in a clear and comprehensible format in Excel, and any other statistical software.
• BL Results validation workshop PowerPoint.

Qualifications

Competency of the consultant:

The consultant should possess extensive work experiences (minimum ten years) at senior level and in-depth knowledge on socio-economic, Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) & Farming System Approaches and in conducting baseline evaluations, participatory research, impact assessments and impact evaluations.

Consultant team qualifications, Competencies and Other Key Considerations

• The lead consultant must have a minimum of master’s degree in relevant disciplines to this baseline evaluation.
• General professional experience: At least 10 years of professional experience in relevant discipline.
• Specific professional experience: Proven experience in baseline evaluation, impact assessments, action research and impact evaluation in many of the following areas: integrated livestock farming, enterprise development, agriculture, economic/women empowerment, market systems development, school milk/nutrition or livelihoods projects will be considered as an asset.
• At least 5 years Proven experience in gender responsive/transformative programming/evaluation, gender responsive methodologies and tools, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), etc. will be considered as an asset.
• Experience with M&E within a results-based management framework.
• Proven experience in Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP), Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) or closely related approaches with smallholder farmers will be considered as an asset.
• Proven experience in development of evaluation reports with various donors such as EKN, and development partners.
• Gender and social inclusion (GESI) lens to assess how INCLUDE will address the specific needs and impacts on different genders and vulnerable/marginalised/disable groups (social inclusion/inclusivity and cohesion aspect of the project).
• Technical understanding and experience with mixed methods studies/evaluations including meta inferences, experimental/quasi-experimental studies. Experience with triangulation for corroboration. The consultant will produce a data analysis syntax/plan at inception. Use of appropriate software for quantitative and or qualitative data analysis required.
• Effective communication and documentation skills.

Additional Information

Communication, Coordination and Payment

1. Reporting, Communication and Form of work. The consultant will report directly to SNV-INCLUDE Project Manager and will work in close collaboration with SNV-INCLUDE MEL Advisor and PME Technical Advisor at the global office. There may be consultation and engagement with Wageningen University & Research – Center for Development Innovation (CDI), and other local partners.
2. Payment will be in two instalments, i.e., 60% upon signing of the contract, 40% upon approval of the final BL study report. All payments shall be based on an approved report and invoice.
3. Tentative Timeline. Submission of inception report by 27th September 2024, draft baseline report by 08th November 2024 and final/approved baseline evaluation report by 15th November 2024.

Template for Baseline Study Report

The consultant is required to submit a final Baseline report following this format:

1. Executive Summary report (5 pages maximum).
2. Introduction and Background to the baseline study.
3. Purpose of the baseline study and specific objectives.
4. Methodology. The final report must describe the full approach taken, the rationale for the chosen methods, and lay out any limitations that came therewith.
5. Overarching key findings. This should be in line with the specific objectives of the baseline study and final baseline study questions (scope).
6. Detailed findings (comprehensive descriptions, explanations and illustrations where relevant).
7. Limitations.
8. Key lessons learnt, best practices. Lessons should succinctly specify the context from which they are derived, establish their relevance beyond that context (where it will be applied and by whom) and suggest some prescription or action. Although lessons are derived from a specific situation, they are intended to have wider relevance.
9. Conclusions. This section should be written considering the findings. Conclusions should be comprehensive and balanced statements that are well substantiated by evidence and logically connected to the assessment findings.
10. Key recommendations. This should be precise and actionable.
11. Findings based on results framework’s indicators in tabulation form.
12. Annexes: List of documents consulted or reviewed; List of persons interviewed; Other data sources.
13. Utilized tools and scripts of all interviews.

Evaluation and award of contract

SNV will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on eligibility, technical and financial feasibility criteria guided by this TOR. The proposals total score will be calculated as the weighted sum of the technical score and financial score. The relative weights will be: Technical: 80%, Financial: 20%. SNV reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest, the highest or any bidder. The assignment is subject to SNV policies and Safeguarding Policy.

Submission of Technical and Financial proposal

The consultant must submit technical and financial proposals showing their understanding of the baseline study for INCLUDE project in the Greater Ankole, Kigezi, Rwenzori, and Busoga sub-regions, Uganda.

• A one-page capability statement detailing previous experience, similar assignments and how it is relevant to this proposed assignment, a brief explanation as to why the consultant is well-placed to carry out the assignment.
• A technical and financial proposal based on this TOR is required from the consultant. At minimum, the technical proposal should contain:
• Consultant’s technical understanding of the TOR, introduction, methodologies including survey/research design, sampling approach, field procedures for data collection and analysis plan, and workplan of key activities
• The financial proposal should contain detailed budget. The detailed budget should cover all costs (operational and professional fees) associated with the tasks. This should be submitted by major activities and line items. The fee will be all-inclusive, including all applicable taxes, allowances, transport and accommodation in the study regions.
• Updated CVs of Team Leader and core BL study team members showing relevant experience and their technical contribution in the key results areas required by the TOR.
• An updated profile of the consultant if a consultancy firm, including at least one (1) baseline study or evaluation report(s) of similar assignments attached.
• Contact details (e-mail address and phone number) for at least two (2) references, one of whom must be of similar work assignment.

How to Apply

All interested bidders (either consulting firms/or a team of individual consultants) are required to express interest following the TOR by email to be submitted in soft copy (Zipped folder) to: ugandatenders@snv.org before 5 pm Wednesday 11th September 2024.

Disclaimer.

SNV reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications submitted. SNV can stop this procurement at any time without the need to explain or extend the deadline for submission once it sees fit. In case you do not hear from SNV within three weeks of the closure of the application process, consider yourself unsuccessful. SNV also reserves the right to reject and cancel this call-in in case any illegal, corrupt, coercive, or collusive practices are noticed. Late applications will be rejected. Please note that viewing, downloading or otherwise using the TOR constitutes acceptance on your part of all the above-noted statements and conditions.

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