Project Title: Integrated food security and livelihoods for disaster-prone, hard-to-reach and marginalized pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Northern Kenya
Total Project Budget 500,000.00 EURO
Background and Rationale
Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V. (SoH) is a Christian motivated organization for human rights, humanitarian aid and development cooperation. From its base in Constance, Germany, SoH is committed to helping those in distress and exploited people worldwide. This baseline Study is commissioned under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) budget for development projects run by private organizations.
Caritas Marsabit and Sign of Hope are currently carrying out the project “Integrated food security and livelihoods for disaster-prone, hard-to-reach and marginalized pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Northern Kenya “since December 2022.The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is co-funding 75% of the project.
The goal of this project is to contribute towards enhanced resilience of pastoralist and agro-pastoralists and their livelihoods in Marsabit County to climate related shocks. This will be realized through three output areas as follows; 1) Livestock feeds (pasture, fodder supplementary feeds) are accessible and affordable for pastoralists in the target locations. This will be achieved through; rehabilitation of 40 Ha of rangelands in North Horr ward through clearing of invasive Prosopis Juliflora, Initiating micro irrigation scheme for fodder production in North Horr and Production of Multi Urea Blocks in Saku .2) Pastoralist and agro-pastoralists in the target locations have access to alternative livelihood opportunities and to safe water for domestic and productive use. To be realized through supporting briquette production from Prosopis Juliflora trees in North Horr,construction of an earth pan, drilling and equipping of a borehole and supporting climate smart agriculture.3) Strengthen the capacity of local community-based actors and structures to support target communities with climate adaptation efforts through;Establishment and training of 2 Water Management Committees , Capacity strengthening of Ward Climate Committees and Implementing partner staff on climate appropriate and sustainable livelihood practices, Natural Resource Management and Early warning and Early action as well as Capacity building for representatives of the local government, community and civil society organizations (CSO).
The project targets a total of 9,000 households (approximately 54,000 persons – 26,730 females and 27,270 males) direct beneficiaries in North Horr, Laisamis and Saku sub-counties of Marsabit County.
Purpose, Objectives and Use
The baseline study should inform Caritas Marsabit and SoH about the initial situation in the project region and of the target group with reference to the project outcome and outputs – measured by their respective indicators provided in the project proposal (and also presented in the Performance Indicator Matrix). Through this the baseline study shall lay the foundation for further project implementation, the mid-term evaluation and the final evaluation. Additionally, the study shall be used to inform the selection of project beneficiaries, identify potential risks to the project implementation and provide practical recommendations on how the project can adapt itself to reduce the impact of identified risks.
Furthermore, the survey serves to obtain information on specific needs of the target group and to identify possible newly emerging risks and opportunities in the target group and project region. The baseline study report will be used as a measurement to monitor the project progress against the set of indicators over the course of the project implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Head of the International Assistance and Cooperation Department, in close cooperation with the responsible SoH Officer and the local implementing partner.
The duties and responsibilities of the baseline study Consultant will include:
- Develop a work plan outlining the proposed research methodology, geographical coverage and schedule to conduct the study,
- Conduct a desk review of relevant documents,
- Carry out a project site visit to a project location to conduct research, collect data and establish contact with the local implementing partner, project beneficiaries and relevant project stakeholders,
- Review and evaluate available data and existing sources of information, including the project proposal, annual reports, conducted studies and other documents,
- Examine institutional, technical, staffing and financial capacities of the implementing partner as well as its relationship with the target group and other relevant stakeholders.
Expected Deliverables
The Baseline study report including:
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- Analysis of current status of indicators
- Display a Performance Indicator Matrix with the gathered data
- Verifiable derivation of the published results for each indicator (methodology, sources, definition, calculation)
- Recommendations for dealing with potential risks
A template will be provided to serve as a guide and may be used to structure the final report.
Study Quality and Ethical Standards
The study team will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the study is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved. Furthermore, the study should be aligned to the following standards and applicable practices:
- Utility: The study must be useful and used.
- Feasibility: the study must be realistic, diplomatic and managed in a sensible, cost-effective manner.
- Ethics and Legality: the study must be conducted in an ethical and legal manner, with particular regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the Study.
- Impartiality and Independence: the study should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that takes into account the views of all stakeholders.
- Transparency: the study activities should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.
- Accuracy: the study should be technically accurate and credible, providing sufficient information about the data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods so that its worth or merit can be determined.
- Participation: the Stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the study process when feasible and appropriate.
- Collaboration: Collaboration between key operating partners in the study process improves the legitimacy and utility of the study.
The study must be in line with the SoH guiding principles and Code of Conduct and Local partner country law/regulation.
Process/Timeframe
The total duration of the assignment is up to 21 working days within the period from 1st May 2023to 30th May 2023
Planning meeting with SoH (remotely), handover of relevant documents 1 day
Initial document review and inception report preparation 3 days
Sharing inception report with SoH and Caritas Marsabit 1 day
Finalization of inception report 1 day
Data collection site visit to a project location 8 days
Data analysis, draft report with annexes 3 days
Incorporating received feedback and report finalization 4 days
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Minimum of 5 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result- based management framework
- Proven experience of conducting feasibility studies, evaluations and other research projects
- Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of projects
- Experience working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partnered projects
- Fluency in written and spoken English
Desirable:
- Experience in the relevant field/sector
- Professional familiarity with the project country/region
- Practical experience of working for and/or baseline Study, feasibility study or evaluating BMZ- funded projects
- Experience in pastoralist and Agro - pastoralist development related projects
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili languages.
How to apply
Academic Background
An advanced level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development studies, law and/or relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
The Consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organization or government entity regarding this baseline study.
Application Process
Please submit the following documents with the subject “Baseline Study in Marsabit County, DC-KEN23.01” to recruitment@sign-of-hope.org no later than14th April 2023;
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- CV indicating all relevant experiences, - - contacts of at least two professional referees, - - a cover letter, including a brief description of the proposed research methodology (technical proposal max. 1-2 pages) and a comprehensive breakdown of costs (financial proposal), including professional fees and all other relevant costs, including travel expenses, - - A writing sample of the document of similar research value (for example, a feasibility study, baseline study & etc.).
Please note that due to a large number of applications we may limit establishing contact to shortlisted applicants.
Female candidates and those living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.