Terms of Reference for Conducting baseline study

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

BRAC is the world’s largest, and leading development organization dedicated to poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor. Initiated in Bangladesh in 1972, BRAC now operates in 11 countries across Asia, Africa. To counter poverty and promote social empowerment, BRAC strategically integrates development programs in microfinance, agriculture, health, education, human rights and legal aid, community empowerment, and more. Stichting BRAC International is registered with RGB for NGO operations within Rwanda and started operations in Rwanda in 2022.

1. RATIONALE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

According to the 5th Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC) conducted in August 2022, 3.6 million Rwandans are adolescents and young people aged between 16 to 30 (27.1% of the population). Ushering this cohort of adolescents and young people into healthy and productive adulthood is critical for the country’s ability to achieve its development goals as per Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and Agenda 2030 as well as harnessing the demographic dividend (DD). Despite Rwanda’s progress in improving the health and well-being of its population, there is still a need for acceleration given some of the persistent challenges such as the rising rate of pregnancies amongst adolescents (~ 9% -HMIS 2021/22) with high prevalence in poor households posing significant health concerns. To address these challenges, there is a pressing need for accelerated and sustainable comprehensive approaches that tackle the root causes of youth health related issues. These approaches should focus on improving the knowledge and understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH&R), enhancing skills and decision-making power regarding bodily autonomy, promoting the use of SRHR services, and improving the livelihoods of adolescents.

The SIF-Funded Youth Empowerment Accelerator for Health (YEAH) integrates Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights within economic empowerment initiatives to prevent early and unintended pregnancies, by increasing access to sexual and reproductive health with emphasis on contraceptive services and reducing exposure to gender-based violence. By focusing on the holistic development of young people, the intervention aims to unlock their full potential and enhance their quality of life.

The YEAH model encompasses various strategies, including leveraging innovation and technology, engaging the private sector and investors, facilitating microfinancing opportunities, and fostering partnerships for scale-up. By bringing together these elements, the intervention seeks to create a comprehensive and effective framework for addressing adolescent pregnancies in Rwanda.

2. PURPOSE OF THE BASELINE SURVEY

The baseline study is intended to provide social, economic and environmental data at the beginning of the project. The survey will measure key indicators and will provide information base that will serve as benchmark against which change and progress will be assessed.

3. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

The baseline survey is to be carried out in Rwanda, Rusizi and Nyanza Districts in Bugarama and Busasamana Sector by an independent consultant using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The consultant is required to elaborate a detailed baseline design and methodology as part of their Work plan. The baseline design document should include a series of data collection instruments.

4. DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY

The project intends to implement a participatory monitoring system based on an M&E Framework which is been developed during the inception period of the project. The baseline methodology is expected to review the M&E framework, as far as possible, and provide data for the project indicator targets which will allow comparability in the future. The consultant is expected to employ a variety of data collection and analysis techniques for both quantitative and qualitative data to ensure a comprehensive baseline exercise. And this will likely include, at a minimum:

Surveys: Application of structured survey questionnaires with a representative, random sample of target population to quantitatively assess outcomes.

Focus Group Discussions: With target groups and other stakeholders to assess implementation experiences and effectiveness, document challenges lessons learned, and develop recommendations for improvement (for both Quantitative and qualitative)

 Key Informant Interviews: Consultations with local leaders, Financial institutions, Health institutions/Organization and other key project stakeholders. Guidance on appropriate stakeholders to engage during the exercise will be provided by Brac Rwanda.

5. SAMPLING

The project targets to work with youths in partnership with the local Government authorities and other development partners; reaching to 2000 direct participants in Bugarama sector, Rusizi District and Busasamana Sector, Nyanza District. The consultant is expected to propose a representative sample size for the different participant categories, which will be agreed upon in the inception phase.

6. DATA ANALYSIS

Prior to the start of data collection, the evaluation team shall develop and present, for Brac International Rwanda review and approval, a data analysis plan that details how: (1) qualitative data such as key informant, stakeholder, and beneficiary interviews and/or focus group discussions will be transcribed and analyzed; (2) quantitative data will be analyzed and presented. Whenever possible, data will be disaggregated and analyzed by age.

7. DELIVERABLES

All written documents are to be submitted in English using Microsoft. The main body of all reports should be written in simple, with any technical material to be presented in annexes. All primary data collected and analysis conducted for the purpose of the baseline will remain the property of Brac International Rwanda and must be submitted electronically and in a clear and comprehensible format in Microsoft Excel and Word. The baseline should begin no later than the 28th November 2023, and completed not later than 21st December 2023. The consultant will provide the following deliverables to Brac International Rwanda within the timeframe stated

1. Inception Report: by 1^st December, 2023 which is 4 working days after signing the contract, a detailed report on the consultant’s proposed final baseline design and methodology will be submitted to Brac International Rwanda for approval. This will provide preliminary understandings based on document review, rationale and a detailed description of the methodology and tools, analytical methods, budget with a breakdown of costs and detailed work plan for the entire exercise. Any draft questionnaires or interview forms will also be submitted for review at this stage.

2. Interview Notes and List of Resource Documents: The Consultant shall provide Brac International Rwanda summaries of all key meetings, and discussions conducted during the course of the baseline and copies of any relevant documents and reports gathered during the baseline by 20^th December, 2023

3. SURVEY TIME FRAME

8. SUPERVISION & REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant will be supervised by and will directly report to the Country Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager with a c.c. of correspondence to the Communications, Fundraising and Projects Coordinator and the Country Director.

9. PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

The Assignment is to be conducted by an Individual Consultant. Interested consultants should meet the following minimum requirements;

• Master’s degree holder with at least one degree in Development Studies, Social Development and other related field.
• Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in evaluating similar y projects supported by three references. (Completion certificate for the similar assignment).
• Having knowledge of key concepts on and skills on business development, VSLAs and SRHR
• Familiarity with the Project Management cycle to be demonstrated in the Technical proposal.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, data collection and analysis skills
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Familiarity with participatory assessment processes.

BID SUBMISSION AND SELECTION

The application files (bids) will include the following: cover letter, technical and financial proposals. The bid will indicate the working methodology (sampling methodology and techniques for sample size calculation, data collection, and analysis techniques) to be used for conducting this survey, sample of a recent similar study conducted, and curriculum vitae and at least two (2) referees of persons to be involved in this work. It will also include details on the duration of involvement of each person in the Baseline evaluation, and estimates of related costs. All other costs associated with this work will be identified, calculated and used to determine the total amount of consultancy fees.  After the final selection, successful Consulting Candidate will be required to participate in a preliminary meeting with the Brac International Rwanda Technical team before starting the baseline. During this meeting. The selected Consultant will produce an inception report prior to the field work and this report will serve as a basis for making the consultancy contract. Bids must be submitted through online no later than 21st, November, 2023 at 17:00

10. Safeguarding Policy

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. BRAC holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, discrimination, exploitation, abuse and harassment. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of contract.

Interested candidates should apply by sending all the required documents to sbirwanda.procurement@brac.net and Copy hashakineza.vincent@brac.net  The deadline for submission is 21st November, 2023 at 05:00 pm.