Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 06 Jun 2016
OVERVIEW
Nonviolent Peaceforce ─ South Sudan(NPSS) with the financial support from USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) will implement a project aimed at increasing the security of vulnerable civilians in Northern Jonglei and Unity States by reducing the frequency and impact of violence and conflict in target communities. In order to achieve this goal, the project will combine extensive community engagement and capacity building activities to promote collective action and promote broad based support for locally led protection efforts. Programming is designed to respond to the protection needs in both locations, focusing on three key areas; GBV prevention and response, Child protection and Protection coordination and advocacy. Activities within each will consist of three interrelated components: 1.) Direct protection, prevention and response, 2.) Positive messaging and awareness raising and 3.) Capacity building & community-based protection. The project objectives include:
Primary Objective: To increase the safety and security of vulnerable civilians in Northern Jonglei and Unity States.
Objective (1) Prevent, reduce and effectively respond to child protection concerns in project locations.
Objective (2) Prevent and reduce the incidence and impact of GBV on target communities.
Objective (3) Develop a safe environment for civilians through direct protection, coordination, capacity building and community-based protection activities.
PURPOSE OF THE BASELINE
The main purpose of the baseline assessment is to identify, articulate, and document the existing protection needs of civilians and inform NPSS programming decisions. The assessment will also help to establish the baseline for the project´s key indicators, and constitute the basis to measure the project performance over time.
Specific Objectives include:
* To provide an in-depth indicative information on the status of community safety and security of vulnerable civilians in the project intervention areas including child protection and GBV.
* To identify the existing protection and violence prevention activities in the project intervention areas.
* To provide benchmark information for measuring project achievements and outcomes (at the project objectives and intermediate result levels) based on the project log frame.
* To identify major external factors that may influence or impact the implementation of the project.
DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
A cross sectional study will be conducted in project implementation areas, Northern Jonglei and Unity States. Primary and secondary data will be gathered using a mixed method to establish the baseline for the project and inform program implementation. Thus, baseline assessment will involve collecting the following data:
Quantitative data: It will be used to measure indicators of the project expressed in terms of numbers/percentages (quantitative indicators). Information will be collected using questionnaire survey which will be administered to a sample of households. The consultant is expected to determine the sample size which would be representative, and adequate to do basic descriptive statistics.
Qualitative data: Qualitative information will be collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with key stakeholders including beneficiaries, community/traditional leaders, local government offices, civil societies, local implementing partners and others.
Secondary documentation: Review of related documents will also be important to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project.
Proposed study design and methodology including the sample size will be discussed and agreed with NPSS at the beginning of the consultancy
DATA COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS
It is proposed to recruit an experienced consultant to coordinate the baseline process. NPSS will provide technical oversight and management of the assessment. All assessment teams will be trained on how to manage the data collection process, field editing techniques and how to fill in all of the instruments appropriately. Pre-testing of the questionnaire will also be carried out after familiarizing the team with the tool.
Collected quantitative data will be checked for consistency before being entered into the computer. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, cross tabulation, averages and percentages will be the main output for analysis. Qualitative information obtained through FGDs and KIIs will be categorized under each discussion topic and theme. Data analysis will then be done using a framework of analysis. The framework of analysis will be revised when additional themes and sub-issues emerged from the data.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE CONSULTANT
This consultant will be expected to:
* In consultation with NP, design standardized tools and finalize methodology for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the baseline;
* Organize and facilitate training workshop for data collectors on the baseline implementation, including the baseline assessment protocol and tools to be used and pilot testing of the tool.
* Conduct the baseline at the project location to measure key indicators;
* Collect and analyze available secondary data related to project objectives;
* Analyze and interpret data to develop a comprehensive baseline report;
* Share key findings and insights with relevant staff and stakeholders through consultations.
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:
* Submit an inception report/proposal which responds to the scope of work by adding any further detail or clarification regarding the study approach, method, or implementation arrangements
* Field work implementation plan (to be submitted before field work begins). This field work plan should be presented to NP-SS for comment, and revised as necessary prior to commencing field work
* Overall report that outlines the field work and the data cleaning
* Cleaned data files (including Questionnaires) in SPSS format with data correctly organized, variables named and labeled.
* A comprehensive baseline report.
* High quality validation of the information collected through a validation workshop of the findings.
All deliverables – NPSS will oversee the process and be responsible for accountability and guidance throughout all phases of execution, and approval of all deliverables.
NP DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Oversee the overall baseline assessment design, including sampling frame and selection of study sites
* Serve as co-facilitators in the training workshop for data collectors on survey implementation, including study methodology
* Participate and provide guidance in pre-testing of tools
* Hire enumerators to conduct the data collection
* Assist the consultant in supervising data enumerators by assigning NP staff to monitor the field work.
* Review all data to ensure quality and conducted according to the guidelines
* Facilitate all logistical support including visa requirements, transport to South Sudan and to all field sites, accommodation and communications equipment while in country.
* Effect payments on accomplishment of the task according to contract and deliverables met
* The chosen consultant will coordinate with the monitoring and evaluation Adviser, Assistant Program Officer and field staff in the planning and implementation of the assessment.
TIMEFRAME
The baseline assessment is anticipated to be completed in 4-5 weeks. The consultant will be expected to start working in July 2016 and complete all responsibilities outlined in the Scope of Work and deliverables within agreed time.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Education:
* Master’s degree in International and Political Affairs, Law, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field.
Required Experience and Skills
* At least 7 years’ experience in the design and implementation of baselines, evaluations, assessments or surveys including qualitative and quantitative data collection.
* Excellent knowledge and understanding of research methodologies and processes.
* Experience in gathering and systematizing large amounts of data.
* Experience managing a diverse team and providing capacity building and training support.
* Experience developing protection projects in war and/or emergency settings.
* Proven ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information through a protection lens.
* Experience managing projects in complex and dangerous environments.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
The proposal shall include financial and technical proposals. The proposal should include:
* Consultant profile including past achievements
* Introduction: A brief overview of the assignment as understood by the bidder
* Detail methodology and approach including work plan (i.e. research techniques to be used, sampling, field operation plan, quality assurance and time frame)
* Current CV of the consultant
* Detail itemized work plan
* Detailed itemized budget and price justification by unit cost per activity being proposed under the technical proposal. NPSS will provide transportation, office space, copying and printing services for the questionnaire, hiring of enumerators or any costs for data collectors, or facilities for workshops. Thus, the consultant should not include all these costs in the financial proposal.
* Annexes: Any documents, such as curriculum vitae, or other information, which the consultant feels will assist proposal review team in evaluating the proposal
How to apply:
Prospective consultants should submit written proposal and other details listed above to ashewarega@nonviolentpeaceforce.org and mmoses@nonviolentpeaceforce.org by 5 p.m. UTC on June 6, 2016.
For more information about NP and its work, please go to our website: www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org