TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR BASELINE STUDY FOR EDUCARE PROJECT IN BAIDOA, SOUTHWEST STATE, SOMALIA

SOS CV Somalia build families for children in need, to help them shape their own futures and to share in the development of their communities. the care solutions are always aligned to the best interests of each individual child; the needs of the local community, which are met through locally-led programme adaptations; the international frameworks guiding our work; the experience and expertise of our dedicated staff at all levels of the organization.  SOS CV’s care solutions include alternative care and family strengthening. An understanding of SOS parenting duties is also grounded in the knowledge of academic fields such as education and psychology. Specific skills are required to apply this knowledge and put what has been learnt into practice.

SOS CV Somalia is planning to start a new family strengthening project in Baidoa, Southwest state of Somalia; the project largely focuses on the strengthen family economics, community empowerment, education and child protection. The project will target vulnerable populations from host communities and IDPs residing within the host communities’ areas in Baidoa.  SOS CV Somalia Intends to conduct project baseline study for the project which primary set benchmarks for the project achievement.

1. Project Information

The overall objective of the proposed project is to create an enabling environment project that ensure 2000 out-of-school aged girls and boys have access to quality education through existing public schools. SOS CV not only propose to respond to the immediate problem arising from the crisis but also the long-term underlying causes. Hence, SOS CVS proposed an action intended to address the above-mentioned problems through the following interrelated and complementary project components.

1. Project Objectives

In line with Bay and Bakool Location Result framework (RF), the project aims to address the problems hindering vulnerable children access to education and improve the capacity of 200 families /caregivers in Baidoa to provide adequate care and protection to their children and achieve self-reliance. Furthermore, Project aims as well to improve the learning outcomes of 2000 Crisis affected school- aged children in Baidoa through empowering existing eight public school, community structure and other key education actors. In summary the project aims at achieving the following outcomes:

1. Purpose of the Baseline

The overall objective of the baseline survey is to serve as a starting point for the family strengthening Educare project in Baidoa district and provide statistical data on socioeconomic indicators for the general population before the intervention. The baseline is also needed to critically assess and update indicators, so they measure actual change in response to the objectives/ outcomes.

1. Objectives of the baseline study

The primary objective of the baseline study is to prepare a pre-project / baseline information of the target beneficiaries, community, Education and market actors & structures as per the indicators of project goal, objectives and results specified in the project document. This baseline study survey specifically will aim to assess the starting point for key project outcomes; household information. The study will provide an information base against which to monitor the progress, implementation of the project and its impact upon completion. The baseline study shall act as a benchmark for the measurement of the project’s success or failure.

1. Baseline Design and Methodology

The consultancy firm or individual consultant will be responsible for developing an appropriate methodology to conduct the baseline survey. The consultant is expected to use mix-method data collection methods including qualitative and quantitative study. The instruments will be framed in accordance with the objectives and core thematic areas and project indicators outlined in the Terms of Reference. This learning process should consist of a mixture of in-depth qualitative and quantitative methods. It is expected that the researcher will interview or survey people in a wide range of sites, including youth, communities, Government officials from line ministries, SOS project staff, community leaders NGOS and CBOs. The following methodology and research tools will be employed (but not limited to) during the assessment:

6.1 Specific baseline methodology will include:

• Literature review of existing project design documents, reports and data.
• Development and administration of the household survey
• Assessment of HH vulnerabilities, Market opportunities and appropriate
• Focused group discussions with community representatives, beneficiaries and key
• Individual in-depth key informant interviews.

1. Scope of Assignment and responsibilities of the consultant

The consultant (s) will design and conduct the baseline survey and set out the benchmarks according to programmed indicators taking into account regional variations and integration with other programs. The consultant is expected to present the key outcomes/takeaways from the baseline study in senior management meeting. The consultant shall have to carry out the following and other specific activities during the baseline survey process:

• Review of key documents that include the proposal documents, Project proposal, MEAL plan and work
• Design of baseline survey
• Produce an inception report with a detailed work plan and methodology to be used with respect to the quantitative household survey, provide a description of how data will be collected including the sampling frame, data sources, analysis plan and drafts of data collection tools such as questionnaires.
• Develop an implementation plan for qualitative data collection including tool such as Key Informant Interview guides.
• Collaborate with SOS Children’s Village Somalia on putting the baseline survey tool on Android phones or tablets.
• Conduct training of enumerators and supervisors.
• Conduct field data collection.
• Discussion with SOS Children’s Village Somalia on initial results report on baseline surveys.
• Conduct final presentation in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village Somalia.

1. Deliverables

The potential consultant will be expected to complete the assignment in 20 working days (including development of study protocol and implementation plan/timeline, literature review, inception report, development and pre-testing of data collection tools/instruments, training of assessment team, data collection, analysis, validation and report writing).

1. Timelines and product

The base line study will be undertaken between 3rd -4th Week of July in Baidoa, south west state of Somalia. The consultancy firm/individual consultant is expected to utilize this timeline for the development of the relevant baseline tools, field level data collection and report writing.

A details workplan for the study will be expected from the consultant and must aligned with the proposed timeline for the study.

1. Roles and Responsibilities

(A) The consultants will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Inception report outlining the interpretation of TORs, methodology of the baseline study and the proposed work plan
• Drafting Baseline study tools – Sharing for the validation with SOS Program and MEAL team.
• Lead the field level data collection process
• Facilitate Data Analysis, Data Audit and Data verification after the data collection process.
• Draft reports giving both qualitative and quantitative findings as per TORs
• Final reports incorporating inputs and reactions from SOS management team and key stakeholders
• Row data in either excel or SPSS

(B)  SOS Children’s Village Somalia Responsibilities

SOS Children’s Village Somalia will be responsible for the following:

• Ensure effective coordination of the baseline logistics to support the consultants in undertaking their assignment.
• Approve inception report
• Providing input into the tools developed, and baseline design.
• Provide consultants with literature review materials/necessary documentations.
• Link consultants to relevant stakeholders
• Reviewing analysis of the data collected prior to the documentation of the final report
• Review draft report.
• Approve and sign-off final report draft
• Training logistics would be provided and organized by SOS CV Somalia team in Mogadishu.
• Avail any reference documents that the consultant needs from the organization resources