Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference (ToR)

for 

Firms/Individual Consultants for Conducting Baseline Study of Strengthening Adolescents' Movement for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SAMSARA) project in 33 municipalities of Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, and Nawalparasi districts of Lubmini Province.  

1.     BACKGROUND

Kalika Self-reliance Social Center (KSSC-Nepal) is a Kapilvastu, Lumbini Province based lead NGO, engaged in the social development sector for over three decades within Kapilvastu district and beyond, currently implementing over half-a-dozen projects on health, nutrition, livelihood, food security, and education across Lumbini Province in partnership with multiple donors, charities, and international organization. 

2.     ABOUT THE PROJECT

Strengthening Adolescents' Movement for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SAMSARA) is a 30 months (2 and ½ yrs.) project, to be implemented in 33 municipalities of Kapilvastu (10), Rupandehi (16), and Nawalparasi (7), districts of Lubmini Province, funded by Amplify Change, UK, a UK-based Foundation. The project focuses on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Nepali citizens in the said 33 municipalities of 3 districts. While the ultimate goal of the project is to facilitate the implementation of Safe Motherhood and Sexual, Reproductive Health Rights Act 2018, the immediate goal is to foster the protection and promotion of SRH rights through evidence-based advocacy and issues-based campaign and SRH movements, by on-boarding major stakeholders (LGUs, CSOs, Health Facilities), and working through community-based networks like Women Advocacy Forum, Girls’ Rights Network, Youth Clubs, Mother Groups, non-traditional allies, etc.  The SAMSARA project will directly work with 3000 rights-holders (Women & Adolescents) from across three districts who would be the target of tailored activities i.e. awareness, capacity-building, skill and knowledge transfer, research, SRHR advocacy, campaign, and movements, and 9000 indirect beneficiaries. 

3.     OBJECTIVE OF THE BASELINE STUDY

KSSC-Nepal is looking for competent and experienced individual Consultants/Firm with past track record of undertaking and successfully accomplishing similar nature of assignments, to carry out the Baseline Study in sampled municipalities of the three districts. The major objective of the Terms of Reference (ToR) are to deliver the baseline study of the “Strengthening Adolescents' Movement for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SAMSARA) to be implemented by KSSC-Nepal in all the 33 municipalities of Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, and Nawalparasi districts.  

4.     SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 

• To prepare a benchmark report to establish a reference value of the indicators for future tracking. 
• To explore the overall Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights situation in sampled municipalities of 3 districts, and in particular, women and adolescents’ state of access to SRH services being delivered from existing health facilities and the exercise of SRH rights by women and adolescents. 
• To understand awareness of SRH issues, services, and rights among women, adolescents, and secondary level students (girls) in the 3 districts. 
• To understand the existing capacities and capacity gaps of major stakeholders i.e. local government, health service delivery facilities, FCHVs, Women and Adolescent Groups, CBOs, and Youth Clubs. 
• To understand awareness and knowledge about Safe Motherhood and SHR Rights Act 2018 amongst elected-office bearers, officials, health service providers, CBOs, FCHVs and rights-holders (women and adolescents) 
• To explore other CSOs working on SRH Rights issues in 3 districts, problems, challenges, constraints they face in working on SRH issues and rights.  
• To identify major barriers, challenges, and bottlenecks in the full-fledged implementation of Safe Motherhood and SRH Rights Act 2018. 

5.     METHDOLOGY 

The baseline study should employ both qualitative and quantitative approaches (a representative sample size). A review of relevant secondary data shall be an integral part of the study and should  be reflected wherever possible in the report. The study design should align with the Project Objectives, and create the baseline reference value along with the qualitative analysis. Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) with relevant stakeholders should be conducted. 

The gender and inclusion analysis should be incorporated in each component of the study and that should be reflected in the final report.  

Based on the literature review/desk study, the consultant will develop the primary data collection methodology for the baseline study. For primary data collection, the consultant will engage in the field and collect data from potential project rights-holders (women and adolescents), and other stakeholders (LGUs, CSOs, Health Facilities, FCHVs etc.) in the targeted areas through household surveys as specified in the indicative schedule. 

6.     DELIVERABLES

All deliverables are to be submitted to KSSC- Nepal in both electronic and hard copy format. Deliverables include: 

• An inception report, to be submitted within one week of the agreement, explaining the methodologies, sample size, sample distribution, selection of respondents, data collection tools and checklist, data collection guidelines (draft quantitative and qualitative tools), data protection, reporting plans, and timeframe with fixed dates of deliverables for baseline study.  
• The work plan, draft report, final report, presentation, etc., and communication language must be in English. 
• Conduct physical interviews with (FGD, KII, etc.) with the program team, local government, CSOs, community leaders, rights holders, field staff etc. 
• Organize training for the household survey team (enumerators) on the HH survey questionnaire data collection process and protocol.  
• Develop quantitative data collection tools and checklists (questionnaire), data quality checking, support the data collection team, data quality management, and data editing and analysis. 
• Collation and analysis of field data and submit the 1st Draft report of the baseline study. 
• A final report (combined or separate) is to be submitted at the end of the contract/study with a maximum extension of 40 A4 size pages, excluding annexes All quantitative data sets for the baseline and qualitative field notes and summary table.  

7.     CONSULTANCY DURATION 

The consultancy will last 6 weeks, and it is expected to be carried out between 3nd week of November to 1st week of January 2025. 

Week 1: Desk review of core documents; drafting and validating the inception report with a detailed work plan, checklists, tools, and questionnaires. 

Week 2,3,4:  Enumerators’ orientation after the approval of tools and inception report. Field visits to project sites; interviews with relevant stakeholders (Municipalities, CSOs, Health Service Delivery Facilities, FCHVs). Focus group discussions (FGDs) with rights holders (Women, adolescents) 

Week 5: Drafting of the final report (Final version to be submitted no later than January 2nd   2025

Week 6:  Final Report submission incorporating comments, feedbacks, suggestions by no latder than January 7, 2025.  

8.     QUALITY AND ETHICAL STANDARDS 

During the baseline survey, Consultants/Firm should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the baseline survey is designed and conducted to respect and protect the dignity, rights, and welfare of the people, communities, stakeholders, and authorities involved and to ensure that the baseline is technically accurate and reliable, is conducted transparently and impartially, and with full accountability. 

9.     BASELINE STUDY TEAM 

The Baseline Study Team is expected to;  

• Demonstrate evidence of experience in conducting baseline/feasibility study surveys of development projects and programs 
• Have experience in conducting similar studies  
• Have extensive experience in conducting different studies and evaluations in the context of cooperation for development and a proven record of delivering professional results. 
• Have proven experience in data analysis, processing, editing and reporting 
• Have experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and sound knowledge of the baseline study and data-collection methods. 
• Be able to communicate effectively in Nepali and English. Consultants/Firms demonstrating knowledge and communication skills in Aawadhi language is added value
• Have previous working experience in Terai region or in Lumbini Province. 

10. APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

Interested candidates, firms, and agencies are mandatory to submit the following documents by 15 November 2024 with the subject REF: Baseline Study SAMSARA Project to ksscnepal2050@gmail.com

Technical Proposal (7 pages max.) indicating 

• The consultants’ suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications etc. 
• How the team is composed (Inclusive & gender-responsive team composition) and the division of work between team members 
• Discussion of the work methodology the Team will use. 
• Draft work plan and suggested timetable. 
• Economic offer and budget breakdown. 
• At least 2 copies of the previous Baseline line/ Feasibility/Evaluation report

For firms/agencies following additional documents must be submitted: 

• Valid certificate of company registration 
• Valid copy of tax registration certificate (VAT) 
• Tax clearance certificate 

Kalika Self-reliance Social Centre 

Kailkagaon, # 4, Taulihawa, Kapilvastu  

Lumbini Province, Nepal