Terms of Reference (ToR) for conducting Baseline survey and WASH KAP of Promoting Resilience of Poor and Vulnerable Communities in Lumbini Province

Terms of Reference (ToR) for conducting 

Baseline survey and WASH KAP of 

Promoting Resilience of Poor and Vulnerable Communities in Lumbini Province

1. Background

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an independent humanitarian and development organization that has been serving humanity for more than 35 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, IR strives to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. Since 1984, IRW has helped millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by Islamic values, IRW believes that people with wealth have a duty to those less fortunate – regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief. IRW is affiliated with Social Welfare Council as an International Non-Government Organization.

IRW projects provide poor people with access to vital services, protect communities, women, and children from/during disasters and deliver life-saving emergency aid. It provides lasting routes out of poverty and empowers vulnerable people to transform their lives and their communities. IRW supported local partners immediately after the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 to address the Emergency and recovery needs of the most affected population.

Islamic Relief Nepal was established as a legal organization by signing its first GA with Social Welfare Council on 13th October 2017 and its Project agreement on 13 December 2018. IR Nepal is presently working through 7 local implementing partners in Bara, Rautahat, Rasuwa, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Kapilvastu, and Rupandehi districts.

Islamic Relief (IR) Nepal has recently started implementing the graduation model Livelihood, Resilience, and WASH sector-specific intervention in Rupdandehi and Kapilvastu district through a local implementing partner Centre for Development and Disaster Management (CDM) and Lumbini Integrated Development Organization (LIDO). This intervention- “Promoting Resilience of Poor and Vulnerable Communities in Lumbini Province” was launched in December 2022 and targeted two municipalities (Suddhodhan and Mayadevi) of Kapilvastu district and two municipalities (Suddhodhan and Samarimai) of Rupandehi district.

The project aims for improved well-being, food security, WASH, and resilience among poor and vulnerable households in four Municipalities of Rupandehi and Kaplivastu districts (Lumbini Province) affected by climate change. This will be achieved through secure access to irrigation water and productive infrastructure, coupled with the introduction of new resilient agricultural practices, livestock rearing, and alternative livelihoods.  Ultra-poor and vulnerable families will be able to enhance their income and food security toward better resilience to climate change through a graduation approach. Further, the project will establish an enabling environment for climate-adaptive actions and investment, including strengthening the evidence base for adaptation, mainstreaming climate risk into local Development Planning, and improving access to timely and usable weather forecast information and its dissemination to the community members to enable mitigation and preventive measures.

The project will improve access to water and sanitation facilities for underserved families. The project would directly benefit 52,327 people in the project site area, with indirect benefits reaching 43,606 people in the project districts.

IR considers baseline, midterm, and final evaluation as an integral part of implementing interventions on the ground. This project will undergo three MEAL interventions like Baseline and WASH KAP; Midline and WASH KAP; Endline and WASH KAP. We are at the beginning of the project; thus, this TOR sets out the responsibilities of the consultant to design and carry out project baseline and KAP evaluation in different communities where project activities will be implemented in the Rupandehi and Kapilvastu districts. The evaluation will establish the baseline reference value for assessing the project objective against the target. As a result of this evaluation, log frame indicators will be reviewed and devised as deemed, and recommendations from the evaluator/s are expected to improve the quality of the ongoing/just-started project.

Summary Table

2. Scope and Focus of Evaluation 

The current Terms of Reference (ToR) objective is to deliver the Baseline study and KAP of the project “Promoting Resilience of Poor and Vulnerable Communities in Lumbini Province” implemented by CDM and LIDO as  local partners.

• The specific objectives of this baseline and KAP study are to:
• To prepare a benchmark report to establish a reference value for future tracking.  
• To describe the socio-economic condition of the targeted rightsholder’s households of the project.
• To explore the status of shelter, water sanitation, and health hygiene, and health-seeking behavior among the beneficiaries/rightsholders of the project.
• Gather baseline KAP information to understand the WASH behaviors in the targeted communities.
• To recommend the design of Awareness and Behavior Change Communication activities on WASH based on the KAP survey findings.  
• To describe knowledge, attitude, and practices level on rights and their entitlement
• To explore the access status of rightsholders in private and public services/facilities
• Incorporate gender analysis in each component of the study.
• To provide recommendations for the effective and efficient implementation and sustainability of the project.

Additional specific criteria should also be assessed using the following key questions: 

Gender and disability considerations:

• How has the project considered gender aspects in the project design and how it can be met? 
• How has the project considered disability issues in the project design and how it can be met? 
• What are the specific needs of women, the elderly, and with disabilities? 
• What are the gender gaps that the project needs to tackle and what aspects need to be considered further?

Core Humanitarian Standard Commitments:

• Are the project staff supported or how better they can be supported to do their job effectively, and are treated fairly and equitably?
• How is the Complaint and Feedback Response mechanism established for the project? How can CFRM be effective for the project in the targeted areas?

3. Methodology of the Evaluation (Baseline Study and KAP)

The baseline and KAP study should employ both qualitative and quantitative approaches. 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 log frame and create the baseline reference value. This study must measure and establish a baseline value of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) on WASH among the government authorities, municipalities/elected representatives, different community groups, and potential rightsholders in the targeted communities. Focused group discussion and Key informant interview (KII) with relevant stakeholders should be conducted. The gender 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 baseline and KAP evaluation. For primary data collection, the consultant will engage in the field and collect data from potential project rightsholders, community people, and other stakeholders in the targeted areas as specified in the indicative schedule (5).

4. Deliverables

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

• An inception report, to be submitted one week after the agreement, explaining the methodologies, sample size, sample distribution, selection of respondents, data collection (draft quantitative and qualitative tools), data protection, reporting plans, and timeframe with fixed dates of deliverables for baseline study, and KAP study. 
• 1st Draft report of the baseline and KAP 
• 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.

5. Indicative Schedule 

The consultancy will last 6 weeks, and it is expected to be carried out during 15 February – 24 March 2023 (tentative). The selection and contractual procedures will complete by mid of February 2023. The tentative schedule is as follows:

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

Weeks 2-4: Enumerators’ orientation after the approval of tools and inception report. Field visits to project sites; interviews with relevant stakeholders (Ward offices, Municipalities, Social leaders, Agriculture Resource Centre, District Disaster Management Committee). Focus group discussions (FGDs) with potential rightsholders (Farmers, Women, Men, Youths, elderly, persons with a disability).

Weeks 3-4: Drafting of the final report (Final version to be submitted no later than 31 March 2023).

6. Quality and Ethical Standards 

During the evaluation, it should take all reasonable steps to ensure evaluation 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 evaluation is technically accurate and reliable, is conducted transparently and impartially, and with full accountability.

The consultant will sign and adhere to the Islamic Relief’s safeguarding and protection against exploitation and sexual abuse (PESA) code of conduct.

The study standards are:

• Utility: The evaluation product must be useful as organizational learning. 
• Feasibility: Evaluation must be realistic, diplomatic, and managed in a sensible, cost-effective manner.
• Ethics & Legality: Evaluation must be conducted ethically and legally, with regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the evaluation.
• Impartiality: Evaluation should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that considers the views of all stakeholders
• Transparency: Evaluation activities should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.
• Accuracy: Evaluation should be technically accurate, providing enough information, analysis, and interpretation.
• Participation: Stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the evaluation process when feasible and appropriate.
• Collaboration: During the evaluation, collaboration at different levels is expected. This will later improve the legitimacy and utility of the study.
• Consent: Taking formal consent of all the responders is a must during the evaluation.

7. Evaluation Team

The Evaluation Team is expected to:

• Be composed of a team leader with documented extensive experience on similar evaluations of development projects in the field of climate resilience, Food Security and Livelihood, DRR, WASH, Protection, and Disabilities.
• Have extensive experience in conducting evaluation (baseline and KAP studies) in the context of cooperation for development and a proven record of delivering professional results.
• Have experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and sound knowledge of evaluation and data-collection methods.
• Be able to communicate effectively in Nepali and English.
• Have previous working experience in Terai (Lumbini Province).

8. Proposal Evaluation 

The technical and financial proposals will be evaluated separately and have 70% and 30% scores respectively. The proposal evaluation will be based on the given criteria.

9. Application Procedure

Interested candidates, firms, and agencies are mandatory to submit the following documents by 8 February 2023 with the subject REF: Baseline and KAP Evaluation-PRVC to Info.Nepal@irworldwide.org.

i) Letter of motivation (7 pages max.) indicating

• The consultants’ suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications etc.
• How the team will be composed and the division of work between team members.
• Discussion of the work methodology it will use.
• Draft work plan and suggested timetable.
• Economic offer and budget breakdown.

ii) Professional profile of the evaluating team/ company (CV of least lead consultant/team leader of consultancy team)

iii) A copy of the previous evaluation report/baseline line report in a similar thematic area (Food security and livelihoods, Climate change and DRR, and WASH. 

For firms/agencies following additional documents must be submitted:

• Valid certificate of company registration
• Valid copy of tax registration certificate
• Tax clearance certificate

Islamic Relief Worldwide, Country Office Nepal

House no. 482, Kumaripati-5 (Near United Academy)

Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal

Contact no: +977 1 5537610