Terms of Reference for a Baseline Survey for the “Integrated Emergency Drought Response in Turkana and Samburu Counties”

Sector: Monitoring & Evaluation

Employment Category: Consultant

Employment Type: Part-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Kenya

Job Description

1.0 Background

Kenya has experienced the worst recorded drought crisis following five successive failed rain seasons since 2020 and leading to severe food insecurity and rising malnutrition prevalence across the country especially the arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties. Out of the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties in the country, 86% of the ASAL counties are in crisis.  Following assessments conducted after July 2022 by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and aid partners, approximately 5.1 million Kenyans (4.35M in the ASAL and 0.8M in non ASAL counties) are acutely food insecure and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The needs in 2023 are far great than the 2011/2012 drought crisis that was pitted as the worst drought crisis. In 2011, the population in need of humanitarian assistance was 2.5million which in 10 years, has now doubled. As an outcome of this crisis, 885,000 children under five and 116,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished and in need of targeted malnutrition treatment to mitigate against the risk of death (regional drought response plan, WFP). The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that approximately 1 million people (only 20% of those affected) were reached with vital assistance between Jan-Sept 2022. The climate crisis has resulted in significant loss of livelihood assets worsened by the severe and protracted nature of the current drought. 2.5 million livestock deaths have already been recorded with the Government of Kenya estimating the economic cost of livestock loss alone at over USD 1.5 billion.

The March- May 2023 rainy season is forecasted to be a likely failed season which will be the 6th successive failure. Should this materialize, the food and nutrition security will be devastated, and the impacts will be felt well into 2024. The climate research by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), the International Center for Humanitarian affairs (ICHA) at the Kenya Red Cross presents climate scenarios for 2023 and 2024 with mixed occurrences of both drought and wet seasons yet cumulatively, drought conditions will dominate the seasons to come. Famine conditions may also be seen towards 2024 in some areas. The cumulative rainfall to be received in unlikely to counteract the impact of the severe rainfall deficits that have been experienced in the last years. As a late outcome indicator, malnutrition prevalence is likely to get worse before it gets better even with well performing rainy seasons in 2023. Equally concerning of the protracted nature of the current crisis is the erosion of residual capacities in the community, the proportionate increase in cost and duration to attain an effective and sustainable response, recovery and resilience outcome.

2.0 IRC Presence and Programmes

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development non-governmental organization founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. The IRC offers aid and long-term assistance to people affected by humanitarian crises, to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries delivering programs on health, nutrition, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education among others.

Kenya is among the countries where the IRC works implementing health, nutrition, protection, WASH and ERD services in Kakuma and Hagadera Refugee Camps, larger Turkana and Garissa counties, West Pokot County and in Kajiado through local partners.

3.0 Integrated Emergency Drought Response in Turkana and Samburu Counties – Project

3.1 Title

The title of the project is: “Integrated Emergency Drought Response in Turkana and Samburu Counties.”

3.2 Overview

IRC is anticipating a 12-month project on integrated emergency drought response in Turkana and Samburu Counties. The project aims to ensure drought affected communities are able to meet their basic needs, reduce negative coping strategies, and move towards recovery from the drought emergency through provision of services in an equitable, multi-sectoral, layered approach within the sectors of: Food assistance and agriculture, nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and protection. The specific location for the project in Turkana is; Turkana West, South and Loima Sub-counties, while in Samburu, the IRC has proposed to implement in Samburu North, East and West sub-counties. In Samburu, only the protection outcome will be implemented.

3.3 Project Objectives

The integrated emergency drought response project aims to realize the following objectives.

Objective 1: To reduce morbidity and mortality amongst 40,147 Children under 5 years of Age (U5) and 11,948 Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) related to malnutrition while reducing the vulnerability and risk of acute malnutrition among children.

Objective 2:   To reduce the risk of WASH related diseases for 52,095 households with children under 5 years and PLW receiving health and nutrition services at the outreach sites by increasing access to safe drinking water, sanitation and promoting safe hygiene practices.

Objective 3: To enhance access to targeted protection assistance and strengthen the protective environment for 36,261 males and 46,867 females by providing GBV prevention and response, Protection Coordination, Advocacy, and information services.

Objective 4: To protect and enhance the food security, livelihoods, and nutritional outcomes for 36,000 targeted beneficiaries (18,360 Male; 17,640 Female) through emergency food and animal health assistance.

The expected outcomes of this project are:

•  Women, men, girls, and boys are safe in their communities and receive treatment and support when they experience harm.
•  Drought affected communities have improved access to potable water supply, sanitation services and improved safe hygiene practices.
•  Children, pregnant and lactating women are prevented from and treated for acute malnutrition.
• Drought affected communities have access to basic needs including quality food and sufficient resources to produce or purchase food and are supported to strengthen their livelihoods.
• Drought affected pastoralists can protect their livelihoods, assets, and or income during emergencies.

3.4 Target Group

Through this action, the IRC intends to reach a total of 424,123 beneficiaries in both Turkana and Samburu counties as highlighted below:

• Nutrition program will be the entry point for this project, with 52,095 targeted beneficiaries, among which, 40,147 will be children under 5 and 11,948 pregnant and lactating women.
•  312,570 beneficiaries will be targeted with WASH interventions, derived from the 52,095 households of people with malnutrition targeted.
•  83,128 beneficiaries are targeted in both counties with protection services.
•  22,620 beneficiaries will be targeted with food assistance and 36,000 through agriculture.

Computation of the total beneficiary numbers minimizes double counting of the beneficiaries that will be reached through different interventions.

4.0 Baseline Survey Consultancy

The survey is a formative study that seeks to establish baseline indices for determination of progress across the entire lifespan of the project. The salient aspects of the survey in accordance with baseline studies should therefore be clear articulation of indicators (both qualitative and quantitative) and projection of targets. The analysis should give a picture of the situation before the implementation of the project and use methodologies that generate results which will be compared with an endline evaluation towards the end of the project, in order to understand the effects that the project has had on the target population.

4.1 Rationale

The baseline survey will provide in-depth information on the main target groups in the project locations. This information will be used to guide project implementation to ensure the project has maximum impact on the target groups. The survey report will be a vital component of the project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system and will inform the results-based management approach of the project.

4.2 Survey Objectives

 i.  To provide baseline data that will guide project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the integrated emergency drought response in accordance with project outcomes.

 ii. Provide baseline data for all project interventions, including the outputs and outcome indicators to facilitate tracking of project performance; and

 iii. Provide comprehensive recommendations on high impact and sustainable design and implementation of project.

4.3 Scope of Work

In consultation with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning IRC Team, and referring to the available donor guidance, the consultant will be required to:

 i)  Participate in briefing and consultation meetings to discuss the assignment aimed at building consensus on the baseline survey design and implementation plan.

 ii)  Provide a brief overview of the methodology that will be used to conduct the baseline assessment. This should include a description of the overall approach, such as a mixed-methods approach that combines both secondary and primary data collection methods. This should articulate the context in the targeted intervention area, highlighting proposed programming.

 iii)  Describe the secondary data sources that will be reviewed as part of the baseline assessment. This may include existing project documentation, government reports, and other relevant literature. Specify the methods that will be used to gather and analyze this data, such as literature review, content analysis, or data triangulation.

 iv) Describe the primary data collection methods that will be used to gather information on the current situation, needs, and challenges related to the project. This may include surveys, interviews, focus groups, or site visits. Specify the sampling strategy, data collection instruments, and data analysis methods that will be used to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation. A representative sample should be drawn from the targeted 424,123, across the two counties, within the specific sub counties and across the different

 v) Develop data collection tools that will capture sufficient information required to provide baseline data for all the indicators in the project document and the  priority needs for the targeted clients.

 vi) Develop, in collaboration with IRC, a detailed research and analysis plan, including plans for: developing /adoption of tools; recruitment and training of research assistants; pre-testing and review of tools; sampling methodology; implementation of data collection in the field; quality assurance; ethical considerations; qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and reporting.

 vii) Lead data collection in the field including designing and leading key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

 viii) Analyze data in a rigorous, robust manner using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis techniques.

 ix) Draft a high-quality report written in good quality English and include robust and detailed analysis of the data findings including specific interpretation on each target group and location.

 x) Present the draft baseline survey report to IRC and other stakeholder for input and validation.

 xi) Develop and submit the final baseline survey report to IRC. 

4.4 Deliverables / Outputs

 i. Inception report detailing the conceptual framework for undertaking the survey, indicating the methodology, tools, report outline and a workplan highlighting the delivery framework.

 ii. A comprehensive draft final report, not longer than 25 pages including all raw data collected in excel, word or any other format within the areas of interest.

 iii. A final report highlighting current challenges and priority needs of the target groups, exacerbated by the drought situation; opportunities for strengthening prevention of further vulnerability of the target groups; innovations that optimize opportunities for the target group; and recommendations for best practices that will ascertain better outcomes.

 iv. The Final report should provide baseline to facilitate tracking for all indicators.

 v. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the results.

5.0 Date and Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy will last for not more than 30 calendar days beginning from May 2023, or as agreed by both parties.  

Qualifications

The ideal consultant should have: –

•  A post-graduate degree in social sciences or another relevant field with training in the field of health, nutrition, food security, WASH and protection.
•  Over 7 years’ experience conducting evaluations, assessments, or studies with evidence of publications or field reports on health and nutrition, WASH and protection thematic areas.
• Experience conducting assessments funded by BHA, USAID, EU and UN donors and familiarity with their indicators and their definition is an added advantage.
• Experience in working with marginalized and vulnerable populations in multidisciplinary setting i.e. the government and development partners;
•  Ability to communicate in English and Kiswahili. Ability to communicate using local languages in Turkana and Samburu is an added advantage.

The successful candidate will be required to:

–  Ensure ethical consideration when engaging with all participants in the survey.

–  Adhere to organization policy of different partners that will be involved in the assessment.

– Ensure collaboration, cooperation, partnerships, and meaningful engagement of marginalized people, vulnerable, persons living with disability among others.

The IRC Role:

1.The IRC will fully engage the project lead consultant for a period of 30 calendar days.

2.He/she will conduct the assessment in specific sub-counties within Turkana and Samburu Counties.

3. The IRC will provide guidance on the proposed project, expected deliverables and key contact persons within the areas of study.

4. The IRC will support some of the available secondary data that will be integral for this survey.

Application

Interested applicants should submit their CVs and technical and financial proposal to the IRC careers cornerstone portal not later than 7 DAYS starting from the announcement date.

Consultants who meet the qualification above must submit the following documents:

Cover Letter;

CV of proposed consultant teams including reference details of previous clients;

3 references with detailed contact address.

All the required legal documents including VAT registration certificate.

Application: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/41797?c=rescue