NGO Opportunities in Kenya - Save the Children

Save the Children
 
Terms of Reference
 
EC Kibera Programme Operational Research on Family Planning
 
Factors affecting uptake of family planning in urban poor settlement; A focus on involvement of men and boys above 15 yrs. in Kibera

1. Organizational Background:
 Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.

Current programming focuses on Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education, WASH, Child Poverty, Health and Nutrition.
 

Project Overview: EC-Kibera project is a 2-year project implemented by Save the Children in partnership with Carolina for Kibera and Family Health Options Kenya. 

The project has also partnered with Langata Sub County Health Management Team to enhance quality of health services in an effort to improve health outcomes in the location.

The initiative is funded by European Union with the objective to contribute to a reduction in maternal and child mortality by improving maternal and child health status for 226,160 people in Kibera informal settlement of Nairobi County (74,840 women of child bearing age, 28,392 U5s, 6,685 U1s and 11,308 pregnant women. 

This is through increasing demand for and access to quality maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services at health facility and community levels; improving nutritional status of mothers, newborn and children under five by preventive actions; improvement of family planning uptake; and improvement of the capacity of the health care delivery system.  
 
2. Problem Statement
 
Kenya is one of the countries with very high maternal and neonatal death ratios. According to the KDHS 2008/2009 report, the MMR is 488/100,000 live births. Maternal deaths represent 27% of all deaths to women aged 15 to 45 years of age and abortion related complications contribute up to 30% of the deaths. 

In Kenya according to the latest study on the magnitude of abortion; 300,000 unsafe abortions occur annually. This is occurring in the face of low contraceptive prevalence rate in Kibera (37.8%) in comparison with national and county ratio at 63% in Nairobi and the national average at 58% (KDHS, 2014).

The contraceptive prevalence peaks among women in the 30-34 age-group and is lowest for women aged 15-19 years with increased utilization of all Family Planning methods by women with highest level of education at 58%. The unmet need for contraception remains high. 

About 47% of women had an unmet need for family planning and is higher among women in the 15-19 (46%) and 20-24 (37%) years age group compared to those above 30 years of age (26%). This is an indication of lower access to family planning by adolescents and youths.

This is a major gap considering that adolescents that were interviewed during the EC-Kibera KAP survey confirmed that boys and girls were sexually active as early as 10 for girls and 14 for boys, EC-Kibera KAP survey report 2015.

Statistics also indicate that, 53% of the married respondents were currently using Family Planning in the target region Kibera. 

This puts the contraceptive prevalence rates (CPR) for Kibera lower than the CPR for Nairobi County at 63% and national average at 58%. 

CPR peaks among women 30-34 age group and is lowest for women aged 15-19 years47% of women in Kibera had an unmet need for family planning services compared National figure of 18% and 11% for Nairobi County. 

Men and boys play vital roles in enhancing demand of family planning services and commodities and therefore the need to target men and boys with awareness creation interventions on FP and the role they play in providing an enabling environment that would enhance increased uptake of family planning.
 
Family Health Option Kenya, Save the Children partner implementing the family planning component conducts various events to improve uptake for FP. 

The activities include outreaches, sports tournament, youth forums, men at work sessions and street-theatres to increase awareness on FP and dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding FP use. 

This has reached 1240 men aged between 18-35 years through which 25 referrals have been attained through the male support. 
 
The reality is that with the efforts the desired uptake has not yet been achieved owing to impeding factors that affect the uptake of family planning services and the commodities coupled with bottlenecks within the supply side of these commodities and services. 

These  factors include; partner’s  approval,  quality  of  the  services,  involvement  of  the  male staff  administering  the  family planning services to adolescents girls and  the  woman’s knowledge  about family planning  services and proximity to the provider; (International journal of business and social science Vol 2 No.1 January 2011).

Additional bottlenecks limiting the uptake of all FP includes: general myths and misconception around the use of FP that could lead to infertility, use of FP reduces sexual pleasure; the use of FP causing illnesses; use of FP is meant to depopulate; the use of FP disfigures women; minimum male support and fears on side effects across men and boys. 

There has also had limited access of FP services by adolescents and inadequate FP commodities supplies including IEC Materials (as per project reports). 

3. Purpose of the Operational Research
 
The purpose of this operation research is to assess the role of men and boys in increasing the uptake of family planning services focusing on the involvement of men and boys above 15 years. 

It will also explore the behaviour aspects of adolescent boys (15 – 24 years) on understanding and perceptions regarding family planning together with their key role in support for the uptake of family planning services.

It will also assess barriers in the supply of family planning services and commodities to women and adolescents and learn from the process, achievements and challenges encountered in the supply side of the family planning commodities.

It will also be integral to develop recommendations to address these challenges and factors to enhance the performance of the program, improve outcomes, assess feasibility of new strategies and/or assess or improve the programme Theory of Change.

It should aim at finding solutions to perceived challenges on the involvement of men and boys above 15 years and the supply side bottlenecks in the delivery of family planning services within the project location. 

The perceived challenges on involvement of men and boys ranging from;
  • Messaging of family planning information and communication methodologies.
  • Cultural practices within the community.
  • Attitude of men and boys on family planning.
  • Knowledge levels and understanding on family planning (myths and misconceptions).
Service delivery access points bottlenecks;
  • Availability of health workers.
  • Health workers knowledge and capacity.
  • Efficiency of supply system.
  • Integration of family planning with other primary health care services.
The operational research will derive models and approaches to address the bottlenecks and challenges identified and propose innovative methods to strengthen engagement of men and boys above 15 years in improving FP uptake.
 
4. Methodology
 
The methods of operational research will range from the qualitative to quantitative techniques. 

This will be an exploratory study focusing on the involvement of men and boys together with the supply systems of the family planning services and commodities within the location.

The data sources will comprise of primary and secondary sources. 

The secondary sources will involve information derived from other research work conducted on male involvement in uptake of family planning services. 

Primary data will be derived from the following informants of the study;
a)    Men and boys above 15 years. (Adolescent boys of 15 – 24 years to explore behaviour and perceptions on FP)
b)    Women of reproductive age at the community level
c)    KII (including the Langata Sub-County Health Management Team)
d)    Family Health Options Kenya/ Carolina for Kibera
e)    Other NGO’s and stakeholders as may be identified.
Sampling methodology:
 The recruited consultant will recommend an appropriate study design applicable in effectively addressing the objectives of the study. The project works in 9 villages out of a total of 13 villages.

Tentative work plan
 
The exercise is projected to be undertaken in 20 days from 15th August to 5th September 2016. 

The Consultant(s) is expected to deliver the following:

a) Introduction/inception meeting with EC-Kibera project Core team & relevant staff.
 
b) Research tools and framework for the research, in line with project documentation and with input of partner, project and MEAL team.
 
c) Visit project sites, interview respondents from the project sites (Men and boys above 15 years), women and KII.
 
d) De-briefing including recommendations at end of the data collection process.
 
e) Deliver one in-depth report with detailed analysis and methodology for findings of the operational research.

The consultant will have the primary responsibility of conducting the operational research and preparing the report. 

The consultant will be expected to lead and coordinate the data collection, entry and analysis of data and report writing.

5. Qualifications and Experience:
 
Specifically, Consultant will possess:

a. Relevant academic qualification in public health/ health systems management or related health field.
 
b. Specific experience in family planning research and/or evaluation is essential.
 
c. At least 7 years of experience in the area of maternal, newborn and child health and public health and in conducting research and evaluations for health programmes in Kenya. Experience conducting evaluations in an urban informal setting is an added advantage
 
d. A demonstrated high level of professionalism and ability to work within tight deadlines.
 
e. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
 
f. Computer skills and proficient in English.
 
6. Duration and Timeline of Consultancy
 
The consultancy is expected to take a maximum of 20 days. Data collection is expected to take 5 days out of the 20 days. The following will be the requirements.
 
a. A technical proposal outlining the objective, methodology to be employed with mention of the data collection tools and approaches to be used for the research. The technical proposal should also include a detailed implementation plan outlining key timelines within the outlined period.
 
b. Financial proposal should only include the fees payable (In Kshs) to the consultant(s).  The consultant is expected to cover costs related to travel, accommodation, meals and allowances and data collection.
 
7. Intellectual Property Rights
 
All products developed under this consultancy belong to the project exclusively, guided by the rules of the grant contract between EU and Save the Children. 

Under no circumstances will the consultant use the information of this evaluation for publication or dissemination without official prior permission (in writing) from Save the Children. 

8. Submission of Proposals
 
CLICK HERE to download the EOI format

The submission of proposals is only open to the prequalified consultants (firms).

The technical and financial proposals should be emailed to kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org by close of business (5.30pm), August 18, 2016.

9. Evaluation and Award of Consultancy
 
Save the Children will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility criteria guided by this ToRs. 

Save the Children reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest, the highest or any bidder. 

The consultancy is subject to Save the Children policies.


Expression of Interest
 
Gender Analysis in Relation to Vocational Skills Development and Access to Employment
 
Objective: Gender analysis will inform development of an approach for inclusion of adolescent girls and women in the vocational skills training and access to profitable employment. 
 
Location: Nairobi
 
Duration: 1 Month 

Background: Save the Children is investing and testing systems change for transformative youth livelihood in Mandera with the overall objective of enabling youth to break out of chronic poverty and thus break the inter-generational transmission of poverty. 

The project is specifically aimed at increasing the number of youth who are in decent employment or who run profitable businesses. 

Save the Children will invest and test the ‘market systems change approach to youth livelihoods’ because it has the potential to lead to sustainable change for the most deprived youth at scale. 

Through transforming deprived youths’ opportunities to learn marketable skills and to transition into profitable work, the inter-generational transmission of poverty will be broken. 

The market systems approach for youth livelihoods will deliver where traditional youth livelihoods programme approaches fail to deliver and at scale: in remote and structurally neglected areas such as arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) of Kenya. 

Testing and refining this approach will enable us to develop a replicable model of value to the wider Save the Children and partners. 

However, based on our findings from testing of the approach in 2015, it was noted that adolescent girls and young women were excluded in development of a broad range of vocational skills and thus sustained barriers in accessing diverse, decent and profitable employment opportunities. 

A tracer study of graduates from enterprise based vocational skills development (EBTVET), found that although adolescent girls and young women were the majority (60%), their skills were limited to only 4 out of 15 skill areas. 

This therefore limited their employment opportunities and resulted in many of them being employed at family/relatives businesses and about 8% of them reverting to poorly paid or less profitable occupational they were engaged in before the training. 

The tracer study established that female graduates were twice as likely to fall back into unemployment, unpaid work and/or lowly paid unskilled work compared to male graduates. 

Scope of Gender Analysis
 
It is against this background that Save the Children intends to undertake gender analysis to enable us to understand social, cultural, economic and other possible barriers that restrict or cause exclusion of adolescent girls and young women from various vocational skills which could enable them to access diverse employment opportunities. 

Gender analysis will also help us understand why female graduates were twice as likely to fall back into unemployment, unpaid work and/or lowly paid unskilled work compared to male graduates. 

Results from the study will inform development of an intervention approach aimed at:
1.    Identifying approach/es to ensure best possible inclusion of girls and young women in the EBTVET programme.
2.    Identifying how best to support girls to transition to profitable employment (including self-employment).
Methodology
  • Review of the existing secondary literature.
  • Review of the data collection tools and improve where necessary in consultation with project staff.
  • At least 21 focussed group discussions (FGD) with; community/religious leaders, female graduates, current female trainees, male graduates, current male trainees, host trainers and parents.  
  • Individual key informants’ interviews of: County TVET Director and 3 Sub-County Youth Coordinators or Officers. 
  • Analysis of findings from above data collection.
  • Debrief of the field staff.
  • Presentation of draft report.
  • Report finalisation.
Specific Deliverables from Gender Analysis: 
 
1. The consultant will in consultation with project staff review the tools, provide feedback and improve if required. 
 
2. The consultant will carry out at least 21 separate FGD’s with separate stakeholder groups at Takaba, Banissa and El Wak. 

This will consist of 3 FGD with female graduates, 3 FGD with male graduates, 3 FGD with current female trainees, 3 FGD with current male trainees, 3 FGD with host trainers and 3 FGD with parents/guardians or spouses of the graduates/trainees and 3 FGD with community leaders including religious leaders. 
 
3. The consultant will conduct key informants interviews with County TVET Director and Sub-County Youth Coordinator or Officers at Takaba, Banissa and El Wak. 
 
4. Based on above interviews, the consultant will identify the different needs, opportunities and constraints that girls and boys, young women and men face in accessing Enterprises Based Technical Vocational Education Training (EBTVET) skills and thereafter utilising skills attained in accessing decent employment. 

Assess the chances and success of male and female youth in the EBTVET or apprenticeship programme in reference to:
  • Information provision/advertisements
  • Application
  • Selection
  • Matching/Placement with enterprise
  • Doing and completing the apprenticeship
  • Transitioning into employment or self-employment
5. The consultant will analyse the different opportunities and challenges that female and youth face at above different stages?
 
6. The consultant will analyse why female youth choose a limited range of sectors for vocational skills development. 
 
7. The consultant will analyse why female youth choose to be self-employed rather than to seek employment with local entrepreneurs
 
8. The consultant will analyse why female youth are almost double as likely to fall back into unemployment or lowly paid unskilled work as compared to male apprentices. 
 
9. The consultant will analyse and identify sectors most profitable and whether being self-employed (including employment in family/relative’s business) is necessarily better or less profitable than being employed by local traders. 
 
10. Based on above findings as well as economic analysis, the consultant will identify most profitable employment (including self-employment) opportunities accessible to women and how best we can support young women to take advantage and maximise on the opportunities. 
 
11. On completion of the field work, the consultant will debrief the relevant project staff in country and SC UK colleagues (via skype) before producing a draft report.
 
12. On completion of the draft report, the consultant will present their findings to the relevant project staff in country and SC UK colleagues (via skype) with time for feedback and questions before finalising the report. 
 
13. The consultant will produce a final report outlining findings from each stakeholder group and recommendations for improving the programme. This will include a two page summary/lessons learnt. 

Timeframe: The task should be completed before end of September 2016
 
Minimum Qualifications 
 
At the minimum, the gender analysis consultant must possess the following:
  • Advanced degree in areas of gender studies or other related fields.
  • Over 5 years’ experience in undertaking gender monitoring and analysis in preferably pastoralist communities in Kenya. 
  • Experience in monitoring and evaluation of project through a gender lens. 
  • Have proven knowledge and practical experience in quantitative and qualitative research on gender issues. 
  • Excellent organising, facilitating, presentation and communication skills.
  • Excellent report writing skills.
The consultant will be provided with tools or check list of questions for focused groups’ discussion targeted to specific groups and check list of questions targeted to key informant from County/Sub-County offices. 

All interested individuals are requested to express interest following the EOI format ONLY (
CLICK HERE to download) by email to: Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org  indicating the Assignment Title on the subject line by 18th August 2016.