Danish Refugee Council Survey – Strengthening Livelihoods in Hiraan Region, South Central Somalia

Terms of Reference for Baseline Survey – Strengthening Livelihoods in Hiraan Region, South Central Somalia
1. Purpose of Study
The objective of the baseline study is to:
  • Establish baseline data on current situation of the target beneficiaries, analyze indicators and assumptions on the expected results and indicators, against which impact, effectiveness and efficiency will be measured and draw benchmarks for monitoring and evaluation that will inform smooth project implementation.
  • The study should also develop monitoring plan and beneficiary data base, review relevance of the program logic and provide recommendations on project strategy and design
  • Provide practical recommendations on targeting and choice of activity.
2.0 Background

The program is funded by the European Commission as the main donor and co-funded by SIDA in specific components of the program. It is estimated that in the medium-long term, 21,700 people (3,100 households) living in selected villages of Beletweyne and Bulo Burte Districts will benefit from the action.
2.1 Introduction
For nearly two decades. Somalia has been in a state of political turmoil. Since it was instated nearly 5-years ago, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has not been able to create a functioning government with broad based support. Currently the TFG holds a very limited authority over much of south-central Somalia with various Islamic groups controlling the majority of the region.
In 2008, Hiraan Region was one of the least accessible areas due to recurrent fighting between TFG forces, backed by Ethiopian Troops (ET), against a coalition of Islamic groups. After the withdrawal of the ETs and the subsequent take over by ICU-Djibouti, there was a remarkable improvement in access and a stabilization of the administration in October 2008.
However these gains are limited and the last quarter of 2009 saw an upsurge in instability due to states of power-vacuums and multiple ruling “authorities” as Al Shabab and Hizbul Islamia fought each other for power and fought against the TFG and aligned militias. It is not likely that this situation will resolve itself soon. If current trends continue it is projected that Hiran will sway between states of conflict and states of stability—with these states at times simultaneously occurring.
Hiran’s current environment necessitates aid programming that takes a two-pronged approach to meeting short-term livelihoods protection and longer-term livelihoods strengthening needs.
Before Somalia’s unrest Hiran was a highly productive agricultural region that exported its production to other parts of the country. Insufficient rains have resulted in rain-reliant farms harvesting less then 50% of their post-war average (PWA). In 2009s Gu season Hiran produced 20% of the PWA and 38% of the 5-year average.8 Rural farming households in Hirans Riverine and Agro-pastoral areas will be supported with technical and input based agricultural support over multiple-farming seasons.
This longer term investment will enable Hiran’s, once self-sufficient, farmers to recover from the multiple failed/poor harvests that have impinged on their ability to meet their household needs through the use, sale and trade of on-farm production.
The current wave of conflict and drought have seen a trend of irregular population movements as people move to Hiran’s more urban areas seeking water, safety, alternative livelihoods activities and social-support. Often social-support is difficult to find and employment opportunities are scarce. Environmental and employment migrants and people displaced by conflict seek support from their extended families who most often are not able to meet their own needs and when all else fails resort to begging. Urban households will be supported through vocational trainings and on-the-job apprenticeships that provide beneficiaries with a practical skill with which they can earn a living as a skilled worker.
2.2 Programme Design
The specific objective of the action is “To improve the self-reliance of households’ livelihoods to meet their own needs through improved livelihoods.”
The results and related activities will reduce the severity of poverty, through increasing resilience and self-sufficiency, thereby decreasing food insecurity of targeted households. DRC also envisages that the successful implementation of this action will significantly reduce the negative impact of food aid, which has become a common phenomenon in parts of South Central Somalia and has resulted in discouraging farmers to produce to their potential. Beneficiary households will be better equipped to generate their own income by utilizing the skills provided under this program.
Expected Result 1: 800 rural farming households are better able to meet their basic household needs through sale and home consumption of on-farm production.
Indicators
  • As compared to the previous season, at least 60% of targeted households increase their yields by an average of 30%; as compared to last year
  • At least 70% of target households have increased their purchasing power through the sale/trade of on farm production
  • Total number of targeted farmers who received inputs and attended trainings;
  • At least 70% of targeted households apply knowledge/ methods learned at training and utilize distributed inputs; a demonstration farm is established, open and accessible to targeted and non-targeted farming households.
Expected Result 2: By the end of the project, 300 urban households are better able to meet their basic household needs through income generation activities (vocational training)
Indicators:
  • At least 70% of targeted students have improved their purchasing power through increased income generation activities
  • At least 70% of the targeted students successfully graduate from vocational training and apprenticeship
  • Number of targeted students who receive start-up tool kits /inputs;
  • At least 70% of targeted students apply skills learned at trainings and utilize start up kits.
Expected Result 3: By the end of the project 2,000 households are better able to protect their productive assets through cash relief
Indicators:
  • At least 80% of targeted households perceive that cash relief has decreased their need to sell/trade their productive assets
  • At least 70% of distributed cash is used to meet basic household needs
  • Number of households who receive cash relief.
3.0 Scope of Work
Specifically, the study will look into the following issues:
a) Project Design
  • How appropriate is the project design against the ground reality?
  • Look at the targets set in the log frame and determine their appropriateness and make recommendations where necessary
b) Current economic situation
  • Conduct a situational analysis and establish the main livelihood sources and economic livelihood status of the intended project participants in the Rivverine, urban and destitute household and individuals, which would serve as benchmark for the Project.
  • Design beneficiary data base for collection of beneficiary information as well as community profiling
  • Establish the extent of the impact of the current shock on the livelihoods of the people.
  • Establish the key coping mechanisms on household income sources for each of the wealth group within the project target areas.
  • Establish how the key coping mechanisms deviate from the norm and what other appropriate strategies would be put in place for effective livelihood support.
  • Facilitate participatory sessions that seek to identify and prioritize key vulnerability criteria for targeting under the project for both the IDPS and host communities.
  • Review the project strategy and recommend areas of improvement
c) Governance structures
  • Establish the existing governance structures and practices at the community level
  • How does this structure affect access to resources, community participation, decision making with specific focus to the impact to the livelihood situation?
  • What are the opportunities that exist in ensuring/enhancing good governance practices?
d) Stakeholder and community engagement
  • Conduct a stakeholder analysis and establish the key risks to project implementation, including the stake holder’s limitations to participation, with the intention of establishing an entry, engagement and exit strategy.
  • Examine the appropriateness of the strategy in targeting marginalized groups such as the rivverine, urban and destitute household and individuals, and the overall engagement of women the project implementation.
  • Identify inherent capacities that require upgrade and propose the best model for capacity building.
e) Project monitoring
  • Establish indicators for each of the objectives and results to track the project intended outputs and impact.
  • Develop a project monitoring plan.
f) Exit strategy
  • Define an appropriate exit strategy for the project.
4.0 Methodology
The baseline study should be based on the design of the evaluation study, and should use methodologies consistent with those for the evaluation to generate comparable data.
Literature review: The study should make use of the secondary information as relevant. The secondary information such as project proposal, previous assessments and situational analysis reports that exist will be used to narrow down the focus of the primary data collection.
Field work: data collection using quantitative and qualitative tools. The study will rely primarily on qualitative information from semi-structured interviews with key informants, focus group discussions with various social groups and stakeholders, and other participatory research methods with pastoral communities such as mapping, ranking, seasonal calendars and timelines. The study may be completed by use of quantitative data such as household surveys of randomly selected pastoral families and gender disaggregated figures on vulnerability.
Where necessary case studies will be used to highlight the degree of vulnerability.
Analysis and report writing: The primary data will be triangulated among various sources and methodologies and will be crosschecked with secondary data. The study will involve various data analysis techniques: trend analysis, comparative analysis, causal effect analysis and stakeholder analysis.
5.0 Specific Deliverables
The consultant is expected to lead and accomplish the following:
  • Design of the survey methodology and develop appropriate data collection tools.
  • Ensure timely data collection & in consultation with the project staff, coordinate all data collection and data entry activities
  • Analyze the data and information collected and write a report.
6.0 Expected Outputs
The consultant should submit the following items in both soft and hard copy to DRC Central Somalia within two weeks following the end of field work:
  • A 30-40 page report (using Ms Office)
  • Beneficiary data base created
  • Monitoring and Evaluation plan developed
7.0 Consultant Requirements
An advanced degree in social sciences or development studies with solid experience/qualification in the following areas;
  • Background in community development and conversant with participatory methodologies.
  • Excellent data and livelihoods analysis techniques such as knowledge on comparative analysis, stakeholder’s analysis and creation of data bases.
  • Solid experience in design, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Relevant experience in food security and income generating interventions in the context of South Central Somalia.
  • Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
  • Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork in Hiraan region, South Central Somalia.
  • Familiarity with EC donor regulations.
8.0 Conditions
The Consultant must be available to commence the assignment in October 2010. The baseline study will last for a period of 25 days.
DRC will be responsible for development of the TOR, selection of external consultants, coordination/guidance, logistical arrangements, and provision of the needed project documents for review, approval of the final report, payment for the consultancy and dissemination of the report to all stakeholders.
The Consultant will be responsible for the development of methodologies and baseline survey tools in liaison with the DRC project staff, conducting the baseline survey, analysis and reporting. S/he will also be responsible for the development of monitoring plan and project beneficiary data base.
9.0 How to Apply
Qualifies applicants or consulting companies are invited to submit a concise proposal that includes: methodology, work-plan, detailed budget of the evaluation, availability, relevant CVs, and references for similar work.
Submit your proposal to drcjobs@drckenya.org, indicating “EC Hiraan Evaluation” as the subject heading.
The deadline for application submission is September 30, 2010.
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk


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