Consultant: Baseline Assessment for the Action for Religious and Cultural Pluralism at Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Employee Status: Consultancy

Background

• Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the official Aid Agency for Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.
• CAFOD works with partners across the world to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice.
• CAFOD has obtained funding from the European Union (EU) for the implementation of a programme promoting tolerance, known as ‘Action for Religious and Cultural Pluralism in Nigeria (Zaman Tare)’. The programme aims to strengthen multiculturalism and religious tolerance in Nigeria and Niger Republic, through various initiatives.

Project Objectives
The project seeks to achieve the following:

• Impact: Communities in Niger and Nigeria live in a culturally inclusive environment
• Outcome: Women and men and girls and boys in target communities contribute to and benefit from increased respect of cultural and religious pluralism
• Intermediate Outcome 1: Academic and cultural material developed and disseminated to foster intercultural and interreligious understanding
• Intermediate Outcome 2: Intercultural and interreligious networks and platforms strengthened and jointly promoting tolerance for cultural and religious pluralism
• Intermediate Outcome 3: Public discourse on cultural and religious pluralism promoted and contributing to enhanced intercultural and interreligious tolerance
• Intermediate Outcome 4: Public duty bearers demonstrating commitment to uphold cultural and religious pluralism

We expect to accomplish the following results:

• Op1.1 (related to iOc1): Universities contribute to a robust evidence base through increased research on cultural and religious pluralism
• Op1.2 (related to iOc1): Media actors and artists disseminate cultural material to promote cultural and religious pluralism
• Op2.1 (related to iOc2): Local leaders and civil society jointly promoting tolerance for cultural and religious pluralism
• Op2.2 (related to iOc2): Intercultural and interreligious bodies strengthened and collaborating
• Op 3.1 (related to iOc3) : Youth and children contribute to a public discourse on cultural and religious pluralism
• Op 3.2 (related to iOc3): Communities have an enhanced understanding of cultural and religious pluralism
• Op 4.1 (related to iOc4): Civil society actors and religious leaders advocating for tolerance of cultural and religious pluralism
• Op 4.2 (related to iOc4): Government stakeholders have an enhanced understanding of cultural and religious pluralism

Baseline: Aim and Objectives

• In view of its mandate, Zaman Tare needs a comprehensive baseline assessment to acquire facts on awareness and perception of what CAFOD is doing in Nigeria and Niger Republic.
• The information will be used to reinforce the Monitoring and Evaluation framework of Zaman Tare and to measure the results of the program. Basically, the aim of the baseline is to collect key data to inform implementation of the program.

The specific objectives of the baseline are:

• To establish credible data that will inform the Zaman Tare Strategy and to serve as a baseline for the M&E framework.
• To serve as the first measure of the current status against which different achievement benchmarks will be drawn.
• To draw information that will assist the program team to develop appropriate and timely messaging and advocacy campaigns.

Baseline Methodology:

• A mix-method approach and methodology will be used to gather key data in order to inform program implementation
• The methodologies will include; desk study review, key informant interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

Scope of Work

Location:

• The consultants of the Baseline study will be based in Nigeria but will spend a significant portion of the consultancy conducting research in the project locations of Plateau and Kaduna states in Nigeria and Maradi, Diffa, Niamey, Agadez and Zinder Regions in Niger Republic
• The Baseline consultant will work under the Country Representative for CAFOD Nigeria in collaboration with Programme Officers based in Abuja, Nigeria and Niamey Niger Republic
• The consultant will be expected to travel to the several locations cited above to conduct this work.

Deliverables:

• Baseline assessment work plan and inception report completed within first thre;e days and consist of the assignment as agreed upon by the program team. The consultants may suggest work plan adjustments in order to better reflect and address the beneficiaries' needs. S/He will coordinate with the partner team who will assist in the field.
• First Draft of baseline report covering the data analysis.
• Final Baseline Report: The report should be in English, between 20-30 pages, and consist of:
  • Executive summary of key baseline data, findings and recommendations (no more than 3 pages);
  • Table of contents; this should go first
  • Research findings, analysis, and conclusions with associated data presented, where appropriate in clear graphs or charts; and linking directly to the baseline objectives and indicators
  • Baseline figures for the relevant indicators – with a clearly stated methodology for how this was derived
  • Recommendations for future program implementation and monitoring;
  • Appendices, which include collected data, detailed description of the methodology with research instruments, list of interviewees, bibliography, and consultant (s) brief biography;
  • Two electronic copies, in English and French.

Timeframe / Schedule:

• The period of this consultancy is a maximum of 60 days
• This consultancy needs to start from July 01 to August 31, 2019 with an estimated timeframe of 60 days, including travel, preparation and training and can be a combination of in-country and home-based working days and can be also non-continuous.

The following is an indicative timeframe:

Action (number of days):

• The overall result will be the delivery of the outputs as outlined above. This will be achieved through: desk research; field visits to communities in project local government areas; the administration of research tools; data handling and analysis and report production. (Maximum of 30 days)
• Submission of finalized assessment methodology and scope (8 days)
• Submission of finalized tools (6 days)
• Training workshops for the designated data collectors and other relevant participants (4 days)
• Leading the data collection exercise (20 days)
• Drafting the Baseline Report (10 days)
• Review of the draft with key stakeholders (6 days)
• Production of final Baseline Report (6 days)

Logistical Support
CAFOD will provide preparatory and logistical assistance to the evaluator(s), which include:

• Background materials (Program Proposal/ToR, Log Frame, etc.);
• Preparation meeting with Country Representative and key program personnel;
• Joining Community Mapping Workshop and work together with partner team
• Identify interviewees and set up interviews;
• Arrange transportation, lodging, etc.

Baseline Budget:

• The budget for the proposed baseline is within 5000 - 8000 Euros.

Roles and Responsibilities
The lead Consultant is expected to be responsible for the following:

• Identify and define baseline priority areas, methodology and recommendations;
• Design and implement data collection coordination with the program team;
• Retrain recruited enumerators
• Engage stakeholders in the assessment process;
• Data analysis coordination with the program team and reports;
• Develop and present a draft baseline report to CAFOD and other stakeholders;
• Produce a 20-30 paged report covering key findings, major conclusions and recommendations (including credible indicators and the setting of a baseline to measure progress) in order to help inform the development of the program.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-10 years applied experience in research and Design, Monitoring & Evaluation experience in conflict or development programs
• Minimum of a Postgraduate level Degree in Conflict Resolution, International Relations, a related Social Science field, Statistics or a field relevant to the ToR requirements. Ph.D. preferred;
• Proven quantitative and qualitative research skills (candidates should provide a copy of baseline/evaluation reports produced);
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.
• Strong background in participatory design, monitoring and evaluation methodologies;
• Knowledge of logical and results frameworks;
• Knowledge of the use of conflict management tools, behaviour change communications and media;
• Work experience in Northern Nigeria and Niger Republic;
• Fluent in English and French; knowledge of Hausa highly desirable.
• Preferably Nigerian or Nigerien.