Consultant, Endline Survey at CARE

Brief Introduction About CARE International in Nigeria

Officially registered in April 2017, CARE is in its fourth year, operating in Nigeria. The bulk of its programming is currently in the conflict affected Northeast, with some peace-building and food security (Ag) programming in the Northwest.  In August 2017, CARE Nigeria developed its first Emergency Response Strategy (2017-2018) guided by and aligned with CI 2020 Program Strategy and the CI Humanitarian Strategy.  This Emergency Strategy has guided the Country Office (CO) in mobilizing resources for three key programming areas: Food Nutrition Security and Livelihoods (FNSL), Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and a Life Free from Violence (LFFV); (Gender-based violence (GBV) Prevention and Response). CARE Nigeria continues to build its reputation for quality programming in these core areas and will prioritize these going forward. 

Since commencing operations, the CO has undergone a number of different analysis related to its Country Presence Review (CPR) and its Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP) in particular. With the conclusion of its 1-year Emergency Response Strategy, it was timely for the CO to both reflect on its lessons and achievements and plan for the next 3 years with the aim to have one overarching strategy to guide the CO program. Analyses from the CPR and EPP were important for this reflection and planning. 

The following CARE Nigeria Program Strategy is complemented and informed by the COs EPP and the CPR process currently underway, along with the West Africa Region’s Impact Growth Strategy (Women on the Move).  This 3-year strategy is meant to guide the CO in its programming decisions across the humanitarian-development continuum (including early recovery, building resilience and peacebuilding). Gender integration and the empowerment of women and girls is a strategic focus of CARE Nigeria’s Program Strategy.  The Strategy will be reviewed annually and adjusted/2adapted as necessary based on sound contextual and underlying causes of poverty analysis. The CPR and subsequent Business Planning process in particular will be a critical reference for Strategy review and adaptation going forward.

1. Background of the Project

As the conflict in Northeast Nigeria between security forces and non-state armed groups is now in its tenth year, the humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate. The protracted conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis characterised by widespread displacement, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, protection risks, destroyed infrastructure, and collapsed basic services in a region that was already experiencing high levels poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, and inequality.

SRHR: CARE Nigeria concluded a rapid SRHR scoping exercise (November-December 2018) in parts of Bama, Mafa, Dikwa LGAs, where this project will be implemented. Findings from this exercise pointed to the shortage of skilled/trained health personnel (particularly doctors and midwives) as the major factor responsible for either the unavailability/limited availability of these services. In addition, many actors engaged in the current response acknowledged there is still significant unmet need for SRH services. Less than 30% of health facilities in Borno have a functional referral mechanism to a higher level of care. Facilities that are functioning are short of skilled health-care workers (many reluctant due to the volatile security situation), and lack safe water, basic drugs, and equipment. Significant shortages remain in Antenatal Care (ANC) and Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BeMONC) supplies, equipment, and medication.

GBV: Over three and a half million women, men, and children remain in need of GBV services (Northeast Nigeria Humanitarian Situation, October 2018), including psychosocial support services, mental health evaluation for new arrivals, documentation of experiences of Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), and referrals for specialised services. Individualised GBV case management is required in women, girls, children and adolescent friendly environment for CSRV and other critical cases. According to the GBV Sub-Sector Humanitarian Needs overview for 2018, the prevalence GBV and violence against women and girls has increased by 7.7% since the conflict began (Humanitarian Situation Update, OCHA, September 2018).

Of the 2 million people displaced in the Northeast region, 54% are women and girls (DTM Round 25, IOM, October 2018). Many live in congested areas with no access to basic services such as food, water and shelter; others have settled with host communities, who are among the world’s poorest people. While many people displaced from their homes in Borno State are eager to return, continuing insecurity (including the risk of encountering dangerous explosive remnants of war), and lack of basic services like health and education continues to undermine these aspirations. Women and girls remain particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation. Gender-based violence is pervasive in Northeast Nigerian society, which supports male supremacy and grants men power and control over women in both the domestic and the public spheres.

In an effort to address the  above, CARE Nigeria, with support of funds the  from Global Alliance Canada (GAC),  has been implementing the project "Addressing GBV and SRH Challenges in North East Nigeria Project." in 2 Local Government Areas in Borno state, North East Nigeria  The project started on the  1st April 2019 and will end on the 1st March 2021 and actual implementation was done in partnership with two (2) Local Civil Society Organizations: Healthcare Development Focus Initiative (HECADF) and National Youth Council Network (NYCN) of Borno. The project also worked with Local Government Authorities and project beneficiaries in its operational localities.

 Project target areas                                                                                           The project targeted communities in the following locations: Dikwa and Bama Local Government Areas and planned to reach a total of total number of 47,000 beneficiaries (17,500 men and 29,500 women)

Overall goal: To address gender- based violence and sexual reproductive health & rights challenges in North East Nigeria

 Overall outcome: 1000 Lives saved, suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained through SRH and GBV interventions for crisis-affected women, men, boys and girls in Northeast Nigeria  

The project has four (4) main outcomes (2 intermediate & 2 immediate outcomes respectively):

Intermediate Outcomes:

     I.        Increased and equitable use of gender-responsive assistance by crisis-affected people to meet basic SRH needs in Northeast Nigeria

    II.        Increased and equitable use of gender-responsive assistance by crisis-affected people to meet basic GBV needs in Northeast Nigeria

Immediate Outcomes:

      I.        Increased access of women, men, boys, and girls to sexual and reproductive information and services in Northeast Nigeria

        II.            Increased access of crisis-affected population and survivors to GBV protection services in Northeast Nigeria

2. Scope of work

CARE Nigeria is seeking the services of a competent consultant/team of consultants to carry out an end-line survey for the ‘Addressing GBV and SRHR Challenges in the North-East Nigeria’ project. The overall objective of the assignment is to assess the design, performance and impact of the response interventions on the lives of people living in the crisis –affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bama and Dikwa respectively.  The assignment will particularly focus on assessing the overall impact of the project activities in relation to SRHR and GBV prevention/ response.

CARE emphasizes result- based project frameworks. Addressing GBV & SRHR Challenges in Northeast Nigeria project has clearly defined project outcome and outputs stated in the project log frame with indicators (Annex 1 – Project Log Frame). Having implemented the project over the past two years (1st April 2019 - 31st March 2021), it is very much critical for the project to measure whether those intended outcomes were achieved during the project period; hence a deliberate effort to compare the results of the initial baseline survey with that of an endline survey in order to establish progress made on the planned targets against their corresponding indicators.

Specific objectives of the Endline Survey

In a bid to accomplish this assignment, the following specific objectives have been set out:

• Determine the extent to which proposed outcomes, objectives and outputs have been achieved
• Assess the efficient and effective use of resources
• Ascertain the degree to which the Core Humanitarian principles and Sphere Standards   have been respected
• Assess the level of involvement of, and accountability to beneficiaries
• Assess the extent to which the project built synergies with other existing initiatives, and also incorporated past lessons and recommendations from similar interventions.

 3. Methodology of the end line survey

The consultant(s) is required to propose a mixed methodology for carrying out the assignment. However, CARE and partners recommend the use of combined qualitative and quantitative methods, which will ensure effective measurement of project progress and performance during the implementation period. Because both Baseline and Mid- term surveys were also undertaken, it will be necessary to establish a sampling strategy with a control group to enable an appropriate appraisal of outcome-level changes at the target population level. CARE Nigeria recommends that the Endline survey methodology is focused on three main dimensions, as outlined below: 

         I.            Performance assessment

Performance of the action will be assessed through a review of available documentation, including semester and interim reports, as well as, other relevant internal project- related documents available in the country office. Whatever available, both project baseline and mid- term survey data will be shared in order to attempt a retrofit comparison. Additionally, key informant interviews and focus group discussions (among other qualitative methods), will be conducted to get more information and a better understanding of the barriers and enhancers in project implementation.

ii. Impact assessment

Given that the project undertook both baseline and midline assessments prior to, and mid-way into its implementation, interviews and Focus Group Discussions with Key Informants, Local Government Area structures/institutions, community based structures, local implementing partner organizations, project participants, backed by physical observations/ verifications, will be used to assess the impact of the interventions in the two (2) operational LGAs. 

iii. Analysis of lessons learned for future response

CARE Nigeria is seeking to gain knowledge on lessons learned to feed into future response interventions of a similar nature, with particular reference to what this Endline exercise can prove to have worked for the target populations. Hence, comprehensive analysis of  all information (quantitative and qualitative) gathered in the process will be used to answer the questions established to inform CARE, Local Government Authorities, relevant State Institutions and Ministries namely State Ministry of Health (SMOH), State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA),Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Technical Sub Working Groups for both Gender -Based Violence, Reproductive Health, and the wider Health cluster.       

 The Consultant will be responsible for hiring the enumerators who will work alongside project field staff with supervision from the consultant(s). In addition, the consultant(s) will be responsible for determining the survey sample size, the sampling strategy and the training of enumerators. CARE Nigeria will be responsible for the overall coordination of the survey including the logistic support to the survey.

 4. Areas of specific attention

 Spin-off effects of the project

• Are there any favorable/adverse unintended effects of the project?
• To what degree has the project ignited and positively triggered authorities to take positive actions that prevent/mitigate GBV, and also increase women and girls’ rights to access GBV & SRH services?
• What is needed to secure the sustainability of the project's positive achievements (if any)?
• Are there any particular lessons learned in relation to the unintended consequences of the project?

5. Expected deliverables

i. The Consultant(s) will deliver the following:

1. Final version of the questionnaire and discussion guides to complete data collection.
2. Compilation and summary of focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The scripts must be written in English.
3. Final report of the Endline survey including all relevant annexes
4. 3 pager- executive summary based on key findings for wider dissemination
5. Develop the final sampling plan, in coordination with the CARE Nigeria GAC project team
6. Facilitate the training of enumerators
7. Develop strategies and mechanisms to ensure data collection and quality (qualitative and quantitative). Final strategy will be further discussed with the CARE GAC project team

ii. Reporting requirements

The Consultant will have the following reporting requirements:

• Presentation/discussion of preliminary findings, conclusions and recommendations with CARE Nigeria staff and Global Affairs Canada
• The draft report will be submitted to CARE Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada for review;
• The final report will be submitted after the reception of comments from CARE Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada
• An outline of activities and strategies that CARE Nigeria could consider to incorporate into future programming, and briefly describe how these can be carried out.

 Above all, the report should include the following chapters: an executive summary, description of the survey methodology, background information, chapters on findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the future. The findings should be supported and documented by pictures and quotes, as required.

7. Skills/ competences required:

• A local Consultant with extensive work experience and in depth knowledge in Gender and Health, with a particular focus on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) issues
• Past experience in similar assignments with an International/National Non-Governmental Organization, within the context of emergency response, particularly in the North East Nigeria
• Excellent writing and oral skills, as the person is required to prepare and finalize a report, together with a set of accompanying materials
• Excellent capability to adapt and maintain focus on expected results
• Strong knowledge and track record in leading randomized field research
• Capable to deliver on tight deadlines and willingness to work in remote, hard –to- reach, and highly insecure environments

8. Submission of Technical and Financial Proposals:

The potential and interested firms/consultants must submit technical and financial plans expressing their interest to conduct an Endline survey for the project “Addressing GBV & SRHR Challenges in North East Nigeria’”. Documents are expected for submission as technical and financial proposals within 5 calendar days of the date of announcement.

• Organization Profile, including an organogram, experiences and CVs of key personnel for the team; e.g. Team Leader
• Technical proposal.
• Total budget.

CARE Nigeria will hold prior discussions with interested consultants/firms to provide further clarification on the Terms of Reference (ToR) in order to ensure quality quotations. Interested consultants/firms should contact CARE Nigeria at the below provided contact e-mail to agree on the meeting date and time.

9. Evaluation Criteria: The firm/Consultant will be evaluated based on following criteria:

• Previous work experience.
• Methodological/technical aspects of carrying out the study and technical expertise in Gender, health, women’s rights, monitoring capacity building.
• Total budget in the local Nigerian Currency (consultant fees, breakdown of activity costs, etc.)

Application Procedure: Applications should include the following:

• Proposed methodology, activity plan/work plan, budget and sampling framework.
• Proposal package including previous demonstrated experience on similar consultancies.
• At least three previous references.