Baseline Consultant at Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI)

POSITION CODE: LTS/CBM/KOG/26/BC

LOCATION:Lokoja field office,Kogi State.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Contract

DURATION: 2 weeks

Baseline summary

Project ID and Program/Project Name	(P10938) Support the implementation of Disability Law  in Kogi State of Nigeria
Name of Partner Organisation/s	ST10165 Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI)
Project start and end dates; phase of project if applicable	January 2026 to December, 2028
Study Purpose	The purpose of this baseline study is toestablish a starting pointfrom which tomeasure progress and effectiveness of the SIDLIK project in Kogi state of Nigeria
Study Type	Baseline Study
Contracting organisation/contact person	Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI)
Team members (if known)	External Consultant to be engaged
Primary Methodology	Mixed Methods, incl. DeskReview, Quantitative and Qualitative

Proposed Start and EndDates	30th March – 13th April 2026
Anticipated Report Release Date	13th April, 2026
Recipient of Final Report	Christoffel-Blinden mission and other implementing partners

Project description

LETSAI is a youth-led, impact-driven non-profit organization foundedin June 2015 and officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in March 2018. We are a passionate team of medical professionals, human rights advocates, development specialists, academics, and media experts each bringing over a decade of experience to the table.

Together, we are committed to creating a world where women and girls thrive socially, economically, and emotionally. At LETSAI, we champion gender equality, reduce inequalities, and promote good health and well-being through sustainable development solutions tailored to local realities.

Weak implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 leading to persistent exclusion and marginalization of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria remains a challenge, due to weak legal and policy enforcement, stigma, discrimination, and social barriers, gender inequality, inadequate services and infrastructure, weak institutional and Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) capacity, economic and employment barriers (United NationsSituational Analysis on the Rightsof Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Brief, 2025). In Nigeria, there is still inadequate enforcement and low public awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, poor coordination among government agencies, CSOs and international partners contributing to barriers affectingpersons with disabilities. As confirmed by theSituational Analysis on the Rightsof Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria CountryBrief, OPDs also operate in silos with limited coordination, hindering effective joint advocacy, except during critical campaigns. Also, there is insufficient technical capacity and expertise among those responsible for implementing the law. Many OPDs lack technical skills for policy dialogue, advocacy, and specialized programming, and awareness of available engagement platforms. According to The GuardianNigeria newspaper (March2023), the Kogi State House of Assembly during an engagement with the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) strategicand Award Presentation in Lokoja pledgedto strengthen laws to protectand accommodate Persons with Disabilities in its activities and other sectorsof governance. However, progress towards this commitment has been minimal.

The most obvious consequences of this situation are the precipitations of deep-rooted stigma, discrimination and cultural misconceptions. Limited meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making, low representation of femalesin leadership is attributed to intense politics or abuse of power coupled with lack of financial capacity and gender discrimination. According to NAPWPD-PRESS-RELEASE- “Pushing for implementation of Kogi State Disability Law with regards to accessible buildings and public spaces in Kogi State, Persons with disabilities, especially those with visible impairments in Kogi State, are daily confronted with the challenges of inaccessible environment, and as a result are excluded from daily life activities. We can then imagine what happens to those with without visible impairment. Sadly, 50 public infrastructures around Kogi State, including government buildings, public parks and open spaces, roads and streets, corporate sectors, commercial sectors and other infrastructures within Lokoja, Okehi, dekina, kabbaand Okene local government areas were found to be inaccessible for persons with disabilities, confirming their exclusion from development efforts. Notably, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria face disproportionately high unemployment rates and are at greater risk of teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. These challenges are often underreported due to stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing justice and support services.. They mostly find livelihoods in the informal sector with discriminatory workplace policiesand culture, includinglack of reasonable accommodation which limit their participation and in some cases access to sustainable employability prospects and other empowerment opportunities.

These challenges have the potential of continued marginalization and exclusion of persons with disabilities, especially women and other vulnerable groups. Reinforcement of stigma, discrimination, and cultural misconceptions, leading to isolation and loss of dignity may persist with Increased gender-based inequalities and heightened risks of GBV among women with disabilities.

Overall objective is an inclusive society where people with disabilities can fully participate and enjoy their rights equally with others

The projectaimed at achieving4 specific Outcomes/results:

Result 1: Increasedawareness and sensitization among key stakeholders and the public on the provisions of the Disability Law in Kogi State

Result 2: Strengthened the capacity of Persons with disabilities, OPDs, CSOs, CBOs, FBOs, Community Committee for Inclusion (CCI), and relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with and implementation of the project.
 

Result 3: Peoplewith disabilities are empowered to self-advocate on their rightsin line with the Disability Law in Kogi State

1. Baseline Study Objective and Intended Use

The SIDLIK projectis at its inception phase and this baseline study is commissioned by CBM to establishsound baseline data from which to measure progress and effectiveness of the project in Kogi state of Nigeria.

Specific Objectives:

1. To providebaseline data that allows an assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 in thestate.
2. The study will assessthe appropriateness and viability of the currentindicators and might suggest adjustments.
3. To assess the statusof implementation of the current disability law, policies and institutional responses to supportpersons with disabilities and OPDs in Kogi states.
4. To assess the current capacity of local civilsociety organizations includingOPDs, and other vulnerable groups including personswith disabilities, in the projecttarget communities.
5. To accuratelydetermine the population of persons with disabilities in the project target area using the WGSSQ.

Scope of the baseline study

The scope of this baseline study will include activities that seeks to meet the objectives listed above. The study shall be conducted in selected project communities from the list below, to give representative sample.

Find the distribution of the project communities below:

State	Implementing Partner	Local Government Areas
Kogi state	LETSAI	Lokoja
		Okehi
		Dekina
		Kabba
		Okene

1. Limitations

Kogi state has experienced significant security challenges in recent times which could impact the conductof the study. The insecurity especially kidnapping and banditry, insecurity could hamper the collection of data

In the event of increasedinsecurity across the nation, there will be need for situational analysis and use of locally sourcedenumerators for datacollection that understand the socio-political early warning signs and safety measures based on their context. There might even be the need to conduct remote assessments and rely on remote methods, including document review, phone interviews, online sessions etc.Consultants should be familiar withsuch methods.

CBM will carefullyevaluate the situation once the contract is signed and determine whether the study can be carried out as planned. In addition, CBM will provide a briefing on the current security situation and support as much as possible to ensure the safety of the team and stakeholders who will be involved in the process, including project partnersand beneficiaries.

In general,the do-no-harm principle shall be applied during the study, which includes not putting any stakeholder at risk or creating any negative consequences.

Target audience and learning

The target audiencefor this study could include different project stakeholders such as:

• Relevant Government MDAs at Kogi state such as:
• Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDs) at state level.
• Ministry of Women Affairs in Kogi State.
• Local Government Authorities
• Kogi state Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation
• Kogi state Houses of Assembly and LGA legislators
• Christoffel Blinden mission (CBM) International
• Kogi stae Disability Affair Agency
• Project Implementing Partner (LETSAI)
• Local CSOs includingJONAPWD, women and youth-led organizations in the project communities.

The findingsfrom this study will be used primarily by the project for indicator tracking purposes. It will also be used for advocacypurposes and resource mobilization for efficient and effective implementation of disability laws in thetarget states and strengthen the capacity of Kogi state Disability Affair Agency.

Study Questions

The study questionsshall be structured to assess whether the project is well-designed, efficient, consistent and viable. This will provide foundation for subsequent studies/evaluations on the project.

Methodology

The consultant will develop the detailed studymethodology based on this TORand a briefing with CBM (and the partners).Mixed methods shall be applied in this study and the methodology used shall fit the purposeof the study and needs to be documented in detail as an annex to the final report. The consultantis expected to submit a brief inception report detailing methodology for achieving the results of the study.The study mustmeet the principles of being inclusive,participatory and interactive, involving both male and female members of the community, as well as persons with disabilities.

As a minimum, the study process should include the following key steps:

• Desk review of relevant documents
• Initial briefing sessions with LETSAI.
• Field Phase with application of specific data collection tools.
• Analysis of findings
• Reporting of findings and recommendations Do-No-Harm, Safeguarding and Confidentiality

As regardsconfidentiality and dataprotection, the consultant must take allreasonable steps to ensure that the respondents are not adversely affected by taking part in the study in line with the do- no-harm principle.S/he must keep their responses confidential and must not do anything with their responses that they are not informedabout at the time. Also, particular care must be taken with childrenand teenagers. Consent must be granted by a parent or caregiver for interviews with children aged under 18 and CBM’s child safeguarding policy should be applied in all circumstances. The consultant should create safe and accessiblespaces for women and other vulnerable groups to participate in group discussions or interviews.

Followingdata collection and analysis, the consultant will share preliminary findings with CBM CO in Nigeria (and partners?). This shall be achieved through debrief sessions at CBM CO. The sharing of preliminary findingsis an opportunity for the stakeholders to hear what the consultant has found and to be involvedin thinking through recommendations if any. It should include constructive discussions around the key findings identified by the study.

Equality and inclusion/gender equality

The study data shall be disaggregated according to gender, age (adults/children) and disability status. For the collection of data on disability, the use of the Washington Group Short Set of Questionsis mandatory. Consultants need to be guided on the Washington Group Questions and their application.

Management Responsibilities and Baseline Study Team LETSAIResponsibilities

• Contract the consultant selected through a robust procurement process;
• Oversee the implementation and quality of the study;
• Provide project specific documents (Project Proposal, Logical Framework etc.)
• Review and approve inception report
• Monitor and assess the quality of the study and its process
• Provide guidance and institutional support to the external consultant
• Facilitate access to study areas;
• Facilitate and participate in briefing and de-briefing meetings
• Review draft baseline study report
• Pay the consultant based on the agreed terms and conditions specified in the expression of interest
• Approve the final report; all products relatedto the evaluation shall be submitted to CBM Nigeria at the end of the assignment and upon approval of the finalreport.

Responsibilities of the consultant

• The consultant will develop an inception report for review by the LETSAI and Initiatives and approval by LETSAI.
• The draft report will be shared with LETSAI for review and feedback. The final draft will also be sent to LETSAI for approval and signing off. The finalinstalment of consultant’s fees will be disbursed following sign off.
• The consultant will be responsible for all logistics arrangements, vehicles, accommodationand disability inclusivevenues for interviews and group discussion, as well as for training of data collectors as needed.
• The consultant will be responsible for the arrangements of all data capturing tools/devices for the data collectors.
• The consultants will ensure that all data collectors have the basic skills to translate English into local languagesused in areas of interventions, for easy understanding of the respondents.
• The consultant will be responsible for data security and anonymity.
• All consultants and enumerators and persons otherwise directly engaged with the target groups/project participants have to sign theCode of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy and must adhere to its stipulations.

Requirements for the Baseline Study Team Consultant

The team leader will be an experienced senior consultant, who will be responsible for the overall

process and the production of a high-quality final baseline study report.

Required Expertise

• Advanced degree in Political science,Policy and strategicstudies, Disability Inclusive development, Sociology and Anthropology, development or other relatedfields.
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in issues of Policy reforms in Nigeria and haven successfully conducted at least five similar studies
• Knowledge of the humanin study areas will be an added advantage.
• Experience working with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, or research institutions on projects related to disability inclusion, human rights and gender mainstreaming
• Strong understanding of policies and reform issues,monitoring processes, adaptation and evaluation.
• Analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings in a concise and logical sequence.
• Ability to draw practical conclusions and to prepare well‐writtenreports in a timely manner.
• Awareness and sensitivity to the particular needs of personswith disabilities including psychosocial disability, women and childrenis desirable.
• Knowledge of the culture of the peoples in Kogi State will be an added advantage.
• Consultants and data collectors must be able to speak and interpretHausa and other local language to English language.
• An inclusive and gender balanced team is desirable.

Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy: As a conditionof entering into a consultancy agreement the evaluators must sign the CBM Safeguarding Policy and abide by the terms and conditions thereof.

• The contracted consultant adheres to the CBM Code of Conductand commits to CBM’s

Safeguarding Policy.

• Related Statements of the above must be signed together with the contract.
• The consultant also commits to the highest standards of data security.
• CBM is an equal opportunities employer, and particularly encourages qualified persons with disabilities to apply.

Deliverables

The deliverables that will be required of the Consultant and the timeline for submission will include:

Inception Report

The Consultant is expected to submit an inception report latest 1 week after receipt of all background documentation. The purposeof this report is to ensure that the consultant covers the most crucial elements of the exercise including the appropriateness and robust methodology to be employed as well as gender and diversity representation and participation of different social groups for inclusive analysis of needs.

The inception reportprovides the organization and the baselinestudy team with an opportunity to verify that they share the same understanding about the studyand clarify any expectations at the outset. The report should reflect the baseline study team’s review of literature and the gaps that the field work will fill. The report should also reflectopportunities for participation of persons with disabilities in the development of methodology, datacollection and analysis.

Final Report

The final study report (in easy to understand English and in accessible format) with a maximum 30 text pages (+ annexes) must be submitted to CBM Country Office within 3 weeks after completion of the field phase. CBM will providefeedback which has to be incorporated within2 weeks.

The report shall include a 2-3 pages’ executive summary in English that can potentially be used for

publication purposes (e.g., CBM website).

The baselinestudy report is an exclusiveproperty of CBM and shouldnot be released without prior authorization, to any otherparty. The finalreport will be available throughCBM.

Data Sets

The Consultant will be expected to submit complete data sets (in Excel) of all the quantitative data as well as the originaltranscribed qualitative data gathered during the exercise. These data sets (filled consent forms) shouldbe provided at the timeof submission of the finalreport.

Draft of new log frame

The logicalframework with the updated baseline for the indicators being tracked will also be submitted by the Consultant.

Summary Findings

On submission of the final report, the consultant is expected to submit a PowerPoint presentation (maximum 12 slides), summarizing the key findings and main recommendations. This should be submittedtogether with the final report.

Baseline study Schedule ProposedTime Frame:

Duration of Activities

The durationof the evaluation exercise shall be 30 days according to the schedule below:

Task	Location	Number of Days	Expected Dates
Desk Study/Literature review	Consultants’ desk	2
Submission of Inception Report  and Briefing	Online/LETSAI office	2
Field Phase,Project Visit or remote  data collection phase	Project locations	2
De-briefing with initial findings	Online/LETSAI office	1

 

Analysisand draft report	Consultants’ desk	3
Review of draft reportafter feedback from LETSAI and partners  (Finalising report)	Anywhere	4
Submission of final report	LETSAI office	1
TOTAL		15

Payment Mode

• The first tranche of payment (50%) will be made upon submission and approval of the inception report and invoicesubmitted by the Consultant.
• The last tranche of payment (50%) will be made following the submission and approval of all deliverables as stated aboveand receipt of invoice fromconsultant.