Baseline/Scoping Study Consultant at Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA)

Baseline/Scoping Study Consultant

Project: Strengthening Social Mobilization and Accountability towards Ending SGBV and VAWG

Activity: Baseline/Scoping Study (BSS) 

Type of Service: Short Term Consultancy

Number Required: 4 Local Consultants - (1 Team Lead, 1 Consultant each in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe)

Duration: 10 Days

Locations: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 20th January, 2021

Reference Number: (Kindly quote as applicable) 

·       Team Lead             -           GRA - BSS/BAY/12/01/001

·       Adamawa              -           GRA - BSS/YLA/12/01/002 

·       Borno                    -           GRA - BSS/MAG/12/01/003 

·       Yobe                     -           GRA - BSS/DTR/12/01/004 

Terms of Reference:

Consultant to conduct baseline/scoping study and mapping of women’s rights organisationsand social accountability mechanisms and tools on ending SGBV/VAWG in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State

1.     Introduction

Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA) is a non-profit rights-based organization committed to ending sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in North-eastern Nigeria and assisting victims of SGBV in accessing services, maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life. GRA provides evidence-based grassroots interventions towards promoting social accountability, community-based prevention and response towards ending SGBV and violence against women and girls (VAWG).

GRA is partnering with UN Women in Nigeriato implement a 2-year project funded under the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and EU-UN Spotlight Initiative on Ending Violence against Women and Girls (Spotlight Initiative)in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno State. For more information, visit: www.grassrootresearchers.org.

2.     Background

In November 2020, UN Women Nigeria partnered with Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA)to strengthening networks and groups on social accountability mechanisms and tools to more effectively mobilize to end SGBV and VAWG in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno State. 

The project titled “Strengthening Social Mobilization and Accountability towards Ending SGBV and VAWG” aims at (1) Supporting women's rights groups and relevant civil society organizations to more effectively use social accountability mechanisms to support their advocacy and influence in preventing and responding to VAWG, including SGBV/Harmful Practices (HP), and Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE); (2) Strengthening and empowering women's rights groups and relevant civil society organizations representing groups facing intersecting forms of discrimination/marginalization to design, implement and monitor programmes and policies on VAWG, including SGBV/HP, and promote women’s and girls’ Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); and (3)To promote advocacy for GEWE and ending VAWG, including SGBV/HP.

The project will contribute to the elimination of SGBV/VAWG through the creation of a broad partnership with Civil Society, Government, Private Sector, Media, among others; and, build a social movement of women and girls as champions and agents of change at the national, subnational and community levels.

3.     Study purpose

The overall purpose of the baseline study is to map social mobilisation networks/service providers (including women rights groups, CBOs, (I)NGOs, relevant MDAs and private sector organisations) and community-level social accountability mechanisms and tools used by the CSOs towards ending SGBV/VAWG in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State.

The data generated from this baseline study will be used to shape the design, structure, and methodology of the capacity building with the social mobilization groups and service providers during the course of the project.

4.     Scope of work

The consultant is expected to;

a.     Systematise key reference documents about social accountability initiatives on ending SGBV and VAWG in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and propose a clear framework to interpret the effectiveness of the initiatives.

b.     Conduct a literature review to:

•  identify different types of social accountability interventions by CSOs to end SGBV in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe;
• Document the process and outcomes achieved by each to the extent possible with available literature;
• Document implicit or explicit theories of change underpinning these initiatives. 
• Conduct a limited number of key informant interviews with CSOs implementing social accountability initiatives to end SGBV in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, to complement evidence gathered from the literature;
•  Analyse the relative effectiveness of the identified initiatives, using the agreed evidence- based analytical framework.
• Based on this analysis, identify effective or promising interventions that may warrant further exploration by the Spotlight Initiative;
• Compile a report with clear and practical recommendations on potential partnership opportunities and investments for social accountability work to end SGBV in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

5.     Study objectives

The objective of the study is to:

• Identify women’s rights organizations, networks and service providersworking on ending SGBV/VAWG in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe State.
• Identify services (inclusive of referral pathways) in place to prevent and respond to VAWG across the different sectors including (health, security, social services, justice, education, gender/culture);
• Identify social accountability mechanisms and tools used by CSOs to monitor and engage in VAWG efforts;
• To inform strategic decisions, allowing for the refinement of programme and communication interventions through the identification of possible constraints and opportunities for programming for the main target groups.
• To provide recommendations on areas that need more attention and focus during implementation and ways to strengthen performance monitoring and maximise learning.

6.     Methodology

The survey will be primarily:

Desk-based review 

Key informant interviews with CSOs

7.     Key deliverables

• Develop data collection tools to achieve the above consultancy task;
• Submit a one-page daily report of field activity in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe through the Team Lead.
• State Consultants analyse and produce a state-based report with clear evidence-based recommendations for programming on  social accountability work carried out by CSOs towards ending SGBV/VAWG in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
• Team Lead compile the state-based report as a single technical report and submit to GRA;
• PowerPoint presentation by Team Lead, summarizing key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for validation of findings by the Spotlight Project team.

Consultancy roles and responsibilities

A.    Team Lead:

1.     Qualifications and profile

The Team Lead must have a minimum of a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work, Anthropology, International development, or a related discipline, and at least five (5) years’ experience in conducting studies relating to gender and social accountability mechanisms.

The Team Lead must:

• Demonstrate experience in leading the process of assessments or research studies or projects in the social services sector in Nigeria northeast, preferably in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe;
• Demonstrate high-level management experience and knowledge of results-based management practices, including previous experience leading a team and managing the performance of staff and /or contracted expertise to ensure that professional standards are met;
• Understanding gender-responsive development or institutional change management methodologies are a plus;
• Demonstrate experience in leading a collaborative process with multi-stakeholders from the Public and Civil Society sectors, preferably in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. 
• Demonstrate experience in the management of development projects that involve the delivery of social services to citizens.
• Have extensive knowledge of the social services sector, including knowledge of the mandate and functions of organisations providing support on women’s rights, child protection and/or child rights-based services to children and families;
• Demonstrate an understanding of risks that could impede the project from attaining results;
• Experience with UN financed projects is an advantage;
• Understanding of the gender equality environment in northeast Nigeria.

2.     Role and responsibilities

The Team Lead shall be responsible for:

• Lead the implementation process of a diverse team and be technically accountable for the results of the consultancy;
• Ensure that all tasks and activities are completed on time and within budget, and in a manner that meets the results and objectives of the consultancy;
• Be guided by the Spotlight Project Manager in ensuring that activities remain congruent with the Spotlight Framework.
• Ensure timely submission of all deliverables.
• Ensure sex-disaggregated data (and other intersecting data as relevant) is collected wherever applicable.
• Ensure appropriate and effective levels of collaboration with key stakeholders, including the primary entities that will ultimately implement and or benefit from any products, systems, standards or protocols developed under this consultancy.
• Ensure all reports, protocols, presentations and other tools developed under this consultancy are gender-responsive, appropriate for their intended purpose and receive the appropriate approvals from the Spotlight Coordination team.

B.     State Consultants:

1.     Qualifications and profile 

The State Consultant must have a minimum ofa Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work, Anthropology, International development, or a related discipline.

The State Consultant must:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience leading and implementing projects/research in the social science field, preferably in the field of Gender studies;
• Previous experience in the area of gender and development or gender equality;
• Understanding of the gender equality environment in the assigned State; 
• Experience in gathering and systematizing large amounts of data, evaluation of public; policies, analysis of gender indicators and other related issues;
•  2-3 years’ experience in quantitative or qualitative research and data analysis;
• Must have published research findings in the form of blogs, articles and/or reports;
• Experience with a UN organization/agency is preferable but not mandatory;
• Excellent command over the English language and understanding of local language;
• Experience in data mapping is an asset;
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset 

2.     Role and responsibilities

•  Have the overall responsibility for organizing and conducting the baseline study in their assigned state;
• Support in the design and development of data collection tools and methodology in their assigned location;
• Liaise with the Team Lead to ensure that the baseline study is carried out as per the work plan, as approved by the UN Women;
• Throughout the study process, s/he will also be responsible for ensuring the quality of the data collected and the data analyses, as well as ensuring that all data collection activities comply are in compliance with ethical and safety standards applicable to researching, documenting and national COVID-19 protocols;
• Supervise the enumerators, participants and study processes as per ethical considerations;
• Train the study team in data recording, entry and quality control measures; i.e. on-going supervision of these processes to ensure consistency and accuracy;
•  Provide qualitative and quantitative data analysis and recommendations to GRA in agreed reporting format;
•  Lead the writing of draft report in the assigned location and support in drafting final report and presentation;
• Amend report as needed to incorporate technical feedback and management responses and provide final report and output reports to the Team Lead as per the agreed timeline;
•  Responsible for logistics management for their field work and data collection activities;
• Report directly to the Team Lead.