Somalia: TSR BASELINE SURVEY

1.PROJECT INFORMATION SUMMARY:

Location: Erigavo, El afwein, Ainabo and Bo’ame districts in the Sanaag and Sool Regions of Northern Somalia.

Project Names: Iskufilnaasho (Towards Self-Reliance) Project, phase two (TSRII);

Target group: 28,362 pastoralists (70% female, 4,727 households) living in drought affected areas of Sool & Sanaag of Northern Somalia a specific focus on rural women from vulnerable households.

Direct Beneficiaries: 28,362 people (4,727 HH) (70% female) in 46 villages

Indirect Beneficiaries: 289,567 people.

2.BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.1Project Overview

CARE Somalia received funds for the second phase of the TSR project from the European Commission (EC). The first phase of the project ended in December 2012 and the second phase is a follow-up to and expansion of the former TSR program. The TSR 1 project has made considerable achievements in increasing livelihood security of the target communities. Not only have immediate needs been addressed, but more importantly systems have been established to help cushion livelihoods from the effects of future droughts. The TSR 2 project will build on these achievements by more deeply addressing structural root causes of poverty, decreasing vulnerabilities and fostering a culture of self-reliance.

The new phase of TSR 2 introduces a number of methodological changes and additions to promote investment and further empower women. The enhancements entail: (a) Supporting specific activities that help project participants use the village savings and loans associations (VSLA) funds to start small business ventures (TSR 2 will pilot a profit and loss sharing system that aligns with Islamic financing principles and is not interest based, working closely with local religious leaders; (b) Expanding activities to enhance women’s role in household decision making on allocation of resources through budget management training, and development of leadership skills and basic money management skills (e.g. literacy and numeracy, bookkeeping, management, planning and maintenance); (c) Intensive training on entrepreneurial and vocational skills to help project participants pursue profitable self-employment opportunities; and (d) linking successful VSLAs to remittance companies to further improve access to financial services, and encourage remittance companies to start considering services beyond remittances, as part of a wider range of (Islamic) banking services.

CARE’s VSLA approach is at the core of the program, building on the achievements and lessons learnt of TSR 1. The primary purpose of a VSLA is to provide simple savings and loan facilities, in a community that does not have access to formal financial services and through these and other enabling activities empower women to manage resources and invest them for the benefit of their household. Loans can provide a form of self-insurance to members, supplemented by a social fund which provides small but important grants to members in distress.

In implementing this, CARE envisages a community based approach where communities, through a participatory rural appraisal approach, identify their needs and implement appropriate solutions hence enabling communities to start building a better and more dignified life.

The VSLAs are the main entry point of most activities. They are composed of 70% women and 30% men. The basic principle of the VSLA system is that members of a self-selected group voluntarily form an autonomous VSLA and save money, through purchasing shares. The savings are invested in a loan fund from which members can borrow.

The VSLAs generate access to investment capital. This will enable project participants to set up self-selected small businesses. CARE will encourage this process actively through providing small incentives for those members with a viable business plan. Vocational and entrepreneurial training, increasing access to market information and provision of equipment and tools will help to build skills and capacities and foster a climate of self-reliant entrepreneurship.

Both men and women will be targeted in the trainings and awareness creation sessions. CARE research found that because women have most often been excluded from decision making they have been unable to develop confidence and skills in public speaking, negotiation and decision making. The activities under this result area will help build their ability to play a stronger role in managing household resources, resulting in better use of household income, and thereby better livelihood security and reduced household vulnerability.

CARE has decided to continue with a small component of cash transfers through cash for work to boost the local economy and increase funds available for savings and investment. The experience of the first phase is that the activities through CfW also help buffer communities during periods of drought so as not to risk large fall-backs and the loss of gains made during the course of the program, while we work with them on longer term resilience. The participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercises under TSR 1 identified schools, berkeds, irrigation canals, gully erosion control, latrines, grinding machines and a health clinic as priorities in the target communities. In the Sool and Sanaag region only PRA revisions will be conducted to capture needs due to shifting priorities. In the new target areas new PRAs will be conducted. Capacity building of the village committees forms an integral part of the intervention to ensure sustainability and maintenance of the structures. Under TSR 2, no unconditional cash transfers will be provided. CARE’s emergency program will address emerging needs in case of a dire crisis.

The project is being implemented in a phased approach. The first phase will be marked by community mobilizations, PRAs and intensive capacity building In the second phase the focus shifts to the implementation of CfW activities and the first cycles of the VSLAs, followed by the business development activities. The project will be implemented during a period of 30 months.

2.2Programme Design and Expected Results

The overall objective of the program is reduced poverty and increased food security for chronically food insecure pastoral populations in Northern Somalia.

Overall objective indicators

1. The proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day in Northern Somalia is reduced by half
2. The proportion of people who suffer from hunger in Northern Somalia is reduced by half

The specific objective of the program is increased livelihood security of 4,727 vulnerable households (28,362 individuals) in the Sool and Sanaag regions of Northern Somalia.

Specific objective indicator

1. Improved livelihood security of 4,727 vulnerable households (28,362 individuals) in Sool and Sanaag regions of Northern Somalia

The program has four result areaswhich are:

Result 1:Improved access to financial services (savings, loans and insurances) for 3,467 vulnerable households by the end of the project

Indicators

1.1. 3,467 HH have access to financial services through participation in VSLAs.

1.2. 181 VSLA functional by the end of the project

1.3. At least 30% of the HH that receive conditional cash injections participate in a VSLA

1.4. At least 60% of the participants report an improvement of their self-esteem and social position through their participation in VSLA

Result 2:Improved and diversified employment opportunities for 1000 vulnerable households by the end of the project

Indicator

2.1 30% of the households start income generating activities during the project

Result 3:Strengthened ability of 1,000 women to manage household budgetary decisions and influence household resources allocation

Indicators

3.1 30% men and women reporting meaningful participation of women in household budget decision-making

Result 4:Improved community infrastructure in 42 villages, and increased resilience to the impact of drought for 3,000 households by the end of the project.

Indicators

4.1 1,260 HH benefit from conditional cash transfers

4.2 42 communities with completed infrastructures by type

3.OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY:

The overall objective of the baseline survey is to provide reliable baseline information for the target areas in Northern Somalia which will be used as benchmarks against which progress of achievements, as well as impact, effectiveness and efficiency of the project will be measured and evaluated using verifiable indicators presented in the logical framework during the project implementation phase.

The specific objectives of the survey are:

1. Determine the baseline status on all indicators as established in the project’s log-frame
2. To review the relevance, feasibility and targets of indicators established in the project’s log-frame and provide recommendations on possible improvements
3. To provide a baseline understanding of the livelihood situation and main livelihood sources of the intended project participants in both IDP and host community settings that will support implementation of the interventions to maximize impacts
4. To provide a baseline understanding of the role of women in HH budgetary decision-making and resource allocation and recommendations for addressing barriers.

Specifically, the study should 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 logframe and determine their appropriateness and make recommendations where necessary

b)Current economic situation

· Establish the main livelihood sources and economic livelihood status of the intended project participants (both men and women) in both the IDPs and host community that would serve as benchmark for the TSR Project.

· Establish the ability to withstand shocks and identify the key coping mechanisms and their impact on household income sources for each of the wealth groups 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.

· Identify and prioritize key vulnerability criteria for targeting Households in both the IDPS and host communities.

· Identify viable economic initiatives (for both men and women) existing in the area

· Identify key factors impeding business growth

· Identify role of women in financial decision-making, particularly at HH level, and ways to address barriers.

c)Governance structures.

· Identify the existing local governance structures, their make-up at the community level and how these structures affect access to resources and decision making with specific focus on rural women? This includes women representation in existing structures and level of engagement in formal/informal community-level decision making?

· Identify opportunities that exist in ensuring/enhancing good governance and inclusive decision making?

d)Stakeholder and community engagement

· Establish the key risks to project implementation, including the stakeholder’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 IDPS, minority groups, women and girls from vulnerable households, and the overall engagement of women the project implementation.

· Identify inherent capacities that require strengthening and propose the best model for capacity building.

4.METHODOLOGY

The consultant is charged with designing the methodology of the baseline study. In doing so, he/she will take into account what is written about M&E in the project proposal and log frame and refer to donor requirements. The methodology shall consist of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods including questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.

· Literature review:The study should make use of the secondary information as relevant. The secondary information such as the project proposal, previous assessments and reports that exist will be used to narrow down the focus of the primary data collection.

· Field work:primary 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: content analysis of secondary information, statistical analysis of household survey, and stakeholder trend analysis.

· Validation:The findings generated by the study will be presented to CARE, its partners and relevant other stakeholders, which can include (local) governmental representatives and community representatives, for validation prior to completion of the final report.

5.TASKS

1. Conduct preliminary meetings with key project staff of CARE and partners to clarify the ToR and develop a clear understanding of project design and methodologies
2. Design the evaluation, including work plan with a tentative time schedule, data collection tools for the project and relevant program indicators (including translation into Somali), and sampling technique and size.
3. Produce an inception report that includes the baseline design, including work plan with a tentative time schedule, data collection tools (including translation into Somali), and sampling technique and sample size.
4. Obtain feedback on data collection tools from key CARE and partner staff and finalize data collection tools
5. Conduct desk reviews of secondary information and project documents including at a minimum the project proposal (including log-frame), implementation and M&E plans of the project, as well as the final evaluation report of the first phase of the project.
6. Train enumerators who will pre-test the data collection tools. The translation of the data collection tools will also be validated during this workshop.
7. Collect data from a representative sample of households using household questionnaires, from target groups using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)and key stakeholders through key informant interviews (KII)
8. Undertake data processing (data entry, verification and analysis);
9. Produce and submit first draft report based on findings
10. Present findings and recommendations for validation by key stakeholders(CARE, partners and community representatives
11. Finalize the baseline report incorporating feedback and submit the final report.

6.DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE

SNDeliverable/Task Timeframe in working days 1 Inception report include the baseline design/methodology,sampling methodology, work plan and data collection tools**, including translated data collection tools for all indicators in the log frame and scope of the baseline 22Training for enumerators (including validation of translated tools) 23Finaldata collection toolsincorporating feedback from CARE -4Primary and secondarydata collection155 Briefings/Debriefings:Provide regular feedback/briefs to Area Coordinator. The consultant will report his/her preliminary findings to the Area Coordinator, and the M&E Advisor before leaving the field. -6 Draft report.The report will be reviewed by CARE Somalia/Somaliland for initial feedback. 37 Validationof findings by stakeholders 18 Final report:The consultant will produce the final report after incorporating all comments and feedback provided by CARE. 2**8 Summary version of the final report to be shared with beneficiary communities and external stakeholders including power point presentation -

The consultant is expected to produce a draft and final report in English not exceeding 40 pages in length (excluding annexes) identifying key findings, conclusions, recommendations and lessons for the current and future operation. The report will have the following structure:

· Executive Summary (max. 2 pages)

· Introduction.

· Methodology, including sampling.

· Analysis and findings of the study.

· Conclusions, recommendations and best practices.

· Annexes

o Performance indicator tracking table reflecting the status on each indicator against target and previous results, if any

o Revised log-frame, including benchmarks for the project duration (if relevant)

o M&E plan, including monitoring data collection methods and tools to be used, proposed timelines for data collection and a beneficiary and indicator tracking database

o Relevant maps and photographs of the study areas

o Bibliography of consulted secondary sources

o Finalized data collection tools (in English and Somali)

o List of key informants

o Raw data in an agreed format

The consultant is expected to produce 3 hard copies of all deliverables. The final report will also be provided in electronic copy (both PDF and MS Word format) via email and on a CD.

7.QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

· An advanced degree in social sciences or development studies

· Relevant experience 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.

· Working knowledge of pastoral communities in arid/semi-arid lands of the Greater Horn of Africa (Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia)

· Excellent analytical and report writing skills.

· Fluent in English (both reading and writing).

· Understanding of the Somali language is an advantage

8.DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The consultancy is expected to take place in the months of March-April 2014 in a total of 24 working days, including preparation, evaluation design, travel, field work, report writing and presentation of findings and recommendations to CARE, partners and external stakeholders.

9.GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

The consultant shall adhere to the “Do No Harm” principle and any other humanitarian principles. The consultant will be required to follow CARE Somalia’s security advice.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

· Technical experience and expertise

· Quality of proposal

· Cost-effectiveness of proposal

The consultant shall ensure at all times the confidentiality of data, respect the privacy of all individuals concerned and make all data collected available to CARE in a usable format.

10.TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Logistics: The consultant’s travel from base to the field and back after the end of the contract (including airport tax), food, and accommodation will be covered by CARE.

All applications should include the following;

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page) and updated CV’s of all study team members
• Technical proposal (Max 10 pages): Which should include (i) brief explanation about the Consultant with particular emphasis on previous experience in this kind of work; (ii) profile of the Consultant to be involved in undertaking the evaluation, (iii) Understanding of the TOR and the task to be accomplished, (iv) draft work and plan
• Financial Proposal: Which should include consultancy fees but excluding: accommodation and living costs; transport cost; stationeries, supplies and enumerators needed for data collection; and costs related to other persons that will take part from consortium partners and government authorities during survey process, workshops.
• Where to send applications: please send your applications and proposal to consultants@som.care.org
• Deadline:the deadline for submission is 17^th April, 2014