Closing date: 06 Mar 2018
Terms of Reference for External Consultant/Firm
Baseline survey
Cholera/MNCH project in Burundi, South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia supported by the Norwegian Red Cross
Background and objectives of the project
The Cholera/MNCH project is a long-term project of three years financed by the Norwegian Red Cross1 focusing on cholera preparedness and response as well as Mother and Child health (MNCH). The project will be implemented by Burundi Red Cross, South Sudan Red Cross, Kenya Red Cross and Somalia Red Cross (so called National Societies). Each of them have identified local branches and are in the process of identifying communities where they will implement the project.
Burundi Red Cross will target three communes in Cibitoke, Bujumbura rural and Rumonge provinces along the “cholera belt”. Direct beneficiaries are children under the age of five, pregnant women and vulnerable households with emphasis on support to child headed households, pygmies, widows and widowers living alone, and people with physical handicaps. Beneficiaries will be identified together with the local authorities.
Kenya Red Cross will target two counties: Mombasa and Marsabit. The communities have limited access to essential services and these populations have limited capacity to respond to cholera outbreaks, predisposing entire populations to rapid intensified outbreaks. The project aims at enhancing the capacity of vulnerable people including pregnant and lactating mothers and their infants to prevent the spread of diarrhoeal disease including cholera. Women groups and registered groups of disabled persons will be called upon to provide input that will ensure equitable provision of services in the community, that takes into account the needs of the most vulnerable individuals.
Somali Red Crescent Society will intervene in five branches in the south-central regions: Baidoa, Kismayo, Jowhar, Beletweyne and Merka.
South Sudan Red Cross will work in three local branches (Juba branch, Yirol branch and Warrap branch) and beneficiary’s selection will be discussed with the Ministry of Health and county health departments to agree on the actual communities to be covered. This will depend on cholera outbreak historic data to target the communities that are most prone to cholera outbreaks.
The main objective of the project is as per the Norwegian Red Cross International Strategy Societal Goal: "Reduce the vulnerability of communities and prevent loss of life". It will contribute directly to the Humanitarian Objective 1: "Ensure basic needs are met& improve the health of the most vulnerable people affected by conflict& protracted crisis" and Humanitarian Objective 2: “Improve regional& global disaster preparedness & response systems to acute disasters & contribute to a coordinated recovery from large scale disasters”.
Expected Outcomes and most relevant activities:
Outcome:
Targeted people have access to and improved practices and knowledge related to water, sanitation & hygiene (Wash)
Intervention strategy:
Access to clean water and improved sanitation are key to reducing cholera outbreaks, country projects will include some prevention aspects in addition to preparedness and response:
-Access to safe water; cholera hotspots targeted for rehabilitation of boreholes and construction of drinking water system
-Access to safe sanitation; cholera hotspots targeted, for latrine construction at household level and in schools
-Improved hygiene practice through hygiene promotion activities in communities
-Water treatment, storage, trucking and distribution during outbreaks
Outcomes:
Communities have improved practices and behaviours for primary health prevention.
Communities contribute to secondary health prevention: early detection, early referral to treatment (MNCH).
Intervention strategy:
The National Societies will use trained volunteers in the communities to raise awareness to ensure greater uptake of MNCH services through social mobilization activities aimed to:
-Improve immunization coverage: volunteers will encourage mothers with children to access the health facilities during vaccination campaigns
-Reduce malaria morbidity and mortality: volunteers will disseminate messages on prevention of malaria, do social mobilization, educate mothers during bed net campaigns and undertake clean-up campaigns in communities
-Reduce malnutrition rates: volunteers will visit households, inform about importance of breast feeding and healthy nutritious food for children, do screening for moderate and severe malnutrition and refer children to health facilities/nutrition treatment centers
Outcome:
Lives saved and excess mortality and morbidity reduced through emergency health risk management (Health)
Intervention strategy:
The country projects will build National Society and community capacity to better respond to epidemics/outbreaks:
-Hygiene promotion and awareness raising: train volunteers in epidemic control for volunteers(ECV) in selected areas before an outbreak
-Early warning early action: (consider) introducing CBS for regular reporting from volunteers in communities on pre-agreed indicators
-Case management: early treatment of mild/moderate dehydration in the communities, using Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs)
-CBS: reporting from the ORPs to inform and direct the response
Outcome:
National Societies and targeted communities are prepared to respond to outbreaks (DRM)
Intervention strategy:
The country projects will focus on developing cholera/AWD preparedness for response:
-Preposition of ORP kits and train trainers and volunteers in the use of the kits
-Develop contingency plans with triggers for the National Societies
-Pre-position and training in use of Kit5/water treatment units during an outbreak response
-Integrate Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) for improved quality of interventions and to enhance behavioral change
-Avail crisis modifier funds in country for immediate action and response once # of cases increase (as reported from the volunteers, even before an outbreak might be declared by the Health authorities)
Study overview
The consultant/firm will be responsible for conducting a baseline study in each of the four countries where this project will be implemented (Kenya, Somalia, Burundi and South Sudan).
Baseline survey
Objectives of the baseline**:**
Collect qualitative and quantitative data on project goal- and indicators, disaggregated by age and sex, from which the project’s progress can be measured against. This entails development of data collection methodology, data collection and data analysis.
Develop suggested relevant additional project indicators.
Develop suggested tools and methodology for monitoring of project implementation.
Training of project staff on how to measure the indicators in a consistent manner.
Prior to the baseline survey and as part of the needs assessment, a retrospective analysis of 10 years worth of Cholera Outbreaks will need to be assessed. Our team will already have collected information on hot spots areas for cholera outbreaks during the past 5-10 years as well as on other actors involved in country and in the specific branches of intervention. In addition, NorCross' health and WASH advisors will have collected information on the health facilities and water and latrine situation at household level. The consultant will be provided this data and is expected to compile a needs assessment report paving the way for the baseline study. The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has developed standard survey questions hence the consultant doesn’t need to develop a new survey, but to adapt the already existing tools for this particular project. One baseline survey questionnaire should be developed and used across the four countries. The proposed methodology should include household surveys, focus group discussions and observation studies in the four countries.
The consultant will be responsible for the following aspects of the baseline survey:
Sample size calculation
Questionnaire development
Data collection
Data entry and cleaning
Data analysis The consultant will then produce one baseline report which will be composed of four distinguished parts reflecting the four baseline studies conducted in Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya and Burundi.
The study will serve the purpose of ensuring that the project indicators are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and targeted). The consultant will suggest additional indicators for the project if relevant.
The study needs to provide clear guidance and recommendations to ensure proper monitoring of the project to maximize learning and adjust/improve the project design, logic of intervention and monitoring indicators. The consultant will be responsible for suggesting monitoring tools that can be used across the four countries.
Main audience of study
The main audiences for the baseline study include project staff both at the Norwegian Red Cross and with our partners implementing the project. The project beneficiaries are also part of the audience of this study and the baseline findings will be disseminated to them.
Human resources for field work
The consultant is not required to provide human resources for conducting the field work.
The consultant will be able to use the resources from the Red Cross National Societies (PMER staff, project managers, volunteers) in order to conduct the study.
Expected dates and duration of consultancy
April to June 2018
Travels
The consultant is expected to travel to the four countries. However, due to security regulations, some travels may be restricted. This could especially be the case for Somalia and the consultant will hence be asked to propose a plan in order to gather data remotely.
Work plan
Desk review and inception meeting with Norwegian Red Cross program staff in Nairobi (3 days)
Based on information collected by our team, write the needs assessment report (1 day)
Develop and submit an inception report for the baseline, which should include the following (2 days):
-sample size calculations
-sample design
-work plan
-methodology for selecting respondents
-quality control measures
-analysis plan
Draft and share survey questionnaires before finalization (4 days)
Roll out study in Kenya (household surveys through mobile data collection, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation) (10 days)
Roll out study in South Sudan (household surveys through mobile data collection, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation) (10 days)
Roll out study in Burundi (household surveys through mobile data collection, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation) (10 days)
Roll out study in Somalia (if possible) (10 days)
Clean and analyze data (5 days)
Share preliminary survey results (1 day)
Draft report for comments (1 report encompassing the 4 countries) (6 days)
Finalize report after receiving feedback on draft report (2 days)
Present findings to Norwegian Red Cross and partners (1 day)
Look at the monitoring indicators with the project manager (2 days)
Develop a common monitoring tool for the four countries with the help of the PMER advisor for Africa (4 days)
Ensure that the project staff at Burundi Red Cross, Kenya Red Cross, Somalia Red Cross and South Sudan Red Cross know how to measure the indicators. (5 days)
Total number of days 76
Reporting and support
Budget
A budget for the consultancy covering travels and additional costs is available.
Reporting relationships
The consultant/firm will report to Anne Kirsti Vartdal, NorCross regional program manager for cholera/MNCH, and Maïka Skjønsberg, NorCross regional Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) advisor, which are both based in Nairobi where NorCross' regional office is located.
Obligations of key participants in survey: Consultant
Inform the program manager and regional PMER advisor in a timely fashion of progress made and of problems encountered.
Implement the activities as expected, and if modifications are necessary, bring to the attention of the program manager and regional PMER advisor before enacting any changes.
NorCross Cholera/MNCH Program manager
Assure that the consultant is provided with the specified documents and answer general enquiries.
Monitor the work of the consultant and flag concerns.
NorCross Country Managers (Norwegian Red Cross Country Managers in Burundi, South Sudan and Kenya/Somalia)
Facilitate the work of the consultant with the National Society and other local stakeholders. Provide translations if needed.
Provide human resources and logical support in country.
PMER advisor
Review and approve the proposed methodology.
Provide technical oversight in the review of all deliverables.
Provide timely comments on the draft report.
Partner National Societies (Burundi Red Cross, South Sudan Red Cross, Somalia Red Cross and Kenya Red Cross)
Mobilize volunteers for data collection
Mobilize respondents for focus group discussions
Required qualifications of consultants:
We are looking for a consultant with a background in public health as well as in monitoring and evaluation
Degree in public health
Minimum two years of relevant experience with monitoring and evaluation
Relevant experience in survey design, implementation and data analysis
Relevant experience with report writing
Fluency in English and working knowledge of French is required (The reports will be written in English. French is required in order to facilitate the work with Burundi Red Cross).
Previous experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is an advantage
Work experience in the region is an advantage
In addition, the consultant should be able to:
work with many different partners
work in a challenging context and under pressure
travel extensively
How to apply:
Submission of applications
Applications need to be submitted by email by the 6th of March to Maïka Skjønsberg, regional PMER advisor maika.skjonsberg@redcross.no
Please include a cover letter indicating clearly your availability and a CV with two references. Include two previous reports as submitted from prior work.
Selected candidates will be asked to present a detailed methodology and a work plan during an oral interview. Oral interviews are expected to be held in March.
Queries can be directed to Maïka Skjønsberg - maika.skjonsberg@redcross.no; phone: 00254780881102
or Anne Kirsti Vartdal – annekirstivartdal@redcross.no; phone: 00254780881101
[1] This project is financed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and by own collected funds.