Annual Survey 2024 Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the ‘Ireland Civil Society Partnership (ICSP)’
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
Building Resilient Inclusive and Accountable Communities in Zimbabwe (BRIC- Zim)
Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives. We help people build better lives for themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change, and we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty. In Zimbabwe, Oxfam works to reduce poverty, inequality and suffering amongst the poor and marginalised.
Project Background
Climate change threatens Zimbabwe's sustainable economic development due to extreme weather events, particularly droughts and tropical cyclones. Food security in Zimbabwe is impacted by poverty, climate change, and demographic changes. Humanitarian crises impact vulnerable communities due to lack of social protection policies and disempowered citizens, leading to growing inequality and poverty. The most vulnerable social groups are women, children, and the elderly. The ICSP project is focusing on building the resilience of the vulnerable communities to climate shocks and humanitarian situations.
Description of the project
The ‘Building Resilient, Inclusive and accountable Communities in Zimbabwe (BRIC- Zim)’ project is being implemented in Buhera, Gutu, Zvishavane, Mberengwa, and Matobo communities in Zimbabwe.The Ireland Civil Society Partnership (ICSP) funded program being implemented through Partners will reach to 19,000 women, youth, and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) affected by climate shocks and disasters. Oxfam has partnered with six ) local Non-Governmental Organisations to assist vulnerable communities to move from protracted food insecurity crisis to an improved state where women, men and children are resilient and less dependent on humanitarian assistance in the face of climate shocks. The work includes addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV) and realising rights in vulnerable communities.
Currently in its second year, the ICSP is a five (5) year project funded by the Irish Aid through Oxfam Ireland, building on the achievements of the Securing Rights Programme that was implemented from 2016 and ended in December 2022. SRP 2 was implemented in Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Matobo, Mwenezi and Harare Metropolitan districts and had a national policy influencing component. A baseline survey was conducted in the operational districts including Gutu, Buhera, Zvishavane and Harare in 2023, prior to the beginning of project implementation. The results of the baseline point to a need to support communities to become more resilient and inclusive in dealing with humanitarian shocks, gender inequality, and all forms of injustices including violence against women and children. The ICSP uses a nexus approach that focuses on humanitarian, development, and peace building. Besides the SRP districts, the ICSP project is being implemented in Buhera and Gutu districts with partners riding on the gains of the Oxfam-SIDA supported Climate Adaptation for Resilient Livelihoods (CARL) project (2022-2025) that is being implemented in those districts focusing on climate change adaptation and resilience building for the targeted communities.
The ICSP project integrates food-climate-natural resources-biodiversity management (climate action) to promote resilient food security, gender justice to end gender-based violence and empower women and youths economically, as well as promote environmentally sustainable rural livelihoods in the targeted communities. The intervention focusses on reducing rural livelihoods’ vulnerability through ensuring sustainable household food, income and nutrition security and strengthening the enabling environment (including gender equality, with particular emphasis on joint decision- making at household level) for productivity and benefit-driven natural resources management.
Patriarchy, negative cultural practices, and social norms continue to be a driver of inequalities particularly in marginalized communities. Without deliberate women’s transformational leadership drive, the role of women in decision making at household and community level, the goal of enhancing accountable governance remains elusive. Lack of political will to address grievances and failure to apply the rule of law for the benefit of all has created a culture of impunity that fuels inequality and injustice that thrives under a weak policy framework. The ICSP project also influences policy change at national level for enactment of favorable policy and legal apparatus promoting women into leadership and positions of influence.
Duties and Responsibilities
Description of the work carried out: (objectives that the development of the annual survey follows)
The main objective of the annual survey is to gather data on milestones and achievements, challenges, and recommendations on the set indicators on people experiencing poverty, food insecurity, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and the status quo of institutional systems that prevent and respond to these shocks as reflected in the Project Results Framework. This will help review the key indicators to inform continued project planning for better impact in the communities where the project is being implemented.
Specific Annual Survey objectives
• Gather relevant data and determine the level of achievement of the ICSP project indicators against set targets for year 2024 in Zvishavane, Gutu, Buhera, Mberengwa, Matobo and Harare Metropolitan.
• To analyse institutional capacity/readiness to prevent and respond to shocks, conflict and crises are more inclusive and better informed by the needs, rights, and vulnerabilities of those furthest behind. (at District and community level – presence of structure, knowledge of responsibilities)
• To identify and explore any information gaps for planned monitoring exercises, and evaluations.
• Identify potential challenges or barriers that may need to be addressed in subsequent years of the programme.
A comprehensive annual report, with satisfactory and high-quality data that is credible and responds to the set indicators and annual targets on the results framework. The annual survey results shall help complete the RF as well as provide statistical data for the annual ICSP narrative report for the 2024 implementation period. The report shall provide SMART recommendations that the project will be able to apply in the 2025 annual workplan.
Methodology:
Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods will be used through a combination of field visits, desk studies (reviewing project documents including the baseline report), and the primary data collected. Data collection tools should be developed making use of the project monitoring and evaluation framework, with questions linked to outcomes and if applicable to output indicators. The consultant should be conversant with usage of the scorecard to measure the project outcomes. All qualitative data must be recorded and transcribed accordingly to ensure data quality. Data analysis should be conducted on Excel, Stata, SPSS, or any other relevant software. Additional follow up field visits should take place in any knowledge gaps and further validate findings.
Data sources:
Both primary and secondary data sources to be used, and the proposed data sources include but should not be limited to:
• People experiencing poverty, food insecurity, SGBV and the state of institutional systems that prevent and respond to these shocks. Relevant project documents such as the concept note, the baseline report and project result framework.
• Quantitative data to be collected through a survey with a representative sample of programme participants based on an estimated target of 19000 beneficiaries.
• Qualitative data to be collected through focus group discussions and/or key information interviews.
Proposed sampling methods
For the quantitative methodology, a reliable sample size should be calculated for each of the districts. The annual survey will entail qualitative methodology in all districts to produce reliable information on key trends and themes to accompany quantitative information on indicators. Quantitative data shall be collected in Buhera, Gutu, Zvishavane , Mberengwa and Matobo districts while for Harare qualitative data shall be collected. Both primary and secondary respondents should be selected via stratified random sampling/proportional random sampling considering beneficiary type, geographic area and any other key defining factor decided by the consultant and may include speaking to key stakeholders who are key informants in the humanitarian, food systems, climate action and gender justice issues.
Qualifications and Experience
Characteristics of the team in charge of the exercise: (experience, knowledge and capacities required)
• A minimum of a post graduate qualification in any of the following area; Gender/Development studies, Agricultural Economics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Business Administration or equivalent.
• A minimum of 10 years proven experience in conducting baselines, annual surveys, mid-term reviews and programme evaluations in humanitarian, climate change, livelihoods, gender equality and agriculture.
• Demonstrable experience in gender analysis for development and humanitarian projects.
• Basic appreciation of the development, humanitarian, and peace and nexus programming.
• Must have a good understanding of agribusiness in Zimbabwe, climate change and adaptation practices, shifting of social norms, and innovations for resilience building.
• Must have the ability to conduct high quality research, meet deadlines and timeously respond to requests and feedback.
• Should have strong analytical and conceptual skills to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make actionable recommendations, and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Regional/Country experience and knowledge: in depth knowledge of Southern Africa
• Language proficiency, fluency in English; good command of local languages Shona and isiNdebele
• Should have a strong reputation for independence and should comply with minimum ethical standards including safeguarding that guide research and evaluations.
Responsibilities of the different parties involved:
• The lead consultant and co-lead will be responsible for undertaking the Annual Survey from start to finish and for managing the Annual Survey team under the supervision task manager, the Program Policy Manager from Oxfam and the Program Quality Team Lead for the data collection and analysis, as well as report drafting and finalisation.
• The overall Annual Survey will be managed by Oxfam’s Program Quality Lead/Monitoring Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) unit. Evaluators will liaise with Oxfam Program Quality/MEAL Lead, Program Policy Manager, and relevant program staff for project documentation and clarification, assistance in liaising and connecting with relevant stakeholders and primary and secondary rights holders. The Oxfam Program Quality Lead will also set up feedback/check-in session to discuss any further support or clarification required.
Content and format of the final report:
The consultants are expected to submit a survey inception report 4 days after contract signing. The inception report should summarise the consultant’s understanding of the terms of reference ToRs, annual survey design, sampling methods to be used, detailed data collection methodology, a workplan, and a full budget. The consultants should also submit all data collection tools and consent forms where relevant to be used for data collection during the baseline for approval by Oxfam.
• After completion of the data collection process, consultant(s) should submit the draft survey report to Oxfam for review.
• The final survey report should be submitted after review of the first draft report by Oxfam. The final survey report will include data on indicators in the indicator table and observations for the project. The report should detail all observations and they should be realistic, feasible and achievable.
Basic indicative work plan: (developing the different phases of the job and key moments)
Consultant is expected to provide an indicative workplan showing a breakdown of the methodology and the number of days.
This assignment is an urgent one and requires a consultant ready to start and complete in the most realistic shortest time. The survey final report is required within 20 days after kick-off. This shall be a critical component of the selection criteria.
Available time and resources
The survey should be completed within a period of 20 calendar days, from 11 November to 6 December 2024. A detailed time schedule of various activities to be undertaken during the survey must be provided in the technical proposal by the consultant.
Selection criteria (Total Score 100 Points)
Consultants who meet the above qualifications and experience should submit a technical proposal and a proposed budget.
For the avoidance of doubt, selection of the consultants will be based on the following criteria:
1. Sound technical proposal: consultants should demonstrate understanding of the terms of reference as well as a clear survey methodology including approach, design, and a reasonable schedule. (20 points)
2. Financial proposal - this should indicate all costs including consultant fees as well as field visit costs. The financial proposal should be a lump sum amount, all-inclusive and include all cost components required to perform the deliverables identified in the ToR. (10 points)
3. Experience and educational background of the lead consultant and other team members. Evidence of experience of similar assignments is key. (20 points)
4. Key personnel- The consultants should also have key personnel that are aligned to the three project themes, namely, Climate Action and food systems; Humanitarian Action and Gender Justice. (30 points)
5. Proof of previous work done- submission of at least one piece of similar work will be a strong added advantage (20 points)
How to Apply
Call for expressions of interest.
Oxfam calls upon interested and qualified company or consortium of individual consultants to submit their expressions of interest to:
Email: Zimtenders@oxfam.org.uk
Closing date for receiving expressions of interest is 4th November 2024, at 1700hrs.
