Baseline

Project Title: Strengthening the resilience to water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases among Lebanese host communities and refugees from Syria in the Bekaa valley Purpose: • Assessing WASH status of the targeted population. • Measuring the status of project objective indicators before the onset of the project. • Providing the project team with valid information for operational purposes. This project is funded the BMZ – Federal Ministry for Economic Corporation and Development and falls under strengthening the WASH sector in Lebanon. This sector has many gaps when it comes to water resources, infrastructure etc. For sanitation specifically, the needs are great – approx. 65.7% of primary residences were connected to the public system in 2007, with only 8% of the wastewater being treated. Two thirds of all sewage in Lebanon is assumed to be directly discharged into the environment, with environmental degradation being costed at 1% of the country´s GDP. What further exacerbates the issue is the influx of over 1 million Syrian refugees which has led to significant strains and tensions in Lebanon in addition to over use of the existing resources. This is particularly visible in the Bekaa valley, which traditionally has been one of the poorest region in the country and where, due to the proximity to Syria, the majority of refugees (approx. 1/3 ) has settled. Given the protracted nature of the crisis, the strain on local resources, public services and the economy, and tension between the different population groups, the international community and the Government increasingly focus on investing in existing systems and infrastructure that will also benefit the local population instead of the short term emergency solutions. Therefore, this project comes to improve to sanitation services and promote healthy hygiene practices among two villages in Bekaa (Ablah and Majdl Anjar) targeting both Lebanese and refugees living in the area. The ultimate goal of the project is contributing to prevent the spread of diseases linked to water, sanitation and hygiene and improving public health among host communities and Syrian refugees in the Lebanese Bekaa valley. The first sub-objective aims at connecting 400 House Holds in the targeted villages to the public sewage network through extending the current network (infrastructure). Doing so, less untreated sludge will be discharged into the environment, thereby helping to prevent the contamination of drinking water and the spread of diseases. This also concerns the indirectly benefiting Syrian Refugee House Holds who live in informal tented settlements with emergency sanitation in Majdal Anjar. A manhole will be laid in their vicinity so that the private companies undertaking the desludging can empty the sludge into the public sanitation system. In addition, by connecting the House Holds to the public sanitation system, residents can realize cost savings since they do not have to de-sludge their toilets privately anymore. Farmers will also benefit from treated sludge for irrigation. The second sub-objective assures that the future owner of the network, the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE), is well trained and capable of operating, maintaining and managing the new waste water network. The BWE being the responsible agency and the operator of the waste water systems will be strengthened through the expansion of the sewage network, the close cooperation during the implementation of the works and tailored training. Their capacity for providing sustainable sanitation solutions to the population will be improved. The third sub-objective will raise awareness on hygiene practices and waste issues. The Mother Action Groups (MAGs), who are an existing group WVL created and trained through WVL previous health programming, will work with children and youth to strengthen their awareness and promote behavior change on waste water, solid waste and environmental hygiene. The mothers will be strengthened both individually and as a group of volunteers by increasing their skills in hygiene promotion as well as general matters such as Finances and documentation. The media campaigns will also help sensitize the general population. Children and youth are targeted specifically as they are more open to change and can act as agents of change in their surroundings. Finally, since the proposed intervention will benefit both refugees and host communities and offer possibilities for positive interaction, the project is expected to make a positive contribution to the social cohesion in Ablah and Majdal Anjar. As the project has started and the project team in engaged in preparing for the activities and implementation phase, WVL is planning to conduct a baseline study to set the status of the targeted population at time 0, before the onset of activities. Baseline Purpose and Objectives: The main purpose of this baseline study is to assess and understand the current WASH status of the population in Ablah and Majdal Anjar in the Bekaa area before the WASH project is rolled out. More specifically, the objectives of this baseline are the following: • Measuring the status of project objective indicators before the onset of the project, and thus developing a benchmark which will contribute to the end of project evaluation and allow the measurement of the effectiveness and impact of the project. • Providing the project team with valid information about the needs of the targeted population which will be used for making operational decisions and informing the content of activities. Baseline Methodology: The baseline methodology is informed by the M&E plan (the plan of measurement for project objective specifically is attached as Appendix A) specified during program design and it is aligned with BMZ standards and WV standards for ensuring good quality baseline process. The key indicators to be measured are included in the M&E plan. Moreover, some of the needed information from an operational perspective are summarized below: • To which schools do the children in the targeted villages go to? • What are the gaps in sanitation and hygiene knowledge in the targeted villages? • What are the sanitation and hygiene practices among the targeted population? • What are the obstacles for applying hygiene practices? The baseline methods should be a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods involving the relevant project stakeholders, mainly Bekaa Water Establishment, relevant municipalities, and beneficiaries at the community level. Data collection methods may include surveys with target population in villages, Key Informant Interviews (KII) with main stakeholders etc. For quantitative methodology specifically, the sample will include all households in the intervention area where the sewage lines are connected (up to 400 households). The consultant is expected to develop the appropriate methodology and tools that would best capture the objectives of the baseline. The process also includes a stakeholder interpretation workshop which will be carried out towards the end after analysis of results to further interpret and validate the findings and extract actionable recommendations. Logistics: The recruited consultant will be in charge of finalizing logistical issues related to the transportation to the different areas where data collection will be completed. As for the location for completing the different meetings (KIIs), it will be agreed upon based on location of beneficiaries and partners (WV’s offices are also an available option). WVL will support in coordinating the meetings with local partners. Products: The expected deliverables throughout the process of the baseline include: 1. Baseline Methodology 2. Budget Breakdown 3. Validated and tested data collection tools 4. Data sets (software outputs) 5. Notes and transcription of KII 6. Tabulation of results including descriptive analysis, associations 7. Baseline Report (based on Template provided by WVL) 8. Power Point presentation of the findings 9. 2 pager fact sheet summary (in English and Arabic) The consultant is also expected to present and co-facilitate a stakeholder interpretation workshop which will join together WV staff and partners to present the main findings, reflect on the lessons learned and recommendations and develop key action points for consideration during project implementation. All collected data is legally owned by WVL and the consultant is expected to hand over all data sets and notes of the interviews to the organization. The Consultant shall maintain in confidence and protect all information provided to him/her by WVL, its employees, and beneficiaries. The consultant may only disclose the extent necessary to perform the tasks. Qualifications of the consultant: The consultant should have the following competencies and experience: • At least 5 years of progressive proven experience in similar studies and in using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and data analysis; • Previous experience in relation to WASH projects (to be provided within the CV); • Extensive professional experience in the design and implementation of baselines and evaluations; • Good analytical and critical thinking; • Proven knowledge and experience in applying participatory research methods and tools; • Advanced degree in relevant field (e.g. Public Health, Epidemiology or any related technical field); • Good understanding of the Humanitarian work especially the development field; • Familiarity with civil society and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) engagement; • Ability to work on tight schedules with minimal supervision; • Good English and Arabic speaking and writing skills. Budget: The consultations fees available for this baseline will include transportation, logistics and accommodation fees identified by the consultant, as well as recruitment of data collectors/data entry clerks and data collection, data entry, translation fees and report writing. A budget breakdown needs to be submitted by the consultant. Duration of consultancy and application: WVL has set aside approximately 1 month and a half (9 January until February 20, 2017) for this assignment. Bids should include a detailed proposed work-schedule with specific tasks and should also incorporate a budget that outlines all relevant costs that will be associated with this baseline. Candidates are expected to state how much time they will need to start the assignment and how much time they need to conduct every task. Selected candidates are also expected to abide by the deadlines and the conditions for deadlines specified within the contract/agreement. Interested individuals and consultancy firms should send in their applications no later than 16.00 hours GMT on December 23, 2016 including a detailed Technical and Financial Bids with the following documents: • Proposed methodology (including timeline and budget), • Curriculum vitae and/or resume, • The names and addresses (including telephone and e-mail) of two non-related referees, • Sample of previous work (reports related to the topic). Technical and Financial Bids should be in English and should not exceed 5 pages and should be submitted in two separate Sealed Envelopes. The top right-hand side of the envelopes must be clearly marked with the name of the consultant and the subject line “BMZ baseline” and sent to the below address: “Main National Office address: Villa Siniyora, Mountazah, Mansourieh; Office Phone: 961-4-401-980 Mailing address: World Vision Int'l Lebanon P.O.Box 55355, Sin el Fil, Lebanon” Technical bids should also be sent by email with the name of the consultant and the subject line “BMZ baseline” to the following email address consultant_lbn@wvi.org. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. In case the Consultant is not registered with Ministry of Finance, a deduction of 7.5 % should always be considered. N.B: Selected consultant will be provided with all additional documents required to carry out the work.