Consultant Baseline Study

Terms of Reference Consultant Baseline Study Amel Association International   Amel Association International seeks an experienced consultant to conduct surveys and FGDs for a Baseline Study for a 18-month project.   The baseline study will be conducted among 1 principle target group (Male and Female 15-25 years old) in Lebanon. Data collection will be split between the following regions: Akkar (Halba), Bekaa (Ersal and El Ain), Beirut / Mount Lebanon (Chiyah, Hayye Sellom, Mar Elias Camp) and South Lebanon (Saida).   Amel invites all interested and qualified candidates to submit a resume, a brief proposal for the baseline study (including tasks, timeline and a tentative budget) and a letter of interest, clearly explaining how their experience meets desired qualifications by August 3rd 2016 to the following contact: livelihood@amel.org   1.     Background   1.1.            Organization Overview Amel is a Lebanese and non-sectarian NGO created in 1979. Amel works through 24 centers and 6 mobile medical units since more than 35 years in the poorest regions of Lebanon, from Beirut and its South Suburbs to Mount Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon. Amel is offering accessible services for all in following fields: medical, psychosocial, professional training, rural development, child protection and human rights promotion.   1.2.            Intervention Summary  The project Empowering Women and Youths in Lebanon Now! (EMPOWERING NOW!) is implemented by Amel in partnership with Akkar Network for Development, Culture and Science Foundation and Youth for Development. It is part of Amel’s response to the Syrian crisis in relation with the livelihood sector. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the enhancement of the socio-economic and livelihoods conditions of the most vulnerable populations affected by the Syrian crisis in Lebanon, particularly women and youths The specific objective of the project is that the population have been empowered to access labour market through vocational training schemes, work related experience, support to business start-up/cooperatives and psycho social support. The target group is at least 6500 women and youths (gender balanced approach, Syrian refugee and host communities). 10 women led cooperatives / community based organizations. It is at least 15,000 individuals (family, relatives, etc.) who will benefit from the enhancement of their socio-economic conditions. The estimated results are: (Result 1): 1 Targeted vulnerable population are supported to be active economically through professional and life skills capacities and placement/internship opportunities (Result 2): Targeted vulnerable women are supported to be self-reliant and engaged in productive activities. (Result 3):  Targeted vulnerable population are empowered to be economically and socially resilient through psychosocial support, community events and counselling. The main activities of the project are: (A1.1) technical training, (A1.2), vocational and life skills, (A1.3) work-related experience, (A2.1) marketing, accounting and quality / production course, (A2.2) Coaching for women producers and cooperatives, (A2.3) provision of 10 grants to women producers and cooperatives to develop their business, (A3.1) psychological group and individual counselling, (A3.2), recreational and community events   2.     The Baseline   2.1.            Baseline Objectives   The baseline study will be used to collect data on the below project indicators focused around the two main objectives: ü  Number of beneficiaries who accessed labour market or have income-generating activities through job-placement services/internships, vocational training initiatives or start-ups (disaggregated by type, sex and refugee/non-refugee).  ü  Number of households that have increased their income (disaggregated by refugee/non-refugee). ü  Number of enterprises/cooperatives supported by the programme that are still active and earning profit 3 months after the project ends. ü  No. of Syrian refugees and host community beneficiaries who participated and graduated in professional (vocational and technical) and life skills training. (disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex). ü  % Participants satisfied with of the trainings/placement opportunities (disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex). ü  At least 700 Syrian refugees and 700 Host communities had a work related experience.(disaggregated by refugee/non refugee, age, sex) ü  % Participants who have acquired satisfying level of capacities. (disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex) ü  No. of Syrian refugee and Host community women who graduated in the marketing, accounting and quality production courses. ü  % Women trained who have acquired satisfying level of capacities.(disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex) ü  10 women producers and cooperatives have developed their business and received start up grants. (disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex) ü  No. of  individuals benefited from psychological counselling (disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex) ü  % Participants improved their psychological well-being(disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex) ü  1400 Syrian refugee and 1400 Host community individuals participated in community and recreational and community events and interacted within their community (disaggregated by  refugee/non refugee, age, sex) Other lines of inquiry for the baseline will include: ü  What are the job opportunities in the catchment area? ü  What are the qualifications of the youths in the catchment area? ü  What is the profile of the youths in the area (socio-economic situation)? ü  What are the other NGOs active in the livelihood sector in the catchment area? 2.2.            Audience The primary audience of this baseline is Amel Association International.   2.3.            Methods   The baseline will follow a mixed qualitative/quantitative model that includes a survey of 350 people and 14 FGDs in the same locations as the surveys. The survey questionnaire should be piloted by the consultant with 10 people (5 men/5 women), and results of the piloting will be share with Amel Association International.   Analysis of all findings will be done from gender, age, educational level, country, urban/rural lenses. All indicator findings will be segregated accordingly. The consultant is expected to propose survey tools and FGD guide. 3.     Implementation Information                   3.1.            Amel Contact   The consultant will work closely with Amel’s Livelihood Coordinator and Program Coordinator.   3.2.            Location   Data collection will be done in 7 sites (Halba, El Ain, Ersal, Chiyah, Hayye Sellom, Mar Elias Camp, Miye w Miye – Saida)   3.3.            Deliverables                 A baseline plan detailing tasks, timelines and roles A draft report in English (with findings and basic frequencies analysis for surveys, and analysis for FGDS) for review by Amel Data entry for the surveys (survey data sets, cleaned in English) Raw data/notes for the FGDs (in English) A final report in English incorporating Amel comments Analysis of all survey findings will be done from gender, age and urban/rural lenses. All findings will be segregated accordingly. 3.4.            Deadlines   Deadline for consultant bidding: August 3rd 2016   Deadline for consultant selection: August 8th 2016 Deadline for contract signature: August 9th 2016 Deadline for finalizing baseline plan: August 12th 2016 Deadline for finalizing data collection: August 22nd 2016 Deadline for submission of survey data sets (cleaned) and FGD entered notes: August 25th 2016 Deadline for the draft report: August 29th 2016 Deadline for the final report: September 1st 2016   3.5.            Logistical Support   The consultant will be responsible for the logistical planning for the surveys and FGDs. 4.     The Consultant                  4.1.            Role and Responsibilities of the Consultant   The consultant will be responsible for: Designing a baseline plan Recruiting data collectors, survey supervisors, data entry clerks, FGD facilitators and note takers Training data collectors and supervisors on the survey tool as well as sound research methods and ethical research behavior Pilot testing the survey tool Collecting the data through surveys and FGDs Entering and cleaning the data from the surveys and FGDs (in English) Analyzing the data from FGDs and surveys Reporting on findings and analysis   4.2.            Consultant’s Qualifications   Amel seeks an experienced consultant with the following qualifications: Fluency in Arabic and English More than 5 years of experience in project evaluation or the equivalent in M&E expertise, including collecting and analyzing data from interviews, surveys, FGDs, etc. Experience in working with NGOs Strong communication and writing skills Research and evaluation methods and data collection skills Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines Conflict resolution/peace building experience   Experience required:  5 to 10 years   Education degree: Bachelor Degree Field of education: