Terms of Reference (ToR) For Base Line Survey

Oxfam Nepal

Resilience and Climate Justice Theme

Gender-Responsive Economic Empowerment Programme in Nepal (GREEN), Baitadi

Terms of Reference (ToR)

For

Base Line Survey

1.0 Background

Oxfam is an international confederation of 19 organizations network together in more than 65 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty. Oxfam has been working in Nepal for 40 years to support the Government of Nepal with the vision to create a just society without poverty; a society in which all women and men live a life of dignity, enjoy their rights and assume their responsibilities as active citizens of Nepal. Through its different program, it aims to provide people with livelihood opportunities, ensuring that development-related activities are demand driven and sustainable and that the most vulnerable are empowered to claim their rights. 

As defined by the new Country Strategy (2020-2025), Oxfam will work in three inter-connected thematic sectors; 1) Gender Justice, 2) Resilience and Climate Justice and 3) Water Governance. By working in these sectors, Oxfam aims to provide people with opportunities to reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality, ensuring that development-related activities are gender sensitive, socially inclusive, demand driven and sustainable, and that the most vulnerable are empowered to claim their rights. Oxfam works in close coordination with national and local governments and civil society organizations to support marginalized, socially excluded and economically poor communities.

Seasonal migration to India for employment is a prevalent livelihood coping strategy of people of far western region (Sudurpaschim province) of Nepal. The migrant workers and their families are trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, mainly due to lack of knowledge and other inputs on improved farming causing food insecurity, high debts, lack of financial knowledge and access to financial services, unemployment, and unsafe migration. There is an increasing trend of gender- based violence among migrant families. Around 70% of Nepal’s population depends on agriculture and even slight change in climatic conditions can have a major impact on food security and livelihoods of people. Due to the unsatisfactory result from agriculture sector, most of the men often migrate to India for labor work to overcome the poverty and for their livelihood. Absence of men in rural village has resulted in feminization of agriculture and poverty. Women are overburden with not just agriculture work but also with care work. Similarly, women in these families are frequently facing and suffering from different types of Gender based Violence (GBV) within and outside of family. The existing practice of harmful social norms like Chhaupadi, child, early and force marriage has further deteriorated women situation. In these backgrounds, to help migrant’s families of Baitadi district, Oxfam Nepal in partnership with RUDES Baitadi has been implementing a 3-year Gender Responsive Economic Empowerment Project (GREEN) in Baitadi since 1 September 2021. 

The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of women in seasonal migrant families for making them resilient to shock and climate crisis. The project has four outcomes as listed below:

Outcome 1: Seasonal migrant families (Focusing women) have knowledge to adapt climate smart technology for their livelihood resilience and income security

Outcome 2: Seasonal migrant families have access on government social protection program including shock-responsive social protection for their social and economic security

Outcome 3: Local institution (Cooperatives, partner NGO, users’ group) have transformative leaders to promote gender equality and women economic empowerment

Outcome 4: Different types of knowledge products (such as case studies, policy briefs, documentaries etc.) on social protection program, climate adaptive policies and GBV will be developed and shared with planners, practitioners, and policy makers at different levels.

2.0 Objective and scope of the assignment 

The main objective of baseline survey is to understand and document pre-project status of people living in selected municipalities of Baitadi district on key project indicators to enable changes on life and livelihoods of the targeted communities to be measured over the course of project. Specifically, the baseline survey aims at collecting pre-project status of targeted HHs/communities on 

• Resilience
• Income and occupation of targeted people, 
• Migration to India and remittance, 
• Climate change/climate justice, 
• Social protection/shock responsive social protection,
• Access to finance and technologies, 
• Reduction of gender-based violence and care-work burden, 
• Women’s leadership 

The geographical scope of the study is limited to three to four municipalities of Baitadi district on Oxfam’s working themes of climate justice and gender justice.

3.0 Methodology

Baseline survey will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and review of secondary information. Consultant is expected to collect household level data using structured questionnaire (draft to be developed by consultant and approved by Oxfam Nepal) and key informant interview (KII) as well as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) carried out to triangulate and collect qualitative data. The baseline data should also include segregation of beneficiaries by gender, ethnicity, and People with Disabilities (PwDs). Primary data collection methods will be the primary approach through mobilization of qualified enumerators. Appropriate sampling methodology will be used to determine sampling frame, sample size and respondents. The survey will be carried out in all project areas and communities. The field level data collection work will be done by volunteers and facilitators associated with the project. 

4.0 Task, deliverables, and suggested timeframe for consultant

5.0 Management Responsibilities

The primary reporting officer for this assignment will be thematic lead of resilience and climate justice. However, the consultant should include and ensure participation of thematic lead for gender justice, partner’s monitoring officer, technical coordinators, and partners’ staff.

6.0 Tentative Work Plan 

It is estimated that the task will require 20 person-days by February 2022. The non-negotiable deadline for this task is 28 february 2022.

7.0 Budget and terms of payment

Disbursement plan: 30% of the agreed amount will be disbursed after receiving inception report and upon the satisfaction of Thematic Lead whereas remaining 70% of the agreed amount will be released after receiving final report and upon the satisfaction of Thematic Lead.

8.0 Profile of the firms and/or consultants

This consultancy will be carried out by an experienced and qualified consultant/firm. The consultant/firm will be selected through a competitive and transparent process. A suggested consultant team shall include one lead consultant and one expert on gender-based violence (GBV). Required expertise, experiences, academic qualifications, and competencies of the firms and team members should include: 

• Masters in in statistics, agricultural economics, development studies or gender studies
• Previous experience of conducting similar studies
• Knowledge of the project areas/district would be an additional advantage. 
• Consultancy firms should have VAT registration.

9.0 Documents for submission

Interested consulting firm or individuals can apply by submitting the following: 

• A technical proposal including
  • Description of how your skills and experience match the TOR requirements,
  • Proposed methodology and work plan
• A financial proposal: should include a detailed budget sheet with breakdowns
• CV of lead consultant and GBV expert 
• Profile/experience of the consultancy firm 
• VAT registration certificate
• Tax clearance certificate 2077/78

10.0 Proposal review/scoring criteria

The total score is 100 points that include 70 points on technical expertise, organizational profile, understanding of the assignment, study design and methodology, and 30 points on budget plan.

11.0 Ethical consideration 

The Consultant will be required to take all the necessary actions to handle the collected data responsibly (see Oxfam Responsible Data Policy) to ensure data privacy, anonymity, and confidentiality.

12.0 Our commitment to safeguarding 

Oxfam is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff, consultants, volunteers to share this commitment. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work within our values are selected to work for us.  

13. Confidentiality/Non-disclosure 

All material issued in connection with this ToR shall remain the property of Oxfam and shall be used only for the purpose of this procurement exercise. All information provided shall be either returned to Oxfam or securely destroyed by unsuccessful applicants at the conclusion of the procurement exercise. 

During the performance of the assignment or at any time after expiry or termination of the Agreement, the Consultant shall not disclose to any person or otherwise make use of any confidential information which s/he has obtained or may in the course of this agreement relating to partner organization/Oxfam, the respondents or otherwise. 

The consultant will be required to sign a non-disclosure / confidentiality agreement as part of their undertaking of this work.  

14.0 Intellectual property, copyrights, and ownership 

Oxfam shall retain all reference materials provided as background used by the Consultant in the delivery of this assignment.  All arising intellectual property, ideas, materials, processes, or processes formed in contemplation, course of, or as result of this work shall be passed to Oxfam without restriction. Copyright of all arising documents, data, information, or reports produced by the Consultant under this agreement shall belong to Oxfam and will be passed to Oxfam without restriction. Such documents, data, information, and reports shall not be used by the Consultant for any other purpose other than in conjunction with this assignment, without the express written permission of Oxfam

Response

• The Consulting VAT Registered Firm should submit the technical and financial proposal to Oxfam by 18 January 2022 before 5 pm via mail to consultancy_nepal@oxfam.org.uk, clearly mentioning the title of assignment in the email subject line “Baseline Survey for GREEN Project” and not exceeding 15 MB.