Terms of Reference (ToR) for Endline Study For Reducing Post-harvest Losses through Access to New Technologies (RePLANT) Project

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Endline Study For

Reducing Post-harvest Losses through Access to New Technologies (RePLANT) Project, Nepal

Objectives of the Endline Study

RePLANT, having outlined its targets and indicators in the project's log frame, recognizes the importance of assessing the impact and outcomes achieved during its implementation. To measure the progress and effectiveness of the project, it is essential to conduct an endline study, providing a comparative analysis against the baseline data. This study aims to evaluate the project's success in achieving its goals, outcomes, and outputs.

The primary objective of the endline study is to document and analyze the post-project information of the target beneficiaries and geographic areas, aligning with the log-frame indicators established at the project's inception.

The specific objectives of the endline study are the following:

• Evaluate the final status of key indicators to determine the extent of change from the baseline.
• Gain comprehensive insights into the evolved conditions and perceptions of the project's populations in the implementation areas.
• Serve as a conclusive point of comparison for the final evaluation of the project's impact.

The endline study will utilize a diverse set of tools and methodologies to measure the transformation in social, economic/financial, physical, natural, and human assets of the targeted communities/households (HHs), market actors, and market system components within the RePLANT framework. The findings will play a crucial role in assessing the sustained impact of the project.

Consultant Roles and Responsibilities

The consultant should work closely with the M&E Unit and Project Team. In each step and process, consultation with the M&E Lead is vital. The consultant team will be primarily responsible for the following:

• Develop/design the endline study including a questionnaire for the CBF survey and checklist and tools for group interaction, including FGD with target key stakeholders (agro-vets, technical experts) at district/municipality/rural municipality levels.
• Sharing the study design with the project team and partners, collecting feedback, and finalizing the study design, including any necessary adjustments for the data collection process.
• Orienting the data collection team to the survey design and methodology, including pretesting questionnaires.
• Collecting, cleaning, and analyzing endline data.
• Triangulating and analyzing endline results with the baseline data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the project's impact.
• Drafting a comprehensive report structured as a formal research paper. The structure should include basic sections appropriate to a mixed-methods paper such as Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions.
• Editing the draft report based on feedback and submitting a final report.

The study will be based on data and information gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Secondary sources would comprise relevant project documents and district-wise databases. Primary data will be collected from sampled beneficiaries, market actors, and other stakeholders in each of the project districts. The baseline and endline surveys, which will form the basis of the quantitative aspects of the project evaluation, will include a representative sample of approximately 355 of the targeted beneficiaries and 355 as control, representing a statistical significance at the 95% confidence level. In addition, a suitable number of key informant interviews and focus group discussions will be carried out.

The detailed methodology and fieldwork schedule will be worked out in consultation with the iDE M&E lead, partner organizations, and consultants.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are envisioned under this ToR:

• Inception Report covering:
  • the Endline study design, including the sampling frame, selection criteria, and number of KII subjects.
  • Updated methods and tools for the endline study.
  • Endline KII and FGD checklists.
  • The quantitative survey instrument for endline data collection.
  • Updated ODK setup.
• Draft report including the Endline data sets.
• Final Report, including cleaned endline data sets and relevant analysis.

Work Schedule

A detailed plan will be worked out jointly with consultants and project staff. However, the work is expected to commence on April 1, 2024, for an estimated 20-day period, with the final report being submitted by April 30, 2024

Eligibility Criteria

• The consulting team should possess expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research, demonstrating a clear understanding of research methodology and proficiency in various social research tools and techniques.
• Previous experience in rural and urban areas is advantageous.
• The team leader should hold an advanced university degree in agriculture, rural development, or social sciences, with a track record of conducting at least five endline surveys or evaluations, preferably related to agricultural income generation projects.

Application Procedure

Interested and eligible candidates are requested to complete the form provided below and then apply the requested documents via email at iDE nepal@ideglobal.org no later than COB March 23, 2024.

• Link for the Form: https://forms.gle/H3VnmXZd66JhZ39L7
• A brief technical proposal including :
  • An understanding of TOR, proposed methodology to accomplish the deliverable with tentative work and timeline,
  • Updated CV of the team members highlighting the relevant competency and professional experience as deemed by the TOR.
  • Firm profile outlining the relevant experience along with the clientele reference.
• Detailed financial proposal for the assignment. The financial proposal must include service fees as well as all other associated costs required for the completion of the assignment.
• Legal Registration and renewal documents. Tax Clearance certificate of FY 2079.80 is mandatory.

Note: Technical and financial proposals must be provided separately. Failure to provide the above documents or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Evaluation process

All applicants will be screened against the educational qualifications, experience, and competencies set above and the financial quote in the proposal. The contract will be awarded to the candidate evaluated and determined as technically competent to the requirements of the ToR and receiving the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score.

• Technical Criteria- 70% of total evaluation- max. 70 points :

• Financial Criteria- 30% of total evaluation- max. 30 points.

Intellectual property, copyright, and ownership of all prepared information

All arising intellectual property, ideas, materials, processes, or processes formed in contemplation, course of, or as a result of this study shall be passed to iDE Nepal without restriction and shall not be used by the consultant for any other purpose without express written permission of iDE Nepal.

Copyright of all arising documents, data, information, or reports produced by the consultant under this agreement shall belong to iDE Nepal and will be passed to iDE Nepal 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 iDE Nepal.

Links Related to the TOR:

1. RePLANT Project Background
2. Annex 1: Theory of Change
3. Annex 2: Project Indicators, methods and sources