Terms of Reference for Agency to undertakeEndline study and Impact Assessment

PAF II-AF2-S-QCBS 181

  1. BACKGROUND

JSDF TF 11208 “Making Markets Work for the Conflict Affected in Nepal” is a JSDF supported and World Bank managed project that aims at helping poor artisan communities of Nepal set up and strengthen their own self-managed local cluster level institutions to access sustainable livelihoods on a long term basis. The emphasis is on enhancing the livelihood opportunities and share of rural artisans in the market for cultural industries and related sectors. The project shall support the poorest and conflicts affected communities, who are known for their traditional skill and rich cultural heritage, and aims to strengthen local artisan communities’ capacity to manage their own artisan economic activity competitively by providing assistance to strengthen each link in the craft value chain.

The project is being implemented by Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF). PAF is an autonomous institution set by Nepal Government Act 2063. PAF has been working with community organizations in 55 districts and has been working with more than 300 partner organizations focusing on building social capital and livelihoods in different parts of the country. PAF has adopted a demand led community-based approach to alleviate poverty. Keeping the target communities in the driving seat, it encourages them to take initiatives to improve their livelihoods, particularly by organizing them into community organizations. The target communities plan what they need and prioritize on the basis of their capacity and local resource potentials. They receive direct community funding for the effective implementation of the sub-projects proposed by the community.

This project provides support for the livelihood enhancement of vulnerable communities, especially artisans. The project is being implemented in Terathum, Dhanusha, Lalitpur, Kapilbastu, Gorkha, Myagdi, Dailekh and Dang Districts of Nepal. In order to ensure sustainability, the project aims to help poor artisan communities to establish and strengthen their own cluster level institutions.

PAF is seeking a reputed research agency to conduct baseline study, endline study and impact assessment for the JSDF project.

  1. OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assignment is to plan, execute and deliver (a) comprehensive baseline study (b) comprehensive end line study along with impact assessment, for the JSDF supported project "Making markets work for the conflict affected in Nepal".

  1. SCOPE OF WORK

The agency will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Baseline study

The agency will prepare a baseline study report based ondata already collected by PAF. Wherever required, the agency will undertake additional sample surveys, FGDs and interviews, and accordingly develop an appropriate framework/design, a robust research methodology and implementation plan.

The baseline report will include the following sections:

  1. Executive summary
  2. Methodology and profile of respondents
  3. Detailed data / analytical data tables
  4. Detailed notes from FGDs, interviews and surveys
  5. Analysis and conclusions

Task 2: Endline study and Project Report Preparation

The agency will design and implement a comprehensive endline study that captures endline information as well as key impacts. This would involve preparing an appropriate framework/design, developing a robust research methodology, developing appropriate data collection tools (household surveys, FGDs, interviews), determining appropriate sample sizes, administering the data collection tools, analyzing the collected data, adjusting for seasonal factors, and preparing a comprehensive report.

Project Report Preparation

The agency will prepare a detailed final project report for the JSDF project "Making markets work for the conflict affected in Nepal". The agency will do so using available interim reports, data gathered by project team, World Bank Aide Memoires and extensive consultations with the project team. The final report will include the following sections:

  1. Executive summary
  2. Background to the project
  3. Project Development Objectives
  4. Project Components
  5. Activities undertaken
  6. Partnerships
  7. Key outputs, outcomes and impact
  8. Case studies
  9. Way forward

The agency will seek PAF's inputs and approval at key stages of each of the above listed tasks.

  1. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

The agency shall deliver the following outputs:

Deliverable / Timeline
Inception report detailing methodology and action plan / 5 days after singing contract
Baseline study report / 20 days after singing contract
Draft End line study and Impact Assessment report / 55 days after singing contract
Final end line study and project reportPreparation / 60 days after signing contract
  1. FIRM’S QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Applying agencies must demonstrate the following minimum criteria:

  1. At least five years of proven experience in undertaking similar studies, surveys, baseline studies, field research etc.
  2. Demonstrated experience in undertaking baseline studies/ end line studies for the non-profit sector, preferably the handicrafts sector
  3. Familiarity and previous work experience with artisan focused sectors and organizations
  4. Strong English language writing skills
  5. The agency must be VAT registered in Nepal
  1. TEAM COMPOSITION

The team proposed by applying agencies must meet the following criteria:

S.No / Key member / Profile Required
1 / Team Leader / AtleastPost Graduate in Social Scienceor related discipline with minimum of five years of working experience and minimum of 5assignments in handling socio economic household surveys, baseline/endline studies, impact assessment studies and field research
2 / Manager / Post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Policy Studies, Applied Research or Development Studies with proven experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis and minimum experience of 3 assignments in working with household surveys, baseline /endline studies, impact assessment studies and field research
3 / Data Manager / Graduate with at least three years of experience in data entry and data management
4 / Field Enumerator/Surveyor (As required) / A secondary school certificate with knowledge of local language.
  1. REPORTING

The agency will report directly to the Executive Director, PAF (Nepal). For coordination and communication purposes, the agency will report to Research and Development Unit of PAF and Project Officer – JSDF.

  1. DURATION

The contract period shall be for a period of 2months from the date of agreement.

  1. PAYMENT MODE AND SCHEDULE

The selected agency will be paid in Nepalese Rupees. All applicable taxes shall be in accordance with the prevailing law. Payment shall be made against the achievements of the following outputs/ deliverables:

  • Inception Report: 15 % of contract amount
  • Baseline Study Report:25% of contract amount
  • EndlineStudy and Impact Assessment Report:60% of contract amount
  1. SELECTION PROCESS

Selection will be based on the World Bank Guidelines for Selection and Employment of Consultants/Firmsby using QCBS method.

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