Call for Expression of Interest (Baseline Study)

Terms of Reference

Baseline Study

Key Information

Name of project being evaluated:
Karate for a better life – empowering young women and men in Zambian slums.
Organisations Involved:
YWCA National Council of Zambia
Y Care International
Zambia YMCA
Project Duration: 36 Months
Project funding source and overall project budget: Comic Relief, £140,000
Type of evaluation: Baseline study

Introduction

Karate for a better life – empowering young women and men in Zambian slums is a project funded through the Levelling the Field” partnership initiative between Comic Relief and the Scottish Government. “Levelling the Field” aims to empower women and girls to reach their full potential through the power of sport, both in the UK and internationally.

A baseline study for the project is required to establish clear benchmarks and provide an information base against which to monitor and assess the project progress and effectiveness during implementation and at final evaluation.

The baseline study will focus on baseline data collection and analysis for a set of indicators outlined in the project monitoring and evaluation plan. The baseline study report is intended for the project teams, community members, young people and stakeholders and will contribute to the body of knowledge and learning to understand the current situation and gaps for improving the lives of young people through sports and economic opportunities.

Project Overview

In collaboration with YWCA Zambia and YMCA Zambia this project aims to improve the social inclusion of 360 young people who have dropped out of school in using karate as a platform to challenge gender stereotypes, develop life skills and practice respectful relationships.

The project will create youth peer led spaces through Karate for young people to guide discussions and learning on issues such as gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health. Business skills training will also contribute to confidence building and pathways to economic opportunities.

The project is targeted at 15-24year olds living in the Kalingalinga area in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. YMCA Zambia is sub contracted to deliver the Karate sessions and support delivery of the project with a focus on life skills training for young men.

Project objectives

• Increase confidence and self-empowerment through karate sessions and tournaments led by female and male Karate Coaches
• Promote strong messaging through sports and life skills to challenge negative traditional norms of masculinity
• Provide Leadership training for young people to become peer leaders and agents of change
• Provide practical financial literacy and business skills training
• Create access to income generation and economic opportunities through motivational sessions and business plans development
• Promote respectful relationships and active citizenship through campaigns and local action plans to address GBV in the community

The expected results of the project are as follows

Outcome 1: Young women and young men have improved skills to prepare them for economic opportunities
Outcome 2: Young women and young men are contributing to and practicing more respectful relationships in their community

Purpose of the Baseline Study

The purpose of this Baseline Study is the following:

• To establish clear benchmarks at the start of the project which relate to the results against which progress will be measured
• Support the adaption of any results, indicators or activities which are not found to be relevant through the study
• Support the body of knowledge on gender-based violence, gender and empowerment through spots in Zambia

Use of the Baseline Study findings

We will use the information generated from this study to:

• Improve and update our knowledge on enterprise, employability and youth participation and self-empowerment
• Understand the role of sport as a tool for empowerment, confidence and learning
• Report to our beneficiaries, stakeholders and donors on what we found to be the current situation in their community and confirm that they agree
• Help the National Council of Zambia YWCA, YMCA and Y Care International to plan and design future work in Zambia

Scope, Focus and Evaluation Criteria

The survey will collect information according to the expected results and indicators as set out in the project application and project plan.

In relation to the overall project, the baseline survey will include information on:

• The female and male population of Kalingalinga, including youth population
• The size and key characteristics of Kalingalinga (geography, politics, religion, history etc.)
• Analysis of the general situation of young women and men with a focus on the 15-24-year-old females and males
• Detailed overview of other initiatives aimed at improving the lives of young women and men and particularly vulnerable groups in Kalingalinga, including services offered by the Government and by local and international Non-Governmental Organisations
• Data on existing sport activities for young women and men and the impact of sporting activities in Kalingalinga and nearby areas

The baseline survey methodology will employ a range of data collection methodologies (e.g. focus groups, questionnaires, key informant interviews).

The range of data collection techniques should include a mix of the following:

• Desk research / Context analysis
• Quantitative tools including survey questionnaires
• Qualitative tools including focus group discussions (at least 3 focus group discussions in different neighbourhoods) and interviews with key stakeholders (project staff, other NGO staff/volunteers, local government, community leaders, health centres representatives, business and technical vocational training centres, potential employers, etc.)
• Direct Observation

Stakeholder Participation

The YWCA/YMCA and Consultant must ensure that a wide range of stakeholders participate in the survey as respondents. These will include:

• Young men and women who will fit into the project beneficiary selection criteria
• Direct and indirect project potential beneficiaries
• Key stakeholders, partner organisations and networks e.g. health personnel
• Entrepreneurs/businesses, NGOs, CBOs, local government authorities
• Selected families/households, and Community Leaders/Elders

In relation to the overall project and target location of Kalingalinga, the baseline study will:

• Identify the proportion of young men and boys who agree that violence against women is never acceptable
• Assess the levels of understanding of community members regarding gender-based violence concept and attitudes towards it
• Evaluate the extent to which communities actively condone or tolerate acts of gender-based violence
• Identify the number of cases of Gender Based Violence reported to Police and/or health clinics
• Evaluate community member’s views of women and girls participating in non-traditional sports such as karate and football
• Identify existing sport initiatives in Kalingalinga and nearby areas that are targeted at women and girls
• Assess the number of young women accessing services (legal, health, counselling, police, etc.) and identify barriers to services

In relation to expected Outcome 1, the baseline survey should gather data and critically asses in the targeted location of Kalingalinga:

• The levels of confidence, wellbeing and self-efficacy of young people, including those from particularly vulnerable groups
• The level of business and financial literacy skills among entrepreneurs between 15-24-year olds
• The extent to which young women are engaging in social or economic activities at individual, household or community level
• The current employment / unemployment rates of young people, including young people from particularly vulnerable groups as compared to national statistics (where possible) and the most common types of jobs or sectors to work in
• The employment opportunities and the barriers faced by young people
• Outline the access to education (formal and non-formal) and training (e.g. vocational, business) for young people including those from vulnerable groups
• Assess the extent to which young people are aware of/or engaged with Technical and Vocational Training/microfinance institutions/ career advisors to improve their income and meet their basic needs
• Evaluate what safe and sustainable livelihoods means for the young people of these communities

In relation to expected Outcome 2, the baseline survey should gather data and critically assess:

• The number of young people who feel they are were listened to and respected among their peers
• The extent to which young women are perceived among young people, community members and decision makers as positive leaders or potential to be positive leaders
• Extent to which community members experience positive interactions and relationships with young people
• The levels of understanding on concepts of gender and gender-based violence and how they affect relationships and behaviour
• The extent to which young women and men effectively cooperate and respectfully work together
• Identify the current decision-making mechanisms and spaces for dialogue and engagement for young people and the levels of participation, including those from particularly vulnerable groups
• Identify the issues which limit youth participation in decision making
• Evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of young people in decision making processes at family and community level in the catchment area

Note: all data collected should be analysed by gender, age and vulnerability factors.

Evaluation Process and Methodology

The Baseline Study should focus on participatory methodologies whereby the work engages all key stakeholders including young women and men who fit the beneficiary criteria, community members, Community Based Organisations, local decision makers and the YWCA National Council of Zambia.

All evaluation tools will be designed in collaboration with the partners and no data should be collected until all parties have agreed on the tools and approach.

A reasonable sample of the targeted beneficiaries and population should be engaged through the

Baseline Study. The Consultant(s) should provide suggested sample sizes in the proposal and highlight how these figures were calculated.

To ensure that the evaluation process is conducted in a participatory and representative manner, the process should involve the following groups:

• Young women and men who fit the beneficiary selection criteria
• Community members
• Local and elected leadership of the locations
• Community Based Organisations
• Relevant Ministries and Local Government Departments
• The National Council of Zambia YWCA staff, YMCA Zambia who are sub contracted to deliver Karate and life skills for young men training and volunteers, who will be directly involved in the implementation and monitoring of the project

Geographical Locations

The Consultant(s) must visit the Kalingalinga location.

Timelines and Deliverables

The timeframe allocated to the end of project evaluation process is 25 days, covering design and finalisation of methodology and tools, data collection and analysis, and preparing and finalising the report.

The Consultant(s) must share a work plan with the partners for approval before the field work commences. The process will start 2nd April 2018 and a first draft report should be submitted to the partners no later than two weeks after field work is completed. The deadline will be agreed on selection of the Consultant(s) however, it is expected that this process will be completed by 4th May 2018 latest.
The consultant will be expected to update the partners on progress of the evaluation on a weekly basis and highlight any challenges or delays faced as soon as they are aware of them.

The final timeline can be confirmed with the partners at the inception meeting depending on the proposed methodology and work plan. Below is an indicative list of actions to be completed within the baseline:

• Inception report
• Initial project document review
• Development of methodology and tools for data collection
• Agreement and finalisation of tools with partners
• Training of enumerators/staff
• Field data collection including case studies
• Data entry and analysis of data
• Validation workshop with team and key stakeholders
• Preparation and submission of the Draft Report
• Validation exercise with community
• Review and feedback from partners
• Finalisation of report

Ethical Considerations

The Consultant(s) will comply with Y Care International’s “Working with Children and Young People Policy and Procedures”, taking particular note of the code of conduct and procedures relating to confidentiality, consent and soliciting information from young people. The Consultant(s) will be expected to sign a statement of commitment to this policy before the start of the consultancy.
The Consultant(s) must ensure that this evaluation is conducted in an ethical and sensitive manner.

Vulnerable children and young people should be protected and potential harm from the research tools, methodology, or researchers should be avoided. The Consultant(s) must ensure:

• Respondents are respected by the researchers and research tools
• They seek informed consent from all respondents
• The participation of local community representatives in planning and conducting the survey. Community representatives and researchers can work together to make sure that research is conducted in the most appropriate way
• Communities are informed of the research, possible outcomes (positive and negative), and the results of the research

Budget and Fees

The budget total is £6,000 GBP. Y Care International will pay all fees directly to the Consultant(s).
Bank charges: Y Care International will not be responsible for bank charges incurred by the Consultant(s) during funds transfer. Y Care International will pay the sender’s fees, whereas the Consultant(s) will pay any fees occurring at the receiving end.

The submitted budget should include all costs of baseline including per diem, travel, fieldwork costs, printing, stationary, validation workshop, training of enumerators etc.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Master’s degree in development studies, Social Studies and/or other related fields, with five years hands-on experience of social research
• At least five years’ experience in evaluation of development work/ the international development sector in Zambia with experience and knowledge on gender-based violence issues in Zambia
• Excellent evaluation skills including use of participatory appraisal techniques in data collection, sensitive to gender issues
• Have experience of quantitative and qualitative data methods and techniques
• Excellent analysis (both qualitative and quantitative) and report writing skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills especially with vulnerable groups
• Experience of engaging with a range of external actors, including interacting with senior government officials and NGOs
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to travel around Lusaka
• Experience of working on youth-focused projects

Application Procedure

Qualified candidates should submit the following information as part of the initial bid:

• CV(s) of the evaluation team member(s) (maximum 3 pages per CV)
• A proposal detailing their experience as per the above criteria, including their proposed plan, suggested sample and approach for the exercise, time frame and key deliverables for the consultancy work (maximum 10 pages)
• Detailed budget with breakdown of daily rate plus number of days and other costs. The budget will be evaluated alongside the technical proposal and we reserve the right to make alternative suggestions on costing. The Consultant(s) is responsible for meeting their own subsistence and accommodation costs.
• Two references from previous clients.
• An example of a recent/relevant evaluation report. Please share the web link if it is published online.

Applications should be sent to Y Care International and YWCA National Council of Zambia using the reference “Baseline Study Submission” in the subject line not later than 22nd March 2018 at 12 noon.

Y Care International email: [email protected]
YWCA National Council of Zambia email: [email protected]

Any queries to the Terms of Reference can be referred to YCI Programme Coordinator, Helen Animashaun at [email protected]. Please ensure that you mention www.gozambiajobs.com as the source of this job advertisement.

Please note that submissions which do not meet all the above requirements will not be reviewed. Each submission will receive an email to acknowledge the receipt of submission. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.