Vacancy Notice
Organisation
Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V.
www.hoffnungszeichen.de, www.sign-of-hope.org
Position Baseline Study
Type of Contract Short-Term Consultancy
Location
Home-based with field mission travel to District South 24 Parganas (Sundarbans), West Bengal, India
Relevant languages
English (required), Bengal (desirable)
Application Deadline 29.07.2021
Starting Date 16.08.2021
Project Title
Adaptation to climate change and resilience building on the Sundarban Islands through afforestation and promotion of sustainable livelihoods
Total Project Budget 1,483,582 EUR
Background and organisational setting
Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V. (SoH) is a Christian motivated organisation for human rights, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation. From its base in Constance, Germany, SoH is committed to helping those in distress and exploited people worldwide.
This baseline study is commissioned, prior to project implementation, under the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) budget for development projects run by private organisations.
SoH will be the private German executing agency and the contracting party, while the Development Communication and Service Centre (DRCSC) will be the local implementing partner.
Project summary: Regeneration of the endangered ecosystem on the Sundarban Islands through afforestation and strengthening the capacities of the target group and local stakeholders to manage natural resources independently and sustainably and to build sustainable livelihoods. Lobbying and sensitisation of the target group, civil society, and government institutions to incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into local development plans. The project places great emphasis on participatory involvement and a high degree of participation by the target group. This is organised in registered community-based organisations (self-help groups, Farmers Producer Companies, and others), which already exist or are to be newly founded. The direct target group is 3,000 vulnerable households.
Baseline Study Objectives
The purpose of the baseline study is to obtain reliable data about the current (initial) indicator figures – measuring the outcome and outputs (see Annex 1) in the project region (comprising of the following islands situated in the District South 24 Parganas: Fraserganji, G-Plot, Rashkas Khali) and of the target group (3,000 households from 13 villages within the defined project region). Additionally, the indicators shall be checked for complying with the SMART principles, shall be refined where needed and a clear methodology for their measurement (including sample size, utilised definitions and data collection tools, sources, etc.) shall be set up. By that, the baseline study will lay the foundation for the mid-term evaluation and the end-term evaluation. Additionally, the study informs the selection of project beneficiaries and identifies potential obstacles, risks and alternatives to overcome the foreseen challenges. The study will support the project quality assurance measures implemented by SoH.
Duties and Responsibilities
The selected consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Head of the International Aid and Cooperation Department, in close cooperation with the responsible Desk Officer and the local implementing partner.
The duties and responsibilities of the consultant will include:
· Develop a work plan outlining the proposed research methodology and a schedule to conduct the baseline study,
· Carry out project site visits to the project region to conduct research, collect data and establish contact with the local implementing partner, potential beneficiaries and relevant project stakeholders,
· Identify the current situation in the project region and of the target group with reference to the project indicators given in the project proposal. The results of the study should outline the initial situation in the project region and of the target group according to the given indicators set out in the matrix (see Annexe 1),
· Identify potential obstacles, risks and alternatives to overcome the foreseen challenges,
· Prepare a report containing the findings on the above items, specifications of the indicators and definite methodologies for their measurement.
Expected Deliverables
The study will produce the following deliverables:
· a baseline study outline, including proposed methodology and data collection tools, a table of content, and a timeline of research activities (inception report) before the site visit to a project location,
· a performance indicator matrix with the gathered data,
· verifiable information of the published results for each indicator (methodology, sources, definitions of measurement, calculation methods),
· a summary with a brief overview and main findings of the study,
· a comprehensive report of a maximum of 30 pages with practical recommendations and relevant annexes,
· a “Do no harm analysis” including recommendations on how to mitigate potential harm and conflict situations that can potentially arise during or as a result of the project activities.
Process/Timeframe
The total duration of the assignment is up to 20 working days within the period from 16.08.2021 to 10.09.2021.
A planning meeting with SoH (remotely), handover of relevant documents 1 day
Initial document review and preparing inception report 3 days
Sharing inception report with SoH and DRCSC 1 day
Data collection site visit to a project location 5 days
Data analysis, draft report with annexes, presenting to SoH 5 days
Incorporating received feedback and finalising the report 5 days
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
· Minimum of 5 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result-based management framework
· Proven experience in conducting baseline and feasibility studies, evaluations, and other research projects
· Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of projects
· Experience working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and partnered projects
· Fluency in written and spoken English
Desirable:
· Experience in the relevant field
· Professional familiarity with the project country/region
· Practical experience of working for and/or evaluating BMZ-funded projects
· Fluency in written and spoken Bengal
Academic Background
An advanced level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development studies, law and/or climate and environmental studies. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
The consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organisation or government entity regarding this evaluation.
How to apply:
Application Process
Please submit the following documents with “Baseline Study in the Sundarbans, India” to procurement@sign-of-hope.org no later than 29.07.2021:
· CV indicating all relevant experiences,
· contacts of at least two professional references,
· a cover letter, including a brief description of the proposed research methodology (technical proposal max. 1 page) and a comprehensive breakdown of costs (financial proposal), including professional fees and all other relevant costs, including travel expenses,
· a writing sample of the document of similar research value (for example a baseline study, an evaluation report).
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Annex 1 can is accessible under the following link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NLfGoxzvxMBV4TjyJ9Ua-AN8t5zmtuPKK_DuFzpulpo/edit?usp=sharing