India: Baseline consultant required for livelihoods project in India

Terms of Reference for Baseline Study

Increasing equitable access to livelihoods and employment for people with disabilities in Indiaproject

Background

Leonard Cheshire Disability is a UK-based organisation which believes that people with disabilities should have the freedom to live their lives the way they choose, with opportunities to live independently, contribute economically and participate fully in society. Leonard Cheshire Disability delivers inclusive community-based programmes delivering sustainable change to people with disabilities at a grassroots level. The key focus of our programmes includes: inclusive education; access to livelihoods; campaigning and advocacy; and research. Leonard Cheshire Disability’s International Department works through five regional offices in Africa and Asia. The South Asia office is based in Bangalore, India.

Leonard Cheshire Disability International has recently secured a grant from the European Union to deliver a livelihoods project in India. The project proposes to tackle access to employment and livelihoods opportunities for people with disabilities and to increase the knowledge base and understanding of stakeholders in relation to the rights of people with disabilities. It is a three-year multi-location programme aiming to deliver livelihoods to 5000 people with disabilities. This will be done through working with five local partners in four project locations - Coimbatore, Nagapattinam (including Chennai), Prakasam and Delhi.

The project is expected to deliver the following results:

· People with disabilities to have increased confidence and competitiveness in the job market

· People with disabilities have secured employment and livelihoods opportunities

· Two entrepreneurship units established/upgraded to support people with disabilities

· Evidence gathered and learning briefs/policy notes developed and disseminated on economic situation of people with disabilities in the project locations

· Institutional stakeholders are more supportive of the employment rights of people with disabilities

· Local communities are more supportive of the rights of people with disabilities

Purpose and scope of baseline study

The baseline study forms a vital part of the overall evaluation strategy of the project. The findings from the study will be used by Leonard Cheshire Disability to improve project design and review the logic of the intervention; establish the status of key results areas before the intervention in order to measure changes and evidence the impact of the project; and provide evidence for future engagement with government and other agencies on livelihoods for persons with disabilities.

Specific objectives are as follows:

· assess measurability of the indicators and review project design logic including assumptions

· to measure the key indicators contained in the log frame

· to develop and test M&E tools for measuring key indicators (in alignment with our existing livelihoods database)

Methodology

The lead consultant will propose the methodology for the baseline study. It is anticipated that the consultant will use a mixed methods approach, and that secondary data review will be required.

Deliverables

The expected deliverables are as follows:

· Final report - including table of indicators populated with baseline data and recommendations around design logic

· Package of piloted and refined M&E tools for measuring key indicators (in alignment with our existing livelihoods database)

· Presentation of draft report and final tools to LCD South Asia office Leonard Cheshire Disability UK office

(Whilst the consultant/s will be responsible for conducting the baseline study, they will be supported by the project team in relation to logistics and identification of people with disabilities if required.)

Timeframe and budget available

It is expected that the baseline study would commence by the second week of March at the latest, taking approximately two months to complete. A detailed timeline would be agreed upon at contracting stage. The budget available is between £5,000 to £6,400. Please note, the selection process will take a rigorous approach to value for money.

Person specification

· Solid experience in conducting baselines and evaluating projects in the context of developing countries – ( specifically livelihoods projects is desirable)

· High level of English language writing skills

· Experience in analysing both qualitative and quantitative data

· Familiarity with issues related to disability and development in Asia

Submission of proposals

Interested consultants are invited to submit a proposal by 10 February 2016.

The proposal should be between five to seven pages and include the following:

· Understanding of the TOR and the issues to address

· Outline of the proposed methodology

· Proposed timeline of top line activities including details of availability

· Proposed budget

· A sample report and CV from lead consultant should also be submitted

Proposals should be submitted to both of the following email address international@leonardcheshire.org - with India EU LH Baseline Proposal as the subject line.

Relevant project documents including list of indicators are available upon request from the email address above.