Background on Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading global independent organisation for children. Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our vision: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Our mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Our values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.

We are committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, in order to focus them on achieving maximum impact for children.

Background information/context

Northeast Nigeria is a region of enormous potential, yet historically poor and marginalized. In 2009, conflict erupted in this already vulnerable environment, greatly exacerbating pre-existing rates of poverty, low human development, climate instability and gender inequity, and bringing new problems of displacement and social disruption. Now with peace gradually returning to Adamawa, Yobe and Southern Borno, the moment is right to build on the significant humanitarian investments and move towards an integrated market systems development approach that will drive inclusive economic recovery and ensure peace gains are maintained and improved upon.

Recognizing this critical moment in Northeast Nigeria’s development, the Rural Resilience Activity is a $30 million five-year program implemented by a consortium of three organizations, i.e. Mercy Corps (MC), Save the Children (SC) and International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). This USAID-Feed the Future-funded Activity aims to kick-start and accelerate resilient futures in Northeast Nigeria, directly benefiting 90,000 households in four states (Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe). The project is designed on the premise that by stimulating inclusive resilient market systems that take into account the challenges and constraints of the Northeast environment, this approach can systematically move individuals and households out of chronic vulnerability and transform the Northeast’s economy, setting it on a path for stability, resilience, prosperity and inclusion for self-reliance. The program’s overall goal is to effect long-term sustainable improvements to markets in Northeast Nigeria that will promote stability, improved nutritional status and sustainable progress out of poverty. This approach involves promoting systemic changes in agricultural and non-agricultural market systems by removing barriers to entry and aligning incentives for new and existing market actors to develop and strengthen business models that are inclusive of young people and women, by sustaining widespread access to critical goods and services through strategic partnerships with private sector large to medium firms as well as relevant government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). It places a major emphasis on increased economic participation of women, youth and other marginalized groups, building trust by leveraging social networks and creating commercial relationships between market actors to improve power dynamics, facilitate information flows, and strengthen transparency mechanisms in markets, information and policy. All these aspects directly or indirectly contribute to increased production and availability of food.

Objective

Overall objectives of the assessment will be to:

a. Strategic review and mapping of existing formal and informal community organizations, networks and private sector enterprises including but not limited to agro value chain clusters/groups, CSOs, TVETs, business groups, economic groups, women and youth groups, State and LGA-level value-addition enterprises in targeted value chains of the Rural Resilience Activity in Borno and Yobe states

b. Conduct organizational capacity assessments and analyze the strengths, weaknesses/gaps, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of formal and informal community organizations and networks, and recommend ways of improving their capacities and productivity

c. Design viable capacity-building strategies to support formal and informal community organizations and networks to proactively and effectively participate in market systems, increase the productivity of livelihood assets and strengthen their resilience.

Location and official travel involved

The Supplier will work full time in the SCI Borno field office location. Regular office hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Sunday. Office space will be provided but the consultant is responsible for bringing his/her own IT equipment. The Supplier may be required to travel to other locations. Any required travel will need pre-approval by SCI in accordance with SCI’s Travel Policy and applicable RO/CO Expense Policy.

Specific field locations for the survey are as listed below;

Borno State: LGAs: Biu, Hawul and Kwayar Kursa

Yobe State: Damaturu, Potiskum, Nangere, Jakusko and Nguru

Services the Supplier will provide

The consultant is expected to provide (Required Deliverables):

● Define the assessment methodology and develop data collection tools. There will be a strong preference for organizational capacity assessment tools and dimensions developed by USAID.

● Review relevant material held by SC and externally

● Identify key respondents to be interviewed through focused group discussions and key informant interviews

● Collect data on existing formal and informal community organizations and networks through focused group discussions and key informant interviews taking into account their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

● Analyze data and information, and formulate recommended strategies and interventions required to bridge the defined gaps and needs in the technical and operational capacity of formal and informal community organizations and networks including value chain clusters, business groups, economic groups, women and youth groups.

● Assess the capacity of MDAs to facilitate capacity building training, market linkages and business relationships, and recommended appropriate approaches for bridging identified gaps.

● Presentation of preliminary findings and recommendations to get inputs for finalization of the report

● Submission and validation of final report and sharing of assessment findings with relevant stakeholders**

Experience and skill set required

Profile of the Consultant

*Education:

● At least a first degree in social sciences or arts and relevant experience

*Work Experience:

● Over 5 years’ research experience related to markets, livelihoods and resilience in humanitarian and development context.

● Experience with socio-economic surveys.

● Good understanding of the context in North-East Nigeria

● Ability to produce well written, analytical reports in English

● Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills

*Languages:

· Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of local language is an added advantage.

*Technical Competencies:

· Excellent reporting and presentation skills.

· Excellent knowledge of and experience with humanitarian guidelines and principles.

· Willingness to travel extensively and work under pressure & meet deadlines

· Ability to work in a multicultural and inter-sectoral environment.

· Ability to work collaboratively as a team with the other staff members.

· Ability to coordinate, direct and supervise others to achieve a common goal.

· Ability to live and work in an isolated area in conditions of limited comfort

Expected Deliverables

SCI expects the following deliverables to be provided:

● Any suggested improvements to existing study scope, as outlined in this document

● An inception report, including planned timeline and work plan, literature review of all relevant secondary sources, detailed methodology/approach, planned stakeholders to be consulted and sampling framework, data collection and analysis tools, qualitative and quantitative protocols for data collection and analysis

● Definition framework to ensure we have a common understanding of key terms and sectors

● Presentation of preliminary findings for consultation with SCI.

● Map and assessment of existing formal and informal community organizations and networks including value chain clusters, CSOs, business groups, economic groups, women and youth groups and agro-processors

● Presentation of organizational and -SWOT-analysis carried out for community organizations and networks

● Details of capacity gaps in MDAs and analysis of capacity building approaches, including challenges and constraints faced by formal and informal community organizations and networks, strategies for overcoming them and points of leverage

● Description of activities, programmes and services provided by community organizations and networks, including partnerships and collaborations

● Draft report written in English for presentation/discussion with SCI.

● One (1) electronic file of the clean (final) qualitative and quantitative data collected

● Final report that incorporates SC’s feedback.

Timeline

• The duration of the survey will be 30 days.

· Introductory meeting with SCI and consortium partners: 1 day

• An inception report, including planned timeline and work plan, literature review of all relevant secondary sources, detailed methodology/approach, planned stakeholders to be consulted and sampling framework, data collection and analysis tools, qualitative and quantitative protocols for data collection and analysis: 5 days
• Presentation of preliminary findings: 1 day
• Map and assessment of existing formal and informal community organizations and networks including value chain clusters, CSOs, business groups, economic groups, women and youth groups and agro-processors: 10 days
• Analysis and Submission of Preliminary Report: 3 days

· Submit final Report: 5 days

· Travel days: 3 days

· Total: 30 days

Estimated Commencement Date: TBD

Estimated End Date: 28^th Feb 2021.

Scope of work

• Inclusive and comprehensive desk review of existing studies and literature that covered similar topics as this study to generate relevant secondary data for the assessment
• Mapping of existing formal and informal community organizations, networks and relevant private sector enterprises such as value chain clusters, CSOs, business groups, economic groups, women and youth groups agro-processors and TVETs; including an overview of their mission, vision, bye-laws/constitution, membership, structure, entry and exit requirements etc.
• Assess the capacities of existing formal and informal community organizations and networks to identify existing gaps and risks, and recommend ways to overcome and mitigate them respectively.
• Describe the activities, programmes and services currently carried out by the identified groups and organizations, where and how they are being implemented
• Determine partnership/collaboration that the organizations have built and maintained in a sustainable and mutually beneficial manner and other partnership opportunities which can be capitalize on
• Identify the key knowledge and skills needed by the formal and informal community organizations and networks to improve their productivity. The findings will guide the development of training guidelines/manuals and identify possible facilitators for capacity building training.
• Assess the training capacities of relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), and identify gaps for improvement including training needs required to equip MDA staff as “master trainers” for the strengthening of community organizations and networks
• Determine the inclination and capacity of the target towards gender equality, through the lens of Women Economic Empowerment and social inclusion
• Design tools for monitoring participation of formal and informal community organizations and networks in market systems and organizational development.

Status updates/reporting

• The preliminary report will be sent to the SCI within 3 days of completion of data collection; the consultant will present preliminary findings of the assessment to SCI.
• The final report, incorporating all comments and inputs received, will be submitted to SCI within 5 days after validation of the preliminary report.

Essential Criteria

· At least a first degree in social sciences or arts and relevant experience

Evidence=> Provide educational testimonials – Yes/No

· Must have led at least 3 surveys in a relevant/related area (reports to be presented as evidence)

· Evidence=> CV + Past survey reports – Yes/No

Technical Evaluation (60 Marks – max points)

Part I: Capability Criteria – 15 marks

Consulting Experience:

Mapping Consultant=> Three years of experience in markets, livelihoods and resilience in humanitarian and development context

Grading:

· 10 Marks are awarded if the consultant has completed at least 3 surveys in markets, livelihoods and resilience in humanitarian and development context

· For less than 3 surveys completed use the following weightage:

Z= 15 * {A/3}

· For more than 3 surveys but less than 6 surveys completed use;

Z= 10+(A/6) *3

· Full marks are given in case of 6 surveys or more

Experience of more than 6 years the consultant earns a maximum of 15 points.

Part II: Relevant Experience / Client References (15 marks)

Brief description and evidence (attached copy) of up to 3 references for surveys undertaken for other actors (either INGOs, International Organisations or donors), including the year of service and an official email address to contact as a reference.

Grading:

· 10 Marks are awarded if the consultant has at least 3 positive references from previous organizations

· For less than 3 references provided use the following weightage:

Z= 15 * {A/3}

· For more than 3 references but less than 6 references use;

Z= 10+(A/6) *3

Full marks are given in case of 6 references or more provided

Part III: Interview Section (30 marks)

During interview interaction, the consultant is expected to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the development of life skill manuals and will be scored by the panel based on technical details. (Technical questions around experience, methodology and child safeguarding)

Commercial Criteria: 40 Marks

Commercial Criteria:

The grand total of the lowest itemized economic viable bid will receive maximum 40 marks and other subsequent economic offers will be graduated against the lowest bid as below;

A= 40 Marks

Z= (A/B) *40**

A= Lowest

B= 2^nd lowest

TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE – 100 marks

Acceptance

Detail how success/satisfactory completion of the deliverables will be measured/verified. Make sure this does not contradict any terms in your contract/FWA

e.g.

· Deliverable 1 – to be accepted by Project Board within 15 days of the delivery date

· Deliverable 2 – to be accepted by Project Board within 15 days of the delivery date

General assumptions and dependencies

Include assumptions around SCI roles during the project, SCI resource availability and project management responsibilities. Detail any dependencies that exist.

e.g.

SCI will identify the key stakeholders to be engaged as part of the project

Payment information

· SCI will provide accommodation for the consultant

· Meals and other incidentals will be the responsibility of the consultant

· The consultant will conduct his/her work using his/her own computer equipment.

· Other miscellaneous costs directly related to the task that can include photocopying of questionnaires etc. shall be covered by SCI. Any cost needs to have prior approval from SCI.

· The movement of the consultant and team to and from the field will be facilitated by SCI.

· SCI will provide survey enumerators; translators as may be required.

· The cost related to travel from/ to Field of the survey teams will be covered by SCI.

· Payments will be paid in three instalments: The first instalment 30% paid upon finalisation of inception report; 30% paid upon submission of a first full draft of the report; the remaining 40% paid upon validation of the report by SCI and consortium partners.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING – Level 3

Level 3 – The responsibilities of this post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children and young people. In the overseas context, all posts are considered to be level 3.

As part of these responsibilities, the post holder will support the establishment of child safeguarding systems, promote a culture of keeping children safe, and ensure that potential harm to children (by our own staff and/or as a result of how we do our work) is identified and addressed on an ongoing basis. The post holder should report and respond to interventions as determined by position related responsibilities identified in the Child Safeguarding Policy.

THE ORGANISATION

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better health care, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Save the Children is committed to ensuring that all our personnel and programmes are absolutely safe for children.

We undertake rigorous procedures to ensure that only people suitable to work with children are allowed to join our organization and all candidates will, therefore, be subject to this scrutiny.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as it is contrary to the values and practices of our organization.

Due to the volume of applications received, Save the Children may not provide feedback to all applicants. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as received. Save the Children reserves the right to change the closing date, if considered necessary.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a mail to nigeria.bornoprocurement@savethechildren.org requesting for the RFQ and other bid documents.