Kwiminia CBO Terms of Reference to conduct Baseline Survey

Terms of Reference to conduct Baseline Survey
 Kwiminia CBO a non-profit making community based organisation (CBO) registered with the ministry of culture and children affairs since 2006 whose aim is environmental conservation in its area of operation.
Kwiminia (CBO) has received funding from Danida through Community Environment Facility (CEF II) of the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) to implement a Two year project titled “Lower Mbooni Integrated Environmental Conservation project” in the locations of Kalawa, Waia, Kiteta, Kisau and Ngiluni in Mbooni East District of Makueni County. The project objective is “To support community projects aimed at poverty reduction through improved livelihood systems and the conservation of community natural resources and initiatives for enhanced environmental management and governance”
 1.1 Purpose of the Baseline study
The overall objective of this survey is to establish the pre-intervention situation prior to project start up hereby preparing the ground for project performance measurement. The principal focus of the baseline is on collecting and analysing pre-intervention data relating to the indicators (OVIs) for the Intermediate and Final Goals. The baseline is done to establish benchmarks for the chosen indicators, i.e., to provide data on their initial status so that subsequent monitoring and evaluation can assess the effects and impacts of the project for the target population. The baseline also has the purpose of assessing the measurability of the selected indicators and will, if necessary, be used to fine tune them for future follow-up.
The study will help to establish the degraded land in forest and riparian areas, sources of fuel, level of fuel wood use, accessibility to safe water, level of knowledge in environmental conservation, level of utilization of natural resources. In addition, it will help to establish the current status of livelihoods within the project location. This will be in relation to the main project activities to be implemented by the project which are:
a.) Renewable energy and biomass efficient devices
b.) Capacity building of community members
d.) Environmental conservation: tree planting and soil and water conservation
e.) Nature based enterprises (IGA’s)
 1.3 Specific Objectives of the study
The baseline study shall provide:Baseline status on all impact, outcome and key output indicators.Provide analytical report on likelihood behavioral changes/adoption rates as pertains to various planned interventions versus socio-economic and environmental or any other issues.Assess potential for project ownership and sustainability of the proposed interventionsReview the project’s M&E plan and make concrete suggestions for improvements of the M/&E system taking into account notably cost efficiency and effectiveness in methodologiesReview the project’s M&E system including tools and provide technical advice on how they can be enhanced for impact measurementIdentify and recommend opportunities and synergies for better results and leverage / linkagesExpected positive and negative effects/risks of the project, and possible mitigation measures.The consultant is expected to have experience and academic qualification in the following areas:Advanced university degree in natural resource management/natural resources based enterprises/agronomy/agriculture, community development, development studiesProven experience in conducting quality surveys, evaluations, assessmentsUnderstanding of operations in the natural resources/agricultural sector, and value chainsProficiency in data analysis and report writingProficiency in use of computers, especially latest word processing packages and MS Office packages in general, and software package for qualitative and quantitative data analysis.2.2 Responsibilities of consultant
The consultant, in consultation with PIC and other stakeholders, will be responsible in the following:Formation of a baseline teamReview of the project documentsIdentifying and define baseline priority areas and indicatorsPlan and implement data collection.Design, critique and refine the field data collection tools.Facilitate survey crew training and data collection tools i.e. field pre-testing.Facilitate the design of data input screens development, supervision of data entry, data cleaning and data quality.Perform data analysis and report writing.Review draft M&E planWrite-up of a concise baseline report with annexes.Present a draft report to PIC and other stakeholders in a feedback session and incorporate relevant suggestions in a final report.3.0 The Baseline study methodology
The baseline study methodology will include but not limited to the following aspects:The baseline survey is expected to use both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection for triangulation purposes.Document review will be conducted to complement other information sourcesThe consultant will be expected to collect information widely across all groups, organizations, etc.4.1 The Baseline Survey Outputs:Inception reportBaseline Survey data collection toolsDraft baseline reportFinal Baseline surveyBaseline database,Data analysis output/summary report4.2 Consultant activity schedule
The consultancy schedule will cover months of October and November 2012.
 All payments will be in Kenya shillings. There will be no advance payments. Payment will be made upon submission and acceptance of the final report by PIC and CDTF, which will be subjected to 10% withholding tax.
 Firms or Consultant(s) who feel that they meet the requirements should submit expression of interest, which should include the following:
A capability statement, including commitment for availability for the entire assignmentAn elaborate study methodology including a sample questionnaire and detailed work plan etc.A detailed financial proposal, including lead consultant’s fees. The financial proposal should include daily cost per major activity.Updated curriculum vitae of the consultants who will undertake the work that clearly spells out qualifications and experience. Where more than one consultant will be involved, clearly indicate the overall lead consultant and responsible persons for the other baseline survey areas.Commitment that the consultants whose CVs are presented will be entirely engaged if consultancy is awarded.Evidence (if available) of membership to reputable Monitoring & Evaluation professional association and of any relevant to the consultancyContact of 3 organizations that have recently and preferably in the last 3 years contracted the firm/consultant(s) to carry out a baseline survey.Please send a soft copy of your expression of interest by 30.09.2012 by 5.00pm to cbokwiminia@yahoo.com
The subject line should read EOI to conduct a Baseline
Only pre-selected firms/consultants will be contacted, but contacts of even the unsuccessful will kept in file to contact them for future opportunities in the organization.