Terms of Reference for Value for Money Assessment into the EC Food Facility Programme “Using Food Aid to Stimulate Markets in Pastoral Areas”

1.0 Save the Children in Kenya

Save the Children has been managing programmes in Kenya for over 20 years. Save the Children’s strategy for Kenya, and in particular for the pastoral areas of the counry, is linked to the organizational goals for ensuring that all children have access to quality basic services – health, education, protection and social welfare.

Our programme in Kenya is linked to this goal through the improvement of and access to health facilities, the protection and improvement of the nutritional status of beneficiaries, and improved food security and livelihoods of beneficiaries through community management structures and social protection.

In line with this strategy, Save the Children has been one of the leading International NGO’s responding to emergencies in Kenya. However the organisation is also committed to addressing the root causes of malnutrition and poverty that compromise children’s rights to survival and development.

2.0 The Project

The project “Using Food Aid to Stimulate Markets” is being implemented by a consortium of NGOs, namely Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, and local NGOs ALDEF and WASDA, and is carried out in the Wajir and Turkana districts.

This project is scaling up two interventions that at their pilot level proven to be successful. Through funding from the European Union, the project implements a new way to delivery food aid using a voucher system and engaging small local traders as well as local food producers. This is 18-month initiative with a cost of over EUR 4.5 million.

Project Details

Overall objective. To stimulate market function and food production benefiting local agricultural producers, traders and consumers in marginal pastoral areas

Specific objective. To increase the incomes of local food producers and traders and the food security of consumers through the (part) local purchase and distribution of food aid through local markets

Areas of operation

Northern Kenya: Wajir (East and South) and Turkana (North and West)

Expected Results

Result 1: Increased income for target trader and producer households through increased trade, market linkages and food production

Result 2: Diet quality (diversity, balance, frequency) for vulnerable household members in the target population is improved

Result 3: An increase in the quality and quantity of local food products available in local markets

Result 4: Reduced seasonal variations in cost and availability of local food products

Result 5: Evidence generated by the project used to influence local and national food security policy and practice

2.1 Key Activities and Progress to date

Activity 1 - Distribution of the general food ration to targeted households through local markets via a voucher system

To date 54,000 food aid beneficiaries have been selected for the programme and since May 2010 have been receiving their monthly GFD ration via vouchers which they redeem with local traders in the target market centres.

Traders are reimbursed at a rate of Ksh2 per kg of food commodity distributed. Increasingly traders are being given a transport allowance to collect food commodities from the main food relief store in the towns of Wajir and Lodwar.

Emerging Findings to date:

Beneficiaries prefer this mode of distribution as it gives them control over when and how much food they collect during the monthBeneficiaries feel very confident they are receiving the correct ration Local grain traders have increased their income and turnover an average of 25% over and above the income and volumes received via the projectIn the majority of project sites there has been an increase in the number of traders presentActivity (2) - Substitution of part of food ration with locally produced food products sourced from local producers and supplied via a voucher system

The project has started substituting the 1.8kg per person ration of pulse in the standard GFD ration with vouchers for locally purchased commodities. To date 50% of beneficiaries in Wajir and 750 beneficiaries in Tukana have been receiving vouchers for the following:

Emerging Findings to date:

Children receiving meat and milk vouchers are emerging as better nourished. When comparing different type beneficiaries, the highest percentage of well-nourished under fives is found in households receiving meat and milk vouchers.

Furthermore, no severely malnourished children were recorded in this group in the last month of reporting (December) right when the prolonged dry season produced an increase of malnourished children in other types of households.

Activity (3) - Support to local agricultural producers and traders to improve the quality and quantity of protein rich foods on local markets.

The project is supporting 3,600 local livestock producers to increase both the quality and quantity of the milk and meat sold through local market outlets. VSF-Suisse has been sub-contracted by the programme to provide the following to local producers and milk and meat traders:

training (e.g. livestock management, milk and meat handling, processing and storage),Expanded access to animal health services (training community animal health workers – CAHWs and support to vet pharmacies)Provision of milk and met handling equipment (e.g. stainless steel milk containers, knives, slaughter slabs etc). Baseline surveys on milk quality, animal husbandry practices and producers production and income have been undertaken.

Activity (4) - Action research produced for learning and advocacy

A comprehensive monitoring framework has been established to monitor the quantitative impacts of the project. Project findings will be fully documented and shared with key stakeholders.

Project findings, including the quantitative data collected from this project, will be used to feed into wider debates on key issues such as food aid, pastoral productivity and chronic malnutrition levels. The subjects for examination in this TOR form part of this wider action research.

3.0 Purpose of the Study under this consultancy

The purpose of the study is to assess how far the alternative approaches to food distribution and the inclusion of locally-produced food used in the project demonstrate value for money (VFM) compared with the traditional approach to general food distribution (GFD) practiced in Kenya.

Specific objectives

1. Quantification of intangible and indirect benefits of the new food aid modalities

The consultant will identify and estimate the additional intangible benefits that the voucher intervention is creating for both traders and food aid recipients. The consultant will also estimate the indirect benefits to local food producers that have emerged from the inclusion of their products in the food aid basket and therefore creating a guaranteed market for them.

2. VFM of delivering food aid via vouchers compared to the traditional GFD.

The consultant shall establish the estimated cost of delivering food aid under the two modalities (traditional GFD vs. use of vouchers and local traders), as well as identify any further opportunities for cost reduction in the project approach should it be implemented at greater scale. The consultant will give special consideration to the additional intangible benefits of the new approach.

3. VFM of including locally-produced foods compared to imported commodities.

The consultant shall quantify the cost of utilizing local sources of protein (meat and milk for Wajir and dry fish in Turkana) and compare it to the cost of using the protein-rich foods that are traditionally utilized as food aid (i.e. imported pulses). The consultant will also focus on the intangible benefits of using foods that are culturally accepted by the recipients’ communities.

4. Overall assessment of VFM of the wider project

The consultant will consolidate the findings from the previous points in a summarized VFM assessment for the overall project.

4.0 Proposed Methodology

Prospective consultants are encouraged to submit their proposed methodology to ensure the evaluation objectives are fully met, however at minimum it is expected the following will be undertaken:

Meet SC and other consortium partners technical and programme staff (both in Nairobi and field level) to discuss programme implementation, financial expenditure and monitoring results. Meet with WFP and KFSSG (Kenya Food Security Steering Group) representatives in Nairobi and District Officials in the respective programme areas. Review all qualitative and quantitative data collected for and by the project staff and partners. SCUK undertakes regular monthly analysis of the quantitative household and other survey data collected by the project. SCUK will provide support in the further or re-analysis of this data for the consultant as required. The consultants are encouraged to recommend how the monitoring framework could be revised to better capture costs and benefits. Undertake a field visit to the project locations and undertake focus groups with all beneficiary groups i.e. Food aid beneficiaries General grain traders Milk traders Meat traders Pastoral milk and meat producers Undertake visits to other interviews or FGDs with a range of other stakeholders e.g. District Officials, other market traders, non-beneficiary producers, other NGOs etc Preparation of a presentation on draft findings for presentation to the ECFF consortium steering committeeSubmission of a draft report within one month of start date for comment and review by client 5.0 Critical Issues to consider

Specific issues that should be critically assessed by the consultant in the evaluation include:

How efficient are vouchers as a modality compared to other mechanisms such as food aid or cash? Does the voucher system represent a cost efficient modality for food aid delivery for agencies like the WFP and the government?The target areas are also project locations for the DFID funded HSNP (Hunger safety net programme) how far are the two projects comparable or complementary?Are markets and livelihoods being increased / expanded beyond the direct inputs of the project – i.e. is there a sustainable multiplier effect?Are the means used to lead activities well optimized? Does the investment in livelihoods by the project represent value for money? Recommendations for improving the execution, replication and scale up of future phases of the programme, should be provided where necessary.

6.0 Consultancy Period

It is anticipated that consultancy shall be conducted and completed before a period of 30 days from signing of consultancy contract.

7.0 Accountabilities and Responsibilities

The consultant shall report directly to SCUK’s Food Security and Livelihood Advisor. S/he will also liaise closely with the SCUK Data Analyst, OGB’s Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor and ECFF Programme Managers in Wajir and Turkana.

Save the Children will provide;

Guidance throughout all phases of execution.Logistic arrangements for all field travel (Oxfam GB to support in Turkana)Approval of all deliverables including final sign offs for the purpose of making payments.The consultant will be responsible for;
Conducting field work, initial presentation of findings, draft and final study .Regular progress reporting to Save the Children’s evaluation Manager.Development of the study results.Production of deliverables in accordance with contractual requirements.8.0 Deliverables

As part of the study the consultant will prepare

A final study workplan for approval by the SCUK Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor before beginning any work.A presentation of finding using powerpoint – to the ECFF steering group representativesA draft study report of no more than 20 pages (excluding annexes)A final study report Prepared in English only.Submitted to SCUK electronically via email and/or electronic media storage devices.All reports are to be submitted to the SCUK FSL Advisor.

9.0 Qualifications and required competencies

An experienced development practitioner with direct relevant experience in the areas of food aid, development economics, cost benefit analyses or similar. Proficient in methodologies to estimate the intangible and indirect benefits of project interventions.Ability to analyze large amounts of information and undertake critical and relevant written analysis.
Proof to be provided in the form of previous relevant studies or work produced.Excellent standard of written and spoken English.Excellent report writing skills.Experienced in the region specifically northern Kenya.10.0 Expressions of Interest

Interested consultants should send the information listed below to jobskenya@scuk.or.ke by May 15th, 2011

Brief proposal – outlining their approach in undertake the assessment, days required and daily rate CV (of consultant and any supporting team members) Examples of relevant previous experienceFeesFurther information can be obtained by contacting Ernesto Gonzalez, Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor (E.Gonzalez@scuk.or.ke).

Please quote kenyanjobs.blogspot.com as the source of the job advert

Terms of Reference for Value for Money Assessment into the EC Food Facility Programme “Using Food Aid to Stimulate Markets in Pastoral Areas”

1.0 Save the Children in Kenya

Save the Children has been managing programmes in Kenya for over 20 years. Save the Children’s strategy for Kenya, and in particular for the pastoral areas of the counry, is linked to the organizational goals for ensuring that all children have access to quality basic services – health, education, protection and social welfare.

Our programme in Kenya is linked to this goal through the improvement of and access to health facilities, the protection and improvement of the nutritional status of beneficiaries, and improved food security and livelihoods of beneficiaries through community management structures and social protection.

In line with this strategy, Save the Children has been one of the leading International NGO’s responding to emergencies in Kenya. However the organisation is also committed to addressing the root causes of malnutrition and poverty that compromise children’s rights to survival and development.

2.0 The Project

The project “Using Food Aid to Stimulate Markets” is being implemented by a consortium of NGOs, namely Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, and local NGOs ALDEF and WASDA, and is carried out in the Wajir and Turkana districts.

This project is scaling up two interventions that at their pilot level proven to be successful. Through funding from the European Union, the project implements a new way to delivery food aid using a voucher system and engaging small local traders as well as local food producers. This is 18-month initiative with a cost of over EUR 4.5 million.

Project Details

Overall objective. To stimulate market function and food production benefiting local agricultural producers, traders and consumers in marginal pastoral areas

Specific objective. To increase the incomes of local food producers and traders and the food security of consumers through the (part) local purchase and distribution of food aid through local markets

Areas of operation

Northern Kenya: Wajir (East and South) and Turkana (North and West)

Expected Results

Result 1: Increased income for target trader and producer households through increased trade, market linkages and food production

Result 2: Diet quality (diversity, balance, frequency) for vulnerable household members in the target population is improved

Result 3: An increase in the quality and quantity of local food products available in local markets

Result 4: Reduced seasonal variations in cost and availability of local food products

Result 5: Evidence generated by the project used to influence local and national food security policy and practice

2.1 Key Activities and Progress to date

Activity 1 - Distribution of the general food ration to targeted households through local markets via a voucher system

To date 54,000 food aid beneficiaries have been selected for the programme and since May 2010 have been receiving their monthly GFD ration via vouchers which they redeem with local traders in the target market centres.

Traders are reimbursed at a rate of Ksh2 per kg of food commodity distributed. Increasingly traders are being given a transport allowance to collect food commodities from the main food relief store in the towns of Wajir and Lodwar.

Emerging Findings to date:

Beneficiaries prefer this mode of distribution as it gives them control over when and how much food they collect during the monthBeneficiaries feel very confident they are receiving the correct ration Local grain traders have increased their income and turnover an average of 25% over and above the income and volumes received via the projectIn the majority of project sites there has been an increase in the number of traders presentActivity (2) - Substitution of part of food ration with locally produced food products sourced from local producers and supplied via a voucher system

The project has started substituting the 1.8kg per person ration of pulse in the standard GFD ration with vouchers for locally purchased commodities. To date 50% of beneficiaries in Wajir and 750 beneficiaries in Tukana have been receiving vouchers for the following:

Emerging Findings to date:

Children receiving meat and milk vouchers are emerging as better nourished. When comparing different type beneficiaries, the highest percentage of well-nourished under fives is found in households receiving meat and milk vouchers.

Furthermore, no severely malnourished children were recorded in this group in the last month of reporting (December) right when the prolonged dry season produced an increase of malnourished children in other types of households.

Activity (3) - Support to local agricultural producers and traders to improve the quality and quantity of protein rich foods on local markets.

The project is supporting 3,600 local livestock producers to increase both the quality and quantity of the milk and meat sold through local market outlets. VSF-Suisse has been sub-contracted by the programme to provide the following to local producers and milk and meat traders:

training (e.g. livestock management, milk and meat handling, processing and storage),Expanded access to animal health services (training community animal health workers – CAHWs and support to vet pharmacies)Provision of milk and met handling equipment (e.g. stainless steel milk containers, knives, slaughter slabs etc). Baseline surveys on milk quality, animal husbandry practices and producers production and income have been undertaken.

Activity (4) - Action research produced for learning and advocacy
A comprehensive monitoring framework has been established to monitor the quantitative impacts of the project. Project findings will be fully documented and shared with key stakeholders.

Project findings, including the quantitative data collected from this project, will be used to feed into wider debates on key issues such as food aid, pastoral productivity and chronic malnutrition levels. The subjects for examination in this TOR form part of this wider action research.

3.0 Purpose of the Study under this consultancy

The purpose of the study is to assess the market functionality for basic food commodities in Wajir (East and South) and estimate the potential of the project interventions to affect prices.

Specific objectives

1. Assess market functionality

Understand whether the markets with the project area are functioning by looking at prices of food items compared to other areas. Issues to consider include a review of trade flows/volumes, competition, integration, and price signaling.

2. Assess the risk of inflation

Look into any likely risk of inflation or deflation (gradual price reduction after project funding) borne of the voucher/cash transfer to beneficiaries and producers. Determine the induced demand levels and trader capacities to respond.

3. Beneficiary preference

Investigate the type of assistance that beneficiaries prefer (cash vs. food aid (in-kind or voucher).

4. Efficacy of vouchers

Determine the efficacy of the voucher transfers by examining how prices have responded to food procurement from local markets and how prices have been impacted by food aid distribution in the target recipient community.

Methodology/Approach

Although Save the Children is open to expert opinion on this, some of the methods to utilize include:

Review of the extensive quantitative data collected by project partners to date in terms of trader turnovers and income, market prices and household surveys etc. Re-analysis of this information to address the specific objectives of the study may be required. Market visits. Observe how many retailers there are and what is being sold. Record prices and talk to retailers.Semi-structured interviews with traders. A checklist of questions is given in the annex. (discreet interviews with traders).Semi-structured interviews with community-level key informants such as community leaders/LGAs/development agencies. They are usually able to give good information on trade flows in relation to the market the people use (e.g., where grain comes from or goes to), on seasonal price trends and even what happened to prices and trade following previous calamities.Graphing price data to compare with ‘normal’ trends from national / local or other external sources; ECFF has been collecting Market Prices and analysis of that will be useful to help differentiate seasonal and normal fluctuation;Proposed tools

Save the Children proposes that a of a mix of tools be employed with MIFIRA predominantly referred to, and informed by the EMMA and ICRC market analysis tools.

Critical Questions to the Assessment

The assessment should look into some of the key questions outlined in the MIFIRA approach, specifically:

Are Local Markets Functioning Well?

1a. Are food insecure households well connected to local markets?

1b. How has local demand responded to the voucher transfers?

1c. How much additional food will traders supply at or near current costs?

1d. Do local food traders behave competitively? and;

1e. Do food insecure households have a preference over the form/mix of aid they receive?

Is there sufficient food available nearby to fill the gap?

2a. Where are viable prospective source markets?

2b. Will agency purchases drive up food prices excessively in source markets?

4.0 Proposed Methodology

Prospective consultants are encouraged to submit their proposed methodology to ensure the evaluation objectives are fully met, however at minimum it is expected the following will be undertaken:

5.0 Critical Issues to consider

Specific issues that should be critically assessed by the consultant in the evaluation include:

How efficient are vouchers as a modality compared to other mechanisms such as food aid or cash? 6.0 Consultancy Period

It is anticipated that consultancy shall be conducted and completed before a period of 30 days from signing of consultancy contract.

7.0 Accountabilities and Responsibilities

The consultant shall report directly to SCUK’s Food Security and Livelihood Advisor. S/he will also liaise closely with the SCUK Data Analyst, OGB’s Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor and ECFF Programme Managers in Wajir and Turkana.

Save the Children will provide;

Guidance throughout all phases of execution.Logistic arrangements for all field travel (Oxfam GB to support in Turkana)Approval of all deliverables including final sign offs for the purpose of making payments.The consultant will be responsible for;
Conducting field work, initial presentation of findings, draft and final study .Regular progress reporting to Save the Children’s evaluation Manager.Development of the study results.Production of deliverables in accordance with contractual requirements.8.0 Deliverables

As part of the study the consultant will prepare

A final study workplan for approval by the SCUK Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor before beginning any work.A presentation of finding using powerpoint – to the ECFF steering group representativesA draft study report of no more than 20 pages (excluding annexes)A final study report Prepared in English only.Submitted to SCUK electronically via email and/or electronic media storage devices.All reports are to be submitted to the SCUK FSL Advisor.

9.0 Qualifications and required competencies

An experienced development practitioner with direct relevant experience in the areas of food aid, development economics or similar. Solid experience in economic assessment and ability to translate economic principles and methods to inform the development community.Ability to analyze large amounts of information and undertake critical and relevant written analysis. Proof to be provided in the form of previous relevant studies or work produced.Excellent standard of written and spoken English.Excellent report writing skills.Experienced in the region specifically northern Kenya.10.0 Expressions of Interest

Interested consultants should send the information listed below to jobskenya@scuk.or.ke by May 15th, 2011

Brief proposal – outlining their approach in undertake the assessment, days required and daily rate CV (of consultant and any supporting team members) Examples of relevant previous experienceFeesFurther information can be obtained by contacting Ernesto Gonzalez, Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor (E.Gonzalez@scuk.or.ke).

Please quote kenyanjobs.blogspot.com as the source of the job advert

Many Kenyan job seekers ask us how to determine what salary to ask for in a new position. This is an important question for several reasons. First, because you want to be compensated as much as possible for your hard work. Second, your desired salary range is an aspect of the “marketing package” you’re using to sell yourself to prospective employers.

Just like when you go to shop for a car or a suit, the price tag is a feature just like the name brand or the store you purchase from. When it comes to cars, for example, most people (men) first establish a price range that they want to pay for their new vehicle and then look at all the cars available within that price range.

Someone looking for a luxury car might decide ahead of time that they want to spend roughly K’sh 1,700,000 for the car. Someone looking for a low-end car might decide they want to spend about K’sh 500,000. The same applies for Kenyan companies looking for job candidates. They often get an idea first about what they want to pay and then look for candidates within that range.

As a job seeker, it is important to understand that when you’re dealing with proactive recruiters — i.e. recruiters who are actively seeking job candidates — you have to be able to grab their attention quickly and establish that you are relevant to them. HR managers get alot of CVs in any given day. Most of the CV posted on the job sites are for positions where there is a lot of competition — jobs that a lot of people are competent at.

If you are one of just a handful of people who’s good at what you do — like an electrical engineer or a nuclear scientist — then you already stand out and how you market yourself is not critical. But if you’re like most people, you do need to differentiate yourself.

When HR managers search for candidates, they often get back hundreds of CV’s in their search results, just like you see hundreds of job ads when you search for jobs on the job sites.

Even if you’re happy making what you’re making currently, it is still important to get an idea of what companies are paying for your position now. If you are earning substantially less than the market rate for your job and you advertise yourself with that salary, a manager may not consider you because they could think your low salary reflects a lack of skills or experience.

One way to determine what the right salary range is would be to look at jobs advertised. Search the job adverts for jobs requiring your skillset and experience. It is also important to look at the industry the job is in. Some industries pay more than others because they are more stressful and require more work hours (financial services, for example). If you’re open to jobs in several different industries, consider developing salary ranges for yourself for each industry.

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To Receive daily jobs In Kenya in your inbox,please subscribe here below. This entry was posted on Thursday, February 17th, 2011 at 8:58 AM and is filed under CAREER ADVICE. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

How do you go about job searching? With over 100,000 job-related websites already on the internet and the rising number of recruiting agencies, you must have used a few of these options. To avoid wasting your time, you need a plan. A plan in which you have set goals that will guide you in looking for that job you really want.

It does not help subscribing to each career website and registering with every recruiting agency, without first researching on how they go about the process. Most of these sites and agencies already have too many CV s in their database and again some rarely update their websites. It is therefore advisable to go for only those that at least have daily or weekly job updates.

Recruiting agencies have CV databases where a job seekers post their CVs stating the kind of jobs they are looking for. Recruiting Managers will always revisit these databases every time there is an opportunity they have been consulted to recruit for by various companies and employers.

The CVs therein are given first priority even before opening the usual applications that are normally done online or through hard copies. These agencies vary in their way of operations. The most common method is where a job seeker registers with a recruiting agency/firm with some fee. Note that this method has it is shortcomings. You may end up spending a lot of money to have your CV registered with a certain agency and wait forever to be called for an opening.

It sounds very assuring when you commit yourself with the payment because after all job seeking is not an easy task. But be very careful not to invest in something that you have no faith in. It’s obvious that some of these agencies out there are out to make money from poor and desperate job seekers without sticking to the agreement.

However, some agencies are practical even with the registration fee. If you’ve already registered with one, it is important to note that sometimes you may not always get the job as fast as you want it for the fact that these openings are not always available in the job market and again, even when they are available, the requirements are very specific.

For instance, a company may consult a recruiting agency to hire certain candidates on their behalf. The recruiting agency will then shortlist from the CVs it has in the database. In this database, the recruiting professionals are likely to find so many candidates but with same qualifications and because this agency has to get the best quality out of the numerous number, the short listing standards go up and this is where additional details such as a professionally written CV, outstanding roles apart from the usual requirements such as leadership roles are used to shortlist. Woe unto you if your CV is poorly presented, or in the hurry to have your CV in the database, you left out vital information hence instantly disqualifying yourself.

I have come across similar CVs, same qualifications, same certificates ,same everything, but there is always that one or two CVs with same details as the rest but professionally written and well executed making such candidates stand out from the large crowd.

This therefore calls for a well thought out job seeking plan, consider reviewing your CV and redoing it professionally or consulting professionals to do it for you. It is painful to have a very qualified candidate whose skills, abilities and ambitions are almost readable, but because of the poor presentation of the details in their CV, they never get called for an interview.

Secondly, if you already have a well-written CV but still in the process of securing a job, consider adjusting your goals to something more flexible or consulting a professional on various approaches of identifying those areas that you fit in with your qualifications.

Remember that so many people out there are spending a lot of time and investing a lot in the job seeking process and the best way to stand out from this crowd is by having a marketing document that represents you in the best way possible in the job market.

If you have registered with a recruiting agency that also advises on CV writing and careers, consider using these services. In fact most of these firms will always give first priority to those clients that have already used their services such as CV writing and career coaching for the fact that they have interacted with these people and can relate to their professional needs.

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