World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision helps transform the lives of the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries. In the Philippines, World Vision Development Foundation provides assistance to the children, families and communities in 29 provinces and 36 cities.
We are seeking for an experienced Baseline Research Consultant to ensure Global Program to Scale-Up Multi-Sectoral Sustainable Waste Management Systems and Strengthening of Livelihoods for poverty affected populations in the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka (PHINLA) Phase 2 Program Baseline data collection, analysis and reports are conducted and completed objectively and with high quality. Below are the details.
Background
Poorly coordinated Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a major issue problem in many countries. Growing populations, urbanization, and economic growth are leading to increasing solid waste-related problems. Illegal dumping, burning and burying of waste, as well as insufficient support and encouragement for community members to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste result in growing air, water, and environmental pollution as well as health issues for the local population are attributed to several specific factors:
- Lack of Infrastructure: One significant barrier to waste reduction, re-usage, and recycling is the absence of proper infrastructure within communities of Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Insufficient or poorly designed waste management systems, such as inadequate recycling facilities or scarce collection points, discourage community members from actively participating in recycling initiatives. The lack of convenient and accessible options for waste disposal and recycling makes it challenging for individuals to engage in sustainable practices.
- Limited Awareness and Education: Many community members do not have sufficient knowledge about the importance of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling or the potential environmental and social benefits associated with these practices. Ineffective awareness campaigns, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives contributed to a lack of understanding and a lack of motivation among community members to adopt sustainable waste management practices.
- Inconsistent or Ineffective Communication: Clear and consistent communication is vital for promoting and encouraging waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Insufficient engagement from local authorities, NGOs, or community leaders in conveying the importance of sustainable waste management practices lead to a lack of motivation and interest among community members in Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka to be engaged in better 3R practices.
- Limited Incentives and Rewards: Incentives and rewards significantly influence behaviour change and encourage individuals to actively participate in waste reduction and recycling efforts. However, in the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka the absence of effective incentive mechanisms, such as recycling incentive programs, discounts on eco-friendly products, or recognition for community members' contributions, diminishes the motivation to engage in sustainable waste management practices.
All of the challenges mentioned above are still present in all three project countries. Even though the situation in the three emerging countries has improved overall, a considerable number of people are still affected by poverty and increasing urbanization, resulting in rapidly growing slums with no prospects for livelihoods. However, the current waste management systems in the three countries are characterized by a lack of unified and fair working conditions for waste collectors, an insufficient collaboration between key SWM actors, and the low capacity and support from local governments, leaving much of the waste sector’s positive potential unused.
With the above pressing issues, the programme Phase II was conceptualized with the intention to scale-up the economic activities/ opportunities among the target beneficiaries of the program. It can be recalled, however, that the Program Phase I was implemented in the three countries in 2020 – 2023 where the program gains on solid waste management and circular economy were utilized to further enhance the current program. The program evaluation report and feasibility study which was produced in December 2022 was utilized to formulate the phase II desired objectives.
Guiding principles
The baseline study will be carried out in three phases in accordance with BMZ baseline standards: Desk phase, Field phase and Synthesis phase.
Desk Phase: For the purposes of the baseline study, a set of program related documents (e.g. Proposal, End of Programme Evaluation and Feasibility Study (Phase I), Log frame and M&E plan etc.) as well as country specific good governance materials (current projects, national and international reports, surveys, statistics, and social policy documents and programs etc.) will be needed to analyse to gain comprehensive understanding of the situation in the three countries.
Field Phase: Specific methods will be developed in accordance with the specific baseline objectives and depending on the target group as well as in accordance with program/project indicators.
The following main methods are proposed to implement the Field Phase – Survey and Desk Research:
If any surveys are seen as necessary, they will be conducted by the baseline team. Baseline data needs to be representative for the targeted community people with the application of 95% confidence level, 5 % margin of error 10% of response rate and 2 design effect (in case of cluster sampling) and necessary 80% power for detecting the statistically significant change at project level.
Collected baseline data needs to be sex disaggregated or considering other relevant. Sampling frame and survey tools will be developed by external Consultant.
According to the agreed indicators also qualitative data collection like Focus Groups Discussion and Key Informant Interviews will be conducted. FGD and KII tools will be developed corresponding to the data interests related to the target groups identified. See list of indicators in the Annex. An appropriate sampling approach will be suggested by the consultant.
Desk Research related documents will be defined by an external Consultant in cooperation with the Project Team and will be included in the Baseline Design Document.
The detailed baseline methodology will be developed within the Baseline Design Document by the Consultant and will be reviewed by the project team.
The following detailed information on methodology should be provided in the Baseline Design Document by the Consultant:
- Indicator definition in agreement and discussion with the project staff
- The detailed methodology approach for each baseline objective and project indicators
- Detailed analysis plan for each indicator
- Detailed sampling approach and sample sizes for each target groups
- Baseline tools
- Detailed description on how the communities will resource people, and other involved/interested individuals and organizations be included in the data collection and analysis and how will the findings be fed back to them;
- Detailed mapping of stakeholders to be involved in the baseline process and their selection criteria;
- Detailed plan of the field work
- Information about data processing procedures and data validation
- Data quality assurance plan
- Role and responsibility plan.
Data quality assurance
This will be further elaborated by the consultant in the Baseline Design. However, the baseline team leader would check the quality of data and analysis against quality criteria set for each tool, and against general principles like:
• Clear presentation of the method actually implemented
• Compliance with work plan and/or justification for adjustments
• Compliance with anonymity rules
• Self-assessment of the biases and the reliability of data.
Data storage and protection
The data to be collected throughout the baseline study remains the property of stakeholders involved in the study process. Therefore, the information and data must be used only with the project beneficiaries’ consent. All the raw data including filled questionnaires, SPSS databases, together with the consent forms will be stored in the WV Germany (WVG) office for 5 years and stakeholders can have access to data in case clarification is needed on data received.
Ethical Principles
To ensure that ethical principles are considered, following steps should be completed:
- Informed consent will be received from participants before they take part. This means that before they agree to take part, the baseline leader will explain to them exactly what is the study about and what they are being asked to do, how/why they were selected as the respondents and what the information will be used for; will inform them that, even if they agree to take part, they can change their mind at any time, without giving an explanation.
- Maintain Anonymity by removing the respondents’ name, as well as other information that can help to identify people.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents participating in research through considering of how much information the respondent wants to reveal or share, and with whom; privacy in the processes of information gathering/data collection and storage that allows the exchange of information to be confidential to those involved.
- At the Synthesis Phase first draft of final report will be developed and circulated to Project Team for quality check and feedback.
Deliverables:
1. Baseline Design Document / Inception Report– this document refers to the counter proposal of the consultant including but not limited to data collection methodology, analysis approach, and baseline design framework.
2. Survey tools – this refer to both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools including analysis approach.
3. A draft Baseline Report of maximum 50 pages to be discussed among the relevant stakeholders in order to provide comments;
4. A final Baseline Report in English, according to WV Baseline Report Template (please see annex)
5. Baseline Result Matrix and Analysis Table – The Analysis Table is a summary table (disaggregated by gender and country) showing the survey results in excel. The baseline result matrix must also me completed as mentioned in the TOR.
6. Qualitative Research Summary – an annex to the baseline report with full documentation of the interview and or Focus Group discussion.
7. Database in SPSS (available even after the study until 5 years) or other Analysis Tool program and all filled in questionnaires in case of paper questionnaires are used.
Required competencies:
We seek the service of a Baseline Research Consultant with the following competencies.
A consultant shall be hired by the Project to spearhead the baseline process from planning, data collection to report writing. Certain skills are required to manage baselines. This include the following:
• Critical thinking and analysis, organisation and synthesis of information.
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis and interpretation of programme baseline data.
• Creative problem solving and decision making.
• Communication, including synthesis and organisation of information, presentation and technical writing.
• Leadership and group facilitation.
• Organisation and project management skills.
• Hypothesis generation/testing.
• Using data processing software, including simple computation of descriptive statistics and cross tabulations systems.
• Knowledge of waste management in similar regional contexts.
Applicants for the consultancy shall submit the following documents: (refer to the list provided)
• List of baselines conducted within the last 3 years
• Sample of a Baseline/Evaluation Reports/Study conducted (preferably the most recent)
• Recommendation letters from previous donors/contractors
• Baseline proposal with detailed methodology, sampling for each baseline objective and project indicators; detailed timeline and estimated budget with detailed breakdown of costs per unit (tools are not required at this stage).
• CVs of evaluation team members.
Your proposal should clearly indicate the following:
1. Rates that should be inclusive of VAT.
2. Available start date.
3. Scope and Schedule of work.
4. Sample Work.
Information to Bidders
1. Payment will be made to the supplier by check or bank transfer within 30 days from receipt by World Vision of all documents mentioned in purchase order.
2. When applied- There will be liquidated damages equivalent to a deduction of 1% per day or part thereof for late deliveries due to default on the part of the suppliers.
3. WVDF is a Christian humanitarian organization and DOES NOT tolerate CORRUPTION under any Circumstance.
Additional Information:
As this program covers Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka-the program request that the possible consultant could submit two types of baseline proposal track:
- All three-country coverage – the consultant will cover all three countries including consolidation of result.
- In-country research – this means that the consultant will only cover one-country of choice (preferably where he/she resides). He/she may include consolidation of the three-country result.
Terms of Reference are available at this URL
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QWDb04_rmMSxH7XqhAVckj5SFdsbX37h/view?usp=sharing
If you interested kindly send your profile before May 26, 2024 to Mary Rose Serviano email: [email protected], cc: [email protected], [email protected] You can also contact her on the mobile number: 09976754204.