Somalia: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONDUCTING BASELINE SURVEY ON HYGIENE STNDARDS AND CAPACITIES OF PRODCERS AND VENDERS/PROCESSORS OF MILK AND MEAT IN SOMALILAND

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONDUCTING BASELINE SURVEY ON HYGIENE STNDARDS AND CAPACITIES OF PRODCERS AND VENDERS/PROCESSORS OF MILK AND MEAT INSOMALILAND

1.0Introduction

1.1About VSF-GERMANY

VSF Germany is an international Non-Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in Southern Sudan, Northern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. With focus on livestock health, agriculture, value chain and marketing, food safety, natural resources management, Peace and Conflict, Good governance, Disasters & Emergency but also developing the capacities of communities and governmental institutions, VSF Germany works towards food security and strengthened livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

1.2 About livestock sector in Somaliland

The livestock accounts for about 60-70% of the total GDP and also employs 80% of the workforce in Somaliland: significantly contributing to the national economy. In different Somali communities, livestock producers are regarded as producers of milk and meat, income generators and stores of wealth. Fresh milk and other dairy products are staple food, vital items of trade for daily income but actual local supply below demand in both urban and rural areas in terms of quantity and quality in Somaliland. The below demand milk supply of milk is a function of low hygienic and quality standards since most of the trade is done through informal channels, where rules and regulations, if any, are hardly observed.

The study area: Somaliland state; Maroodjeex region specifically, Salaxlay, Cadaadlay and Dacarbudhuq districts.

1.3 Brief about the Project

VSF- Germany has been awarded a 36 Months (**1^st June 2016**- March 30^th, 2019) project from the BMZ to strengthen dairy and meat value chain for income and food safety in agro-pastoral systems.

The title of the project is “*Securing livelihoods of agro-pastoralists through setting up and strengthening of livestock sector value chains promoting infrastructure and generating income”.* The action is being implemented by VSFG in collaboration with Ministry of Livestock and other stakeholders of Somaliland.

The project goal is to “*improve livelihood of dairy and meat-producing agro-pastoralists and members of the milk and meat value chain through increased income and all year improved access to animal products at local markets for approximately 110,000 consumers in order to ensure their supply with high- quality protein’.*

The overall coordination and policy guidance of the project is carried out by Ministry of Livestock (MoL) in Hargeisa. In addition, the project will collaborate closely with other key stakeholders-at producer, trader and consumer levels while strengthening public and private partnership (PPP) particularly in the dairy and meat sectors.

1.4 Expected results

Result 1: Hygienic conditions and practices in the dairy and meat value chain improved, leading to higher revenues on markets and, hence to increased income for the producers.

Result 2: Resilience of food vulnerable households strengthened to avoid or overcome hunger crises through improved access to different hygienically improved animal protein.

Result 3: Capacity to regulate and provide services in dairy and meat sectors enhanced

VSF Germany is therefore looking for a consultant (individual/Agency) to conduct baseline survey in the project locations/beneficiaries Salaxlay, Cadaadlay and Dacarbudhuq districts.

The consultant will work closely with project officers and MoL while conducting the study to specific activities under Result 1, Result 2 and Result 3 frequently reports the progress to the project Manager.

1.4.1 Who is it for and how will they use the results

The baseline information is primarily aimed to provide benchmark of the actors in the dairy and meat value chain which will be used for tracking and measuring progress of the project resulting from of the interventions over time. It will also help VSF Germany and stakeholders partners to align implementation processes to specific needs of various beneficiaries, guide and help to improve quality of project implementation at both beneficiary and organization levels.

2. Purpose of the task

The main purpose is to clearly identify, articulate, and document the existing situation of the people and communities the project targets to work with from the onset of the project. The products of the assessment will provide the benchmarks on which any changes resulting from the interventions and achievements could be measured. The outcome will also inform any modifications that may be made in the course of project implementation in order to realize optimum achievements of results.

2.1 Specific objective of Tasks are as follows:

Assess the current situation of the project areas, in terms of livelihoods, socio-political and economic conditions, standard hygiene indicators, power relations, information on minority groups and any form of social exclusion, social/cultural practices, policies, local governance issues at village levels, etc.

· Systematically assess different stages of milk harvesting, handling, slaughtering, meat production, processing, transport and selling.

· Examine the risks milk and meat handlers and consumers are exposed to along the value chain based on test results from qualified laboratories in Hargeisa.

· Establish concrete criteria and standards for monitoring system milk and meat quality.

· Identify simple but reliable equipment which should be used and tests to be conducted at producer and vendor levels to ensure milk and meat quality (freshness) and safety to consumer.

· Identify ways for disseminating results of hygiene laboratory tests of milk and meat to local authorities and traders for awareness creation and support.

· Identify avenues for the project to support the public sector in dissemination of laboratory test results on milk and meat quality to milk producers and consumers.

· Assess the capacity of local producers and vendors (individuals and groups) who rely on milk and meat trade for income for resilience of their livelihoods.

· Map out similar/relevant initiatives implemented by other actors working in the same areas and recommend ways of building synergy in the dairy and meat value chain.

3.0 Methodology and Process**

· In the assessment, VSF Germany expects the consultant(s) to employ both quantitative and qualitative methods for collection of data/information, using Participatory Tools and Techniques for data collection, which may include but not be limited to In-depth interview, Key informant interview, Focus group discussion etc.

· Comprehensive desk review of all relevant documents i.e. related literature, project proposal, and related Government Policy documents including MoL strategies for development of airy and meat value chain.

· The consultant(s) will interact with staff of VSFG, MoL and other stakeholders on a sample basis.

· The consult(s) will have to fully engage a sample of target project primary stakeholders (i.e. agro-pastoralists, Pastoralists, customary authorities, milk/meat traders, Livestock professional Association, CBOs, consumers, etc) who play significant role in dairy and meat value chain.

· The baseline information will be collected from three districts mentioned above (1.2&1.4). The total population of this survey will be determined by the consultant as a sample of 1,833 households (11,000 people) target beneficiaries who are Agro-pastoralist and small scale peri-urban producers of meat and milk, milk and meat vendors /processors, Community Animal Health Workers and private veterinary drug suppliers, staff of Ministries of Livestock, Health and Local government authorities and youth and women who get employed in the dairy and meat value chain. The sample will need to be stratified by sex, age, and categories and criteria of inclusion and exclusion. It is envisaged the sample size for quantitative survey should be not less than 580. For qualitative survey the participants should be key informants from all sections of key stakeholders (e.g. community members, civil society, policy makers of different departments, government service providers, NGOs).

4.0 Indicative time frame and preliminaries

· The duration of the assignment is 25 working days, which could also be discussed between both parties. It is expected that the whole task should be finished within FOUR weeks from the starting date.

· The consultant(s) should develop and share tools for data collection (e.g. questionnaires, FGD, etc) with the client for any comment/input before commencing data collection.

5.0 Expected outputs, Reporting and Presentation

5.1 Output 1: The consult(s) will submit a preliminary report of execution of the assignment in electronic version ONE (1) week after start of the consultancy.The report should be very precise and address each specific objective and should include; Executive summary (1-2 pages); Methodology; Limitations of the assignment and way forward for the assessment.

The aim of the preliminary report is to give a picture of the situation on the ground which may require adjustment of the planned itinerary of the consultant(s) for effective collection of data and information.

Output 2: The consultant(s) will make a draft report and have Power-Point presentation of the findings of the whole study to contracting authority after 15 days of the assignment for feedback before finalizing the report.

Output 3: The consultant(s) will produce a systematic baseline database and deliver with final report.

5.2 Reporting and presentation of draft and /or final report should comprise of, the sections outlined below and main body should not be more than 30 pages.

i. Executive summary (2-3 pages)

ii. Introduction

iii. Methodology

iv. Rational of the assessment

v. Limitations/challenges of the methodology

vi. Findings

vii. Conclusion

viii. Recommendations

ix. Annexes.

Key contacts and report:**

· Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability (MEA) unit under VSF Germany’s Regional Programme/ Country Programme Manager will be the contact point. The consultant should report to the Country Programmes Manager. At the Field level, the consultant will work closely under supervision of the Project Manager.

6.0 Mode of payment:** The payment will be done according to the following arrangement:

Installments

Amount

Time line

1^st installment

40 % of the total amount

After submission of a draft report

2^nd installment

60% of the total amount

After satisfactory completion of the task and acceptance of final report.

The payments will be made in A/C payee cheques/or direct bank transfer in the name of the consultant or firm named in the contract. VSF Germany will deduct with-holding tax at source as per the rules of taxation governing VSFG operations and it will be deposited directly to custodian of such tax. No other benefits shall be admissible beyond what is stipulated in the contract, nor does it guarantee a regular position in VSF Germany.

7.0 General considerations

a) Required logistics support will be provided by VSF Germany as prescribed in the contract.

b) All documents prepared during the assignment will be property of VSF Germany.

c) Assignment will not be sub-contracted to a third party by the consultant.

d) In the event that, additional time is required to complete the assignment, beyond time previously agreed , without changing the scope of work, such a change shall be agreed between VSF Germany and the consultant in writing.

e) In case of any change made, in the scope of work by VSF Germany because of an increase or decrease in the cost or time required for performance or any part of the work under the contract, equitable adjustment in the contract price, delivery schedule, or both will be entered in writing.

f) Confidentiality of all the assignment will be maintained at all times.

8.0 Expiry of agreement and flexibility

· Considering the initiative as proactive and responsive, activities can be amended and elaborated based on the properly documented negotiation between the two parties.

· The agreement will be invalidated after expiry of duration of the contract unless an extension is made by VSF Germany.

· The work schedule may be staggered due to compelling reasons which both parties must assent to,in which case the number of working days will remain the same but actual work done on dates/days different from those indicated in the work plan. Such flexibility will not give rise to additional cost of the assignment on the side of VSFG.

· VSF Germany also reserves the right to amend or change or cancel the agreement at any time if there are compelling reasons to do so.

9.0 Preparation of the Proposal

The consulting firm/bidder shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the proposal. The consultant shall submit two (2) copies of technical and two (2) copies of financial proposal in a single envelope. The technical and financial proposals should be properly marked and should include the name and detailed contact of the consultant /firm.

9.1 Validation of the Proposal

All cost should be quoted in USD and will remain valid up to fifty days (50) from the day of proposal submission.

9.2 Outline of the Technical Proposal

The proposal should be in the following format:

Topic

Title of the survey

Understanding of the Task

Technical aspect of the proposal

Methodology (sampling design and strategy, data collection methods, Data Processing & Analysis, Data quality control measures)

Operational plan

Proposed team with names and curriculum vitae

Submitted by:(with contact details)

9.3Outline of the Financial Proposal

The budget of the task should be broken down in details as indicated in the table below:

Consultancy fees

Questionnaire development cost

Data collection cost

Communication and transportation cost

Data processing & analyzing cost

Reporting cost

Miscellaneous (stationeries, printing, etc)

9.4 The proposals must be accompaniedby:

· Detailed CV’s of the team members who will undertake the task as annex to technical proposal.

· Company profile where the application is made through a firm, as annex to technical proposal

· All the pages of the financial proposal should be signed by the Lead consultant or person signing the contract for the firm/bidder.

NB: The costs of long meetings such as focus group discussions will be borne by the VSF Germany partners directly (venue, food if required, etc).

10.0 Competencies Required:

Qualification and Experiences

· At least a Degree qualification in any of the following areas Agriculture, Animal Production, Veterinary Medicine, Social Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Dairy Technology or any other relevant degree from recognized institutions.

· Must have minimum of 5 years’ of overall experience conducting baseline assessment for livelihoods and resilience building initiatives.

· Demonstrated experience of working in donor funded projects under public sector and /or NGOs.

· Must demonstrate a minimum of 3 years’ experience of conducting baseline surveys in the Greater Horn of Africa particularly in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas.

· Must have good understanding of livestock, livelihoods, women empowerment through IGA programmes.

· Experience in Somalia, particularly Somaliland, is a plus.

Knowledge and skills.

· Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication and reporting skills.

· Excellent technical knowledge on food security and Resilience issues in Pastoral and agro-pastoral systems

· Should have knowledge and experience in gender and women’s rights issues.

· Mastery of written and spoken English.

Note: Applicants who do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria shall not be considered.

11.0 Confidentiality:

All the outputs - baseline reports, data base, etc produced by this assignment will not be disseminated in part or whole without express authority from VSF-Germany. Thus the consultant shall not produce these materials in any form (electronic, hard copies, etc) to a third party without a written permission from VSF Germany.

How to apply

Interested consultant/firms are requested to read and strictly follow the detailed Terms of Reference and submit both technical and financial proposals not later than Tuesday 9^th August,2016**. The proposals should be submitted in a sealed envelope marked: *‘BASELINE SURVEY_ **Securing livelihoods of agro-pastoralists through setting up and strengthening of livestock sector value chains promoting infrastructure and generating income”**,**PN: 2016.0118.6 and addressed to ; Head of HR and Admin**,** VSF Germany. P. O. Box 25653-00603, Nairobi Kenya OR*** through e-mail to**: admin_hr@vsfg.org**