Baseline Survey Consultancy Community One Health Empowerment Rwanda and Senegal (COHERS) At Veterinarians Without Borders Canada

1. Overview and the purpose of the assignment

Veterinarians without Borders/ Vétérinaires sans Frontières – Canada (VWB/VSF) is a charitable, humanitarian organization whose mission is to work for, and with, those in need to foster the health of animals, people, and the environments that sustain us. More information about the organization can be found at www.vetswithoutborders.ca.

Globally, VWB/VSF focuses on controlling rabies, promoting equality, responding to disasters where animals are present, and training and educating community animal health workers in areas where there is no veterinarian. Throughout this, VWB/VSF always keeps in mind the Health (OH) perspective, where we consider animals, people, and the environment before making changes, because changing one thing, can change everything.

VWB/VSF is seeking an individual consultant/organization to conduct a baseline survey for our Community One Health Empowerment in Rwanda and Senegal (COHERS) project. The consultant/consultancy firm will lead the process of conducting the baseline assessment with our local partners in Senegal and Rwanda: Center for One Health at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), WaterAid Canada and Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF).

The Baseline survey aims to complete a baseline in collaboration with our local partners, work with the team to revise the logic model and PMF (Performance Measurement Framework) based on information gathered through the baseline assessment, establish baseline data for indicators as well and develop appropriate M&E tools.

2. Background and context

COHERS aims to improve health outcomes in rural communities, especially among marginalized women and girls, by applying an OH (One Health) approach to preventing and responding to zoonotic diseases in Rwanda and Senegal. The Project will increase the application of OH at the community level and improve healthy behaviors related to human-animal-environment interactions. This includes increasing the capacity of OH actors to improve local cross-sectoral coordination, referral, and reporting of zoonoses, and increasing access to needed resources for zoonoses control, including vaccines, testing supplies, and treatments. The Project will also support the development of climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure for the prevention and control of zoonoses.

The project is implemented through VWB/VSF partners in Rwanda and Senegal. COHERS aims to directly reach 159,676 beneficiaries in rural communities in Rwanda and Senegal. This includes 66,385 people (51.8% F) in Nyamagabe District, Rwanda (51.8% female), and 93,291 people (49% female) in Kedougou and Velingara departments, Senegal. These populations are in 50 villages in Rwanda’s Nyamagabe District and 60 villages and 2 urban centers in Kedougou and Velingara Departments in Senegal’s Upper Casmance.

The focus of the project is placed on farming households engaged in animal husbandry activities and will prioritize the most marginalized women, including those with lower levels of education, those most dependent on land/animal-based livelihoods, women-headed households, and those most directly vulnerable to/impacted by cysticercosis/taeniasis (Rwanda) and anthrax (Senegal) in underserved rural communities.

The outcomes of COHERs are:

• Increased community application of Gender Responsive One Health approaches to prevent, detect, and respond to the transmission of zoonotic diseases with a significant public health impact locally.
• Improved gender-responsive healthy community-level behaviors and practices of safe human-animal-environment interactions, especially among women and girls.
• Increased integration of evidence-based best practices into planning and decision-making for the application of OH at the community level.

3. Assignment Scope

The Baseline survey will focus on the collection of data for a set of performance indicators outlined in the Performance Measurement Framework. The baseline is intended to form a baseline and establishment of realistic and achievable targets, provide a point of reference against which progress on or towards the achievement of outcomes can be monitored and evaluated, and provide suggestions for the review of indicators if and where necessary.

• Responsibilities

The consultant will directly report to the MEAL Technical Advisor and COHERS Program Manager at VWB/VSF Canada, and all deliverables should be submitted to the MEAL Technical Advisor and COHERS Program Manager according to the schedule.

• Deliverables

The Baseline assessment will consist of three key phases, a) inception, b) data collection, and c) finalizing the Baseline report.

Inception phase

• Kick-off meeting with the VWB/VSF team
• Review of the project documents
• Submit a draft inception report that includes detailed methodology, tools (including but not limited to questionnaires and guidelines for the Focus Group Discussion, surveys, and Interviews) baseline framework, data collection mechanisms, sampling, piloting, testing, roles, and responsibilities of team members, key milestones, and detailed work plan.
• A presentation of the inception plan to the VWB/VSF team.

Data collection phase

• Plan for the data collection
• Primary/Key stakeholders

Finalizing the report

• Presentation of the preliminary findings
• Draft baseline report
• Final Baseline report
• Final Questionnaires
• Final tools
• Raw data (including but not limited to databases and Transcripts of in-depth and expert interviews).

Here are key deliverables with important timelines:

Deliverables & Submission

– Submit a detailed inception plan – 3 days after signing the contract

– Receive feedback on the inception plan from VWB/VSF – 2 days after submitting the inception plan

– Submit Initial results for review/results for each country data set as per the PMF – TBD inception plan

– Submit draft Baseline report and Baseline values for each indicator for review – TBD inception plan

– Receive feedback from VWB/VSF on the draft report – 3-5 days after submitting the report

– Submit the final Baseline report – 2 days after the final feedback

• Level of effort

The estimated level of effort for this consultancy is 21 days beginning from October 5, 2023, to November 10, 2023.

• Location of the work

The consultant will lead the process of the Baseline survey, including design, planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting in Senegal and Rwanda. The consultant (s) may travel for data collection and/or determine to hire enumerators at the field/countries of implementation for data collection purposes.

4. Methodology

An appropriate mix of qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to gather and analyze the data to diverse perspectives to the baseline and to promote the participation of diverse groups of stakeholders. A final detailed baseline methodology should be developed in consultation with VWB/VSF Canada and project teams. The baseline encompasses primary and secondary data review including but not limited to the COHERS Project Implementation Plan, Project Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), logic model, and other relevant documents.

The Consultant(s) / consultancy firm must propose a methodology and plan for this baseline assessment which will be approved by the VWB/VSF Canada and project teams. Data triangulation is required to ensure the credibility and accuracy of data through various tools.

5. Qualification

• At least 5-7 years of experience in a lead role with mandates that are similar to the one for this ToR, particularly to remote baseline studies and evaluations for the multi-country programs.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting baseline and end-line assessments/studies including proven experience in gender-sensitive research methods, mixed methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), data collection tool development, enumerator training, etc.
• Excellent facilitation skills and ability to recruit and manage remote data collection teams for both the quantitative and qualitative components, in the two countries of the study (either in person or remotely).
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Knowledge and experience with veterinarian policies in Senegal and Rwanda will be considered an asset.
• Master’s degree (minimum) in a field related to international development, global health, health policy and management, or M&E.
• Knowledge and experience with livelihoods or skills training programs.
• Knowledge and experience in gender equality issues in the education sector is mandatory; specific experience in data collection on gender norms is desirable.
• Fluency in English is mandatory, that includes excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to respect and safeguard vulnerable populations; and
• Ability to produce high-quality work under tight timeframes.

6. Management and reporting

The successful candidate/consultant (s) will work closely with VWB/VSF Canada and partner organizations in Rwanda and Senegal. The consultant(s) will be directly accountable to VWB/VSF Canada on all matters related to the contract.

7. The proposal

Qualified consultant(s) are asked to submit the following:

• 1. Narrative
• Detailed technical proposal of not more than 5 pages (without annexes) demonstrating a thorough understanding of the request for proposals and include the following:
• Proposed approach
• Team composition (if any) and role of the team members
• A proposed timeframe detailing activities and a work plan
• Curriculum vitae of all proposed team members outlining their relevant experience.
• Two samples of work produced under similar mandates.
• The name and contact information of two previous clients who can be contacted regarding relevant experience.
• Clear statement of any conflict of interest, or confirmation that no such conflicts exist.
  1. Financial
• The financial proposal will include itemized consultancy costs.

8. Evaluation criteria

Qualified proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Technical Component & Weight

Demonstrated experiences in conducting similar work (20)

The technical expertise of the consultant/team in health and veterinarians’ policies in similar contexts (20)

Proposed methodology and approach (20)

Experience in gender-sensitive research or evaluation methods (10)

Financial component

Realistic cost for proposed work (15)

All relevant costs included for the proposed work (15)

9. Disclosure of information

It is understood and agreed that the consultant (s) will, during and after, the effective period of the contract, treat the information/data as confidential and not divulge, unless authorized in writing by VWB/VSF any information obtained during the performance of the contract. Information will be made available to the consultant (s) on a need-to-know basis. The selected consultants will commit to respecting the VWB/VSF policies.

COHERS Logic Model

1000 Improved community health and equitable One Health empowerment for poor, marginalized, women and girls in rural areas with a high prevalence of zoonotic diseases

1100 Increased community application of gender-responsive One Health approaches to prevent, detect, and respond to the transmission of zoonotic diseases with a significant public health impact locally

1200 Improved gender-responsive healthy community-level behaviors and practices of safe human-animal-environment interactions, especially among women and girls Increased integration of evidence-based best practices into planning and decision-making for application of OH at the community level

1110 Strengthened capacity of OHTs, especially females, for a gender-responsive one-health approach to prevent, detect, and respond to prevalent zoonotic diseases

1120 Improved local coordination, referral, and reporting networks within and between OHTs (at the community and regional levels)

1130 Increased access to resources needed to prevent, detect, and respond (WASH, screening, vaccines, medications for humans and animals)

1210 Strengthened capacity within rural communities, especially women and girls, to prevent transmission of prevalent zoonotic diseases, especially among women and girls

1220 Strengthened capacity within rural communities, especially women and girls, to prevent transmission of prevalent zoonotic diseases, especially among women and girls strengthened capacity within rural communities, especially women and girls, to detect and report the incidence of prevalent zoonotic diseases, especially among women and girls (in animals and humans)

1230 Strengthened capacity within rural communities, especially women and girls, to respond to incidence of prevalent zoonotic diseases, especially among women and girls

1310 Strengthened understanding of effective gender-responsive approaches to OH application in marginalized rural communities to prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic diseases