INVITATION TO BID FOR CONSULTANCY: for Consultancy to Collect Most Significant Change Stories for the TOFI Project Puntland (Garowe & Gardo).

INVITATION TO BID FOR CONSULTANCY

Save the Children International (SCI) Somalia program hereby invites interested consultants to bid for consultancy to collect the most significant change stories for the TOFI project in Somalia.

Title of Consultancy

Consultancy to Collect Most Significant Change Stories for the TOFI Project Puntland (Garowe & Gardo). 

SCI Contracting Office

Save the Children Somalia Office

Period of Consultancy

The Assignment will be 14 days Only. 

Consultant type required

Individual or Firm.

Responsibility for Logistics arrangements and Costs

Save the Children will pay the consultant fee in a lump sum and will not reimburse any incurred costs during the assignment.  The consultants will cover their own Logistical arrangements and costs; including food, accommodation, and local transport, and all costs associated with data collection work and whole activities.

Taxation Provisions

Consultant shall be responsible for all Taxes arising from the consultancy in line with the local Tax regulations applicable at the SCI contracting office named above.

Travel requirements

The consultant will cover his travel costs (tickets) and arrange local travel to field sites and accommodation. He/she will be expected to provide their own laptop and other necessary equipment that meet the quality requirements for the assignment.

Security requirements

If the consultant is a foreigner, he/she will comply with the standard of Save the Children Security procedures, including the completion of SCI online security training prior to travel to Somalia.

BACKGROUND

1.       SOM Together for Inclusion (TOFI) project.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, persons with disabilities-PWDs mention stigma, social exclusion, and lack of access to quality education and employment as examples of basic human rights violations that they face every day.  For the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), special attention must be given to the rights of persons with disabilities, as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Together for Inclusion (TOFI) Consortium of Norwegian disabled persons’ organizations (OPDs) and some of the largest and most respected NGOs in Norway brings together their experience and expertise to deliver an innovative, multi-country programme. Combining the development expertise of large NGOs with OPD’s specialized rights-based approach, TOFI puts persons with disabilities in the driver’s seat and aims to reach the most marginalized with high-quality, sustainable interventions to promote disability rights advocacy, inclusive education, and economic empowerment in six sub-Saharan countries – Ethiopia, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda. The project targeted adults and children with disabilities, the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), schools and learning centres, and a range of institutions related to social protection and economic empowerment.

The Most Significant Change (MSC) technique is a participatory monitoring and evaluation approach that involves collecting and systematically analyzing stories of significant change from various stakeholders. This qualitative method complements quantitative data by capturing the perspectives, experiences, and values of those involved in or impacted by a project or intervention.

In the context of the TOFI (Together for Inclusion) project in Somalia, the MSC technique will be used to gather stories of significant change from persons with disabilities, OPDs, and schools. This approach will provide valuable insights into the project's impact on disability rights advocacy, and inclusive education, which are the core focus areas of the TOFI project.

2.       PROJECT LOCATIONS                                                                               

Save the Children continued to support 15 schools in Puntland and One OPD network (PDON).

 Read bellow attachment

3.       GENERAL OBJECTIVE

a.       The purpose of this consultancy is to collect the Most Significant Change stories from beneficiaries of the TOFI project in Somalia, following the prescribed MSC methodology.

4.       Specific Objectives

a.       To collect stories as per the prescribed methodology with TOFI project beneficiaries using the Most Significant Change (MSC) Story Collection Form provided by Save the Children.

b.       To translate collected stories into English

c.       To share stories with the TOFI evaluation/technical team as per prescribed timelines.

d.       To ensure ethical considerations, such as obtaining informed consent and maintaining confidentiality, are followed during and after story collection.

5.       SCOPE OF WORK

·         The Consultant/Consultancy firm will collect, transcribe, and translate the most significant stories as per the prescribed methodology with pre-determined beneficiaries (persons with disabilities, DPOs, schools and students with disabilities) in TOFI target geographies[1] (Puntland - Garowe & Gardo) ).  It is anticipated that two consultants in Puntland (Garowe & Gardo) will be required to work in parallel. 

·         The scope of work for this exercise includes but is not limited to the following:

·         Attendance and active participation in 3 days of training on TOFI Most significant change (MSC)process and story collection templates.

·         Attend multi-day remote training on the Most Significant Change (MSC) process.

·         Pre-test the Most Significant Change (MSC) process and tools during training.

·         Finalize the Most Significant Change (MSC) plan.

·         Collect and submit (original paper-based) and translate the most significant stories (75 stories) into English as per the prescribed methodology and tools.

·         Complete and submit all additional documentation (consents, etc.) in a timely manner as agreed upon.

·         Maintain regular communication with the Save the Children’s TOFI project MEAL manager and ACCM team during the story collection process.

·         Ensure to use of accessible formats for data collection and storytelling, such as Braille and sign language.

·         There will be neither audio and video recording nor photo-taking.

[1] TOFI has engaged separate technical assistance to develop the study protocol, tools, and sampling framework.

The following are the minimum requirements for the Consultant/Firm to be considered for carrying out the assignment.

·         Post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a relevant field of study.

·         Previous experience working with persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, and demonstrated experience promoting their inclusion is desirable.

·         Proven experience in conducting qualitative research, particularly using storytelling or narrative-based techniques.

·         Strong understanding of disability inclusion and the local context in Somalia

·         Excellent facilitation and communication skills, including the ability to accommodate different functional impairments (visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, communication, etc.).

·         Ability to provide the necessary equipment (laptops, cameras, recorders, etc.) that meets the quality requirements for the assignment.

·         At least five years of experience in conducting evaluations with international NGOs/INGOs, preferably in Somalia.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity when working with diverse communities.

·         Excellent written and spoken English proficiency and Somali language.

·         Considerable track record and proven experience in story/case study collection from the beneficiaries.

The consultant must meet the above required qualifications and experience.

·         Valid registration certificate from the relevant government authorities (Ministry of Commerce)-Pass/Fail (if registration is submitted the bid documents will be evaluated, if failed the bid will be disqualified)

·         Technical proposal on how the stories collection will be conducted (20%).

·         Prior experience in conducting successful stories about inclusive education protection programs and good experience in disability inclusion with professional references (preferably emails) (10%)

·         Detailed and reasonable work plan (10%)

·         Detailed and reasonable financial proposal with budget breakdown. (30%).

·         Copies of previous relevant contracts for similar stories collected. (30%)

·         Overall rating out of 100%.

Application Procedure and Requirement

·         Interested candidates in this position are expected to provide the following documentation:

·         A technical proposal with a detailed response to the TOR, with a specific focus on the scope of work, methodology, and timelines, and how the participation of persons with disabilities in the evaluation will be ensured.

·         Initial work plan and an indication of availability

·         Firm/company profile on handling the related assignment if the consultant is firm.

·         Personal CVs for individual consultants highlighting qualifications and experience.

·         Contact details of referees which shall be organizations for whom you have produced films or documentaries.

·         Financial proposal indicating consultancy fee per case story documented and translated into English.  See the story collection form at the end of the TOR.

·         Both technical and financial proposals shall not exceed five pages.

·         At least previously conducted similar studies.

Supplier Sustainability Policy and the included mandatory policies: Click Here to Access

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications can be submitted by either:

Electronic Submission via Protected Email box (Optional)

·         Email should be addressed to [email protected]

·         Note – this is a sealed tender box which will not be opened until the tender has closed. Therefore, do not send tender-related questions to this email address as they will not be answered, for any queries related please send them to [email protected].

The subject of the email should be “Consultancy to Collect Most Significant Change Stories for the TOFI Project Puntland (Garowe & Gardo).

·         ‘Bidder Name’, ‘Date’’.

·         All attached documents should be clearly labelled so it is clear to understand what each file relates to.

·         Emails should not exceed 15 MB – if the file sizes are large, please split the submission into two emails. 

Do not copy other SCI email addresses into the email when you submit it as this will invalidate your bid.

-        Your bid must be received, no later than 15th September 2024

-        Application Submission address: indicating “as the subject. 

-        Bids must remain valid and open for consideration for a period of no less than 60 days

N/B: Qualified candidates with disabilities and women are strongly encouraged to apply for the opportunities.