Re-Advert: Terms of Reference (ToR) for Consultancy to assess donkey cross border smuggling/trade

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Consultancy to assess donkey cross border smuggling/trade- Re-Advert

1.0 Introduction

1.1 About 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 South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Somaliland, Uganda and Ethiopia. With a 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 work towards food security and strengthened livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

1.2 The condition of working donkeys in Somaliland

Many poor families living in the urban and peri-urban centres in Somaliland use donkeys for paid transport and largely depend on their donkeys to earn a living. The donkeys mainly used for carrying water, transportation of charcoal and/or firewood from the forest to the markets as well as transport of food and non-food supplies from urban centres to far-flung rural areas. In all these cases donkey owners are paid by those who use them if not owned by the family using the animal and in many instances, the focus is on the amount of money earned from use of the donkey than on the donkey welfare itself. The main problem is that despite the use of donkeys by the community to earn income, donkeys are not properly looked after. To get maximum profits, the donkeys are often overloaded and overworked-carrying the load beyond their capacities, trekked very long distances without rest and accorded very little time for eating, drinking water and/or resting. Above all, beating is routinely used as a method to make the donkey work beyond its capacity. Thus a lot of donkeys suffer from wounds afflicted by beatings and poor harnessing techniques and or poorly designed equipment. Due to lack of appropriate skills among para-veterinary professionals, and appropriate medicines to manage donkey health conditions, the general lack of awareness among users and duty bearers on the healthcare management and welfare of donkey; and the absence of a guiding policy framework on animal welfare, majority of the donkeys also suffer and die from otherwise manageable health conditions.

1.3. Brief about the Project

VSF Germany is implementing a project funded by Brooke East Africa: Improving Donkey Welfare for Economic Empowerment of urban and Peri-urban households in Maroodijeex region, Somaliland. The project aims to improve management of and access to and availability of health services for working donkeys and maximize income for the poor and marginalized urban and peri-urban households in Gabiley, Wajaale and Hargeisa Districts in Somaliland that use them for commercial transport services. This will be achieved through efforts to enhance the knowledge, attitudes, practices and skills among owners and users of donkeys through awareness campaigns and capacity support to access health care services and advocacy to influence duty bearers.

The overall coordination and policy guidance of the project is under Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development (MoLFD) in Hargeisa. Besides, the project collaborates closely with other key stakeholders

including District authorities, partners working in this sector, donkey owners’ associations and users, donkey welfare committees etc.

1. Purpose of the task

The main objective of the consultancy is to carry out assessemnt of cross border trade and smuggling of donkeys between Ethiopia and Somaliland and present findings including donkey numbers moved for trade purposes including routes etc to concerned stakeholders including VSF Germany, Governments, and Donkey users/owners

There is fear that there is donkey cross border smuggling movement between Somaliland and Ethiopia and it is feared that the donkey owners are at risk of losing their donkeys to smugglers. The consultancy should ascertain this fear and provide possible intervention recommendations

2.1. Scope of the Consultancy Work.

The Consultant will be required to undertake the assignment for 15 days and specific tasks outlined below during the assignment:

• A desk review of existing relevant documents on cross border trade and movement livestock including donkeys authored by the Government of Somaliland (Ministries of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Commerce and Trade and Municipalities), academia and international organizations working in Somaliland and/or outside.
• Review any legislations, treaties and conventions on livestock [including donkeys] and highlight opportunities and challenges
• Conduct interviews with key informants, working animal owners/users, village community leaders, animal healthcare providers, cross border town local authorities and any other source of information on cross border donkey smuggling/trade in Somaliland.
• Draw trade routes and maps on livestock trade along the border where donkeys are moved through
• Present findings of the study to a regional and/or national stakeholders at a workshop organized by VSF-Germany for validation of the findings.
• Propose practical recommendations for consideration by the government and concerned stakeholders to address findings from the assessment
• Consolidate the feedback from stakeholders at the workshop to Finalize the Report of the study.

3.0. Methodology and Process.

The consultancy will outline the indicative approach and methodology that shall be followed by providing an elaborate outline of the approach as a response to the terms of reference. The approach should include, but not limited to the following:

• Timelines of how the relevant documents will be reviewed during the desk review
• Develop tools and conduct key informants interviews and Focus Group Discussions using a made-to-measure questionnaire to obtain required information.
• Develop a tentative itinerary to visit the target locations and districts to conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders and institutions as necessary.
• Develop a budget to accomplish the tasks

4.0. Expected outputs, Reporting and Presentation

The duration of the consultancy shall be 15 days.

4.1. Output 1: An inception report of the execution of the assignment in electronic version FIVE (5) Days after start of the consultancy to be presented for discussion and validation by VSFG technical team. The report should be very precise and address the methodology, tools and tentative work plan and any adjustments that may be deemed necessary to improve delivery of the task.

Output 2: A comprehensive draft report, and power-point presentation on donkey cross border smuggling and trade and action plan to be presented to VSFG and stakeholders, cross border authorities and technical teams for discussions and validation.

Output 3: A consolidated Report incorporating views/input from participants of validation workshop which will be submitted to VSFGermany as Final Report of the assignment. The report will have clear sections and a detailed executive summary, practical recommendations targeted at clearly identified stakeholder.

The final report shall be submitted not later than 15th day from day of signing the contract.

Key contacts and reporting:

The Consultant shall report directly to the VSF Germany’s Project Manager at Hargeisa as the principal contact point.

The Consultant shall work closely under the supervision of the Project Manager. And discuss any matters arising from the assessemnt process from time to time.

5.0. Mode of payment; will be in two instalments

1st instalment: 20 % of the total amount will be paid after submission and approval of an inception report.

2nd instalment: 80% of the total amount will be paid after satisfactory completion of the task and approval 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 withholding tax at source as per the rules of taxation governing VSFG operations and it will be deposited directly to the 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.

6.0. General considerations

1. a) VSF Germany, as prescribed in the contract will provide required logistical support to the consultant.
2. All documents prepared during the assignment will be the property of VSF Germany.
3. The assignment will not be sub-contracted to a third party by the consultant.
4. If additional time is required to complete the assignment, beyond time previously agreed, without changing the scope of work and signed amount of the consultancy, such a change shall be agreed between VSF Germany and the consultant in writing.
   1. Confidentiality of all the assignment will be maintained at all times.

7.0. 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 the expiry of the duration of the contract unless an extension is made by VSF Germany in writing.
• 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. However, such a move will be communicated to the consultant and a common understanding established on cancellation of the contract.

7.0. Preparation of the Proposal.

The consulting firm/individual consultant shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the proposal. The consultant shall submit a technical and financial proposal in a single file electronically. The technical and financial proposals should be properly marked and should include the name and contact details of the consultant /firm.

7.1. The Technical Proposal

Should be provide: Title of the survey, Clear understanding of the Task, Technical aspect of the proposal, Methodology, Operational plan, the Proposed team with detailed CVs of the team members who will undertake the task as an annex to the technical proposal.

For a firm applicant, provide a company profile as an annex to the technical proposal, the Lead consultant and contract for the firm/bidder.

7.2. The Financial Proposal

Should be broken down in details to include: Consultancy fees, Questionnaire development cost, Communication, Data processing & analysis cost, Reporting cost (stationeries, printing, etc.)

7.3. Validation of the Proposal

All cost should be quoted in USD and will remain valid up to sixty days (60) from the day of proposal submission.

8.0 Competencies Required:

1. i) Qualification and Experiences

The profile of the candidates should be as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Research, Statisics, Livestock Economics and Value Chain, Trade or relevant field from recognized institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in cross border assessments, especially touching on trade.
• Knowledge and experience of using participatory approaches
• Demonstrate strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent communication/ report writing skills and fluency in English
• Experience of working in Somaliland, is a plus
• A proven successful track record in research.
• Knowledge of animal welfare legislation, standards, and animal welfare principles and matters.
• A background and understanding of the domestic and international laws and/ or polices related to animal welfare and trade.
• Demonstrate competence and skills in developing action plans.

9.0 Assessment and award of the assignment.

VSF Germany will evaluate Technical and detailed financial proposals to establish fit and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. VSF Germany reserves the right to accept or reject one or all proposals received without assigning any reason and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

10.0. Confidentiality:

Confidentiality of all the processes during the assignment must be ensured at all times/levels

Note: All the outputs - baseline reports, database, etc. produced under this assignment (electronic, hard copies, etc.) will NOT be disseminated in part or wholly without express and written authorization from VSF-Germany to a third party.

Interested consultants/firms should read and strictly follow the detailed TOR and submit both technical and financial proposals not later than Tuesday 5th September 2023 to [email protected] and Cc [email protected] Indicate

Assessment on Donkey cross border smuggling/trade as a subject. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.