Baseline Study Consultant at Zizi Afrique Foundation

The specific objectives of the baseline study are as follows:

• Assess existing Values and Life Skills (VALi) awareness and practices in schools and the community – Establish the current level of understanding (awareness and knowledge), attitudes, and integration of VALi among community stakeholders (leaders and groups), and school community (parents, teachers, learners, BoMs, PAs).
• Explore system stakeholder collaboration and policy influence landscape - Map education and financing stakeholders and pinpoint opportunities for strengthening collaboration among the stakeholders while identifying the challenges that may affect the integration of VALi into schools, homes, and broader education system actors and generate insights for developing relevant toolkits and advocacy materials to support engagement with education authorities and institutional partners.
• Assess school community contexts – Analyze the socio-economic, infrastructural, and cultural dynamics affecting the education ecosystem of Kajiado, Turkana, Isiolo and Wajir Counties to inform strategies tailored to local realities and inform the design and testing of effective approaches for VALi integration in academic and co-curricular activities.
• Develop benchmarks for future measurement of project results as stipulated in the ALiVE project MEL framework and CoM Kenya
• Rubrics – Provide reference data to track progress and impact over time, ensuring evidence-based adaptation of strategies.

The Scope of work

• Zizi Afrique Foundation seeks to engage a consultant to conduct a baseline evaluation of the COM Kenya programme. Specifically, the selected consultant will be required to undertake the following broad tasks:
• Undertake a desk review on available literature and project documents to identify information gaps and inform the study methodology and tools. Reference to existing secondary data from different reports will be essential in the process of assembling credible baseline data for the project. The secondary data will serve as a yard stick upon which data generated through the primary sources will be compared and analyzed. Key reference documents which MUST inform the development of primary data collection tools/methods shall include the ALiVE project MEL framework and CoM Kenya MEL Rubrics.
• Design the baseline study framework, including the methodology and tools for data collection, that ensures all the information to meet the objective of the assessment is captured. The methodology should guarantee the highest degree of rigor to ensure credible findings and recommendations. A mixed method approach is recommended with key data gathering techniques being questionnaires, checklists and discussion guides.
• Conduct interviews (structured and unstructured) with community leaders and groups (youth, religious, cultural), parents, teachers, learners, BoMs, PAs and education and financing system actors (KICD, KNEC, MoE, TSC, National Treasury, Controller of Budget,
• Parliament Education Committee, CoG, County Governments) to obtain primary data on the key study questions. Based on discussions with the project implementation partners at inception, detailed potential target groups and individuals will be identified
• for in depth interviews.
• Prepare a draft baseline report for the four counties outlining key findings and stakeholder collaboration/networks.
• Prepare final reports incorporating feedback from CoM program partners and other key project partners like the government officials

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the overall supervision of the ZAF MEL team, the consultant will do the following:
• Develop inception report including revised workplan and study framework.
• Complete a desk review.
• Carry out interviews with key stakeholders/target groups.
• Prepare draft report.
• Finalize the baseline report based on input from stakeholders and program partners. ZAF will do the following:
• Provide all necessary documents that may facilitate the work of the consultant
• Coordinate the assignment.
• Organize co-creation/consultative meetings with program partners and mobilize respondents for participation

Qualifications

• Advanced Degree – A Master’s or higher in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Monitoring & Evaluation, or a related field.
• Expertise in Educational Research – Strong background in education system analysis, policy engagement, and program evaluation.
• Experience in ASAL Contexts – Demonstrated knowledge of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) education challenges, community engagement, and resilience- building strategies.
• Baseline and Evaluation Methodologies – Proven experience designing and conducting baseline, midline, and endline evaluations using qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Data Collection and Analysis – Expertise in survey design, participatory assessments, focus group discussions, and stakeholder interviews.
• Statistical and Analytical Tools – Proficiency in SPSS, STATA, NVivo, or other research tools for processing and interpreting data.
• Policy and Systems Thinking – Ability to assess systemic factors and recommend practical strategies for integrating life skills and values in learning activities through Whole School Approach.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Strong ability to collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, educators, and community groups to ensure alignment in program goals.
• Report Writing and Presentation – Excellent skills in synthesizing findings into actionable reports, toolkits, and policy briefs.
• Commitment to Equity and Inclusion – Understanding of gender, cultural, and socio-economic dynamics affecting educational outcomes in ASAL regions.