Early Childhood Development (ECD) Survey at Terre des hommes (TDH)

Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct an analysis of early childhood development in Korogocho.

Specific objectives of the consultancy are:

• Determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of parents, children, stakeholders, ECD personnel in relation to ECD
• Identify existing gaps hindering optimal early childhood development in Korogocho
• Acquire an indication of existing community systems and mechanisms for promotion of early childhood development

3. Scope of work

The survey will cover the ECD program that is being implemented in Korogocho Informal Settlement, Nairobi County.

The 3-year project commenced in January 2020 to December 2023.

Methodology

The consultant will be expected to utilize both qualitative and quantitative approaches to conduct the assessment.

The Consultancy team will need to demonstrate a detailed methodology for data collection (adaptation and testing of tools, sampling methods, and sample size) data management and analysis, including triangulation for the data analysis.

Some of the data collection tools will be digitalized.

Among the survey respondents will be.

1. Children, (girls and boys, including children with disability)
2. Adults (Parents and caregivers)
3. Nyumba Kumi Leaders
4. ECD center managers
5. Children Officers
6. Teachers and other Education Officials
7. National Government Administration Officers
8. County Government Administration Officers

The entire assessment process will need to follow a child friendly approach and consider the meaningful child participation as well as safeguarding and ethical standards.

Survey questions and approaches shall be tailored according to the age of the targeted children.

The methodology will therefore include a specific approach that demonstrates how to ensure the meaningful child participation in all stages of the assessment process following a child-friendly and do-no-harm approach.

The assessment study team (The CR project staff, and the consultant(s) will work together to ensure, that the Child Safeguarding and PSEA policy and its guarantees are respected within the entire study process.

This will include ensuring that the inception report outlines any possible risks both for the data collectors and the respondents during the exercise and how such risks will be mitigated. The assessment study team shall undertake relative measures to ensure data protection.

In addition, the collection of Informed Consent/Assent shall be assured and the General data Protection Regulations (GDPR) followed.

As a minimum, the following methods will be required to measure the assessment value for each question:

• Review of relevant documents
• Child Friendly Survey with children
• Survey with Parents and Caregivers of target beneficiary children
• Focus Group Discussions with members of peer-based groups (i.e. child clubs, student clubs, youth groups etc.) plus survey with a sample of members of peer-based groups
• Focus Group Discussions with 2 to 3 members of the Community Based Child Protection Mechanisms at a time
• Survey (online) with child protection actors- service providers and community level actors

Among the expected limitations during the study, may include, but not limited to.

a) Restrictions of movement as guided by COVID-19 prevention protocols

b) Language barrier, especially when engaging with some parents and caregivers

4. Deliverables

Deliverables will be accepted as per the following terms:

• First deliverable upon acceptance and validation of study design and inception report.
• Second deliverable upon acceptance of the complete first draft report using standard TDH format which will be provided to the successful candidate.
• Third and final deliverable upon completion of the following:
  • presentation to TDH stakeholders and TDH in a workshop
  • submission of the approved final report.

Fees will be payable upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables in the contract.

Standard TDH procedures will apply for invoicing and all other financial management requirements set out in the contract.

Standard TDH penalty clauses will apply for late and poor-quality deliverables.

The National Technical Team will provide the consultant with the criteria for the evaluation of the quality of each deliverable.

Standard TDH penalty clauses will apply for late and poor-quality deliverables. TDH staff who will review the deliverable will provide the consultant with the criteria for the evaluation of the quality of each deliverable.

5. Chronogram

The assignment is expected to be conducted over a period of four weeks;

• 2-3 days desktop review and preparation of inception report
• 7-10 days field work including data collection and analysis and presentation of preliminary findings
• 5 days for drafting the report
• 2 days for presentation of final report to Tdh, feedback and report finalization

Roles and responsibilities

The evaluation will be conducted by an external consultant who will be supported by the local Tdh team.

Tdh Nairobi office will be responsible for contractual arrangements.

The consultant will be responsible for the entire assessment process:

• Desk review and documentation
• The development of the methodology, the development of research tools (semi-structured interview questionnaires and FGD templates) and their field-testing
• Data collection and analysis
• To conduct meeting with stakeholders and key informant interviews
• Providing a feed-back session with first results at the Kenya office
• Drafting and writing the report with conclusions and recommendations

The evaluation team will be composed of nationals for supporting in terms of translation, supporting for the visits with national and local authorities, other stakeholders, and logistics.

Transport will be well planned by the consultant in consultation with the Tdh office upon arrival.

The security context will be assessed by the Tdh security officer and decisions on movement will be taken based on a daily security assessment.

The main focal point will be the Project Manager; the secondary focal point will be the Head of Programs, for general update about the evaluation process and for introductory briefing.

Technically, the consultant will closely work with the Project Manager and MEAL Manager.

Criteria / Qualifications

The consultant must have the following.

• Degree in Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
• Statistics knowledge is required
• Proven working experience in fields relating directly to Early Childhood Development
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Strong analysis, report writing and communication skills
• Good understanding of informal urban settlement
• Knowledge of the Kenyan Education Context will be an added advantage