Terms of Reference for a Participatory Qualitative Study on Persons with Disabilities and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights in Kenya. at Christian Blind Mission (CBM)

Description of consultancy

• A participatory, disability-inclusive community-based research in Kilifi County to explore the nexus between disability and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, through a review of individual (Women, Girls, Men, Boys), community, institutional, and policy aspects, and to provide practical recommendations towards improving access to inclusive SRHR services in Kenya.

Scope

The Consultant is to, through an inclusive process:

• Prepare the detailed inception report including an Evidence Scan of existing Literature on women with disabilities access to SRH, a design and implementation strategy for the research, from data collection to data cleaning, analysis and report writing, the data collection tools developed and submitted to CBM Global. CBM Global will need to approve proposed plan, tools, methodologies, procedures, and instruments before their finalization.
• Develop appropriate data collection tools including but not limited to key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interview questionnaires, etc. Prior to study implementation, CBM Global in collaboration with OPD representatives will review tools and methodologies for inclusivity and accessibility and technical applicability and approve their use. OPDs being the main voice of the people with disabilities in the community, their input during data collection will be of great importance; their contributions will make the tools inclusive and accessible. The data collection tools will be developed in either English or Swahili and translation will be done after incorporating CBM Global feedback on the drafts. Both versions will be submitted to CBM Global for feedback. These tools will be field-tested, and the inputs from the pre-test will be incorporated.
• Select and train an Inclusive team of data collectors from Organizations of People with Disabilities in the research communities on qualitative data collection methods and on the proper administration of the data collection tools developed for the work.
• Deploy the disability inclusive research teams on the research field and supervise the field data collection for the proper and complete administration of the research tools.
• Compile and collate the data collected through the desk review and from the research field.
• Make a thorough analysis of data and compile the findings.
• Develop a draft of the research findings and submit it to CBM Global for feedback.
• Produce a final report, Including an Easy-Read Version (5 Pages Max), incorporating feedback from CBM Global.

Deliverables:

• An inception report that includes an evidence scan of existing literature on SRHR and Disabilities in Kenya, the research protocol (Disability Inclusive Design and implementation strategy) of the research and finalized data collection tools (within 10 days of signing contract).
• Pre-research training & awareness creation report among OPDs supporting research (3 days)
• First Draft and Final Research findings Report (both in MS Word and in PDF, within 2 weeks of finishing field data collection for the draft, and within 1 week of receiving feedback for the final report respectively).
• Presentation of the key findings to CBM Global stakeholders (2hrs,1hr presentation, 1hr Q&A).
• Facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders (half-day max).
• Submit raw and cleaned dataset.
• Add a short write-up (max. 2-pager) good practice document on how OPDs were engaged in the research process, and key lessons learned, with photos and consent forms.
• Consent forms for all photos taken during the consultancy and the Photographs on an online platform or removable drive.

Timeframe and duration

• The research is expected to be undertaken in September-October 2023. The duration of the assignment will be 23 calendar days. The days are inclusive of travelling, field work, and reporting and should not exceed 10 weeks from contract signing.

Place/ location of service delivered

• The Research field site will be Kilifi County, Coast Region, Kenya.

Gender and Safeguarding requirements

• The consultant team is expected to demonstrate and understanding of safeguarding’s responsibilities which are Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours, outlined in the CBM Global’s Policy. The consultant (s) will be oriented on and sign CBM Global’s Code of Conduct. The assessments and discussions should be held separately with men and women in a culturally appropriate manner where needed, to try to ensure that different needs are captured, and activities will be scheduled at appropriate times to maximize opportunities for both men and women to participate; Adequate considerations and strategies should be outlined for disability inclusive engagement and participation in the said assessments and discussions. The consultant will also be expected to provide advice on strategies that best promote and support the participation of women and girls in the project as well as how to integrate disability and gender-responsive approaches within the project plan, log frame and budget and possible indicators for inclusive SRHR.

Required Expert Profile

• The consultancy firm is expected to demonstrate experience of no less than five (5) years of executing similar studies in Kenya. The firm should also list the scale of similar projects worked on in the past and the links to final research reports. The firm’s experts are expected to display a high sensitivity to disability and inclusion issues and an understanding of the coastal context, aside from good interpersonal, administrative and management skills; High level of experience in research methods, data collection, analysis and report writing.
• All bidders are required to meet the following minimum requirements to qualify for submission of their proposal:
• Previous experience in similar research especially a proven experience in qualitative research methods. Applicants must have experience in conducting participatory research for community-based health projects or gender, disability inclusion and/or SRHR projects, preferably in the coastal setup.
• Capability of the research team shall include team member(s) with public health and/or sociologists/social workers with a minimum of an MPH/MA/MS degree to undertake the proposed study, along with relevant experience.
• Submission of copies of all supportive documents along with the technical proposal is required.
• Enjoining of Organizations of Persons with disabilities, persons with disabilities, and women as co-researchers is highly encouraged.
• While preparing the technical proposal, applying consultants must give attention to the following:
• Detailed methodology and work plan of how the participatory research will be executed.
• A description of the consultant/firm including an outline of the consultant’s/firm’s recent experience on similar undertakings.
• Profile of each of the study team members including an outline of the members’ recent experience, duration of involvement on assignments of work of similar nature and their roles/task to be assigned in conducting this baseline survey.
• Please note that CBM Global expects consultants to ensure adequate written consent is received from all participatory research participants.

Other Relevant Information schedule

• The financial proposal should list itemized details of costs associated with the study. It should express all proposed costs in Kenya Shillings (KES).

Logistics:

• CBM Global will NOT provide office space, accommodation, Research Assistants cost, computer, copying and printing services, telephone service or facilities for workshops. It is advisable to include any of these costs if needed, within the financial proposal.

Reporting Requirements:

The consultant is expected to fulfil the following reporting requirement during the assignment:

• Inception report containing a detailed work plan for the entire duration of the consultancy service.
• Final Research tools and protocol.
• Draft Research Report
• Final report.
• Presentation of key findings of the research to CBM Global stakeholders.
• Transcribed, translated and recorded scripts of the qualitative data.

The Final report should follow the following format:

• Title page
• Acronym list
• Executive Summary
• Introduction/context
• Objectives
• Methods (Research Location, Sampling methodology, Sample Size, Target Population, Data Collection Tools and Techniques)
• Limitations of the Research study
• Findings and discussions
• Conclusions

Recommendations

• Annexes (e.g. data collection tools, list of people consulted and photos with signed consent)

Payment schedule

CBM Global will pay for the consultancy fee according to the schedule below:

• 40% Upon submission and acceptance of an Inception report
• 30% Upon submission and validation of a Draft Report
• 30% Upon submission and acceptance of the final report.

Consultancy Application Interested parties should submit the following:

• Letter of expression of interest and demonstration of capability.
• Curriculum vitae of the consultant/s or firm portfolio.
• Evidence of experience in undertaking similar assignments.
• A copy of at least one previous participatory research report.
• A technical proposal outlining proposed methodology and both field and nonfield work plan/schedule.
• A financial quotation.
• Contact information for two independent referees and links to/attachments of work done for them.