Terms of Reference of Consultancy Services to Conduct A Comparative Poverty Analysis Assessment/Study at Child Fund International

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to assess the readiness of communities to be disaffiliated/graduated, identify communities to be enrolled and develop a framework for entry and exit using the poverty graduation model methodology.

Specific Objectives

1. In collaboration with partners, co-create an exit and entry framework to inform future community engagement processes in development/sponsorship work.
2. Conduct poverty assessment using participatory approaches in targeted counties and triangulate with data from existing government ministries and NGOs data
3. Provide recommendations to ChildFund management on community sustainable programs

Scope of Work

The study assessment will be primarily conducted in Meru, Nyeri and Narok counties as well as Machakos, Siaya, Kisumu, Kitui, Makueni, Embu, Kiambu, Baringo, Tharaka Nithi, Busia and Kajiado counties.

Assessment questions

The prospective consultant/firm could use the following questions to probe on readiness for disaffiliation and can add more questions to suitably accomplish the assignment.

Background

• When did we begin work in this community?
• What were some of the poor conditions here when we started?
• What were our original goals at the start?

The rationale for Disaffiliation/Graduation

• Why are we leaving the community?
• Is the community now self-sufficient?

Accomplishments and improvements

• In what ways did we support the improvement of conditions?
• How were we successful in achieving our initial goals for this community?
• What are the conditions now compared to when we started?
• Approximately how many children and families were helped by our work here?

Future expectations

• What will the future be like for children and families after ChildFund leaves?
• How will the improvements and programs we helped introduce be maintained after disaffiliation?

Sponsorship relocation plans

• How many children are currently sponsored in this community?
• Which Alliance Partners have sponsorships in this community?
• To which communities should sponsors be reassigned?
• Please, share 2-3 goals we are working to achieve in the reassignment communities.

For immediate disaffiliation

• What attempts were made to maintain the project?
• What alternatives were explored and why did they not work?

Methodology

To answer the above questions of inquiry among others, the consultant will be expected to use a variety of participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches and data collection tools for micro-level poverty, social exclusion and vulnerability programs including problem, preference and wealth ranking, neighborhood mapping, flow diagrams, oral histories, seasonal calendars, storytelling and participatory theatres, rope technique, transect walk and semi-structured interviews. These can be augmented with key informant interviews with community leaders, government officials, and focus group discussions with men, women, children and special interest groups, Some of the analysis methods will include but not limited to participatory rural appraisal, participatory learning and action, and participatory poverty assessment. Internal sources of information will include a secondary review of Sponsorship Standard Operating Procedures, Country Strategic Plan 2022-2026, progress narrative reports, engage in conversations with small groups e.g. country task force and partners management team. External sources will include a review of secondary data such as county poverty reports by KIPPRA, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reports such as Economic report, World Bank report among others. Engage with community members using participatory rural appraisal approaches, key informants’ interviews from the government and non-government, focus group discussions

Outputs and Deliverables

Below are the deliverables for the consultant engaged to carry out this assignment:

• Inception report, showing exactly how the work will be carried out and the human resources assigned.
• Draft Comparative Poverty Analysis Report
• Final Comparative Poverty Analysis Report
• Programs and sponsorship exit and entry framework
• Presentation to the senior management team and partners on the outcomes of the assessment for validation

Qualifications of Consultant (s)

For carrying out this consultancy, a consultant/firm, with extensive expertise in rural development, particularly in poverty alleviation programs and participatory techniques is required. The suitable candidate for this assignment or the lead consultant of the consulting firm should have at least.

• Advanced Degree in Rural Development, Community Development, Economics, Finance or any other related discipline.
• Must have extensive expertise and experience in project cycle management
• Have proven knowledge and practical experience in quantitative and qualitative research.
• Experience of similar work in sponsorship-focused International Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, facilitating, presentation and communication skills.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili
• Facilitators should have an awareness of cultural sensitivities and local language skills