Consultancy for Improving resilience to climate change for rural people in the semi-arid regions of Laikipia County, Kenya

Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFHK) is among the 70 country affiliates of HFH International. In Kenya, we were registered in 1982 as Non-Governmental Organization, with the goal of enabling low-income families access decent and affordable shelter. In the last 40 years, HFHK has supported more than 345,000 families across 9 counties in Kenya through housing micro-finance and direct construction. Our Business Plan (2020-2025) has outlined four Programmatic Areas namely: Financing for owner-led construction; Settlement-Based Practice; Secure Land Tenure; Disaster Risk Reduction & Response (DR3). We are currently operating in Laikipia, Homabay, Kisumu, Tana River and Machakos.

Working with the government: HFHK has been present in Laikipia since 2015 and works with the district government to design and implement projects that address the needs of the people. HFHK and Laikipia District Government have a working MOU that sets out the key strategic approaches and rules of engagement. Joint planning has been carried out to ensure that the project only supports those activities that the county does not have funds available to implement in the next financial year. Government perspectives were taken into account through interviews with government staff from different ministries as well as consultative forums with the county leadership. In addition, they from Laikipia County and the sub-counties participated in one of the planning workshops where key strategies were identified.

The project will work with the county to provide technical assistance in various project activities, including the introduction of micro-irrigation systems, the establishment of cooperatives and the management of water resources. The extension officers of the district will provide technical assistance in the application of climate-smart agriculture technologies. The district health officers will be involved in implementing WASH activities together with community health Promoters . The water officers, in turn, will work with the village water committees to ensure a stable water supply.

Key capacity gaps among county and sub-county staff include limited technical capacity and skills to coordinate and monitor their projects. As the infrastructure created will be taken over by the county and munici-palities at the end of the project, these capacities will be strengthened. From project planning and implementation to monitoring and evaluation, work will therefore be done with the County. Project officers will plan and implement activities together with relevant county and sub-county staff. In addition, they will benefit from technical training organised by the project. The existing management committee also has limited technical and project management skills. Therefore, the project will invest in capacity building initiatives to strengthen community structures.

The County will be engaged in mobilising the community through the existing structures including administrative offices and providing necessary support to ensure success and the sustainability of the project. Various community groups will be engaged in project implementation including water management committees, school clubs, social groups, farmer groups, youth groups, women groups among others.

The project recognizes the capacities and skills of the community to be used in the implementation of the project. Local artisans will be engaged to construct latrines, wall tanks and recycle sewage sludge into briquettes. Existing health volunteers and community social mobilisation workers have knowledge in health education and will play an important role in promoting hygiene practices.

Civil society organisations: HFHK works in coordination with other development actors in Laikipia District. HFHK is currently a member of the Laikipia District WASH Working Group, a forum that brings together key actors to coordinate and learn from each other. Other actors implementing similar activities and belonging to this forum include World Vision, SNV (Stichting Nederlandse Vrijwilligers/Netherlands Development Organization), The Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT) and Mount Kenya University. To increase impact, HFHK will coordinate with other actors to create opportunities for learning and sharing good practices. HFHK will work closely with the World Bank-funded Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project, which is being implemented by the region in other parts of Laikipia.

In addition, HFHK will implement the project activities in partnership with 3 local CBSOs identified during the needs assessment study. They 3 include Solio Community Forest Association, United Pillars Welfare CBO and Solio community development CBO. These CSBOs are currently engaged in conservation work, tree planting and community mobilisation. They will undergo institutional capacity building in the areas of governance, financial management, administration, human resource management and programme management be involved in community mobilization and will benefit from project capacity-building activities targeting CSOs e.g training on climate change adaptation). Additional 2 community Self-Help Groups (from among 16 that will be supported by the project) will be incubated and supported to register as CBOs. It is expected that by the 3rd year of implementation 5 CSOs will have the capacity to manage program funds and will therefore be sub-granted small amounts of grants by the project to carry out specific interventions based on their capacities.

1. Purpose and Rational

The purpose of the baseline survey is to set a benchmark on the initial values for measurement of specific set of monitoring indicators pre-determined by the project. The baseline survey is intended to be more focused on the project site and the specific results of the project (outcomes, and outputs).

Below are the specific objectives:

• Identify current status (baseline values) of project indicators which would be used to understand changes in the situation in future, including output and outcome indicators from Log frame.
• Review the quality and measurability of the proposed project outcomes in relation to the stated objectives of the project including the relevance, adequacy, and feasibility of the project indicators in measuring the level of achievement of the stated outcomes.
• Propose modifications/refinements to the project outcomes or /and the respective indicators.
• Propose relevant modifications to project interventions in light of the established baseline status so as to ensure optimal realization of the project outcomes.
• Develop key learning questions that will guide the learning agenda during implementation.
• Develop (quarterly) indicator tracking sheet to monitor progress during implementation.

By providing benchmarks among the target groups, the baseline survey will initiate a process for continued monitoring of the results of the planned interventions. The baseline survey will allow HFH Kenya to understand Improving resilience to climate change for rural people in the semi-arid regions of Laikipia County. We will know the extent of the change caused in the lives, behavior, knowledge, and capacity of the target group by various activities and recommend modifications over time. The development and implementation of the baseline survey will also accompany the overall design of monitoring tools and guidelines, based on the recommendations of the consultant. The baseline report will be used as the benchmark for evaluating the project’s achievement in future.

1. Methodology

HFHK is seeking to hire a consultant to work on the baseline survey for a BMZ Lion project being initiated in Laikipia. The survey is intended to provide HFHK with detailed baseline data on key project indicators to be measured over the course of the project. All data, qualitative and quantitative, collected through the assessment must be disaggregated by village, age and sex.

Baseline research will involve collecting:

• Secondary documentation: the consultant will be in contact with HFHK staff who will share key documents and required literature, but may also use any other official documents, national, international, and including existing studies.
• Primary Data Collection
  • Qualitative data: the qualitative will allow verifying the perceptions, and experiences of respondents on Improved Food Security, reduced impacts of drought on vulnerable communities, livelihood and resilience for vulnerable households (elderlies, children, women and youth) against effects of climate change in Laikipia county, providing the rural population in the Solio with sufficient water that will promote the economic development of the community. The main source of income is agriculture, which is severely limited by the lack of water. As a result, agricultural production is low and smallholder farmers are unable to generate income to meet basic needs. This project will therefore improve access to water to enable agricultural activities and other income-generating activities. The consultant should use qualitative approaches, such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews, as well as participatory exercises and approaches.
  • Quantitative data: will used to measure indicators of the project expressed in terms of numbers/percentage/proportion (quantitative indicators)

Triangulation of information gathered during the quantitative and qualitative research is crucial in this study, with reflection on how the findings relate to the secondary documentation.

Project Objective 2,270 households in Solio settlement are more resilient and socially and economically strengthened against the negative impacts of climate change.

Summary

62% of households in Solio have an average annual income below 300 euros. They are thus below the poverty line and cannot cover their basic needs.

Indicators

• Average Household income of HH
• % of households who have adopted good practices for sustainable water management
• % of population/HHs aware of the adverse effects of climate change

Project Goal

2,270 vulnerable households in Solio have improved their WASH practices and socio-economic situation.

Summary

Currently, only 26% of households have a constant water supply, 43% travel more than 0.5 km to fetch water, and on average people consume 10 litres per person/day.

Indicators

• Proportion % of HH who have constant water supply.
• % of HH who travel less than 0.5km to fetch water.
• Quantity of water used per person per day for drinking, cooking, hygiene.

Summary

Currently, only 22% of households have safe latrines with covers.

Indicators

• % of HH with functioning latrines with safe latrines with covers.

Summary

Most households cannot irrigate and cultivate their farmland due to lack of water.

Indicators

• # of HH who are not able to cultivate their farmland due to lack of water

Summary

Women are not actively involved in decision-making processes within the community.

Indicators

• Number of women who are actively involved in decision-making in water management and agriculture through their membership in the water committees
• Number of initiatives to public decision-making processes contributed by women.

Summary

Awareness of the causes and consequences of climate change and risk minimization is very low.

Indicators

• % knowledge of Community members on climate change and risk minimization
• % of community members who use at least one practice that make them more resilient to Climate Change.

Outcome: 1

U1 : 2,270 vulnerable households in Solio have year-round access to safe, adequate water and sanitation.

Summary

Due to lack of maintenance, 3 of the 4 boreholes in the villages are broken. Furthermore, the existing water committees are not actively involved in the management of water resources.

Indicators

• # of functioning, solar powered borehole.
• Type and # of committee formed dissected by gender

Summary

Due to lack of capacity and irregular and unstructured monitoring by the water authority and the water supplier, a lot of water is lost from the pipeline

Indicators

• % knowledge of the water authority and water suppliers
• # functional and proper monitoring system formulated by the water authorities.
• Volume of Water lost from the pipeline.

Summary

There is no system of accountability of the water authority to the people.

Indicators

• # of monitoring accountability reports produced by the social auditors
• # of existing system of accountability

Summary

There are no known craftsmen trained to build improved latrines in the project area.

Indicators

• # of artisans trained.
• % knowledge of the artisans

Summary

The local population has few opportunities to learn about sanitation and hygiene measures.

Indicators

• # of community members ever reached by the CHVs.
• # of IEC materials printed and distributed to the community.

Outcome: 2

U2: 520 school children have access to safe sanitation and improved hygiene, including menstrual hygiene.

Summary

The existing toilets are not sufficient for the number of pupils. Some schools report one toilet for up to 50 children (ratio confirmed at project start). The latrines are in poor condition, offer no privacy, have no running water.

Indicators

• Number of latrines built.
• Pupil toilet ratio

Summary

Many girls do not have regular access to sanitary towels.

Indicators

• Number of girls who access sanitary towels monthly.

Summary

There is no waste separation or recycling at the schools.

Indicators

• # of waste separation system in place in the 4 schools through environmental clubs

Outcome: 3

U3: 320 women smallholder farmers have access to water for agriculture and are empowered to access financial services.

Summary

There are no water sources that can be used for agriculture.

Indicators

• # of powered boreholes available and their current use

Summary

Farmers use traditional farming methods that lead to low harvests due to climate change.

Indicators

• % Knowledge of women trained in a farmer-to-farmer system lead farmers in the community.
• # of the women smallholders who use at least one climate-friendly farming method.

Summary

There is currently a dairy cooperative in the municipality, but no cooperative for the marketing and sale of crop products.

Indicators

• # of women farmers organized and registered in Farmer Field Schools.

Summary

The concept of self-help groups is not practiced in the community.

Indicators

• # of social mobilisation assistants trained in the SHG concept

Summary

Few community members have access to savings and credit services.

Indicators

• # of self-help groups for women established and registered and have access to credit services with their credit profile.
• % increase in knowledge of land and inheritance law.

Outcome: 4

U4: The local government in Laikipia, community-based organisations and communities have improved their coordination and are adopting disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation practices.

Summary

There are few trees in the fields and plots in Solio.

Indicators

Average # of trees currently planted.

Summary

The district has not established technical working groups (TWGs) for climate change adaptation, climate smart agriculture and WASH at the district level.

Indicators

• # of technical groups established

4. Scope of work (tasks, outputs and suggested time frame)

The study will focus particularly on 4 villages in Solio Bahati, Baraka,Mukandamia and Mathingira.

Task/Output with suggested Time frame

Inception Meeting with HFHK,Area Office and Germany Team –1day

Inception meeting with MEAL Officer and a review of key background documents and existing data collection tools- 3 days

Detailed inception report including detailed work plan, detailed draft methodology and sampling approach for quantitative data collection, quantitative and qualitative tools finalized in agreement with the MEAL officer –2 days

Final Data Collection Tools presentation aligning and final feedback –1 day

Recruitment and training of additional data collectors/enumerators- 2 days

FGDs and KIIs, quantitative data collection and data entry –5 days

Data analysis and draft baseline study report submitted for comments-5 days

Oral presentation to project staff and receiving their comments- 1 day

Final baseline study, responding to comments above- 3 days

Suggested total -23 days

HFHK field staff will prepare the field visits for the consultant and data collectors ahead of time. We will ensure respondents are prepared and ready to participate in interviews and FGDs for data collectors, and, if required by the consultant, will accompany the consultant and enumerators on data collection visits.

5. Deliverables

• Detailed and professional reporting that addresses both the overall and specific objectives of the survey, and which includes specific recommendations on improving community resilience to climate change, including the need to improve access to safe and sufficient water and to introduce a range of income-generating activities, including climate-smart Agri-cultural practices.
• The report must be in English, clearly, and concisely addressing the information outlined above.
• Documentation will include the following:
  • Work plan and Inception Report (with key parameters and indicators to be considered for the baseline survey including the methodologies for data collection and dissemination).
  • Data Collection tools based on the four key outcome areas of the Project as elaborated in the Impact Matrix
  • Share the raw Data from the field.
  • Design and Populate an Indicator Tracker Table with Baseline status for each indicator.
  • Present results of the baseline and prepare a draft report for HFH Kenya’s review—clearly identifying information relevant to the outcome areas of our impact matrix; as well as data gaps and areas that may require further assessment.
  • Finalize the draft report with inputs form all stakeholders, including HFH Kenya personnel.
• Reporting will include:
  • A comprehensive and well-organized Final Report complete with standard reporting formats (main body of the report should be a minimum 50 pages in length, excluding TOC, tables, and annexes).
  • An Abridged Report synthesizing the main findings and indicators of the survey (not to exceed 7‐ 10 pages in length).
  • Case studies with testimony on improving community resilience to climate change, including the need to improve access to safe and sufficient water and to introduce a range of income-generating activities, including climate-smart agri-cultural practices.
  • A set of recommendations on suitable indicators for program monitoring during the implementation and scale up of activities. Recommendations should consider the needs of specific stakeholder groups and be relevant to the effective impact measurement of programme objectives and outcomes.
• The research firm/organization will present findings/recommendations in a meeting organized for key project staff, program partners, and key stakeholders:
  • Production of a report summary document to supplement the final report.

6. Qualification and Experience

HFHK is seeking is looking for a consultant/team with the following skills and qualifications:

• Minimum of a masters’ degree qualification from a recognized university in monitoring and evaluation, education, social studies, development studies, economics, or any other relevant degree
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in conducting project monitoring and evaluation studies in Kenya
• Must have good knowledge and understanding of issues around a food security, water, smart farming and climate change adaptation.
• Must possess solid methodological and research skills demonstrated through several research pieces and evaluations.
• The consultant must have proof of experience in developing assessment tools.
• The consultant must have proof of having conducted extensive baseline and impact surveys and assessments in the fields of Local Markets, Livelihoods/Income Generation, Cash Transfer Programmes, WASH, Protection and Education
• Track record in developing and conducting various types of evaluation including qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Experience in managing and coordinating evaluation/research exercises, delivering agreed outputs on time and on budget.
• Experience working with communities in data collection and analysis using participatory methodologies.
• Excellent and demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in research, including child protection.
• Ability to work with communities in relevant local languages would be an advantage.
• Strong quantitative data entry and analysis skills and previous experience using statistical analysis software.
• Ability to respond to comments and questions in a timely, appropriate manner.
• Ability to write high quality, clear, concise reports in English.

The application is open to individual consultants or firms. Applicants must provide:

1. A proposal clearly showing the following:
   1. Approach and methodology for meeting the objectives of this assignment.
   2. Number of days it would take to complete this assignment.
   3. Detailed work-plan based on the scope of the Consultancy and methodology.
   4. Financial proposition showing all the expenses, inclusive of 5% withholding Tax.
2. A detailed CV and professional background relevant to the assignment
3. Firms are required to provide their company profile.
4. All applications MUST be sealed in an envelope and must be signed indicating the date and time the bid was submitted.