[opportunities] CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: CONSULTANCY SERVICE FOR BASELINE SURVEY FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION - “COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TRA VINH”

[Bui Thi Phuong, Thao]

Call for Expression of Interest (EOI):
CONSULTANCY SERVICE FOR BASELINE SURVEY FOR
MONITORING AND EVALUATION -
“Community Development Project Tra Vinh”
e Agriculture Sector
Background
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.



SNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995 and has over 30 national and international staff. SNV Vietnam’s team works hand-in-hand with communities, government agencies, and businesses in more than 50 provinces, including the remotest and poorest areas of the country. We operate from a country office in Hanoi and project offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong province. Our work focuses on three sectors: Agri-Food, Energy, and Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH).
Assignment Description
The Community Development Project Tra Vinh (CDP Tra Vinh), sponsored by Tra Vinh Wind Power No.1 Joint Stock Company with the aim to improve local livelihoods through the development of inclusive horticulture and aquaculture value chains that promote climate-smart and sustainable production, empower women’s economic development, and enhance access to finance of local stakeholders. This will be achieved by developing the peanut, white leg shrimp and shrimp-mangrove value chains that offer potential to local communities and households in terms of improved and sustainable income and opportunities to escape poverty. CDP Tra Vinh also builds capacity and confidence for women in project areas (especially ethnic Khmers) as decision-makers and leaders at the household level, communities, and cooperatives/businesses.
The project will be implemented in Truong Long Hoa commune (Con Trung hamlet) - Long Toan commune (Long Dien, Bao Sen, Thong Nhat hamlets) belongs to Duyen Hai town, Ngu Lac commune (Ro Say - Duong Lieu - Me Lang - Soc Ot hamlet) belongs to in Duyen Hai district in three years from August 2023 – July 2026.
In 2022, the project team conducted comprehensive value chain and gender assessments in the project areas. The study included analysis of socio-economic situations, related government policies, value chain assessment, gender equality and participation of women along the value chain. The assessments serve as important inputs for the design of the CDP, which has been approved by the donors this year.
In preparation for the project implementation, we are seeking for a group of consultants or a firm to conduct the baseline survey for the monitoring and evaluation purposes of the project. The expectation of this baseline study is detailed in the below sessions.
The primary objective of the baseline study is to establish a project database consisting of the current related data and information as a basis for monitoring project progress over time and evaluating the project results and impact at the end.
This baseline study aims to achieve the following specific objectives:

  *   To measure the current climate smart and sustainable production: knowledge, capacity of local farmers, current production status and effectiveness and adoption possibility of modern technology, environmentally sustainable production practices to meet market demand for clean and safe product standards.
  *   To analyse the horticulture and aquaculture value chains: value chain mapping and assessments and the existing marketing channels. This serves as a reference point to measure the project impact in professionalizing production, supporting trade promotion, improving income for actors of the value chains.
  *   To analyse gender awareness, contribution of women to family income and participation in value chains through assessing gender disparities, access to knowledge and financial resources, decision-making power and economic contribution by women.
key Tasks & Responsibilities
To attain the above objectives, the consultants are expected to develop efficient, cross-cutting methodologies, here are some key study assessments:
Work Package 1: Improving Climate Smart and Sustainable Production

  *   Current farmers’ knowledge and practices related to sustainable production and adaptation with climate change in the project areas.
  *   Current production practices and costs (seeds, equipment, labour, fertilizer...), revenue, productivity of peanut, white leg shrimp and shrimp-mangrove production. This information would be required to determine if there is an increase due to the project.
  *   Specific knowledge gaps and training needs of the households in terms of climate-smart and sustainable agriculture.
  *   Application of modern techniques and technology in production and trading
  *   The challenges that households encounter in implementing, integrating climate-smart and sustainable production methods into local practices.
  *   Intention to adopt new technologies with respect to climate smart and sustainable production.
Work Package 2: Horticulture and Aquaculture Value Chain Development and Marketing

  *   Assessment of existing cooperatives/farmer groups for peanut and shrimp production in the project areas in terms of operations, management, and effectiveness
  *   The existing marketing channels and market access for farmers and cooperatives, considering transportation, infrastructure, market connections, responsiveness at the present time.
  *   Conducting financial analysis and estimating the added value for farmers by different distribution channels.
  *   The willingness of private companies to participate in value chains and the challenges faced by cooperative groups in their establishment and cooperation with them.
Work Package 3: Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment

  *   The status of household dialogues, community dialogues, gender equality awareness events, specific topics and their effectiveness.
  *   The current knowledge and skills related to business management, and financial access among the targeted women entrepreneurs, exemplary women, and cooperatives.
  *   The need for technical support, capacity-building for women to improve their incomes, participate in decision-making processes and in market linkages.
Please note that All data collection and the baseline data setup shall be gender disaggregated.
METHODOLOGY & SCOPE OF WORK
To achieve the assignment objectives, consultants/firm is expected to develop mixed methods combining both quantitative and qualitative survey methods to capture the baseline values for each outcome level indicator and dig deeper into the project areas.

  *   Desk Review: Thoroughly review project reports, available/local information and reports, and relevant literature to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project's objectives, target indicators, and context.
  *   Surveys: Develop structured surveys, close-ended questions to collect quantitative data from project beneficiaries, using LogAlto or similar Apps.
  *   Key Informant Interviews: Conduct in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured set of issues used to capture the qualitative information with key informants (local authorities, community leaders, women-owned enterprises, key actors in value chain,...).
  *   Group Discussions: Facilitate focus group discussions with various community groups, including beneficiaries and marginalized groups, to explore perceptions and experiences related to the project.
  *   Data Analysis: The consultant may choose appropriate statistical tools for quantitative data analysis and qualitative coding methods for qualitative data.
The Consultants will take responsibility on:

  *   Answering key survey questions, documenting information and establishing baseline database (in Excel form).
  *   Using the donors’ baseline reports and project’s value chain and gender assessment reports as important inputs.


The baseline survey will focus on the project areas only. The project team will support consultants in logistic arrangements as well as data collection.
DELIVERABLES

  *   Inception report: a short report that reviews project background, outlines methodology (sample evaluation question, key indicators, methods, information matrix...), framework for the evaluation, data collection tools, database format, sample size, work plan (detailed timeline, analysis plan, quality control plan), and responsibilities of consultants/firm team member.
  *   Set of soft copies of raw/clean data (database, all completed questionnaires, interview notes, participants list...). All data shall be gender disaggregated.
  *   A presentation of key findings & recommendations in Vietnamese and English versions.
  *   A baseline study report in both English and Vietnamese versions, and includes an executive summary, introduction and background, objective, scope, methodology, and importantly result part that addresses all key survey questions with database, annexes, photos (if any). The report should be concise and clear for the M&E purpose.
For more details on the Expression of Interest process, submission requirements, and evaluation details, please see corresponding sections below:
 Submission Requirements
Interested organisations/ consultant teams/ individuals should submit the EOIs with following information/ documents via the link https://smrtr.io/g_qtP

  1.  Letter of Interest
  2.  The applicant’s professional qualifications and CVs which requires:

  *   Master’s degrees or higher in agriculture economics, crop and aquaculture production
  *   Proven experience in conducting baseline studies, household income assessments, value chain and gender analysis in similar development projects, especially for International NGOs.
  *   Experience in statistical modelling, data collection and data analysis tools like LogAlto, SPSS, STATA.
  *   Familiar with the local context and culture in the coastal areas of Tra Vinh province is highly desirable.

  1.  Business registration certificate of the company (if any);
Deadline for EOI
Submissions

EOIs are due 17:00 on November 1, 2023
Selection Process

SNV will review all Expressions of Interest received in accordance with the guidelines and criteria in this solicitation. SNV reserves the right to exclude any EOIs that do not meet the guidelines. Please note that SNV is unable to provide detailed feedback to those EOIs that are not selected.



Step 1: SNV will shortlist selected EOIs, and unsuccessful respondents will be notified. Successful applicants will be contacted by SNV.



Step 2: SNV will release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the specific activities and contract with the selected organizations/ consultants.


Protection of Information

We request that Expressions of Interest responses be free of any intellectual property that the applicant wishes to protect. Should offerors wish to include proprietary intellectual property that they believe would be helpful for SNV, please note the proprietary nature of such information. Costing information will be kept confidential and will not be shared beyond SNV.



Issuance of this EOI does not constitute a commitment, award, or engagement on the part of SNV nor does it commit SNV to any future commitment or engagement.



Note: SNV reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement in the EOI/or solicitation process at any time.



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