TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) CONSULTANCY SERVICE CALL FOR BASELINE SURVEY

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1 TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) CONSULTANCY SERVICE CALL FOR BASELINE SURVEY of the Inclusive and Sustainable Clam and Bamboo Value Chain Development in Vietnam project (SCBV) 1. BACKGROUND Clam and bamboo production are considered as important livelihood alternatives and business opportunities for small scale producers (SSPs) and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Vietnam. The unique clams and bamboo production of Vietnam have a good and growing demand in the domestic, regional and world markets. Currently, annual export value of bamboo sector reaches US $250 million/per year while clam obtains a total annual revenue of US $200 million. There are around 1.5 million SSPs in Vietnam whose households live on incomes from clams and bamboo. However, there are still many challenges due to unsustainable production practices by SSPs and MSMEs which causes serious economic, social and environmental impacts. The linkage and relationship between various actors have been fragmented and inefficient, inequitable and nontransparent which negatively affect product quality and traceability that decrease products competitiveness globally. Limited access to financial resources of SSPs and SME processors is also a barrier for them to expand production and comply with required standards. Moreover, women have limited opportunities to engage in decision-making despite they account for the majority of clam and bamboo SSPs and MSME workers. Value chains governance structures are underdeveloped and not fully supportive to sustainable production and inclusive decision making. In this context, Oxfam in Vietnam in partnership with Research Center for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPRC), International Collaborating Centre for Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability (ICAFIS), Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) implements the 4-year project Inclusive and Sustainable Clam and Bamboo Value Chain Development in Vietnam (SCBV) which is funded by the European Union during the period of The Project will focus mainly on the 5 provinces: Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh (clam value chain) and Thanh Hoa & Nghe An (bamboo value chain). Project Objectives: The overall objective of the project contributes to reducing poverty and inequality in rural areas of Vietnam through realizing the following specific objectives (SO): (SO1) SSPs and Micro/Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) processors of clam and bamboo VCs have increased income from sustainable production practices, improved business efficiency and access to markets. (SO2) Clams and bamboo value chains in five provinces are better organized, equitable and inclusive. Project expected results: The project is expected to achieve 05 key results as follows: R1: 35,000 SSPs (in clams and bamboo) have enhanced capacity to adopt appropriate production techniques and practice sustainable standards (MSC or MSC-based FIP and FSC) 1

2 R2:150 SSP groups are better organized and strengthened capacity to negotiate for their position and equitable benefit sharing among VC stakeholders. At least 95% of targeted SSPs increased annual income from bamboo and clam sectors (by 10% compared to baseline). R3: 60 MSME processors, including 7 lead firms (LF), enhance added value and improve their investment and sourcing policies through application of innovative management and technologies R4: At least 80% of targeted SSPs and MSMEs in clam and bamboo VCs increased access national and international markets R5: 05 Public private alliances (PPA) established at provincial level function effectively and national policies are improved to enhance and support sustainable and inclusive value chain development. Oxfam in Vietnam employs a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system to track the project progress, assess its impacts, capture lessons learnt to share with a wide range of stakeholders and apply for future projects. The SCBV project has an overall logical framework with indicators for impact, outcome, result and output levels which are operationalized in the MEL system. A baseline survey is expected to establish the state of affairs at the beginning of the project. Oxfam in Vietnam is looking for the short-term mandate of MEL expert(s) to work with Oxfam MEL specialist to support the SCBV project in conducting a project baseline survey. The purpose of the baseline survey is to establish the situation at the early stages of the intervention to feed the project strategies and the reference for monitoring and evaluation of the project results. The baseline survey is expected to provide not only specific data against impact, outcome and result indicators but also give an overview picture of bamboo value chain (in Nghe An and Thanh Hoa province) and clam value chain in Mekong Delta region of Vietnam (Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh province). 2. OBJECTIVES OF CONSULTANCY The primary aim of the survey is to collect baseline data against key criteria and indicators for monitoring, Evaluation and learning of the project and to analyze the status of clam and bamboo production and value chain including challenges and opportunities for inclusive and sustainable value chain development. The specific objectives of the survey are: O1: To establish baseline information that serves for before-and-after comparison with the midterm and final evaluations; including definition of indicators, methods of data collection for monitoring, mid-term and end-of-term evaluation. O2: To inform the design and planning of project activities, with potential adjustments in project interventions and improvement of the project MEL system. To attain the above objectives, the consultant(s) is expected to respond to the following key study questions: (1). What is the baseline status of project s logframe indicators in terms of: baseline values of project s overall objective, specific objectives and results, including both the quantity and the description/definition of nature of the reporting indicators. current status of value chains actors, which may include the status of SSPs, MSMEs, especially women in sharing of benefits in clam and bamboo value chain to profile key value chain actors including role, capacity, power, benefit of SSPs, current linkages between SSPs and other value chain actors; supporting policies for inclusive and sustainable value chain development, etc. (2). What are the perceived causes, motivations and barriers for targeted beneficiaries to improve in these domains? 2

3 (3). Based on baseline survey findings, is any adjustment of interventions required as compared to the approved project document; any improvements of the project MEL system? 3. SCOPE OF WORKS The consultant(s) will report to Oxfam SCBV project manager and MEL specialist, and work closely with the project team (Oxfam and partners). The consultant(s) is expected to carry out the following work: Desk review: Analysis/review of existing and relevant documents such as the SCBV project documents (Proposal, Log-frame), baseline reports of SDC bamboo funded project made by Oxfam in 2015 under Oxfam Hong Kong-SDC bamboo value chain development project and existing documents of clam value chain in Mekong Delta. This desk review will identify data gaps and inform the scope of the field work. Design baseline survey protocol including: sample size, the survey methodology, data collection tools, detailed fieldwork plan, analysis plan, and quality control plan. Conduct the baseline survey including primary data collection in the field with support from SCBV project team; Collaborate with Oxfam SCBV project manager, MEL specialist, and the project team (Oxfam and partners) to share, update and get inputs for final version of baseline report. The following table entails key activities and labor division for carrying out SCBV baseline survey: # Proposed activities Consultant(s) team SCBV project team 1 Develop detailed baseline protocol. 2 Provide technical feedback for finalization and approval of baseline protocol. 3 Training on data collection tools for enumerators (Oxfam and partners). 4 Field work preparation 5 Participate and primary data collection in fieldwork for two value chains. 6 Quality control for the data collected 7 Data organizing, processing and analyzing. 8 Presentation on preliminary findings in English for Oxfam and partners. 9 Draft baseline report in English 10 Finalize the report in English (and Vietnamses) after receiving and responding to all the feedbacks from SCBV project team. The report will include a table presenting baseline information against each indicator. 4. METHODS The study should employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data from a representative sample. The consultant will propose sample size (based on 35,000 expected beneficiaries in five project provinces), methodology and research tools that are best suited to the baseline survey objectives and local context. These will be fully developed and finalized in consultation with the project management team (Oxfam and partners). The baseline survey process should be participatory, incorporating perspectives of different stakeholders, including but not limited to, small-scale producers, collectors/middleman, processors, 3

4 MSMEs, financial institutions, local government institutions, local/national partners. All data and findings should be disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity, disability and value chain. Desk Review: Review current available reports, documents related to bamboo value chain in the Centre region and clam value chain in Mekong Delta region of Vietnam to identify the missing, gaps for designing the specific field research. Field research: Collect and analyse quantitative & qualitative baseline data for study questions. The following key methods and tools are recommended: (1) Collect secondary data at central and local levels (provinces, districts, communes). (2) Households interview using structural questionnaires and analytical frameworks for each value chain. (3) MSMEs surveys. (4) Focus Group Discussion. (5) In-depth interviews with relevant value chain stakeholders, including project implementation partners from central to local level. (6) Stakeholders consultation meeting. 5. DELIVERABLES The following are the expected deliverables: Inception report Survey instruments including design of methodologies, data collection tools and forms; protocol including: sample size, the study methodology, data collection tools, detailed fieldwork plan, analysis plan, and quality control plan Set of raw data (original records, transcripts, all completed questionnaires, code book/data sets including detail analytical data tables, participants list). A presentation on key findings in English; A baseline survey report in English (and Vietnamese), including annexes following the agreed outline which may include: An executive summary Introduction and background Objective, scope and methodology Situation analysis and Key findings Conclusion and recommendations Annexes including table presents baseline information against each log-frame indicator; detail notes of Focus Group discussion and consultative inputs from multi-stakeholders The project MEL system is updated and improved. A completed set of monitoring and evaluation tools for the project MEL activities. All outputs are required to be submitted to SCBV project team (OFAM and 3 partners) in both English and Vietnamese language in hard copies and in electronic format, fully formatted with all figures, tables and maps included within the text. 6. TIMEFRAME Timeframe for the baseline survey will be expected within 3 months since signing date of the consultancy contract which is scheduled from end of September 25 th December The consultants will be expected to provide a detail study schedule against the following time spots: Inception reports within 15 days since contract signing date. Field survey is expected within 10 st October 20 th November

5 Draft baseline survey report is expected by 30 th November Final report in consultation with SCBV project manager, MEL specialist, and SCBV project team (Oxfam and partners) by 25 th December REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSULTANTS The consultants should have: Qualifications in one of the following majors: social sciences, food industry, forestry, aquaculture, environment, natural resource management, economics. Thorough understanding of result-based MEL systems and tools; Proven experience (at least 10 years) in MEL work for NGO s development projects, preferably including on issues of value chain development, rural economic development, social issues in aquaculture and agricultural sectors. Skills and experiences in conducting baseline survey, assessments, familiar with forestry and aquaculture/clam production in Vietnam. Strong skill set in both quantitative and qualitative, participatory methods. Knowledge and understanding on inclusive and sustainable value chain development, social issues in forestry in the Centre region and aquaculture production in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam. Commitment to equal opportunity and gender equality with demonstrated experience in integrating gender and diversity issues into program MEL system. Be committed to and able to meet the deadline. Strong analytical skills. Excellent English and Vietnamese writing skills. 8. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION The Proposal should be specified in terms of: Introduction of the Consultants profile and related experience; Technical proposal achieving all expected objectives within mentioned timeframe (including survey methodology, framework, sample size, data collection tools, detailed workplan include field survey and quality control plan, team structure, etc ); Financial proposal that specifies number of working days required and consultancy rate; Sample of a baseline survey report for development projects. How to Apply: The Proposal should be submitted in English by with subject mentioning Clam&Bamboo SCBV Baseline survey to HR.Vietnam@oxfam.org. The closing date for application: 9.00am, 24 September We regret that only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview. 5