Summary
Date Posted: Monday, September 20, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Engagement Of A Consultant To Conduct Baselinne Survey For The FED Project
Today, TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. A non-profit organization operating in 30 countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia, has helped millions to create lasting prosperity for their families and communities. We provide business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. With over 50 years of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives

About FED Project
Food Enterprises for a Developed Zambia (FED) is a three year programme funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The aim of the FED programme is to increase revenues and marketable volumes and create or retain jobs for 100 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Small growing Businesses (SGBs), 50% of which will be led or owned by women. The programme will also impact other beneficiaries indirectly including value chain retailers, customers, suppliers and their employees and family members of each. These objectives and results will be achieved via three interlinked activities: 1) delivering sector wide trainings (SWTs); 2) providing customised business and technical assistance and 3) improving access to finance. When combined, these activities improve the efficiency, profitability and growth of food processing SMEs and contribute to a stronger and more inclusive sector. The program will select client SME/SGB from 7 provinces namely; Lusaka, Central, Copper belt, Eastern, Southern, Western and Northwestern.

 Project Outcomes;
The FED project will be implemented under the following three key outcomes;
SME/SGB food processors productivity and profitability sustainably improved
Improved Performance of women-led or owned food processors
Market systems service provider have improved capacity to support SME food processors
4.0 Purpose of the Baseline Survey
The baseline study is intended to provide data at the beginning of the project. The survey acts as an accompaniment to the quantitative and qualitative data that is also recommended when implementing a project for the first time at the beginning of the project. The baseline results will point to how best the project will be rolled out and set priorities of the project at the sometime providing information that acts as a benchmark for measuring project success or failure. The study must clearly produce information that will be used to direct and guide the implementation of the project.

Data Collection Methodology
The program intends to onboard 100 SMEs in cohorts of 3 – the first and second cohort will comprise 40 SMEs and the last cohort will be 20 SMEs. Each cohort will be enrolled for technical support for a period of 6 months. The consultant is expected to propose a study design that will give credible benchmarks on which to measure the impact of the program but also to provide useful baseline values for the specific program indicators. The baseline methodology is expected to review the M&E framework that has been developed, as far as possible, and provide data for the project indicator targets which will allow comparability in the future. The consultant is expected to employ a variety of data collection and analysis techniques for both quantitative and qualitative data to ensure a comprehensive baseline exercise. In addition, the consultant will propose a Covid19 responsive approach to conducting the assignment adhering to the Government of Zambia and TNS’s measures to safeguard against contracting and spreading Covid19.

Sampling
The baseline survey is to be carried out in Central, Eastern, Lusaka, North-western and Southern and Western provinces of Zambia by an independent consultant using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The project intends to directly reach 100 SMEs and 3,000 indirect beneficiaries (value chain retailers, customers, suppliers and their employees and family members) across Central, Eastern, Lusaka, North-western, Southern and Western provinces. The consultant is expected to propose a representative sample size for this, which will be agreed upon at the inception phase.

 Data Analysis
Prior to the start of data collection, the Consultant shall develop and present, for TNS review and approval, a data analysis plan that details how: (1) qualitative data such as key informant, stakeholder, and beneficiary interviews and/or focus group discussions will be transcribed and analysed; (2) quantitative data will be analysed and presented. Whenever possible, data will be disaggregated and analysed by gender.

 Deliverables
All written documents are to be submitted in English using Microsoft Word in both soft and hard copy. The main body of all reports should be written in simple, non-technical language (i.e. plain English), with any technical material to be presented in annexes. All primary data collected and analysis conducted for the purpose of the baseline will remain the property of TNS and must be submitted electronically and in a clear and comprehensible format in Microsoft Excel and Word.
The baseline begins no later than the 18th October 2021, and completed not later than 30th November 2021
The consultant will provide the following deliverables to the TNS within the timeframe stated:
Inception Report: by 22nd October 2021 which is 5 working days after signing the contract, a detailed report on the consultant’s proposed final baseline survey design and methodology will be submitted to TNS for approval. This will provide preliminary understandings based on document review, rationale and a detailed description of the methodology and tools, analytical methods, budget with a breakdown of costs and detailed work plan for the entire exercise. Any draft questionnaires or interview forms will also be submitted for review at this stage.
Data Collection should be completed by 13th November 2021.
Draft Baseline Report: The Consultant shall submit the draft baseline report to TNS for review and comments by 24th November 2021.
Summary Presentation of findings to TNS: The Consultant shall present initial findings to TNS and Sida for review, comment and feedback by 26th November 2021. A PowerPoint presentation and handout (maximum of two pages) shall be prepared for the presentation through an online platform. The Consultant shall consider TNS comments and revise the draft report as appropriate.
Final Baseline Report: One electronic (MS Word) copy of the final baseline report together with the raw data and interview notes are due to TNS by 30th November 2021,
7.0 Illustrative activity and Level of Effort (LOE) Matrix
The assignment is expected to be completed over a period of 30 calendar days – this period includes provision of all deliverables and travel time. The assignment should start on 18th October 2021 and be completed no later than 30th November 2021

Description
During
Preparatory phase: Review of project documents and understanding the project contextual framework, designing of baseline tools and data collection and analysis methodology. Submission of the Inception Report, including sample size and data collection tools
5
week 1
Field Work: Training of enumerators in the questionnaires and data collection including travel days
15
Week 2-3
Analysis, report writing and submission of first draft report
7
week 4-5
Baseline validation workshops (Preferably online) with TNS, SIDA and Stakeholders
1
Week 5
Compilation and submission of Final report
2
Week 5
Total
30

Criteria for selection
A two-stage procedure shall be adopted in evaluating the proposals. The technical evaluation shall be carried out first, followed by the financial evaluation. The technical evaluation has 70% and the financial proposal 30% weights. The evaluation items expectation and maximum score are presented in the table below.

Evaluation Item
Expectation
Max Score
Organizations/Consultant Experience
A brief of past relevant assignments (in similar regions) indicating scope, geographic coverage, staff involved, budget, and client (name and contacts).
30
Understanding of TOR and Proposed Approach and Methodology/Work Plan
Organizations perspective of what the assignment entails and the key considerations that should be made to implement it successfully.
20

Qualification & Experience of Staff
CV’s for nominated staff indicating their academic qualification and clear relevant experience summary
20

Financial Costs
A breakdown of costs detailing proposed staff days, daily rates, taxes and other direct costs related to the assignment in Zambia Kwacha using the attached template. The consultant is also expected to use their own transports and should include this in the direct costs as hired vehicles together with fuel.
30

Qualifications
The evaluation is to be done by a consultant/firm and should have the following requirements;
Knowledge, skills and experience (at least ten years) in the area of M&E and evaluation of development programmes/projects.
Knowledge and experience (at least five years) related to planning, implementing, institutionalizing and/or sustaining Business Development Services (BDS) for SMEs in developing countries. Preference for experience in private sector driven and/or revenue-based models for BDS delivery.
Knowledge and experience (at least five years) of training, capacity building and/or general SME support including private-sector engagement.
Experience in systemic approaches to private sector development (Market Systems Development, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem development) would be an advantage.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Payment Terms
Payment plan shall be based on deliverables outlined upon successful and satisfactory completion of activities. Therefore, the payment terms shall be as follows
50% initial payment – upon submission of inception report and its accompanying survey tools.
50% – final payment – Upon submission of final and accepted Baseline report
9.1 Invoices
Payment to the consultant will be based on the invoice submitted to TNS for the attention of Email: ZambiaInfo@tns.org . Invoices will contain an itemized statement of the services performed and any expenses incurred. The invoice shall be submitted in accordance with the current Scope of Work for this Agreement.

Manner
Payment under this Agreement will be made by bank transfer to the consultant.

Submission of proposal:
Interested Consultants or firms are requested to submit:
A technical proposal detailing their interpretation of the TOR, proposed survey design and methodology including sampling framework, work schedule and proposed budget;
A capability statement demonstrating how they meet the required qualifications and competencies;
Copies of all relevant Curriculum Vitae (CVs). Only CVs for the specific individuals that will form the proposed survey team should be included; two references (including one from your last client/employer).

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 132

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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Job application procedure

All submissions should be sent via: Email to: ZambiaInfo@tns.org  the subject line should read ‘Baseline Survey for FED Project” Submissions are to be made available to TNS

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