BASELINE STUDY FOR ‘‘IMPROVING LAND GOVERNANCE IN THE IGAD REGION: STRENGTHENING REGIONAL CONVERGENCE THROUGH INCLUSIVE CONFLICT SENSITIVE LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT IN THE SOMALI/MANDERA CLUSTER

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)-INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

FOR

CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO CONDUCT BASELINE STUDY FOR ‘‘IMPROVING LAND GOVERNANCE IN THE IGAD REGION: STRENGTHENING REGIONAL CONVERGENCE THROUGH INCLUSIVE CONFLICT SENSITIVE LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT IN THE SOMALI/MANDERA CLUSTER’’
PROJECT

BACKGROUND:
Recently, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has granted funding to IGAD to implement the ‘Improving Land Governance in the IGAD Region: Strengthening regional convergence through inclusive conflict sensitive land use and management in the Somali/Mandera cluster’ project. The project is premised on the IGAD Land Governance Business Plan 2020 – 2030 which provides a road map and a guide to the formulation and implementation of follow up projects and programs, building on the first phase of the land governance project 2014 -2019. The project will be implemented for three years (2021 -2023) mainly in the Somalia/Mandera Cluster. The cluster covers Mandera County of Kenya, Somalia National State of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, and Gedo Region of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The project seeks to improve the region’s capacity for gender responsive and conflict sensitive land administration, promote inclusive and participatory rangelands and urban planning to secure land rights, address barriers to securing equal land rights for women, youths and minority groups.
Even though the project logframe and theory of change has been developed and approved by the donor, the baseline information was not available for majority of the outcome, output and activity indicators. The baseline information is required to monitor progress of implementation and interventions. Henceforward, a baseline study is needed to analyze the status of target groups prior or at the beginning of implementation which will enable pre- and post-project comparisons and determine the progress of interventions overtime. This study will also help to develop the monitoring and evaluation framework of the project for measurement and assessment of performance to effectively manage the outputs and outcomes from the project. The study will include indicator/logframe revision and modifications wherever needed. In addition, the study will expedite the mapping of potential stakeholders not only in the cluster but also at national and regional levels that can influence the progress of project implementation. The study will also look into the organizational capacity needs of the major stakeholders (both formal and informal) to identify possible entry points for the cluster activities and develop a rigorous and practical capacity development interventions.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY:

The overall objective of the baseline study is to collect the set of information defined in the project results framework (logical framework) and establish baseline measures to monitor the project progress against the target indicators over the course of project implementation. The study will also undertake revision of indicators and targets in the project logframe, assessment of stakeholders (national, regional and cluster levels) including a SWOT analysis for the major partners and conducting the organizational capacity assessment of selected partners in the Somali/Mandera cluster.

More specifically:
 To undertake an in-depth analysis/revision of the key project indicators identified in the project document for their specificity to the objective; measurability (either quantitatively or qualitatively), availability, relevance to the information needs of decision-makers and time-bound.
 To conduct a descriptive cross-sectional study to generate quantitative/qualitative information on the current situation in the cluster and the region with regard to the key project indicators (KPIs)
 To identity the key stakeholders at national, regional and cluster levels and to systematically gather and analyze information to determine their capacity to plan, implement, monitor programs and respond to expectations of the Land Governance Unit
 To identify capacity needs of stakeholders (each partner’s technical, human resources and organizational capacity needs) to determine opportunities and constraints and define the purpose and direction of the capacity building interventions of the project
 Develop a revised log frame and implementation matrix for the project with strong gender related indicators and targets

The survey will establish baseline information for the project´s key performance indicators and constitute the basis to measure the project performance during and after the project implementation. Even though the baseline study is intended primarily to facilitate the project monitoring and evaluation, it will also be used as an evidence-based lobbying and advocacy tool (with the possibility of publishing a summary of the findings) in the project implementing countries.

DELIVERABLES
The consultant will produce:
• An inception report within 15 days of starting the assignment (including the detailed methodological approaches of the study, revised work plan and logistics required)
• A detailed and comprehensive final written report in English. The final report will be maximum 40 pages long (without the annexes). It must include the following sections:
– Executive summary (max. 3 pages)
– Introduction/Background
– Context (description of the project and the areas where it is implemented)
– Objectives of the baseline study
– Methodology for data collection and analysis and limits to the methodology
– Analysis of the main results (per indicator)
– An updated project monitoring and evaluation matrix and Logical Framework with a summary of each indicator’s baseline data
– Conclusions and recommendations for M&E

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Minimum requirements:
• PhD/MA/MSc university degree in social sciences, land governance, Monitoring and Evaluation, range land and natural resource management and related fields
• Excellent knowledge of regional and national context of land governance issues particularly good understanding of issues in land governance and range land management in cross border areas, stakeholder mapping, organizational capacity assessment, etc.
• At least 8 – 10 years of progressively responsible experience in development research, evaluation of developmental programs and project management, preferably in areas related to land governance, pastoral and agro pastoral tenure security; community engagement and range land management
• Demonstrated consultancy experience in IGAD Region particularly in the cross border areas
• Proven experience in conducting large scale and multi-country quantitative and qualitative research, and specifically conducting baseline studies
• Fluent in English and a good command of the local languages (Somali/Oromo/Swahili) will be an advantage.
• Must be result-oriented, a team player, exhibiting high levels of enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy and integrity.
• In-depth knowledge of the socio-cultural, economic and political context of the Somali cluster in particular and the IGAD region in general
• Knowledge and experience of gender sensitive approaches, including conducting baseline studies on gender issues in land governance

IGAD Secretariat now invites eligible Individual Consultants with the requisite experience to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance IGAD procurement regulations.

TENURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The time envisaged for the consultancy is 35 working-days, implemented during a period of 2 months (May to June 2021).

HOW TO APPLY

Interested individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from Sunday to Thursday 7:30am to 2:30pm local time, or by email to procurement@igad.int with copies to esther.obaikol@igad.int
The consultants should submit their Expression of Interest (updated CV and non-returnable educational and work experience credentials with a cover letter) to: procurement@igad.int with Copies to esther.obaikol@igad.int, addis.teshome@igad.int not later than 15th April, 2021 at 23:59 Hrs. EAT (GMT+3).
Women are encouraged to apply

Procurement Unit
Administration and Finance
IGAD Secretariat
Avenue Georges Clemenceau
E-mail: procurement@igad.int
P.O. Box 2653,
Djibouti, Republic of DjiboutiPublished March 30, 2021