Uganda: Call for Proposals to Conduct a Baseline Survey - Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Communities through Women and Youth Empowerment (SURE)

Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Communities through Women and Youth Empowerment (SURE)

2024-2025

Project with funding from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK)

31 January 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abbreviations. 3

1.. Summary. 4

2.. Context and Background. 4

3.. Purpose of the baseline survey. 7

4.. Design and Approach. 8

5.. Work plan. 9

6.. Deliverables. 9

7.. Baseline Study Arrangements. 10

8.. Requirements for the consultant(s) 10

9.. Specifications for the submission of offers. 11

10 Annexes. 13

1. Abbreviations:

• BMK - Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
• CV - Children´s Villages
• FDP - Family Development Plan
• FSP - Family Strengthening Programme
• IOR ESAF - International Office Region - Eastern and Southern Africa
• KIP - Key Implementing Partners
• MA - Member Associations
• M&E - Monitoring and Evaluation
• MHPSS - Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support
• MoU - Memorandum of Understanding
• NGO - Non-Governmental Organisation
• PDB - Programme Data Base
• SDG - Sustainable Development Goal
• SOS AT - SOS-Kinderdorf, SOS Children´s Villages Austria
• SOS CVI - SOS Children´s Villages International
• SURE - Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Communities through Women and Youth Empowerment
• TORs - Terms of Reference

Summary: 

Purpose: 

Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Communities through Women and Youth Empowerment project (SURE) is a 24-months project (01/01/2024 – 31/12/2025) of SOS Children’s Villages Austria with funding from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. It is implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Uganda in the Western Region of Uganda (Kamwenge and Kabarole).

The programme builds on the extensive experience of SOS Children’s Villages in strengthening families and communities, while building the resilience and adaptation strategies for vulnerable women and youth to climate change with a specific focus on women and vulnerable youth and strengthening their capacities related to green, environmentally friendly livelihoods.

Within the assignment, the consultants will be requested to measure the baseline in reference to the programme indicators as stated in the programme documents. The baseline study is estimated to be conducted from March to May 2024 in Kamwenge and Kabarole districts (Western Region).

SOS Children’s Villages Austria (SOS-Kinderdorf)

Stafflerstraße 10a, 6020

Innsbruck, Austria

SOS Children’s Village International

Regional Office for East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

P.O.Box-2491, 1000 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

SOS Children’s Village of Uganda Trust

National Office, Plot 11 Luthuli Drive, Bugolobi,

P.O. Box 27510

Kampala, Uganda

Context and Background: 

About SOS Children’s Villages - SOS Children’s Villages International: 

SOS-Children’s Villages (SOS-CV) is a global non-profit-organisation established in AT in 1949. SOS CVI consists of 138-member associations all over the world, working in more than 2000 programme locations worldwide. The focus of the organisation is to provide support to vulnerable children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care and their families. In Alternative Care programmes (AC), SOS CV provides a family-like environment to a child or young person and offers quality care and support for their development. Through Family Strengthening Programmes (FSP), SOS CV helps parents and communities build capacities to care for their children and prevent family breakdown. For more detailed information see

SOS Children’s Villages AT (SOS-Kinderdorf): 

In Austria, SOS Children’s Villages Austria has over 70 years’ experience in developing and implementing projects to provide quality care for children, young people and their families. SOS AT is a member of the federation SOS Children´s Villages International (SOS CVI), based and registered in AT with head office in Innsbruck. SOS AT is internationally active, dedicating an average of 10% of its annual income for the support of international SOS-CVs Programmes (especially in Peru, Uganda and Nepal, but also through the implementation of institutionally funded projects in other countries around the world). These programmes are implemented by the national SOS-CV sister organisations in the respective country. SOS AT contributes the programme development and financial management of these projects. SOS CV AT, as the contract holder with the donor agency ADA, is commissioning this baseline study.

SOS Children’s Villages Uganda: 

SOS CV Uganda was established in 1991 as an independent, locally registered non-governmental child development focussed organisation with a mission to provide quality care and protection for children, who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care, as well as their families. SOS CV Uganda’s work focuses on three core intervention sectors: (1) provision of care, education, and health for vulnerable children through the ACP for children who have lost parental care; (2) capacity and resilience building for families and communities to care and protect their children through the FSP, and (3) advocacy around children’s rights, with focus on ensuring equitable access to quality services for all children. SOS CV Uganda critically reflects on the gender dynamics in communities that might result in specific barriers and risks for some community members such as women and girls to access basic services (e.g. health, education).

The Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK): 

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century. The impacts of a changing climate are already felt around the world at a current temperature increase of around 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Future costs of inaction far outweigh the costs of taking quick and decisive action now. The most vulnerable countries – including the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States – face recurrent and particularly adverse situations. In these countries, the climate crisis is already negatively affecting economic activities, population health, water availability, food production, and ecosystems in general. These impacts deepen inequality, poverty as well as hunger; they cause and aggravate conflicts and are top drivers of humanitarian needs and suffering. Hence, combating and adjusting to climate change and its impacts is imperative to save lives and livelihoods and essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG) and its 17 Goals, in particular SDG 13 (Climate Action). The Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) recognizes its role and responsibility within the international community to assist those who are most in need of support in dealing with the adverse effects of climate change and supporting viable pathways for low-GHG emission development.

Background of the Project: 

Context Description: 

Ranking at place 159 out of 189 on the human development index, Uganda is classified as one of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Despite Uganda’s fast-growing economy, 42% of the population still lived below the international poverty line of USD 2,15 per day in 2019. Uganda repeatedly experiences extreme climate-related events in form of droughts and floods and associated natural disasters such as storms and landslides. With the population heavily relying on natural resources such as land, water, forests and biodiversity for their livelihoods, the level of vulnerability to the effects of climate change is extremely high. Natural resource degradation as well as overexploitation pose a serious threat to livelihoods especially of the rural population. It is estimated that 97% of Uganda’s land area is suffering from some form of human-induced land degradation.

Women and girls, particularly those living in poverty, are at greatest risk who also carry the burden of climate change and its effects. Contributing factors include unequal opportunities regarding land rights, the exclusion of women from decision-making or inaccessibility of new technologies to adapt to changing climate conditions.

In the Western Region, the poverty rate increased from 12.5 per cent in 2016/17 to 14.4 per cent in 2019/20. This is attributable to adverse weather conditions related to climate change and a high dependency on subsistence crop farming. Kabarole and Kamwenge are predominantly rural districts with some of the highest poverty levels in the country. Community members engage in subsistence farming where people depend on seasonal rainfall for all their major water supply needs, including agriculture and domestic use. Furthermore, both districts are affected by the violent conflicts in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as well as by the tensions in the Rwenzori region between the Government of Uganda and local indigenous communities.

Kabarole district experiences hazards including environmental degradation, severe storms, floods, landslides, crop and animal pests and diseases, earthquakes, drought and animal attacks on crops, livestock, and humans (Kabarole district hazard, risk, and vulnerability profile 2016). Kamwenge hosts a refugee population of over 90,000 persons in the Rwamwanja refugee settlement. Most of the residents are Congolese nationals who fled armed conflicts in the neighbouring Kivu region. Poverty levels are high among refugee and host communities. Deforestation, water shortages and other environmental problems have also created tensions between the refugees and host communities and has the potential to further undermine peaceful coexistence.

Programme Description: 

The SURE project (01/01/2024 – 31/12/2025) by SOS Children’s Villages Austria is implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Uganda in the Western Region of Uganda (Kamwenge and Kabarole) with funding from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.

The programme builds on the extensive experience of SOS Children’s Villages in strengthening families and communities and previous long-term partnerships, in particular with the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and the Strategic Partnership between SOS Children’s Villages Austria and the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA).

More specifically, the project aims at strengthening the resilience and adaptation strategies for vulnerable women and youth to climate change and promoting their capacities related to green, environmentally friendly livelihoods.

Overall Objective of the Project:

To strengthen the resilience and adaptation of vulnerable women and youth to climate change impacts through climate-resilient agricultural production, green economic activities, energy efficient cooking technologies and tackling land degradation by innovative forestry and land restoration methods in Kamwenge and Kabarole districts by 2025.

The project has the following four expected outcomes. The four outcomes have their own relevant outputs.

Outcome 1: Vulnerable women and youth have increased income and food security for sustainable livelihoods.

• Output 1.1: 2,280 vulnerable women and youth improve agricultural production and productivity through climate smart practices.
• Output 1.2: 2,280 Vulnerable women and youth engage in green economic activities.
• Output 1.3: 2,280 vulnerable women and youth have access to markets for their environmentally friendly products and services.

Outcome 2: Vulnerable women, youth and institutions effectively manage their environment and conserve natural resources.

• Output 2.1.: 2,280 vulnerable women and youth and 6 primary schools increase awareness and access to efficient energy cooking and solar electricity technologies.
• Output 2.2: 2,280 vulnerable women, youth and 9 communities (including 6 primary schools) have access to a diverse mix of agricultural and forest management practices and species to tackle uncertainties of climate change.

Outcome 3: Vulnerable women, youth and community structures are strengthened to participate in decision-making processes, with a focus on green economy and climate change adaptation at local and national level.

• Output 3.1: 20 climate champions, selected from vulnerable women and youth, actively participate in decision-making and accountability processes at local and national level.
• Output 3.2: Capacity of community structures strengthened to support climate change adaptation and greening initiatives.

Outcome 4: Lessons and good practices concerning climate adaptation shared and adopted.

• Output 4.1: Knowledge regarding climate change adaptation on community level is recorded and disseminated.
• Output 4.2: Education, training and public awareness raising related to the causes and impacts of climate change and the role of adaptation

The project has an overall budget of EUR 979.881,- is financed with 90% by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and 10% by SOS CV Austria.

SOS CV AT cooperates with the two project implementing partners: SOS CV Uganda and the Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (IOR ESAF). The role of IOR ESAF in this project is to provide programme, financial and organisational support to Member Associations (MAs) and to strengthen measures for child protection, gender equality, transparency/accountability, and anti-corruption. The IOR has also the role of monitoring and controlling the MAs operations and ensure compliance with the federation and donor policies and standards through advice, guidance, information, knowledge sharing and capacity development.

The Target Group: 

Direct Beneficiaries: 

• 600 families, out of which 380 are critically vulnerable households and 220 are vulnerable household. The selected households will be women or youth (predominantly female) headed. Overall, the project will benefit 2,280 vulnerable family members (1,824 female and 456 male)
• 18 staff members from SOS CV (10 female, 8 male) as well as 33 staff members (20 female and 13 male)

VSLAs will be established to enable the beneficiaries to access financial resources and to build and expand their businesses. Over the different districts, the distribution of VSLAs is as follows:

• Kamwenge District-Refugee Settlement Families: 24 VSLAs will be established. Each VSLA will have an average of 30 members translating into 720 vulnerable persons (576 female, 144 male).
• Kamwenge District-Host Community Families: 16 VSLAs will be established. Each VSLA will have an average of 30 members translating into 480 vulnerable persons (384 female, 96 male).
• Kabarole District: 36 VSLAs will be established. Each VSLA will have an average of 30 members translating into 1,080 vulnerable persons (864 female, 216 male).

Indirect Beneficiaries:

• 42 community leaders.
• 1,500 children (900 girls and 600 boys)
• 13,920 people (11,136 female, 2,784 male) will be reached directly through awareness raising messages in the project area.

Purpose of the Baseline Survey: 

The main objective of the baseline survey is to measure the baseline of the indicators of the logframe (see annexe 10.4) at outcome and output level before the start of the programme in the target intervention areas in the Western Region of Uganda. The baseline survey result will help to set the targets to be attained at outcome and output indicators and to set benchmarks against which the achievement of the project shall be measured.

The specific objectives of the baseline survey are:

• To assess the target community members capacities to engage in climate-smart agriculture and practices (energy-efficient cooking) as well as in green income generating activities (IGAs)
• Participation of vulnerable women and youth in decision-making processes

Design and Approach: 

The consultant is expected to come up with relevant and standard quantitative and qualitative methodologies that can generate the highest quality and most credible evidence. The commissioned consultant should use a mixed method approach (quantitative and qualitative methods). The commissioned consultant is expected to develop relevant tools to conduct a baseline study for the indicators listed in the logframe (see annexe 10.4) and to provide sex, age, and disability disaggregated baseline data to track progress throughout the programme and measure gradual achievement of the indicators.

The consultant(s) should propose appropriate sampling techniques and set an appropriate sample size based on the numbers outlined in the target group chapter. Questions in the baseline survey must provide answers to all programme indicators. The methodology is expected to be developed further during the inception phase and shared with the SOS CV for review and approval.

The applied methodology has to ensure context sensitivity and that the respondents in all their diversity get equal opportunity to participate in the survey and that the settings are designed in a way that they allow for sufficiently safe spaces to equally encourage all participants regardless of gender, age, disability, origin or religious orientation to respond freely.

The methodology of the baseline study should be based on participatory approaches involving mainly but not exclusively the following stakeholders:

• Target caregivers and their families, including children and youth
• Key Implementing Partners (KIPs) and Community Structures
• Implementing SOS staff
• Local Government stakeholders

The consultants are requested to provide guidance and training on tools to SOS CV staff to enable them to replicate data collection on a regular basis for monitoring purposes to track progress of indicators and measure the achievement of targets in the endline data collection.

The findings of the survey will provide the basis for setting programme targets to be determined upon completion of the baseline study. At the end of the programme, the endline will be measured against the established baseline to measure the project’s performance and the achievement of project outputs and outcomes at the end of the programme.

The use of modern technology in the process (mobile devices for documentation, videography, etc.) is encouraged.

The study shall be conducted to inform on the baseline data on the following key aspects:

• Attitudes of project participants regarding gender equality, positive parenting, inclusion of persons with disabilities
• Project participants working collectively to promote gender equality, child protection and/or inclusion of persons with disabilities
• Access of project participants to social protection programmes
• Project participants participating in social accountability programmes
• Women and adolescent girls who are engaged in environmentally sustainable livelihoods

Work Plan[1]: 

The assignment is expected to be conducted between beginning of beginning of March 2024 (signature of contract) and May (presentation and submission of final baseline study report). The data collection in the field is expected to take place in end of April/beginning of May 2024.

Deliverable:

• Q&A Session - 9 February, 3pm EAT
• Submission of Proposals - 23 February 2024
• Review of offers and interviews - 8 March 2024
• Selection of successful candidate and signature of contract - 15 March 2024

Inception: 

• Draft inception report including data collection design and set of indicators revised - 29 March 2024
• Comments on the inception report - 5 April 2024
• Inclusion of comments in inception report and submission of final inception report - 12 April 2024

Fieldwork / Data Collection: 

• Field visit, data collection - 26 April 2024
• Analyse data and prepare draft report - 3 May 2024
• Submission of draft report - 10 May 2024

Final Report: 

• Comments on the draft report - 17 May 2024
• Online report presentation including recommendations for progress tracking - 24 May 2024
• Inclusion of feedback in final report and submission of final baseline report to contractor (hard and electronic copy including data sets - 31 May 2024
• A virtual Questions and Answers session takes places on Friday, 9 February 2024 at 3pm East African timeon Teams.

Note that participation in the session is not mandatory and has no influence on the selection of the successful candidate. Interested candidates register via writing an email to: sophie.bussjaeger@sos-kinderdorf.at.

Deliverables: 

The consultants will submit the following deliverables:

• Inception report of max. 8 pages including a revised set of indicators and detailing the baseline survey design, methodology, sampling methodology, sample frame, survey tools, agreed budget and work plan as well as by 29 March 2024
• Draft baseline Report of max. 20 pages and raw data by 10 May 2024
• Presentation in online meeting highlighting key findings from the baseline study to be presented at a feedback meeting to be held after completing the draft report on 24 May 2024
• Final baseline study report of max. 20 pages (excluding annexes) including an executive summary including the baseline data for all indicators and data collection tools by 31 May 2024

Raw data, the database which has been cleaned (both qualitative and quantitative, including original field notes for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, as well as recorded audio material), should be submitted together with the report. A simple inventory of material handed over will be part of the record. SOS CV will have sole ownership of all final data and any findings shall only be shared or reproduced with the permission of SOS CV.

All deliverables must be in English.

Baseline Study Arrangements: 

When at the programme location, accommodation and transport to the field will be organized by the member association, including the full coverage of costs during the entire stay of the researcher(s) (not to be included into price proposal).

SOS CV AT and IOR ESAF staff will:

• Lead the recruitment and survey process
• Avail all necessary documents for desk review
• Review and acceptance of draft baseline report including tools
• Review and acceptance of final baseline report
• Organize dissemination forums as necessary
• Participate in presentation of final report
• Will be the custodian of all data generated from the study

SOS national or location level staff will:

• Linking the researchers with the community
• Preparation of interviews, such as establishing contacts, preparing announcements
• Linking to community duty bearers and national authorities if required.
• Supervision and quality assurance-role during data collection.
• Assist the consultant secure approvals from the district and local authorities to conduct the evaluation

Requirements for the Consultant(s): 

The consultants will work closely with the respective national M&E, Learning coordinators of SOS Uganda and Austria. Key qualifications required of the consultant(s) are:

• Relevant academic degree (master level) in one or more of the following fields: Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, M&E or a relevant, directly related discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of working experience in project cycle management, evaluation, M&E and social research methods
• A minimum of 5 years of working experience in Eastern Africa, preferably in Uganda
• Proven knowledge and expertise in the field of environmental protection, climate change adaption/mitigation and sustainability is required
• A sound understanding of gender equality programming and the current discourse, preferably in the East African context, is required
• An excellent understanding of child rights and issues affecting vulnerable children and their families is required; working experience with vulnerable families, community development socio-economic strengthening is a strong asset.
• Proven and recent experience in conducting baseline or other quantitative surveys of considerable sample size (excerpts to be included in references)
• Proven experience in participatory processes and inclusive data collection methods (including age appropriate and disability-sensitive data collection methods)
• Excellent facilitation techniques with a focus on participatory methods
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills
• Ability to transfer complex concepts / ideas in a practical and simple language
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English. Knowledge of local languages are a strong asset for team leaders and mandatory for data collectors
• Sound MS Office and IT skills

Diverse teams (regarding gender, disabilities, origin, age, etc.) will have a competitive advantage in the selection process. Hiring local data collectors who know the local languages of the Western Region is a requirement.

The teams should not be biased and have any reason for conflict of interests and must respect participating communities’ culture, social norms, values, and behaviour. They are requested to maintain appropriate relationships with participants in the baseline study and keep private information about beneficiaries strictly confidential.

Specifications for the Submission of Offers: 

This call is open to all national and international suppliers (independent consultants or companies) who are legally constituted and can provide the requested services.

Submission of Offer and Deadline: 

The offer has to be submitted in English language following the structure outlined in annexe 9.3. to the members of the tender committee until latest 23 February 2024

• Sophie Bußjäger, Programme Manager, SOS CV AT (Sophie.bussjaeger@sos-kinderdorf.at)
• Mr. James Bwomezi, NMEL Coordinator (James.Bwomezi@sosuganda.org)
• Mr. Hakim Bbosa (AbdulHakim.Bbosa@sosuganda.org)

Proposals received after the deadline and not adhering to the structure in annexe 10.3 will be not be considered.

Technical Proposal: 

The Technical Proposal needs to include: 

• the consultants’ CV, experiences and references including examples or excerpts of previous baseline studies/quantitative surveys undertaken
• an outline of the approach and methodology including a justification on the methodology proposed and clearly indicating the sample frame from where a representative sample size shall be drawn
• information on how inclusive participation in the research process is ensured
• a detailed work plan
• a division of work within the team including information on data collectors. Note that the people whose names appear in the team composition template should be the ones to undertake the assessment. As such, they should be the ones to appear in person if the proposal moves to the interview stage.
• information on safeguarding and ethical standards
• if deemed necessary, suggestions for adjustments to the TORs

Financial Proposal: 

The Financial proposal needs to be submitted in EUR and in Excel and needs to state: 

• Number of working days and rate per team member
• all other costs, such as travel, interpretation etc.
• VAT, if applicable. Net value, tax and gross value should be indicated transparently and separately.

Modification and Withdrawal of Offers: 

The bidder shall bear all costs of the offer. Costs of a proposal cannot be included as a direct cost of the assignment. Note that the net offer should not exceed EUR € 13.000,-

Proposals may be withdrawn on written request prior to the closing date of this invitation. Any corrections or changes must be received prior to the closing date. Changes must be clearly stated in comparison with the original proposal. Failure to do so will be at bidder’s own risk and disadvantage.

Ethical Standards: 

The consultant/s shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the survey is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved and to ensure that the assessment is technically accurate and reliable, is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner, and contributes to organisational learning and accountability. It is expected that the survey will respect the fundamental principles of SOS CV.

SOS CV International has a child and youth safeguarding policy, child and youth safeguarding regulation and Code of Conduct that all consultants will be expected to comply with and will be required to sign a statement of commitment to the policy. This will happen upon signing of contract, together with an orientation of consultants on internal child safeguarding processes and data protection regulations.

Before the actual start of data collection, the consultants will be required to provide a police record. In addition to the above, the following key areas for ethical consideration need to be taken into account: http://childethics.com/ethical%20guidance/.

The successful bidder is requested to obtain written consent from all participants of the baseline study and/or their official guardians/representatives (when applicable).

Signing and Duration of the Contract: 

SOS CV will inform the successful bidder electronically after the selection process. The successful bidder shall sign and date the contract and return it to SOS CV AT within seven calendar days of receipt of the contract. After the contract is signed by the two parties, the successful bidder shall deliver the services in accordance with the delivery schedule outlined in the offer. The contract is effective from the moment it was signed until the acceptance of work by the international project team.

Rights of SOS CV: 

• Contact any or all references supplied by the bidder(s);
• Request additional supporting or supplementary data (from the bidder(s));
• Arrange interviews with the bidder(s);
• Reject any or all proposals submitted;
• Accept any proposals in whole or in part;
• Negotiate with the service provider(s) who has/have attained the best rating/ranking, i.e. the one(s) providing the overall best value proposal(s);
• Contract any number of candidates as required

Evaluation of Proposals: 

Each proposal will be assessed first on its technical quality and compliance (70%) and subsequently on its price (30%). The proposal with the best overall value, composed of technical merit and price, will be considered for approval. The technical proposal is evaluated based on its responsiveness to the TORs. Bidders may additionally be requested to provide additional information (virtual presentation or phone interview) to SOS CV on the proposed services.

The criteria for selection are:

• Understanding of TORS: The proposal is effectively responding to the purpose and objective laid out in the TORs and proves an understanding of the TORs as such. Note that copy-pasting the TORs into the bidder's technical proposal is not sufficient to prove the understanding of the TORs.
• Method: The proposed method for conducting the baseline study is suitable
• Timetable/work plan: The timetable/work plan is realistic and meet the needs of the project
• Cost: The cost of the proposal is reasonable and feasible, given the other aspects of the proposal
• Experience: The training and experience of the consultants and recommendations from organisations for which the consultant(s) has previously worked

Terms of Payment: 

Payment will be made only upon SOS CV acceptance of the work performed in accordance with the above-described deliverables. Financial proposals should include proposed stage payments. Payment will be effected by bank transfer in the currency of billing and is due 30 days after receipt of invoice and acceptance of work.

The consultant will be paid by SOS CV as follows:

• 50% upon approval of inception report
• 50% upon approval of final report and online presentation of report

Notice of Delay: 

Consultants will be required to send a proof of payment upon receipt of the transfer.

Shall the successful bidder encounter delay in the performance of the contract which may be excusable under unavoidable circumstances; the contractor shall notify SOS CV in writing about the causes of any such delays within one (1) week from the beginning of the delay.

After receipt of the Contractor's notice of delay, SOS CV shall analyse the facts and extent of delay, and extend time for performance when in its judgment the facts justify such an extension.

Copyright and other Proprietary Rights: 

SOS CV shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other property rights including, but not limited to, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, or documents and other materials which the Contractor has developed for SOS CV under the Contract and which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequence of, or during the course of, the performance of the Contract. The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents and other materials constitute works made for hire for SOS CV.

All materials: plans, reports, estimates, recommendations, documents, and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under the Contract shall be the property of SOS CV and shall be treated as confidential and shall be delivered only to SOS CV authorized officials on completion of work under the Contract. The external consultant is obliged to hand over all raw data collected during the assessment to SOS CV.

Termination: 

SOS CV reserves the right to terminate without cause this Contract at any time upon forty-five (45) days prior written notice to the Contractor, in which case SOS CV shall reimburse the Contractor for all reasonable costs incurred by the Contractor prior to receipt of the notice of termination.

SOS CV reserves the right to terminate the contract without any financial obligations in case if the contractor is not meeting its obligations without any prior notice, such as:

• Deviations from the agreed time schedule
• Withdrawal or replacement of key personal without obtaining written consent from SOS CV
• When deliverables do not comply with requirements of TORs
• Failure to adhere the requirement outlined above.

Annexes: 

All relevant programme documents including application documents and logframe will be made available to the selected evaluator.

SOS Documents: 

• SOS CV Code of Conduct
• SOS CV Child Protection Policy
• SOS CV Gender Equality Policy
• SOS CV Consent Form

Programme Documents: 

• SURE Project Narrative Proposal
• SURE Project LogFrame

Outline of Proposal: 

The above-mentioned documents will be sent to the successful candidate.

1. Technical Proposal
2. Introduction: description of the consultancy firm and qualifications; statutory compliance (max. 1 page)
3. Background with information on the understanding of the project, context and requirements for services, key questions (max. 2 pages)
4. Proposed methodology with information on methodology used, inclusive participation and safeguarding/ethical standards. Proposed questions and detailed sampling procedure needs to be indicated. (5 pages)
5. Experience in undertaking similar assignments, ideally in Eastern Africa for clients with information on name of organization, name of assignment, duration (dates) and reference contact persons (max. 2 pages)
6. Proposed team composition including information on data collectors with information on name of team member, highest level of qualification, years of experience and number of days to be engaged under this assignment (max. 1 page)
7. Work plan indicating number of work days, team members involved and week of implementation (max. 1 page)
8. Legal requirements (Certificate of incorporation, PIN/TIN certificate, tax compliance)[2]
9. Sample reports (annex at least 2)
10. References (at least 2 reference letters from clients other than SOS CV)

Financial Proposal: 

The Financial Proposal has to be sent in Excel format using the following structure:

item, unit (I.e. day, person, lump sum), number of units X costs of unit in EUR = total costs in EUR and include at least the following:

• Consultancy Fee (for the whole assessment period)
• Additional local staff requirements (e.g. data collectors, translators, etc.)
• Office expenses (Printing, photocopy, binding, communication costs etc.)
• Logistics (transportation/accommodation/per diems, etc.)

Please clearly state the net amount as well as the amount including taxes.

[1] Note that the work plan serves as an orientation, and it might be subject to change. The precise data for field visits will be arranged and supported after agreeing on the action and time plan.

How to Apply: 

The offer has to be submitted in English language following the structure outlined in annexe 9.3. to the members of the tender committee until latest 23 February 2024

• Sophie Bußjäger, Programme Manager, SOS CV AT (Sophie.bussjaeger@sos-kinderdorf.at)
• Mr. James Bwomezi, NMEL Coordinator (James.Bwomezi@sosuganda.org)
• Mr. Hakim Bbosa (AbdulHakim.Bbosa@sosuganda.org)