EOI: BASELINE ASSESSMENT – BUILDING LEADERSHIP, OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS FOR MARGINALIZED WOMEN AND GIRLS IN EAST AFRICA (BLOOM AFRICA)

Introduction

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has approved “Building Leadership, Opportunities and Options for Marginalized Women and Girls in East Africa (BLOOM AFRICA)”, a proposal submitted to them by World Vision Canada and WV Rwanda, WV Somali and Tanzania in 2024. The project will be implemented in Rwanda, Hargeisa and Burco districts in Somaliland and Tanzania. Prior to full project implementation, and in accordance with GAC’s guidelines, a baseline assessment will be undertaken within 90 days of the signing of the Contribution Agreement (CA). Accordingly, a baseline assessment is planned to be undertaken in the targeted areas of the three countries in June 2025. The assessment will collect quantitative data on key indicators as a reference for tracking the project’s achievements in meeting its objectives and monitoring progress.

Project Background:

Through skills development and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Project will support the economic empowerment of marginalized young people, especially adolescent girls and women. It will enhance access to skills training for decent employment, particularly in the green and digital economies, thereby improving overall development and community resilience. The Project will use a multifaceted approach to address issues across individual, community, and systemic levels:

1) Individual level: support the empowerment of marginalized adolescent girls and young women to develop skills, advocate for their rights to skills development and access economic opportunities, overcome barriers and promote safe work environments;

2) Community level: conduct social and behavior change activities targeting males as allies, female adolescents, youth, and families to promote equitable community structures, challenge traditional gender norms while acknowledging the positive traditional norms, and address discriminatory practices and power imbalances; and

3) Systemic/institutional level: create comprehensive support systems within TVET institutions, their governing boards and potential employers to address gender equality barriers, human rights issues, and promote economic empowerment, and inclusive development.

BLOOM is 5-year, gender-transformative, women-focused, human rights-based initiative that seeks to contribute to the increased resilience of marginalized youth – especially women and girls in the targeted areas of the three countries. The project is anchored on three distinct yet interrelated intermediate outcomes:

1) The first intermediate outcome (1100) will enhance the enabling environment for marginalized young women and girls’ participation in and benefit from skills learning and employment opportunities.

2) The second intermediate outcome (1200) aims to enhance the utilization of financial and business development services by marginalized young women and girls.

3) The third intermediate outcome (1300) aims to increase equitable access to TVET institutions and employment enablers by marginalized young women and girls.

The Project will directly benefit 25,200 young people (15,120 women and 10,080 men) and indirectly benefit 273,200 people (151,860 women and 121,340 men). It will focus on youth aged 15 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). It will prioritize the most vulnerable youth including teenage mothers, youth from single-headed households, youth with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence, internally displaced people and families living in poverty. Local institutions, including microfinance institutions, business development services, TVET institutions and employment service providers will benefit from institutional strengthening and technical support. Community stakeholders, including teachers, families and government officials will benefit from improved TVET services.

Purpose of the Assessment

The purpose of the baseline assessment is to collect data on a set of indicators that will be used to assess achievement of project outcomes and impact. Collected data will form the basis for measuring change over time.

Objectives of the Survey

i. To collect and document data reflecting the before-project-implementation status of key PMF indicators that will be used as reference points for measuring progress towards stated project outcomes.

ii. To validate the current set of indicators in the PMF and where necessary support their revision and fine-tuning for better tracking of outcome results.

iii. To provide information necessary for the development of the project’s Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Plan including setting targets and benchmarks.

iv. Provide other essential information necessary for the development of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) including budget/activity work break-down structure (WBS) planning.

v. To provide essential reference data for communicating project progress and to inform learning and decision-making for course-correction during project implementation.

Approach

The BLOOM baseline Individual consultant will be recruited to lead and be responsible for baseline data collection, analysis and report writing, working in close collaboration with the project’s Program Manager and MEAL Specialist(s) and other technical staff. The Consultant will be required to come up with a technical and financial proposal outlining how s/he intends to conduct the assessment. The workplan must be approved by the WV project team before the Consultant can embark on the work. The consultant will be required to use their discretion on the most appropriate research methods and tools taking into consideration the minimum requirement outlined in this ToR. This includes, but is not limited to, sampling, questionnaire/instrument design, data analysis plan, reporting….

More Details to be provided in full ToR upon Expression of Interest.

We hereby invite Expression of Interest from registered, approved and reputable consultants to provide above-named services to World Vision Somalia.