Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS)

Expression of Interest (EoI)

Consultancy services for Impact Evaluation of a Livelihood project in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar

Project: Community Empowerment Promoted through Livelihoods and Skills Development Initiatives
Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS)
Date: 09 November 2023

Background

CNRS is a leading pro-environmental NGO in Bangladesh that has been active since 1994. It works across 31 districts on diverse projects related to livelihoods, climate change, disaster management, health, research and more.

Since 2019, CNRS has been implementing Livelihoods and Self-reliance project supported by UNHCR. This project has two main components:

1. Livelihoods activities for host communities such as vegetable farming, livestock and poultry rearing, establishment of vegetable collection centers, etc.
2. Self-reliance activities for Rohingya refugees focused on agricultural skills and vegetable gardening.

Over 5 years, the project has taken a long-term, holistic approach tailored to beneficiaries' needs. Interventions like livestock support, vegetable demos, collection centers, and vertical gardening have shown positive outcomes.

Now nearing project end in 2023, CNRS intends to evaluate the changes and impact on beneficiaries' lives. This will capture the learning and guide future project designs. 

Objectives of this Assignment

The objectives of this assessment consist the following:

• To assess the project's results in terms of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
• To document some learning and provide recommendations for the future design and improvement of project interventions.    

Methodology

CNRS plans to engage a competent firm or individual to conduct an impact evaluation using a mixed-method approach. The survey will use data from project databases, with tailored questionnaires for different categories of respondents, including project beneficiaries and comparison with baseline survey results. The study will primarily use English-language survey instruments, with translation into Bangla for data collection. The survey will encompass both quantitative and qualitative data collection.

Scope of Work

1. Assess project results against planned results/LogFrame indicators and targets
2. Evaluate project achievements on key metrics like incomes, production, dietary diversity etc. for both host and refugee beneficiaries
3. Examine feasibility, adoption and sustainability of introduced interventions
4. Develop data collection tools, conduct surveys, analyze data
5. Prepare comprehensive reports on overall 5-year impact (2019-2023) and specific 2023 results

Sampling

The consultant/consulting firm will propose an appropriate sampling methodology, likely a stratified sampling method, considering the confidence level, margin of error, and population size for livelihoods and self-reliance categories.

The sample will be devised into Host community and Rohingya and a case control method would be highly appreciated to find out the real impact of the project bot on host and refugee beneficiary households.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is expected to commence on November 23, 2023, and be completed by December 24, 2023, within a 30-day timeframe after signing the contract.

Description of the works

The project is reaching to the end by December 2023. In this context, the project is intending to assign a consulting firm/individual to undertake an impact evaluation study to ascertain achievements of the “Community Empowerment Promoted through Livelihoods and Skills Development Initiatives” project. The survey should follow case-control method by adopting both qualitative and quantitative tools. The consultant will be expected to assess the objectives of the project based on specified indicators and targets as mentioned in project main workbook and undertake the following (but not limited to):

• Achievement of the results framework by assessing the target indicators and update the results framework
• Achievement of the project for targeted refugee beneficiaries displaying self-reliance
• Achievement of the project for targeted households with increased dietary diversity
• Achievement of the project for targeted households with increased income
• Achievement of the project for targeted households with increased production
• Achievement of the project for targeted households with increased access to market
• Consider the feasibility of each of the interventions being implemented so far
• Adaptation of introduced technology by the targeted households
• Data will be collected, analyzed and consolidated for preparation of report

Expected outputs

• A Comprehensive Impact Evaluation Report covering five years (2019-2023).
• A Comprehensive Impact Evaluation Report focusing on specific livelihood activities in 2023.
• Designed survey instruments (both quantitative and qualitative).
• The first draft of the Impact Evaluation Report.
• The final Impact Evaluation Report, incorporating feedback.

Qualification of Firm and Academic Qualifications & Professional Experience of Team Leader/Lead Consultant & Survey/Technical Coordinator

Qualification of Firm

• Have track records of performing at least three similar assignments;
• At least five years working experience in data collection and analysis;
• Having valid trade license or joint stock registration in Bangladesh

Qualification of Personnel

Team Leader

Minimum eligibility criteria of the Team Leader/Lead Consultant

Academic Qualifications:
MSS in Social Science or equivalent disciplines like Development Studies, Public Policy, and Agriculture etc.

Years of experience:
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in conducting survey on baseline, mid-term, end-line studies and assessment on social, economic, food security, youth enterprise and minimum 3 relevant assignments in project districts. Have previous experience conducting impact assessment using both the quantitative and qualitative methods.   

Inputs and support from Project/CNRS

• CNRS will provide all requisite Project information and relevant documents as required.
• Field offices of CNRS will provide necessary support to inform the respondents in advance.

Outputs/ Deliverables

The consultants will be responsible for submission of the following deliverables / reports after signing of the contract:

Procurement/ Hiring method

• The Consultant/Firm will be hired following fixed budget procurement method. 

CNRS representative for communication

The consultants will be solely responsible and accountable to the Director, CNRS through Project Focal Person for the services and activities as assigned and will work in close cooperation with the Project Officials of CNRS. The payments would be based on achievement of key tasks and outputs completed within the stipulated time. In case of unsatisfactory performance of the consultant, the contract may be terminated by CNRS at any time without prior notice.  CNRS reserves the right to cancel the procurement without providing any explanation. 

Ownership

Owner of this assignment is UNHCR-CNRS Project and therefore deserves exclusive right to all information, ideas and results, which the Firm/Consultant cannot divulge to others or utilize otherwise. The consultant will have no right to claim ownership of the assignment or its outputs once the assignment is completed.  Any reports/ research reports/ process documents produced as a part of this assignment shall be deemed to be the property of UNHCR-CNRS Project and the consultant will not have any claims and will not use or reproduce the contents of the above documents without prior permission of the designated authority. 

Deadline for Submission

CNRS is expecting a detail proposal against this EOI which will be evaluated as a final submission from the participating firms/individuals. EOI can be submitted in hard copy or soft copy by 15 November 2023 and should be addressed as follows:

Executive Director
Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS)
House-13 (4th-6th Floor), Road-17, Block-D,
Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh
Telephone: +88-02-9820127-8
Fax: +88-02-9820129
Electronic submissions should be sent by e-mail to: procurement@cnrs.org.bd

Proposal should include the as follows:
1. Technical Proposal (Maximum 5 pages): Methodology, work plan, draft tool
2. CV of Team Leader/Lead Consultants and key experts
3. Financial Proposal with breakdown

Selection and evaluation process

This will follow fixed budget procurement procedure. An independent Evaluation committee will be formed and assigned by the CNRS to carry on the selection process. This committee will review the technical proposal and the evaluation process will follow the requirements as outlined above.

Total score of the proposal is 100 and distribution of score is Technical Proposal: 50 and CV: 50.

Budget

The budget for this project is intentionally left open in this Expression of Interest (EoI). We invite interested parties to submit their detailed financial proposals separately as part of the subsequent stages of the selection process. Please provide a comprehensive breakdown of your proposed budget, including all costs associated with the project. This should cover all relevant categories, such as personnel, materials, equipment, travel, overhead, and any other costs specific to the project.

The payment will be made through the A/C Payee Cheque in favor of the contract holder, that will cover everything i.e. remuneration, field work cost, conveyance, printing, other administrative cost etc. All expenditure during survey time will be taken care of by the consultancy firm. CNRS will deduct tax, according to the TAX and VAT Regulation of the Government of Bangladesh. The payment will be made according to the following schedule:

• 50% after completion of inception report, tools development and sharing of field plan, draft report including filled up tools, database and guidelines.
• 50% after submitting the final Impact Evaluation Report and having this accepted by CNRS subject to concurrence of Project/UNHCR.