Terms of Reference

Knowledge Management & Communication Consultancy

BACKGROUND

iDE is an international NGO with over 35 years of experience in designing and delivering market-based anti-poverty programs in 11 countries. We are a world leader in making markets work for the poor as well as the longest established market development specialist NGO in Bangladesh. iDE believes that markets can be a powerful force for improving smallholder prosperity by creating income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households.  iDE Bangladesh currently has eight projects in agricultural markets, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and access to finance with a focus on women’s economic empowerment and climate-smart technologies.

SUCHANA

The Suchana program aims to reduce undernutrition leading to stunting in children under two years of age living within 235,000 poor and very poor households with women of reproductive age (15-45 years) and adolescent girls in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts of Bangladesh. The program adopts an integrated approach to nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions and aims to develop a sustainable and replicable model that can be scaled. Suchana is funded by the UK Department for International Development and the European Union, and is implemented in Bangladesh by a consortium of partners, including Save the Children, iDE, WorldFish, Helen Keller International, and implementing agencies Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS), RDRS, and Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB). icddr,b will carry out the impact assessment of the project.

The program capitalizes upon the expertise and experience of the coalition to catalyze efforts by government and other Bangladeshi stakeholders (such as the private sector, civil society and diaspora) to identify and scale up sustainable, context specific activities that can break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. A central component of the program is shifting detrimental behaviors on nutrition, health, resource allocation, women’s decision-making power towards positive behaviors that promote health, growth, gender equality and improved livelihoods. Suchana has undertaken various initiatives in different sectors of development including the agricultural and livelihoods sector to fast track income growth, household nutrition and overall economic growth for poor households. This is further guided by key initiatives such as the Home Food Production (HFP) and the Income Generating Activities (IGAs) that provide overarching strategic direction to development initiatives.

ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT

This 4-month (March 2020 to June 2020) KMC Consultancy is open to individuals or firms and will support the Suchana consortium in developing and implementing a knowledge management and communications strategy that enhances current means of capturing knowledge from the program with innovative knowledge acquisition tools and products, and broadens the means of dissemination in support of the program’s goals. The strategy should take into account multiple audiences, including the internal team, national and international stakeholders, practitioners, and donors. The KMC strategy will focus on creating, sharing, using and managing the knowledge and information of Suchana consortium as well as external stakeholders. KMC efforts will focus on program objectives such as improved performance, innovation, the sharing of lessons learned, integration, and continuous improvement of the program. The assignment will require the consultant to spend approximately 30% of the allocated working days in the field in and around Sylhet and Moulvibazar in order to understand the interventions in-depth and develop the KMC products and provide training to the Suchana staff.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Assess current knowledge management practices followed by the consortium members; Review what has been developed to date, and develop a digital inventory of existing Suchana KM products
• Design an Integrated Knowledge Management and Communication Strategy for Suchana ensuring that all critical components of its programmes and projects are covered. The strategy should include a “learning agenda” and should be developed in coordination and consultation with the Suchana Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) team
• In coordination with the wider Suchana team (MEAL, Communication and Program team), develop a comprehensive and interactive work plan for the Suchana consortium for the implementation of the KMC strategy.
• As part of the strategy, develop specific knowledge products for the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned. Specifically, the consultant will develop case studies and success stories documenting the process and best practices under Suchana livelihoods interventions. Interventions and/or topics that could be covered include business groups, collection points, private sector engagement, Mobile Nutrition Retailers, LSP networks, on-farm and non-farm IGAs, homestead food production, and village model farmers. Best practices should be supported or evidenced by different surveys and assessment reports.
• The consultant will develop fact sheets on Suchana major strategy and key lessons learned
• Develop knowledge products documenting and assessing progress, successes, lessons learned, and recommendations for adjustments to Suchana’s Graduation Model
• Coordinate closely with the MEAL and technical team to identify opportunities and synergies for collaboration on knowledge management and capacity building approaches.
• Build capacity of story-telling, visibility, and outreach for Suchana in coordination with the Suchana comms team and MEAL team.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of communication tools and materials on Suchana and recommend communication messages into identified relevant online platforms.
• Improve the capacity of the Suchana M&E team in knowledge management, specifically in identifying learning opportunities, developing knowledge products, and promoting knowledge development and sharing on Suchana approaches and interventions.

KEY DELIVERABLES

1. An Inception Report five days after the contract is signed. The report must provide a clear picture of how the consultant understands the Terms of Reference (ToR) and intends to achieve the expected tasks. It should identify those that will be consulted and should propose a methodology for the assignment. The report should include a work plan with timelines for all the tasks that the consultant will undertake during the assignment
2. Develop a digital inventory of existing Suchana KM products in consultation with the MEAL team and consortium members
3. Knowledge Management strategy (new) and a revised Communication Strategy for Suchana, both integrated into a combined KMC strategy document.
4. Detailed KMC work plan (period 2020-2021) which should include learning themes, tools, data sources, intended audience, publishing platform, responsible unit, frequency, and calendar
5. Develop KMC modules for capacity building of MEAL officers and other Suchana staff
6. Facilitation of two batches of 2-day training for MEAL Officers, communications team and other selected Suchana consortium staff members.
7. Knowledge product documenting the application of Suchana’s Graduation model to date. The knowledge product should feature at least ten (10) graduation stories highlighting both successes and individual challenges.
8. Five (5) fact sheet on Suchana’s major strategy and key lessons learned.
9. Develop 20 knowledge products and 20 success stories that document the processes, best practices, successes and lessons learned of each Suchana’s major livelihoods interventions including Business Groups, Collection Points, village savings and loans associations (VSLAs), private sector engagement, Mobile Nutrition Retailers, LSP Networks, on-farm and non-farm IGA, and homestead food production (HFP), beneficiary households, and village model farmers. Suchana best practices should be supported or evidenced by different surveys and assessment reports. The final format of the knowledge products will be determined in consultation with consortium management.                                                                                                               
10. A photo album with 200 high-quality photos documenting Suchana income-generating activities (IGA) and other nutrition-sensitive livelihood interventions.
11. Periodic submission of deliverables based on the plan submitted by consultant/agency

TENTATIVE TIMELINE

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF iDE

iDE and the wider consortium will provide the consultant with the necessary support to undertake and implement the assignment and execute the objectives of this Terms of Reference (ToR). Such responsibilities include:

• Providing guidance and clarifications of the assignment as needed
• Assist with coordination with wider Suchana consortium partners;
• Providing relevant documents and technical support to the consultant;
• Disbursing payment as per the agreed schedule  

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

General experience and expertise required for the consultant/ Consultancy firm:

• Relevant experience in the field, preferably at least 5 years of previous experience working in progressively senior roles in learning, knowledge management or communications
• Efficiency in analytical, inter-personal skills and documentation.
• Full fluency in both verbal and written English
• Strong capacity in knowledge management including but not limited to: report design, and case study development
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research in a rural development setting
• Capacity in market systems development desirable  

REMUNERATION/PAYMENT

This consultancy duration will be March 2020 - June 2020. Payments will be made to a bank account through bank transfer, upon the submission of approved deliverables. Government of Bangladesh Tax and VAT regulations are applicable and both tax and VAT will be deducted at source as per the GoB policy. This payment should include remuneration, field-based travel (accommodation, transport, per diems) and any miscellaneous costs. The consultant will submit an invoice at the end of each phase. The payment schedule is as follows:

• 25% of the contract value disbursed upon approval of deliverables 1, 2, 3 and 4
• 25% of the contract value disbursed upon approval of deliverables 5, 6, 7 and 8
• 50% of the contract value disbursed upon approval of deliverables 9 and 10

APPLICATION TO CONSULTANCY

Interested and qualified consultants or consulting firms should submit below-mentioned documents through email:

• Cover letter (maximum one page)
• The CV of relevant consultant(s) (maximum two pages with reference to the required eligibility criteria above) highlighting their area of expertise related to this assignment including KM strategy, case studies, success stories, and other knowledge product development
• Writing and PowerPoint samples (minimum of one sample of each)
• Financial Proposal (maximum one-page): breakdown of cost estimates for services rendered. This should include, but not be limited to: daily consultancy fees, travel costs, and supplies required to complete the scope of work.
• If applicable, please also include VAT Registration Certificate, TIN Certificate, Trade License Certificate.

Interested and qualified consultants/consultancy firms should submit their proposals to bangladesh.procurement@ideglobal.org by 21st January 2020. Please write “Suchana Consultancy on KMC” in the subject line. Only shortlisted consultants/firms will be contacted and invited by an interview either in-person or via video-conference. iDE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.