Terms of Reference
BASELINE INVESTIGATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON HEALTH (KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES) IN SUNAMGANJ

March 2024

Reference # PHD/ToR/24/001

1. Organization Introduction:

Partners in Health and Development (PHD):

Partners in Health and Development (PHD) is a national organisation with a not-for-profit identity working in Bangladesh for three decades towards improving the life of the people, particularly the marginalized and less privileged. PHD is currently implementing development programs including health, nutrition, SRHR, WASH, climate Change and education in 22 districts across the country. PHD has successfully implemented different projects on strengthening the health system through which it gained experience and expertise and contributed a lot in saving the lives of mothers and children with the support of active stakeholders including the government counterparts

2. Project Background

Partners in Health and Development (PHD) with the financial and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh, will be implementing a climate change and health (focusing on SRHR) project in Sunamganj. The main objective of the intervention will be to raise awareness and understanding about the impacts of climate change impacts on health, particularly that of SRHR among women and girls in selected upazilas of Sunamganj district.

There will be several components of the project:

1. Training of healthcare providers on climate change impacts on SRHR and health in general as well as Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP).
2. Community awareness using innovative techniques on climate change and SRHR
3. Orientation sessions for women of reproductive age on climate change and SRHR
4. Targeted interventions for school children and adolescents
5. Coordination for responding to disasters and other climate crises between officials of different ministries and departments.

3. Purpose of the Terms of Reference

This Terms of Reference (TOR) outlines the minimum expectations from the selected consultants. Those wishing to apply are requested to carefully review the TOR.

The overall objective of this assignment is to conduct a baseline assessment on climate change and health among people of Sunamganj, including both service providers, communities and other key groups as required.

Before the project discussed above is implemented, we wish to undertake a baseline assessment to understand baseline characteristics for people in the community in regard to their knowledge, attitude, practices on climate impacts on health (SRHR), adaptation etc. The baseline study should critically assess from the available data, new data collected, FGD and KII, Case Studies and semi-structured interviews (as required) to provide clear analysis and discussion, which will link directly to specific findings and recommendations. The baseline indicators and data collection tools will be utilized to conduct a midline and endline evaluation in due time.  

The study will be carried out in 2 upazilas – Dowarabazar and Sunamganj Sadar of Sunamganj district. It will collect data in various forms as required to establish baseline measures in coordination and consultation with PHD and UNFPA.

4. Expected outcome:

• Baseline assessment report with clear indicators as discussed with PHD and UNFPA.

5. Deliverables:

• Methodology for assessment: The consultant is expected to provide a methodology document/proposal during the first week of the consultancy along with of details field plan.
• Guidelines/questionnaires for in-depth interview, KII and FGD and semi-structured interviews: Develop these in consultation with PHD & UNFPA within the first week of consultancy.
• Data collection: Collection of all data points as identified in the methodology.
• Final data analysis and report: Will submit the final report analysing the data collected.
• Note: The consultant(s) will be fully responsible for organising transport, accommodation and any other logistical requirements. Where support from PHD is required, this needs to be clearly outlined in the proposal. 

6. Qualifications required for the Consultant:  

• The consultant should hold a PhD or Masters in health, environment or climate studies and related field degree and have evidence of similar assessments and studies.
• At least five years of research and documentation proven experience in maternal and primary healthcare in Bangladesh, preferably some experience in humanitarian settings.
• Applicants must demonstrate experience in monitoring and evaluating programmes with a strong equality, diversity and inclusion lens.
• Applicants must share evidence of similar work completed.

7. Below lists the document to be submitted to

For Individual Consultant

• A short CV maximum of three pages highlighting experiences on related assignments completed with detailed client name, address, contact persons & communication details (above criteria listed under “Qualifications required for the Lead Researcher” relevant here).
• For other members of the team include a short CV highlighting relevant tasks or assignments.
• TIN certificate
• A brief technical and financial proposal based on the information provided above. Technical and Financial proposals should be in a separate file or separate envelope (in case of hard copy)

For Consultancy Firm

• Short profile of the firm highlighting experiences on related assignments with client detail as mentioned for Individual Consultant.
• Lead Consultant (team leader) with 2 pages of CV highlighting related work experiences and assignments completed (above criteria listed under “Qualifications required for the Lead Consultant” relevant here).
• Other Team members’ (Engage in this assignment) with a very short CV highlighting related tasks and assignments completed.
• Consultancy Firm’s legal documents (Certificate, TIN and VAT registration) technical proposal (research proposal following section E.), f) financial proposal is required to submit. Technical and Financial proposals should be in a separate file or separate envelope (in case of hard copy)

8. Duration of the consultancy work:

• Final Evaluation: Maximum of one month from the signing contract.

9. Standard Terms

1. Duration: The total period of providing the consultative services will be one (01) month as agreed in the contract schedule.
2. Remuneration/Fee: Interested bidders are requested to submit their financial proposal along with the technical proposal including the Data Quality Assurance Protocol for the assignment, inclusive all VAT and Taxes as per the policy of the government of Bangladesh, which shall be deducted at source prior to the payment. Expenses not specified in the financial proposal or not mentioned in any section of the agreement, are the sole responsibility of the Consultant
3. Payment: The fees will be paid in two (02) instalments against invoices issued by the Consultant with a copy of the work contract and ToR. The payments will be made through an account payee cheque as per PHD’s policy in two instalments, as follows:
   • First instalment: 30% of the total cost of the assignment will be paid upon receipt of a written invoice from the consultant upon received of the inception report and filed plan.
   • Second instalment: 70% will be paid after receiving the final report, which is subject to the review and endorsement of the report review committee.
   • PHD will not be liable for any bank charges arising from incorrect bank details being provided to PHD.
4. Accommodation, per diem and other allowances: No accommodation, per diem or no other allowances will be paid in addition to the cost mentioned in the agreement.
5. Copyright and Confidentiality: PHD and UNDPA will have the copyright for all the documents prepared by the consultant(s) including questionnaires, case studies, data, if any, and the final report with due acknowledgment. No part of the document should be reproduced or published in any manner without prior written approval from the PHD and UNFPA. The consultant will maintain the confidentiality of the stated assignment.
6. PHD policies and guidelines: The consultant will have to comply the organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy of PHD. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with core values and mission.
7. Breach of Code of Conduct and Sharing of Information: We are required to share details of certain breaches of PHD Code of Conduct, specifically those related to fraud, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and trafficking in persons, with external organisations such as institutional donors, regulatory bodies and future employers. In the event where you have been found to be in breach of these aspects of PHD’s Code of Conduct, your personal details (e.g., name, date of birth, address and nationality) and details of these breaches will be shared with these external bodies.  Organisations may retain this data and use it to inform future decisions about you. In addition, where we are working in partnership with another organisation and where there are allegations of breaches in the above areas against you, we will cooperate with any investigation being undertaken and will share your personal details with investigation teams.
8. Responsibility: The Consultant will report to the Senior Deputy Programme Director, PHD and liaise with the Project Manager to receive technical guidance, feedback and support to organized local level consultations and data collection.
9. Guidelines for Submission of the Proposal

These guidelines shall ensure uniformity of proposals submitted by all applicants and transparency of the evaluation process. Hardcopies of Technical Proposal with necessary annexes in a separate sealed envelope and Financial Proposal in a separate sealed envelope must be received at PHD Head Office at the address specified in Apply procedure.

10. Eligibility Criteria

The successful firm will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Over 5+ years’ experience in effectively planning and executing quantitative and qualitative study/ documentation/ research at the national and district levels;
• Experience conducting similar studies in Maternal, Child health project, preferred
• Experience and Qualifications of the proposed Team with special attention to the leading positions in conducting similar studies and assessments
• Appropriateness of the methodologies proposed
• Appropriateness of budget
• Demonstrated ability to complete deliverables within a specified timeframe

11. Scoring and Evaluation

Consultant will be evaluated based on following criteria. The key factors stated below will be taken in consideration during the evaluation process-

12. Application deadline: 12 March (COB)

13. For any query related to the ToR:

If there is any asking or need any further clarification regarding the ToR, please communicate Ms. Fatema Showkat Jahan Rojy, Sr. Deputy Director, Partners in Health and Development (PHD). Mobile # +880 1816598363, email: f-jahan@phd-bd.com by 7th March 2024.

14. Apply Procedure

Hardcopies of Technical Proposal with necessary annexures in a separate sealed envelope and Financial Proposal in a separate sealed envelope to be sent at PHD Head Office addressing to the Managing Director, Partners in Health and Development (PHD), House # SWD 12A, Road # 8, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212 on or before March 12, 2024 with their CVs, Financial, Technical Proposal and other legal documents as mentioned in the EOI. Reference number must be mentioned in both the proposals during submission.

15. Company Information:

Partners in Health and Development (PHD) House # SWD 12A, Road # 8, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Web: www.phd-bd.com.

Business: PHD has been engaged in providing expert health and development supports (NGO contracting, fund management, capacity development, research and other consultancy services) to the government, development partners, donors, NGOs and private organizations since 1988.