The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.   The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) was established by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) in 1982 with a mandate to improve the quality of life of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC) in the northern region of Pakistan. It works with partners to improve quality of life by promoting and developing innovative solutions to challenges of development in GBC.

Reflecting the complex and multi-faceted nature of development, AKRSP’s holistic and integrated development programmes have been organized under two key themes, i.e. Civil Society Development and Economic Inclusion. Key sectors programmed under these two broad thematic areas are Social Mobilization and Institutional Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Enabling Infrastructure, Green Energy, Skill Development under Future of Work, Enterprise Development, Accelerate Prosperity, Public Health and Nutrition, and Climate Resilience. The cross-cutting themes of Gender, Poverty and Youth Development are embedded in all AKRSP projects. AKRSP is starting an exciting new four-year project and is seeking a qualified consultant(s) to lead design, data collection, coordination, analysis, and reporting for a robust mixed-methods baseline study.

We are seeking high caliber consultant /firm for the following Short Term Consultancy:

“Broadening Economic and Social Transformation for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Recovery Project (BEST4WEER) Baseline Survey”

Background

Broadening Economic and Social Transformation for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Recovery in Pakistan (BEST4WEER) is a four-year project (2021-2025), with a budget of CAD $20.157 million, including CAD $17.41 million contributed by Global Affairs Canada and CAD $2.74 million contributed by AKF Canada. AKF Canada is implementing the project in partnership with AKF Pakistan and AKRSP. The project will be implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral by AKRSP, which has an established presence in GBC and works closely with government departments and Pakistani civil society, local, national, and international networks that provide support, expertise and resources.

The BEST4WEER project will help reduce social, cultural and institutional barriers for women’s engagement in economic and social spheres in order to create an enabling environment. It will support the social and economic agency of women to facilitate economic empowerment and recovery in the COVID-19 context. The project will engage with traditional leaders, families, market actors, employers, civil society and the legislature to create acceptance for increased social and economic access and participation by women and challenge gender norms that restrict women’s roles in the workplace and public sphere. The project will also engage business associations, employers, market leaders and the legislature to ensure policy frameworks and delivery mechanisms, which protect women in public spaces, are understood, accepted and enforced. Additionally, the project will seek to enhance social and economic agency of women by providing women with economic knowledge, skills and abilities, while addressing unpaid work and the disproportionate burden of childcare shouldered by women in Pakistan, to enable them to gain access and control over economic assets to support recovery during COVID-19.

Main Responsibilities

The Consultant/firm would be required to perform following roles and responsibilities:

The consultant/firm will be responsible for developing the study protocol, design, methodology, enumeration planning; data collection; enumerators recruitment and training; data quality assurance; data analysis; and report writing. The areas of inquiry and methodology for the study are further detailed below.

Overall study approach: The baseline study will adopt a mixed methods approach, incorporating a quantitative survey and multiple qualitative research elements in order to provide nuanced, triangulated results and to ensure a clear picture of the ‘baseline’ status for each indicator assessed. Further, the study approach will provide a foundation for ongoing monitoring activities, and a strong evaluation at endline, based on the data collected. Depending on the circumstances, face-to-face assessments may be carried out, taking into account the COVID-19 public health measures/ SOPs. The Consultant is expected to select and train enumerators (for quantitative research) and facilitators (for qualitative research) who will conduct the data collection in the target geographies.

Data collection tools and methods: The successful bidder will be expected to adapt and refine existing data collection tools with support from AKF and AKRSP and develop new tools where necessary. All data collection tools must be gender-sensitive and adapted to the local context and language. Anticipated instruments include:

1. Baseline data collection: Household survey (quantitative), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews – other relevant qualitative instruments may be proposed by the consultant.
2. Tool and analysis plan development for data collection post-baseline: Site inspection survey of Coalition of Employers members.

The use of tools and the modalities of implementation will be proposed by the consultant.

Data Analysis: Quantitative data will be analysed quantitatively using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA or other. This might include descriptive statistics such as frequencies and cross-tabulations. Qualitative data will be analysed for key themes and used primarily to triangulate and make meaning of quantitative findings, potentially using qualitative data analysis software such as NVIVO. The Consultant’s technical proposal will elaborate a robust data analysis approach that is aligned with the requirements outlined in this Terms of Reference, which will be further detailed in the inception report that will be produced by the successful bidder.

Baseline sample: The Consultant will be required to design a detailed survey protocol covering sampling strategy with appropriate, representative and manageable sample sizes for baseline data collection. A representative sample of young women, women, young men, and men in the target geographies should be interviewed using the data collection methods elaborately spelled out in the quantitative survey protocol developed by the consultant. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and any other qualitative data collection methods should be conducted with a non-representative, purposeful sample of various stakeholders, such as religious and traditional leaders, women social activists, local civil society, and community members/leaders.

Ethical Standards and Safeguarding: The baseline study must conscientiously abide by AKF’s Global Safeguarding Manual and its adaptations in the study context, and all members of the Consultant team must sign AKF’s Safeguarding Statement of Commitment upon contracting.

The Consultant must also be sure to obtain the relevant research permits, as required, from all relevant national/provincial authorities. AKRSP will provide the consultant with a letter and all survey related documentation as required by the government authorities. The consultant will be required to provide any documentation and details the government authorities may seek from the consultant. The consultant will pursue the government authorities to obtain a research NOC for the study and AKRSP will support the consultant with backstopping and liaising with government as needed.

Codes of conduct must be specifically referenced, and commitment confirmed in writing by each researcher involved in this study. The design of the study must clearly specify how data collection and use will be undertaken with integrity and honesty, respecting human rights and differences in culture, customs, religious beliefs and practices of all stakeholders. Provisions to obtain informed consent of study participants and ensure confidentiality and data security must be explicit. The Consultant must explain how its researchers will be mindful of gender-related needs and roles, ethnicity, children living with disability, age, language and other differences when designing and carrying out the study. The design and implementation of the study must strike an appropriate balance between recognition of the potential benefits of the research, and the protection of participants from potential research-related harms. Safeguarding principles to protect key informants from sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and bullying, including youth protection, must be explicit.

The Consultant is also expected to follow national COVID-19 public health measures and international best practices when undertaking the baseline study in each target geography. The Consultant should also ensure that all participants in the data collection process are adequately protected and following recommended health precautions, especially those who are vulnerable, when data collection is taking place in person. UNDP IEO’s guidance on collecting data during COVID-19 can be found here and the Consultant is expected to follow the COVID-19 health protocols set by the AKF Pakistan office.

Consultancy Timeline

The consultancy period is for five months, starting from 25^th July, 2021 and ending 25^th December, 2021.

Qualification and Experience

The consultant/firm are required to clearly identify and provide CVs for all those proposed in the Study Team, clearly stating their roles and responsibilities for this evaluation. Please note that the consultant/firm will be ultimately responsible for the enumerators and facilitators they are subcontracting to. 

The consultant/firm should include the technical expertise and practical experience required to deliver the scope of work and evaluation outputs, in particular, with regards to:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in administering studies, collecting data and producing quality mixed-methods baseline/end line education focused study reports, preferably for international non-profit organizations or multilateral agencies and multi-country studies.
• Demonstrated experience in designing baseline and end line studies including proven experience in sound sampling, mixed method approaches (quantitative and qualitative), tool development, enumerator training, etc.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, training and managing enumerators and facilitators for both quantitative and qualitative studies
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative data and statistical analysis, using software such as SPSS or Stata.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative data analysis techniques, including the use of relevant software.
• Demonstrated experience in employing Open Data Kit (ODK) or other computer assisted personal interviewing software.
• Specialization in women’s economic and social empowerment, and gender equality issues and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in data management, including designing and managing gender- and age-disaggregated data and information systems capable of handling large datasets for study purposes.
• Country knowledge and experience in conducting research and evaluation studies in GBC.
• Demonstrated experience in safeguarding and respecting vulnerable populations.
• Fluency in English and Urdu is mandatory. Additional relevant languages (e.g., Khowar, Shina, Burushaski, Balti, Wakhi etc), an asset.

Application Package

1. Letter of interest, including the names and contact information of two previous clients who can be contacted regarding relevant experience. Consultants are also expected to disclose any conflict of interest related to this mandate with AKRSP and AKF.
2. Detailed technical proposal of not more than 8 pages clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this request for proposals and including the following:

                         i.     Description of mixed-methods study approach and methodology, including preliminary sampling strategy, data collection, data management and data analysis, gender equality and ethical standards

                       ii.     Demonstrated previous experience in mixed methods and other qualifications outlined in this TOR

                     iii.     A proposed timeframe detailing activity and a schedule/work plan (including a Gantt chart)

                     iv.     Team composition and level of effort of each proposed team member

A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study (taking into account all the taxes applicable as per Pakistan’s taxation rules)

                         i.     Itemized consultancy fees/costs

                       ii.     Itemized field data collection expenses

                     iii.     Itemized administrative expenses

                     iv.     Validity period of quotations

                       v.     Expected payment plan and method

1. CVs of all proposed team members outlining relevant experience (annexed to technical proposal)
2. A copy of a previous report of similar work undertaken on a) baseline study; OR b) end line study
3. Copy of legal registration (for registered firms / Companies)
4. A Consulting Firm / Company profile (if applicable).

 Interested candidate/firms should forward their profiles along with the required documents is 15^th July 2021. Please note that only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted.

AKRSP/AKF(P) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is Committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Expects all Staff and Partners to Share this Commitment.

Note: For detailed ToRs (Scope of work, Deliverables) and other requirements kindly see the PDF file attached. Kindly give your Financial Proposal on the budget template attached.

The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network; AKRSP is a project of the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan

For more information about AKDN, please visit www.akdn.org