REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO ESTIMATE INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES FOR SYSTEM CHANGE PROGRAMS IN THE AFRICA REGION – NIGERIA

Description

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO ESTIMATE INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES FOR SYSTEM CHANGE PROGRAMS IN THE AFRICA REGION – NIGERIA.

Name of Signature Program:

Naija Unlock

Agresso Work order:

NG1001

Country:

Nigeria

RFP No.

Funded by:

Heifer International

RFP Release Date:

3rd November 2023

Question/ Inquiry Submission Deadline:

17th November 2023

Proposal Submission Deadline:

18th November 2023

Performance Period:

2 months

Electronic submission to the attention of:

pr[email protected]g

Contact information for inquiries about this RFP:

[email protected]

Terms of Reference

1. General Information

   Heifer International is a global non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) whose mission is to work with communities around the world to eradicate hunger and poverty and care for the Earth through sustainable development. The organization seeks to promote self-sufficiency and economic sustainability by providing farm animals, training in sustainable agricultural practices, and support for small business creation. The \"Passing on the Gift® (PoG\") approach is central to Heifer’s strategy, as it fosters solidarity and collaboration among beneficiary families. Heifer currently uses multipliers to estimate households that have benefited indirectly from Heifer's programs, based on the \"Original Gift (OG)\" or \"Direct\" change and Passing on the Gift models.

   In recent years, Heifer International has undergone changes in its approach to program design and implementation, adopting a systems approach in some regions, including in Africa. Systemic programming enables Heifer to contribute to farmers, cooperatives, and government and private sector actors in achieving more effective program implementation, better outcomes, and potentially broader impact. Due to these changes, the organization has revised its methodology for estimating indirect multipliers, seeking to develop an approach more compatible with systems programming.

   A successfully implemented systems change project produces two effects:

   First, some farmers or households benefit directly from receiving assets or services from the project or from actors with whom the project works directly, following the project plan.

   Second, other farmers who do not receive direct support from the project benefit indirectly, either by imitating the direct beneficiaries (e.g. by applying new farming techniques) or because agglomeration enterprises (as input suppliers) offer them new or improved services.

   To understand these effects, it is essential to establish result chains, also known as outcome pathways, that connect project interventions (activities) with the series of changes (outcomes or effects) that lead to benefits to direct and indirect beneficiaries. These results chain frameworks are essential for identifying and estimating the direct and indirect beneficiaries of projects.

   Objectives and Methodology of the Services

   The Data Collection (Consultant) Team will collaborate with Heifer International and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) to estimate the indirect beneficiaries of two projects in Nigeria that are in different stages of implementation. The first project will be a mature one (at the end, or at least beyond the middle line of intervention), and the second will be in the process of implementation (middle line of intervention).

   The main objectives of the collaboration between Heifer and IDS are:

   1. Generate learning about the results chains and pathways through which systemic change-oriented projects are generating indirect results.
   2. Characterize the indirect beneficiaries and define the number reached.

      The main objectives of the Data Collection Team will be:

      1. Estimate the number of indirect beneficiaries of the two selected projects in Nigeria, working together with Heifer and IDS.
      2. Document the methodology used to assess the number of indirect beneficiaries, including reflection on contextual factors (e.g. in different sectors or regions) that influence the results obtained, in collaboration with the Heifer Programs area and IDS.

         Steps to perform by IDS, Heifer and the Data Collection Team:

         1. Formulate learning outcome-based multipliers in Nigeria, which will allow other Heifer programs to estimate indirect beneficiaries when a direct assessment of the number of such beneficiaries is beyond budget or scope, using the outcomes of this learning in conjunction with IDS.

            The estimation of indirect beneficiaries of system change projects follows five steps:

            1. Preparatory workshop and pre-data collection activities (led by IDS, with the data collection team and Heifer)

               At the workshop, the three teams (IDS, Heifer and the Data Collection Team) involved in the evaluation will introduce each other. IDS will explain the conceptual framework for the development of multipliers. IDS will also present pre-developed result chains, one per project, for discussion and improvement as needed.

               1. Determine appropriate data collection and evaluation methods, tools, and sites (IDS and Heifer, supported by the Data Collection Team)

                  Based on the results of the results chain mapping processes, relevant data collection methods and tools to estimate indirect beneficiaries, and geographic areas or sites relevant to the evaluation will be agreed/confirmed by IDS and the Heifer team. This will be based on establishing how the project has influenced the direct beneficiaries (farmers) as well as other actors in the system: agribusiness, non-commercial actors and others who

                  are part of the chain. These actors in the system generate direct project-related \"benefits\" that lead to improvements in farmers' incomes, for example by providing improved seeds or improved access to markets. They can also lead other actors in the system to change their behavior, for example, private agricultural companies and cooperatives that recognize the opportunities demonstrated by the project and enter the market, and those actors that provide support and generate a regulatory process that affects development and systemic change. These other actors could be the drivers of broader impact and a source of data on indirect beneficiaries.

                  Based on the selected sample, IDS and Heifer will work with the Data Collection Team to determine individual actors and stakeholders for data collection. The methods, tools and final sites will be jointly determined by these three actors.