ToR: Conducting baseline study for Joint action for child protection to be implemented in Dollo Ado, Liben Zone, Somali Region

1. Context and Rationale

1.1. About SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of the SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. The organization started its humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of its first Village in Mekelle, the Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, it has expanded its program to different regions including Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Harari, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, and South-Central Ethiopia regions and Addis Ababa. Through its unique family-based care model, the organization has provided a nurturing environment where children can flourish, grow, and realize their full potential. The program also works with different youth empowerment initiatives, supporting young people to help them become productive and independent members of society. The family and community development program has enabled many families in the communities to become sustainable and provide the necessary care for their children. Furthermore, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia also provides humanitarian assistance interventions in cases of natural and human-made disasters, when the livelihoods of families and communities are disrupted. SOS CVE collaborates and partners with like-minded organizations, community structures, government entities, and relevant all in advocating for the fulfilment of the rights and needs of vulnerable children, young people and families, not only in development projects but also in emergency projects.

SOS CV Ethiopia engages with a variety of community-based organizations and local government authorities. It supports them in providing an enabling environment for the most vulnerable communities and families to access vital social services and protection, whether in peaceful times or crises, to ensure care and protection for all children and youth living in their community

1.2.   Description of Program Location and Context

Gode program location is one of the program locations operating in the South-Eastern part of the country since 2004. Gode program location started its operation in Somali region by opening school (KG) and alternative childcare programs. Since then, it has designed several interventions in the areas of alternative child and youth care, family and community development, and humanitarian responses. The program location was established in response to difficult climate conditions that resulted in starvation of thousands of the local community resulting in many children without parental care. In 2012, the program location (Gode) started family and community strengthening program in addition to the alternative childcare, which was initiated earlier. To address the diversified needs of vulnerable children, young people and families, the program location has collaborated and partnered with multiple stakeholders at various levels including local and regional government structures, community-based structures, like minded international and local NGOs, etc.

Currently, Gode program location has been providing family like care for 100 (39 girls) children without parental care, in its classical village in Gode town, small group home for 14 (14 boys) young people, and supervised independent living for 25 (10 females) young people. On the other hand, the program location has been supporting 35 families to better care for their respective 94 (35 girls) children via facilitating essential services. Under its family and community development program, 300 caregivers have been targeted with their respective 1,980 children and have been supported to better care and provide for themselves. Furthermore, 45 young people have been getting support that would enable them to become independent members of society; and a great effort has been made to assist them to become self-reliant youth. Lastly, the program location has been providing health services and quality education for the wider community in the vicinity via its medical Center and its school.

In the meantime, being a consortium lead, SOS CVE has secured a two- year multi country project operated in three countries in Ethiopia, Somaliland and South Sudan. In Ethiopia, the project will strengthen child protection in Dollo Ado district, Liben Zone (Somali Region), covering Buramino and Hilaweyn refugee camps, IDP sites, and host communities with total budget $1,420,835 allocated for the activities of the lead (SOS CVE) and its local partner (PIADO).  Whereas in Somaliland, the project will deliver integrated child protection services in Hargeisa, Borama, and Baki, addressing drought and displacement‑related risks with a total budget of $1,064,552 including its local partner WAAPO.

Lastly in South Sudan, the project will operate in Bor County, Jonglei State, focusing on Kolnyang, Anyidi, Makuach, Baidit, and Jalle payams hosting IDPs. It targets crisis‑affected children with total budget of $1,065,627 including its local partner CINA.

Rationale and overall objective of baseline study:

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia plans to conduct a baseline study for the Ethiopian component of its consortium project to be implemented in Dolo Ado, while Somaliland and South Sudan will conduct separate baseline studies. The study is intended to get an analysis of the situation on the ground, against which progress can be compared at the end of the project’s intervention. The baseline study establishes the starting indicator value (the baseline) for indicators included in the results framework and tests the source of verification to ensure that it is reliable, and data can be accessed and collected. It is crucial to have accurate baselines from which changes can be measured and reliable sources of verification that can be used during monitoring and evaluations. Baseline studies are essential to demonstrate that change has taken place, as they provide a point of comparison.

3. Objectives of the Baseline Study:

3.1. Overall objective:

The overall objective of the baseline study is intended to assess the baseline values for selected indicators in the project result framework and establish baseline values.

3.2. The specific objectives are:

• To know the baseline values of selected indicators before the project implementation and set achievable and realistic targets for the indicators in the project’s Results Framework
• To assess the situations of the communities, families and their children and young people in the target locations in refugee, Internal displaced people and host community’s context and recommend the appropriate support based on their needs.
• To assess the prevalence of protection risks and suggest mitigation mechanism applicable for various context (refugee, IDPs and Host communities) in the targeted intervention area.
• To assess structural capacity, coordination system and governance of stakeholders such as Community organizations, associations, community forums, and family-based structures.

       3.3. Project outcomes and outputs:

The project has the following goal, outcomes and outputs.

Goal/Impact: Children, caregivers, and communities affected by humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somaliland experience improved protection, strengthened resilience, and live with dignity.

3.3.2. Outcomes and Outputs

Outcome 1: Improved safeguarding and protection to children in emergencies

Output:1.1 Children receive individualized, context‑appropriate psychosocial care that addresses trauma, stress, and emotional well‑being immediately after crises.

Output 1.2 Children benefit from ongoing functional safe physical environments, community‑based protection mechanisms, and integrated child protection services that foster long‑term security and resilience.

Output 1.3 Children at risk are identified early and supported through effective monitoring and referral systems.

Outcome 2: Enhanced resilience of parents/families and communities during crisis

Output 2.1 Caregivers are equipped with training, resources, and psychosocial assistance

Output 2.2 Families are supported to have childcare capacity that reduce separation

Output 2.3 Families are supported through targeted empowerment interventions that strengthen their economic resilience.

Outcome 3: Improved timely, appropriate care and reunification support

Output 3.1 Separated and unaccompanied children are safely identified and registered

Output 3.2 Separated and unaccompanied children are placed in safe, family-based interim care arrangements

Output 3.3 Crisis-affected children receive coordinated case management including family tracing and reunification.

Outcome 4: Integrated child protection systems in emergencies are coordinated and strengthened at local level.

Output 4.1 Humanitarian actors, CSOs, and government structures engage in coordination clusters

Output 4.1 CP Coordination mechanisms capacitated to ensure alignment of standards with humanitarian principles and national systems.

3.4. Major evaluation /research questions:

The commissioned consultant should list relevant and possible baseline study questions by referring to the project document and the project result framework and show the baseline study questions and tools during the inception report presentation.

Scope and project targets:

Geographically, the baseline study focuses on assessing the situation of the project participants’ women, girls, boys and families, the communities and key implementation partners in Ethiopia, Somali region, Liben Zone, covering Buramino and Hilaweyn refugee camps, IDP sites, and host communities. The project implementation will cover the period from September 1, 2026, to August 30, 2028.

The project will have the following direct project participants

5.     Baseline study methodology:

The consultant is expected to develop appropriate and standard quantitative and qualitative methodologies that can generate the highest quality and most credible evidence. The commissioned consultant should use a mixed method approaches (quantitative and qualitative methods) to answer the baseline study questions. The methodologies must be sensitive to the local context and ensure that all respondents, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to participate in the baseline study. The baseline study should be designed to provide safe and inclusive spaces that encourage all participants to respond freely, irrespective of gender, age, disability, origin, or religious beliefs. As far as possible, the consultant should disaggregate data by sex, age, and disability while collecting and analyzing data. Furthermore, the consultant should also clearly explain which questions will be answered using which methods. The Consultant should also ensure that the survey and qualitative methods (such as focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interview (KII) and group discussion) with participants are representative of the project’s target groups and key stakeholders (Community members, women, girls, boys and children.)

Moreover, the consultant should ensure integration of GDI indicators and markers in the survey.

5.1. Sampling

The consultant is required to propose statistically sound sampling strategies to ensure representativeness. He/she is required to clearly state the sample size and the acceptable margin of error. The consultant will develop a detailed data analysis plan, outlining the statistical methods to be used for the quantitative data and the thematic analysis approach for the qualitative data. All data collection activities should be conducted following the highest ethical standards, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and the safety of all participants.

Work plan and expected deliverables:

6.1 Work plan/timetable

The baseline evaluation task is expected to be finalized within 35 days after the contractual agreement is signed. The consultant is expected to develop her/his detailed work plan based on the following table.

 

Deliverables:

The commissioned external consultant must deliver the baseline evaluation findings within 35 days of the contract signed. Based on the work plan, SOS Children’s Villages Gode program location project intervention and the national office MEAL and the project teams expect the following deliverables:

• An inception report of 8 pages on the baseline study design, methodology, sampling frame, sampling technique, sample size, assessment tools and work plan
• Draft baseline study report.
• The consultant is expected to analyze the data and present findings (for both draft and final findings) by the target groups (Refugees, IDPs and Host communities), indicators and specific project objectives.
• Final report – The final findings of the baseline study report, including an executive summary and data collection tools in both electronic and hardcopy formats, should be submitted.
• Raw data, which has been cleaned (both qualitative and quantitative, including original field notes for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and recorded audio material), should be submitted with the report. SOS CVE NO and Gode program will have sole ownership of all final data, and any findings shall only be shared or reproduced with the permission of SOS Children’s Village Ethiopia and Nexus Ethiopia.

6.3. Report criteria

• The reporting criteria for the baseline study shall be in line with the SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia result-based management (RBM) toolkit and should be shared with the winner consultant along with the data review process and/or for the preparation of the inception report.

1. Qualification of the Researcher/Research Team

• The applicant consultancy firm team leader shall have at least a master’s degree in a relevant field of study such Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, development studies, Economics, Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation and other related fields per the required assignment
• At least 5 years’ work experience & proven competency in assessments, monitoring, research, terminal evaluations, baseline studies or organizational/program evaluation (baseline, midterm, and final evaluations). The applicant consultancy firm shall attach at least one sample final evaluation report produced on a similar topic.
• Exposure and experience in hard-to-reach areas like Dolo Ado in various studies, assessment and evaluation is added advantage particularly in assessment and studies related to humanitarian action projects implemented in refuge, IDPs and host communities setting.
• A good understanding of the current core humanitarian, sphere standards and other humanitarian principles.
• A good understanding of and exposure of child protection concerns specifically in refuge, Host communities and IDPs setting in Ethiopia, where drought, conflict, displacement, poverty, and the collapse of social protection systems triggered various child protection risks.
• A good understanding and experience of Ethiopian Somali culture, social and economic dynamics.
• Proven experience in working with conceptual frameworks and data collection methods (including age-appropriate data collection methods)
• Proven experience in participatory processes and data collection methods
• Strong skills in coordination, good facilitation, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Proven experience in participatory processes
• Strong skills in coordinating teamwork
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. And local language of the somali
• Ability to transfer complex concepts and ideas into practical and simple language.
• Experience in organizing research processes with SOS Children’s Villages or similar child focused organizations.
• Experience and credibility in providing humanitarian response program evaluation in the context of the conflict and drought.
• Experience in managing baselines, final evaluations and livelihood assignments in respect of the participating communities’ culture, social norms, values, and behavior; and maintain appropriate relationships with participants of this evaluation.
• Legally registered firms with renewed license, VAT registration and TIN number

Required Skills

• Quantitative and Qualitative research skills
• Knowledge of thematic areas included in the project

Child safeguarding and ethical issues.

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to ensuring that all research, evaluation and data collection processes (i.e. evidence-generating activities) undertaken by SOS Children’s Villages and its partners are ethical and respect child safeguarding policy and procedure.

The consultant must respect the rights, dignity and protection of children and other vulnerable population groups and should ensure special protection for children and other vulnerable groups during any data-generating activities to minimize any potential risks. Any research, evaluation and data collection SOS Children’s Villages is directly carried out or is involved in as a partner.

Ethical practices need to be ensured in the following circumstances: 

• Any research, baseline, midterm or final evaluations and data collection SOS Children’s Villages has commissioned for ethical oversight of these processes.
• Any research, evaluation and data collection carried out by researchers/consultants on SOS Children’s Villages program and participants.

The Program team and the MEAL team will ensure that any researchers, evaluators and data collectors should receive awareness training on, sign and adhere to SOS Children’s Villages core policies:

Obtaining consent from research participants is central to the research relationship and signals respect for the research participant’s dignity, their capability to express their views and their right to have these heard in matters that affect them. Informed consent is an explicit agreement which requires participants to be informed about and understand the research/assessment. This must be given voluntarily and be renegotiable, so that participants may withdraw at any stage of the research process.

10. Logistical arrangements:

The awarded consultant shall show feasible logistical arrangements for the assignment as part of the technical proposal. National or location-level staff (SOS CVE) will be available to help organize the interviews including contacting SOS CVE, announcing and local preparation of evaluation, and linking to community duty bearers and national authorities if required.

11. Duration of the contract and terms of payment

Payment will be made only upon SOS Children’s Villages’ acceptance of the work performed in accordance with the above-described deliverables. Payment will be effected by bank transfer in the currency of birr.

Funding and Payment: The consultancy firm will be paid by SOS Children’s Villages as follows:

• 30% on the submission and approval of the inception report/Technical Proposal.
• 30% on completion of the draft report.
• 40% on completion of the final report.

Duration of contract: the contract is effective from the moment it was signed until the acceptance of work by the SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia management team.

11.1. Notice of delay

Shall the successful bidder encounter a delay in the performance of the contract which may be excusable under unavoidable circumstances; the contractor shall notify SOS Children’s Villages in writing about the causes of any such delays within one (1) week from the beginning of the delay.

After receipt of the Contractor’s notice of delay, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia shall analyze the facts and extent of the delay and extend the time for performance when in its judgment the facts justify such an extension.

11.2. Copyright and other proprietary rights:

SOS Children’s Villages shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including, but not limited to, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, or documents and other materials which the Contractor has developed for SOS Children’s Villages under the Contract and which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequence of, or during the course of, the performance of the Contract. The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents, and other materials constitute works made for hire for SOS Children’s Villages.

All materials: interviews, reports, recommendations, and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under the Contract shall be the property of SOS Children’s Villages and shall be treated as confidential and shall be delivered only to SOS Children’s Villages authorized officials on completion of work under the Contract. The external consultant is obliged to hand over all raw data collected during the assessment to SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia.

11.3. Termination:

The termination of the service agreement for the assignment will be in accordance with the contractual agreement to be included at the formal agreement’s actual signing.

Annex:

The winning consultancy firm will be shared with the following documents.

• The project result frameworks.
• Projects document.
• SOS Children’s Village Ethiopia RBM reporting template