REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) BASELINE SURVEY OF THE PROJECT “ENHANCING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE SOUTHERN KENYA LANDSCAPE NAROK, KAJIADO AND TAITA TAVETA)

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
(RFP) 
BASELINE SURVEY OF THE PROJECT “ENHANCING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE SOUTHERN KENYA LANDSCAPE NAROK, KAJIADO AND TAITA TAVETA) 
 

Introduction

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is an international non-governmental organization that has been implementing conservation of biodiversity interventions for more than 60 years with an exclusive focus on Africa's wildlife and wildlands. All the AWF's conservation programs and strategies are designed to protect Africa's wildlife and wildlands and to ensure a rights-based approach to conservation for a sustainable future for the people living in Africa. Since its inception in 1961, the organization has protected endangered species and lands, promoted conservation businesses that benefit local African communities, and trained thousands of African nationals in conservation.  

Project Background

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in partnership with Indigenous Livelihood Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) and Land Development and Governance Institute (LDGI) received funding from the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency (Sida) to implement the project ‘Enhancing biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in the southern Kenya landscape (Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta)’. The project goal is to ensure that the Ecological integrity, connectivity, and resilience of the ecosystems in Kenya’s Southern landscapes are improved and support community and biodiversity resilience against climate change. The geographic area of focus for this project is Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta Counties, targeting wildlife corridors and critical ecological areas. The targeted wildlife corridors include Kajiado West (Mosiro-Magadi), the trans county Suswa corridor traversing Narok East and Kajiado West, Tsavo East-Kasigau-Tsavo West; Tsavo East-Sagala-Lumo-Tsavo West; and Tsavo West-Njukini-Kilimanjaro. These cover fourteen (14) administrative wards which are Narok (5) Ntuka, Maji Moto- Narosura, Mosiro, Suswa and Iletukunyi; Kajiado (3): Illoodo-Ariak (Keek-Onyokie, Mosiro, and Ewuaso ONkidongi; Taita Taveta County (6); Maungu, Sagala, Kasigau, Chawia, Bura, Mata and Chala. 

The implementation of this project started on 1st October 2023 with management activities and will last 4 years (September 2027). The project’s objectives are as follows:

  1. To restore, enhance, and protect biodiversity for increased climate resilience in productive and protective landscapes within Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta Counties.
  2. To improve livelihoods of target communities through biodiversity-based enterprises and developed value chains in Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta Counties.
  3. To strengthen coordinated community-based knowledge and national monitoring systems for biodiversity conservation.
  4. To enhance county capacity for climate change mainstreaming into County biodiversity and environmental policies and plans in Narok, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta Counties
  5. To enhance community land governance for biodiversity conservation and equitable benefit sharing for right holders’ in Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta Counties.

Baseline Survey Scope and Purpose

This baseline study will be conducted within the project’s geographical scope, including with key county officials whose departments are relevant to the project. The purpose of conducting this baseline survey is to generate data on current project indicators that will then inform realistic target setting and benchmarks. The baseline data is expected to provide the “before” against which to evaluate the “after” in terms of measuring the project performance. It is also an important opportunity, early in the project to promote stakeholder participation, shape expectations and inform Monitoring and Evaluation/ Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (ME/CLA) and communication strategies. This consultancy will build on previous work to critically analyze the Southern Kenya landscape by different partners, including communities, government institutions and other stakeholders’ contributions that may impact the project. Specifically, this baseline survey will seek to: 

This baseline study will be conducted within the project’s geographical scope, including with key county officials whose departments are relevant to the project. The purpose of conducting this baseline survey is to generate data on current project indicators that will then inform realistic target setting and benchmarks. The baseline data is expected to provide the “before” against which to evaluate the “after” in terms of measuring the project performance. It is also an important opportunity, early in the project to promote stakeholder participation, shape expectations and inform Monitoring and Evaluation/ Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (ME/CLA) and communication strategies. This consultancy will build on previous work to critically analyze the Southern Kenya landscape by different partners, including communities, government institutions and other stakeholders’ contributions that may impact the project. Specifically, this baseline survey will seek to: 

  1. Establish Benchmarks: This baseline survey is expected to set a benchmark or reference point against which future progress and impact can be measured. It will capture the conditions and project indicators at the beginning of the project. This will be essential for assessing the effectiveness of the project interventions and understanding the extent of change or impact that will have occurred over time.
  2. Understand the Current Situation: The survey will provide a detailed understanding of the current situation, including the needs, challenges, and opportunities within the target population or area. This will include collecting data on relevant indicators that the project seeks to influence. This understanding is crucial for designing effective and targeted interventions.
  3. Set Realistic Targets: By understanding the initial conditions, the project management will be able set realistic and achievable targets. The data from the baseline survey will help in defining clear, specific, and measurable project goals, ensuring that the objectives are aligned with the ground realities.
  4. Identify community-level stakeholders: This baseline survey will help in identifying and understanding the community-level stakeholders who will be impacted by the project. This will include gathering demographic information, socio-economic status, attitudes, behaviors, and other relevant characteristics. Understanding the beneficiaries will help the project to ensure that the project is tailored to meet their specific needs and conditions.

Overall, this baseline survey will lay the foundation for the project's monitoring and evaluation framework, ensuring that the project's impacts can be effectively measured, understood, and communicated.

Baseline Survey Methodology

The consultant will be expected to suggest a robust baseline survey methodology to achieve the objectives of the assignment. This shall be firmed up with the successful consultant during the inception meeting between AWF, ILEPA, LDGI and the consultant. The proposed methodology is expected to employ a mix of methods that will include the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather primary and secondary data. These may include but not limited to;

  • Desk review of background documents such as project document, work plan, logical framework, Indicators Tracking Table (ITT), M&E plan and indicator reference sheets.
  • Field surveys involving interviews with individual community members using survey, focused group discussions and key informant interviews with key partners as will be agreed during the inception meeting between AWF, ILEPA, LDGI and the consultant.
  • Observations while in the field

Specific method of sampling, data collection and analysis tools will be proposed by the consultant and discussed further with project implementing partners and the donor for approval. 

Survey deliverables

The specific outputs for the consultancy will be, within the agreed timeframe and budget:  

  • An acceptable assignment inception meeting report that includes a clear and agreed sampling strategy, a data collection and analysis methodology.
  • Raw data in any of the following statistical packages (STATA, EXCEL, SPSS, CSPro) and transcribed qualitative scripts. 
  • A max 35-page draft and final baseline study report (in MS Word and PDF) excluding annexes written in clear and concise English. The report should be structured in the following manner:

a) Executive Summary

b) Introduction  

c) Methodology, including sampling and limitations. 

d) Analysis and findings of the baseline survey (including an implementation strategy for the recommendations). 

e) Conclusions and Recommendations for each of the study objectives 

f) Annexes.

Coordination and management 

Reporting: The consultant will be reporting to the Senior Manager Knowledge Management, African Wildlife Foundation regularly and shall submit all deliverables highlighted in the TORs as per the agreed workplan.

Logistics: AWF shall cover logistical costs associated with this assignment including in-country economy, local travel within the landscape and accommodation for the consultant during the duration of field travel as per AWF guidelines and procedures. The consultant will be responsible for their own vaccinations that may be required, insurance, security approvals, their meals, and any payments to local enumerators that they may hire. In their proposal, consultants should consider that the budget would cover approximately 40 consecutive calendar days.

Qualification and Application procedures

Upon engaging into a contract, the successful consultant will have up to 40 calendar days to deliver the FINAL report in the prescribed format. A tentative work plan will be agreed upon between the consultant and AWF during the inception meeting between AWF, ILEPA, LDGI and the consultant. 

i.    Selection process

AWF will use its internal guidance, pre-designed checklists and an interview process to select the successful consultant. The guidelines require the applicants to submit, a technical proposal explaining, their understanding of the Terms of Reference, and how they would approach this assignment, with a detailed methodology, especially in terms of how they plan to meet the objectives, including a work plan and budget. The technical proposal should include the consultant’s CV including relevant experience, a detailed budget, work plan, and time availability/anticipated starting date. The consultant must comply with AWF's Rights Based Approach (RBA) to Conservation and AWF’s code of conduct.

ii.    Survey consultant composition and required competencies.

The survey will be conducted by an individual consultant with the following competency skills.

  • An advanced degree in applied Social Sciences Research, Natural Resource Economics, anthropology, natural resource management, or development studies.
  • At least five years of proven experience in carrying out baseline surveys, evaluations, and systemic reviews in Kenya. Having experience with similar assignments funded by the Sida will be an added advantage.  
  • Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis.
  • Experience working in multicultural environments.
  • A good understanding of Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.
  • Be able to communicate fluently using both verbally and writing in English.

iii.    Submission of application

Interested consultants are expected to submit via procurement@awf.org with a copy to eomondi@awf.org the following not later than April 18, 2024 PM EAT. 

  • A technical proposal including a detailed budget and a proposed work plan. The technical proposal should outline a clear methodology to deliver the assignment.
  • The CV of the consultant elaborating on assignments of similar magnitude delivered by the consultant or with the leadership of the consultant.

African Wildlife Foundation encourages interested parties to submit the above for the selection process. Persons with disabilities, women and the youth are highly encouraged to apply.