Background to the Survey
According to DROUGHT UPDATE # 4 released by OCHA in June 2022, Ethiopia is experiencing one of the most severe La Niña-induced droughts in the last forty years following four consecutive failed rainy seasons since late 2020. The prolonged drought continues to compromise fragile livelihoods that heavily rely on livestock and deepening food insecurity and malnutrition. More than 8 million pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Somali (3.5 million), Oromia (3.4 million), SNNP (1 million) and South-West (more than 15,000 people) regions are currently affected by the drought, of which more than 7.2 million people need food assistance and 4.4 million people need water assistance. Nearly 2.1 million livestock have died, while at least 22 million livestock are at risk and are very weak and emaciated with no or little milk production, the main source of nutrition for children.
The report indicated during the first quarter of 2022, there has been an increase in the number of new severely acute malnutrition cases with more than 30,000 children being treated in health facilities compared to same period last year, the increased proportion is 37 percent in Somali and 27 per cent in SNNP. The ENCU (Emergency Nutrition coordination Unit) January 2022 monthly synopsis highlighted that, compared to the figures in January 2021, SAM (Severe acute malnutrition) admission has increased in Afar by 18.2%, 127.6% in Amhara, 21.4% in SNNPR and 28.5% in Somali. The needs assessment conducted by SCI in January 2022 has also indicated that the prevalence of SAM among under 5 children screened in last previous 6 month was between 32-34% in Lasdankayre, El-Ogaden and Higloley, Somali region. A recently conducted meta-analysis synthesized data on treatment outcomes for outpatient programs for severe wasting found that the pooled data from 19 studies demonstrated a recovery rate of 70%, which is below the SPHERE standard of 75%. Key issues noted with this low recovery rate were ration sharing, lack of antibiotics to address co-morbidities, and distance to site hampering treatment adherence.
Save the Children planned to conduct SMART(Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions) nutritional survey to determine the actual prevalence of global and severe acute malnutrition (GAM and SAM) and infant and young child feeding practices among IDPs/returns, host children, pregnant and lactating women, MUAC and vaccination coverage in the operation area and morbidity and mortality as well. In addition, the survey is also expected to explore overall nutrition status of Save the Children operation area In Somali Region.
2. Scope of the survey
The survey will be conducted using SMART survey methodology by qualitied nutrition survey consultant using trained nutrition professionals. The data to be collected will have to include at least anthropometric measurements, infant and young child feeding practices, MUAC(middle upper arm circumference) and vaccination coverages, morbidity and mortality as per the standard SMART survey methodology. The survey will depict the current situation in the targeted zone of on the qualitative and/or quantitative values of the project indictors. Children U5 and PLW are the primary targets for the nutrition intervention (screening, MAM and SAM treatment). All MAM and SAM cases identified in woreda hosting woredas (IDPs and host community) are eligible for treatment.
3. Objective of the SMART Survey
The principal purpose of the SMART survey is to determine the prevalence of sever acute malnutrition and infant and young child feeding practices and mortality rate among under 5 children.
General Objective:
To assess the current prevalence of acute malnutrition, IYCF practice and mortality among children 6-59 months in Lasdankayre , Woredas of Korahe Zone of Somali Region
Specific Objectives
To estimate the prevalence of acute malnutrition (wasting and Oedema) among children aged 6-59 months,
To estimate the coverage of health interventions e.g. measles vaccinations, vitamin A supplementation and BCG vaccination among children aged 6-59 months,
To retrospectively estimate the levels of crude mortality rates and under five mortality rates in a specific time period (90 days),
To assess the prevalence of perceived morbidities in under five children,
To determine key primary health care indicators, Infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) indicators in the survey area for the age group of 0-23 months’ children
To determine future program focus in relation to survey results
4. Scope of the Assignment
The assignment will cover the selected Lasdankayre , Woredas of Korahe Zone in Somali Regional states for the primary data collection. However, secondary data collection and consultation of key stakeholders are expected to cover the Zone.
The focus of the scope for this task will cover the following main undertakings:
Develop an SMART survey inception report clearly stipulating the survey methodologies, data collection tools and timeline and management for completion of the assignment.
Develop SMART survey strategies, methods and tools to ensure all relevant information specific to the project are collected.
Offer SMART survey training for data collectors that will be hired for this specific task including testing of their understanding of the data collection instrument, clarity of language, contextual and cultural considerations, etc.
Pre-testing of the SMART survey tools in communities and adaption re-appropriation of the tools if needed
Undertake field level SMART survey primary and secondary data collection on the current status of the humanitarian nutrition program and strategies adapted by different agencies, coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, etc.;
Produce draft and final report of the survey with practical and strategic recommendations
5. Methodologies of the survey
The approach and design of the SMART survey will be in accordance with requirement of the emergency nutrition coordination unit in Ethiopia. The consultant is expected to use SMART survey tools or data collection tools and manage the assignment with in the agreed timeline. The consultant is thus expected to develop SMART survey strategies, methods and tools and thereby ensure all relevant information specific to the project are collected.
The consultant will also be responsible to determine sampling size, propose sampling methods, and design data collection tools. The data collection tools will be prepared in such a way that suitable indicators and gender disaggregated data will be collected. The sample size should be calculated based on achieving statistical confidence for each objective. Anthropometric measurement, vaccination coverage, morbidity, mortality and services delivery related quantitative and qualitative data shall also bee collected.
Number of teams involved in data collection in each cluster, number of vehicles and number of clusters covered per day will be determined as per the standard SAMRT survey guideline. The consultant shall also indicate survey clusters as well as the number of households to be covered per cluster. All eligible target population need to be included and relevant data should be collected. Finally, the consultant shall indicate clear data management and quality assurance mechanism.
6. Research Phases
Phase 1: Inception phase. Estimated duration: Five days
The survey team will submit an SMART survey inception report within five days after signing the contract agreement. The inception report should clearly stipulate the SMART survey methodologies to be used, the tools for data collection and the role of the survey members with clearly defined timeline for each phase of the research activity. The inception report will include a detailed work plan including a road map and data collection tools, sites to be visited, visit agenda to the local stakeholders, sample size, sampling procedures and definition of main key informant actors. The inception report should be approved by Save the Children and Emergency Nitration Consortium Unit (ENCU) in order to guarantee the achievement of the survey objectives.
To facilitate the processes in the inception phase and afterword Save the Children will avail all project related documents (project proposal, and any previous relevant studies) to the research team.
Phase 2: Fieldwork. Estimated duration: 13 days
The field work will take about 13 days to collect the SMART survey primary quantitative and qualitative data in one woreda of korahe zone (Lasdankayre) in Somali region. The survey team will have a half day preliminary debriefing discussions after completion of field work in the zone and upon completion of each sites at Addis Ababa level with the consortium members. A final workshop will be held to share the preliminary results of the research with all relevant stakeholders. The venue and location of the workshop will be decided by Save the Children.
Phase 3: Drafting final report. Estimated period: 15 days
The first draft SMART survey report has to be submitted within 35 days of the contract agreement. A meeting with the Save the Children and its partner shall be organized as necessary during the course of the SMART survey report preparations in order to discuss about the report and give the possibility to Save the Children and its partners to present their feedbacks, inputs, comments and observations in order to enrich the final report.
The final SMART survey report has to be submitted in one-week time after the results sharing workshop and feedback from Save the Children and consortium lead are received. The consultancy team should submit the final report in soft copy (PDF and word or excel) and three signed hard copies. The data worksheets including the raw data (Anthropometric) and standardization summary in the different data analysis tools that the researchers will use and sources should also be submitted as annex to the report and separate soft copies.
7. Deliverables
The consultant(s) is expected to produce the following outputs during the course of the assignment
A SMART survey inception report incorporating framework for the study which include SMART survey detailed methodologies and tools of data collection;
One draft / final report of the survey (45 - 50 pages excluding the annexes) with distinctive content for the study area in three hard copies and soft copy (report PDF, Word and data sources) including the transcripts of interviews etc.
Presentation of survey findings in a workshop for the project stakeholders and
8. Role and Responsibilities
8.1. The survey team will:
Submit covering letter which express consultant interest to carry out the work, technical and financial proposal with clear statement of the proposed methodologies, and variables to be collected from korahe zone;
Lead consultation process, with all informants of the surveying and responsible for validity of the information and outline the roles of each of the team members proposed to undertake the survey work
Administer data collection, data entry and analysis of questionnaires and key informant interviews;
Reviewing and understanding the project proposal and address the survey objectives
Undertake other activities stated in the scope of the work and this ToR;
Produce reports depicting contextual information and distinctly separated for the project targeted woredas;
Review and incorporate feedback received from SC and consortium lead and
Responsible for the tasks specified and for making sure quality of work is done in the agreed timeframe and meeting the required standard.
Adhere to the SC’s Child Safe Guarding Policy and Code of Conduct. The survey team shall sign the SC’s code of conduct.
8.2 Save the Children will:
Ensure involvement of government stakeholders as a members of the survey team and also informants;
Provide the necessary reference documents for the consultant (project proposal, project reports)
Supervise training and data collection activities to ensure quality of the procedure
Receive sample data on daily basis, check for quality and provide feedback
Support in facilitating consultation meetings with the relevant bureaus and offices and consortia partners;
Ensure contacts in areas of the study;
Review the draft report and provide feedback to the survey team on time;
Facilitate other works as per the specified activity plan/ToR; and
Effect payments of the service as per the contract agreement and on accomplishment of the task according to the service agreement.
Provide technical review and approval of the survey proposal included data collection tools.
Reporting outline:
SC suggests the following minimum reporting outline. However, the consultant can come up with its own reporting outline.
Cover page
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement
Acronyms/Abbreviation
Executive Summary (Maximum 4 pages)
Background
Methodology
Data analysis and Findings
Discussion
Conclusion and Recommendations
References
Annexes
9. Terms of Payment
Once the survey team selected, the following terms of payment will apply:-
30% of the total amount shall be paid upon signing of the contractual agreement
40% shall be paid up on submission of the draft report
30% shall be paid after submission of the final report in hard and soft copies and report approved by ENCU.
10. Time frame for the Assignment
The survey is anticipated to commence on 1th October, 2022 with anticipated latest completion date on November 16th of 2022. The duration of the assignment shall not take more than 35 working days including travel, field work, report preparation and submission of the final. The survey team should indicate a breakdown of timeframe showing the detail work plan and expected dates for each phase of the research undertaking.
11. Research Management
The Commissioning Manager (or the principal contact person) on behalf of Save the Children is Mr. _____________________with technical support from _________________________The commissioning manger will be responsible to manage the contract, provide coordination and other supports to the study team (especially for the field work), and facilitate payments and reimbursement of other expenses for the study.
In the study area, Project/Program Managers of Save the Children will provide the necessary support to the study team and will closely monitor the during the fieldwork.
Save the Children will also support in organising and facilitating the coordination for key informants, beneficiaries, etc. for the primary data collection while in the field. However, survey team will be responsible for identifying the interviewee categories and developing their schedule and logistics arrangements for their travel to the study areas including accommodations, etc.
12 . Technical Proposal Review Criteria
Generic Criteria
There are common (generic) criteria for technical proposal review developed by SC Ethiopia procurement department. The technical proposal weighs 60 % and each criterion has its description as well as value as follows:
12.1 Understanding of the TOR (8)
This criterion will cover the consultant's understanding and reflection on the terms of reference. It considers how deep the consultant understood the work including the scope? How such understanding is explained and linked with the subsequent criteria (e.g. with the approach/methodology, team composition, etc.) How consistent is the understanding of the TOR reflected in the various sections of the technical proposal?
12.2 Experience of the Firm in related work (14)
This captures the experiences of the survey team in of having specific and hands-on experience on conducting SMART survey and other related assessments related with nutrition intervention. This will make a strong component of the criteria.
12.3 Professional team composition and qualifications (8)
The research team members should have at least an MSC level qualification in public health, nutrition, environmental health, rural development or agriculture, agricultural economics and etc. The team members should also have a minimum of 10+ years relevant quantitative and qualitative research experience especially which have SMART survey certificate and experience on baseline survey, program evaluations, program design in the in wash, health and nutrition in emergency context relevant research experiences preferably in the proposed project intervention areas of Somali Region.
12.4 Methodology (quality of assessment tools) (25)
The consultancy firm should clearly describe its choice of approach for the various phases and objectives, and strong justification should be provided for each of the suggested approaches Critical review shall be made on the proposed approaches. Generic presentation of the methodology section e.g. proposing approaches without linking with the objectives will result in very lower scores. Hence, the technical proposal shall be reviewed with distinct and relevant 
approaches as per each of the objectives. Thus, the survey team shall propose appropriate approaches that are cost efficient and justified.
12.5 Timeframe/Work plan (5)
The assumption is to come up with feasible and cost effective approach as per the time frame suggested in this TOR There might be a number of ways to deliver tasks within the proposed timeframe, e.g., by deploying relevant (in terms of qualification and experience) and adequate (in 
terms of number) teams for the work
NB. Financial proposal will be opened/considered for those bidders that scored the technical proposal above 40 (out of 60).
The survey team who will be involved in the research should have a solid experience in humanitarian health and nutrition surveys including experience on SMART survey. The research team members should also have a solid understanding of the research area context and national and regional strategies and policies on humanitarian health and nutrition. Specifically, the research team members should have at least an MPH/MSc level qualification in Public Health or nutrition, trained and certified on SMART survey methodology. The team members should also have a minimum of 10+ years relevant quantitative and qualitative research experience particularly SMART survey, program evaluations, program design in the emergency context area relevant research experiences preferably in Somali Region.
The survey team should deploy multidisciplinary professionals composed of relevant background on Health and Nutrition. The research team members should have a diverse group with preferable mix of understanding of the context and needs and challenges of various groups of IDPs and host communities (men, women, people with disability, etc.) A good knowledge of gender and child participation will be necessary while the team members should have a child protection and/or gender specialist experts in key tasks. A team coordinator should be assigned to coordinate the team and facilitate communications in each research location. Team member’s knowledge of the context and local language will be an asset.
14. Required Documents
Potential survey team are required to submit the following documents together with their technical and financial proposal.
Covering letter which express consultant interest to carry out the work per TOR
Updated CV of the survey team members
Copies of similar or related previous works research team member have produced in undertaking relevant studies
A renewed license for the year 2022 and TIN number.
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