Request for Consultancy ServicesTerms of Reference (ToRs): Assessment on the Impact of USAID/Higa UbehoUnder five Playgroups
Program Background
The Rwanda USAID/Higa Ubeho program is a five-year USAID/PEPFAR- funded program with the goal to increase the use of health and related social support services among the most vulnerable, including orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA) and their families. USAID/Higa Ubeho presently operates in 16 United States Government (USG)-supported target districts, CHF International leads this consortium with international partner Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and 8 Rwandan Partner Organizations (RPOs).
The program provides holistic support for vulnerable families through a wide range of services that including Early Childhood Development (ECD) through Playgroups for children under five. This is in line with the Government of Rwanda effort to deliver early childhood education services at the village level. Higa Ubeho supported playgroups are a gathering of children under five (both OVC and non-OVC) and their parents/guardians to promote children’s emotional and physical development through structured and unstructured play in a safe environment.
Play groups are facilitated by community volunteers and nursery school teachers who are identified and trained through the program local partners. To date the program has established 60 playgroups in 14 districts by orienting and supporting 120 community volunteers and nursery school teachers, the program also provides play group kits which consist of locally made toys, mats and other materials to facilitate the various activities.
Objectives of the assessment
This assessment will aim to assist the USAID/Higa Ubeho program to understand the impact of the under five playgroups on beneficiaries and to evaluate the quality of program guidelines, training and services.
The specific objectives of the assessment are:
- To measure changes in the ability of young children to develop lifeskills, self confidence and other positive behaviors.
- To evaluate the quality of Playgroup services.
- To identify promising practices within the Playgroup model.
- To identify strategies for sustainability.
The information provided through the assessment will be used to support learning as well as to guide future programming. In addition, the assessment will help the program to disseminate promising practices and lessons learned from the implementation of Play groups for children Under 5.
Assessment Methodology
Throughout the research, the team will work closely with, and receive guidance from CHF International technical staff. The methodology should include extensive consultations with stakeholders including local authorities, parents/guardians of beneficiaries, Rwanda Partner Organizations (RPOs), community volunteers and school authorities. The assessment should be designed to include mixed assessment methods for purposes of triangulation and include but not necessarily be limited to a selection of the following methods:
The sample size should be selected only from playgroups which have been established for over a year (30 playgroups) and should be limited to a maximum of 5 program districts.
Key Tasks
- Conduct literature review.
- Develop research proposal (including methodology, sample, data collection tools, timeframe and proposed reporting format).
- Convene training for data collectors
- Pre-test the data collection tools.
- Collect data that ensures standard and rigorous data quality control, through focus group discussions, questionnaires and key informant interviews.
- Data entry and analysis.
- Draft report.
- Convene meeting to validate findings.
- Finalize report based on feedback from stakeholders.
- Provide the assessment data set to USAID/Higa Ubeho for future program needs.
Timeframe
This assignment should be completed within 30 working days
Logistics
All logistical costs including transportation data collection and printing costs will be covered by the consultant and should be detailed in the financial proposal. All expenses will be reimbursed based on the submission of receipts.
Desired Qualifications
The research team shall be selected based on the following criteria:
How to apply
Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents:
Application files should be delivered in a sealed envelope with title Assessment on the Impact of USAID/Higa Ubeho Under five Playgroups to CHF International Rwanda, Country office located at Kacyiru Nord, Plot 1091. Submissions should be received no later than 9th August 2013 at Noon.
Only selected candidates will be contacted.
Only selected candidates will be contacted.
Assessment on the Impact of USAID/Higa Ubeho Under five Playgroups
Reviewed by Unknown
on
4:22:00 AM
Rating: