Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, September 21 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
1.0 Introduction
PSD is seeking to hire a consultant to conduct a baseline survey for a Project on “Empowering communities to reduce stigma towards Young Adolescents accessing SRHRs information and services in Wakiso district” a Project funded by AmplifyChange. The baseline is to assess the current situation, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of community members and leaders in relation to young adolescents accessing SRHRs information and services. The data collected will serve as a reference point against which progress of the Project will be measured and evaluated throughout the Project cycle.

2.0 Organization Background
PSD is a women led Non-Profit Organization that is committed towards advancing Social Justice and Development of women to be able to take shape of their destiny.The organization is incorporated as a company Limited by Guarantee and registered as a Non-Government Organization. PSD envisions a Society without injustice, violence and poverty and the mission is to work with vulnerable communities to address social injustices, alleviate poverty and violence.

PSD's program focus areas include; Strengthening women’s access to justice; Enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights; Promoting Human Rights and Good Governance; Economic empowerment for women, youth & PWDs; Promoting Women’s Peace and Security; Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and Research.

3.0 Project Context and Background
PSD with funding from AmplifyChange is implementing a Project in Wakiso district, in the constituencies of Busiro East, North and South. The Project aims at empowering communities to reduce stigma towards Young Adolescents accessing SRHR information and services in Wakiso
District. This is many young adolescents fear accessing SRH services and information due to the negative and judgmental attitudes of the community members including service providers who find it very difficult to offer certain services. Uganda has high rates of STDs and adolescent pregnancy because access to SRH information, services & resources is a challenge, yet adolescents make up half of Uganda’s population. This made government in NDP III prioritize SRHR among the critical areas over the next five years (2020/21-2024/25). The 2016 DHS found that only 40% of Ugandan adolescents 10–19 years have comprehensive HIV prevention knowledge compared to CSE; making it important for schools & parents to provide accurate information that helps them to reflect more critically on SRH information in media sources.

In 2016, the Ministry of GLSD banned sexuality education in schools because of pushbacks from parents, teachers, religious leaders and even MPs, who feel that teaching it will erode Uganda’s culture and morality. CEHURD petitioned court (CEHURD vs. AG & Family Life Network [Mis. Cause No. 309 of 2016]) until 2021 when the Judge directed the Ministry of Education develop a CSE policy within 2 years The new national guidelines were developed on sexuality education with emphasis on abstinence and the future of their implementation still unclear. With no standardized SRH curriculum in schools and ongoing pushback on its relevance and appropriateness, adolescents are left with few options to seek SRH information and services.

Project Objectives include;
a) To reduce stigma towards young adolescents accessing SRHR information and services.
b) To increase access to SRHR information and services among young adolescents.
c) To advocate for legal, policy and practice change on the adoption of CSE in schools.

Project Outcomes include; Increase individual awareness of SRHR as human rights, Transform social norms, and Increase access to SRHR resources, information and services.

The baseline study is the first step in the Project’s M&E system. The baseline study gathers the information to be used in subsequent assessments of how efficiently the Project is being implemented and the eventual results of the Project. This also forms a basis for setting performance targets and ensuring accountability to partners and other stakeholders. The baseline study will also provide a starting point for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the Project interventions, and acts as a reference point against which progress can be measured and evaluated throughout the Project cycle. Further, the baseline study will provide data to be used to measure the impact of the intervention and help to identify the changes that occur as a result of the intervention.

Therefore, for PSD to identify the current situation of SRHRs knowledge, awareness, practices and skills of young adolescents, parents/ caregivers, community and district leaders, service providers and community members as well as available resources for providing quality SRH care, information and comprehensive sexuality education for young adolescents (both male and female), their parents, service providers, leaders and all community members in the target areas, a baseline survey needs to be conducted. An external consultant or a consulting firm is being recruited to conduct this assignment.

4.0 Scope of the Survey
4.1 Objectives, purpose of the survey
The main objective of the survey is to provide PSD with data that can be used to assess the Project’s impact by Project completion. It will provide an analysis of the situation preimplementation in relevant communities, institutions and organizations in Wakiso district concerning young adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

Findings from this survey will help to determine baseline values and refine targets for outcomelevel indicators, as well as inform future Project implementation. The results of the survey will be presented in the validation meeting and shared with the surveyed health facilities, schools and the district leaders with the desire to help these facilities improve the quality of SRH services based on the survey’s findings. The survey report will also be used for the monitoring and evaluation of the Project.

4.2 Scope of the baseline survey
The main purpose of the baseline survey is to capture the current status of indicators which are designed to measure key outcomes of the Project. The baseline should also look at the key issues young adolescents face regarding access to SRHR information and services in the target areas The survey should also answer the following additional questions for the three Project objectives about the current situation of SRH knowledge, practices, and skills in the target areas;
a) What is the current level of knowledge, attitude and practice as well as behaviors of young adolescents and their parents/guardians, community members and leaders in Wakiso district on SRHR?
b) What is the current use, practice and demand for SRHR services among young adolescents?
c) What are gender, cultural, socio-economic factors and policy/socio-economic development plan of local authorities and district leaders that influence the adoption of healthy SRHR practices including adoption of Sexuality Education in schools of young adolescents and their parents, teachers, health workers and community members in Wakiso district?
d) What is the current status of knowledge and skills of health staff, education staff on SRHRs for young adolescents in Wakiso district?
e) Which resources do health facilities, schools and community of Wakiso district have available to provide SRHRs information and services for young adolescents, following guidelines and standards of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES)?
f) What is the current status of health facilities, schools and community (including places of worship) of Wakiso districts on SRHRs information and services for young adolescents?
g) What is the current status of knowledge and skills of local organizations in advocating for policy and practice change in the context of SRHRs for young adolescents in Wakiso district?

5 Methodology
Data will be collected using a mixed method in the target areas, including desk review, qualitative and quantitative and a combination of methods desirable to maximize the reliability of the data.

Key data collection methods expected to use in this survey are: (1) KAP survey among young adolescents, parents, school teachers, health staff and members of local community, (2) In-depth interviews, (3) Focus group discussions, (4) Health Facility Assessment (HFA) and (5) Observation and (6) Desk review.

5.1 Sampling
The individual consultant/consulting firm is required to propose appropriate sample size and sampling methodologies, based on the information on the Project beneficiaries. The sampling should be “representative‟. When selecting data collection methods, the context of the intervention need to be taken into consideration – e.g. cultural aspects (i.e. conduct separate Focus Group Discussion for young adolescents, men and women).

5.2 Ethical Considerations
The Study Team is required to adhere to PSD’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy; Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy among others.
The Survey must be guided by the following ethical considerations:
• Safeguarding - demonstrating the highest standards of behaviour towards children and adults.
• Sensitive - to child rights, gender, inclusion and cultural contexts.
• Openness - of information given, to the highest possible degree to all involved parties. Confidentiality and data protection - measures will be put in place to protect the identity of all participants and any other information that may put them or others at risk.
• Public access - to the results when there are not special considerations against this o Broad participation - the relevant parties should be involved where possible.
• Reliability and independence - the research should be conducted so that findings and conclusions are correct and trustworthy.
It is expected that:
• Data collection methods will be gender, age groups, ethnicity, and other relevant factors as needed.
• Survey activities will provide a safe, creative space where children feel that their thoughts and ideas are important.
• A risk assessment will be conducted that includes any risks related to children, young adolescents, or adult’s participation.
• A referral mechanism will be in place in case any child safeguarding or protection issues arise.
• Informed consent and assent are required and must be obtained

6 Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to deliver the following within the time line agreed upon:
• Inception report
• Baseline plan
• Draft baseline report
• Final baseline report

7 Reporting
Results of a baseline assessment should be interpreted and narrated in a standard, easy to-read report. The following is a suggestive table of contents. The final report should include discussion of the following:
• The general framework of the assessment
• Techniques employed in information gathering
• The participative methodology used
• Tools used to collect and analyse the information
• The composition of the assessment team
• The range of stakeholders involved
• The limitations or constraints in terms of information gathering, the tool or other constraints faced by the evaluation team.
• Presentation and analysis of findings in a quantitative and qualitative form.
• Conclusion with recommendations as how to work with the data through-out the project implementation and as part of the evaluation.

8 Timing and Workplan
The Consultancy should be undertaken in the period 22ndSeptember – 4thOctober 2023. The total number of working days is expected to be 10 days. PSD is open for a discussion of the time schedule.

9 Budget
Applicants are expected to present their financial proposal for the entire exercise. The least cost bidder who demonstrates expertise will be considered after roundtable negotiations.

10 Skills and Competencies
We are looking for a consultant/team with the following skills and qualifications:
a) Demonstrable expertise on SRHR and gender equality, preferably in Uganda or the region.
b) Track record in developing and conducting various types of evaluations including qualitative and quantitative data collection.
c) Experience in managing and coordinating evaluation/research exercises, delivering agreed outputs on time and on budget.
d) Experience in data collection and analysis using participatory methodologies.
e) Previous experience working with women, girls and communities using participatory approaches.
f) Ability to work with communities in the relevant local language (in this case, Luganda).
g) Strong quantitative data entry and analysis skills and previous experience using statistical analysis software.
h) Ability to respond to comments and questions in a timely, appropriate manner.
i) Ability to write high quality, clear, concise reports in English.

11 Required documentation
The interested individuals and companies to submit the following application documents:
• Expression of interest outlining how the consultant(s) meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the ToR and methodology;
• A proposed activities schedule/work plan with time frame;
• Copy of CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the evaluation;
• One recent example of similar evaluation report written by the applicant;
• Financial proposal detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection and


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
11 required documentation
The interested individuals and companies to submit the following application documents:
• Expression of interest outlining how the consultant(s) meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the ToR and methodology;
• A proposed activities schedule/work plan with time frame;
• Copy of CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the evaluation;
• One recent example of similar evaluation report written by the applicant;
• Financial proposal detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection and

These should be sent to; info@paradigmforjustice.org not later than 19th September 2023.



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