TEARFUND
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION FOR CONSULTANTS
DATE OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION: 22ND JANUARY, 2025
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION FOR QUOTATION: 30TH JANUARY, 2025
Quotes should be submitted by email to nigeria.quotations@tearfund.org and copy levi.ezekiel@tearfund.org
Any contract formed with a consultant/freelancer will be based on Tearfund’s standard terms and conditions.
OVERVIEW
Project title: Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) in Benue State, Nigeria
SUMMARY OF STUDY
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency working in over 50 countries, with a Christ-centered approach to aid and development. Active in Nigeria since the 1970s, Tearfund recently launched its 2024-2027 Country Strategy, focusing on Church and Community Transformation (CCT), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), peacebuilding, disaster preparedness and responses, and environmental and economic sustainability (EES). With a particular interest in North Central Nigeria, especially Benue State, Tearfund seeks to address the region’s pressing humanitarian and developmental challenges.
Benue State faces complex issues, including recurrent conflicts, displacement, and socio-economic instability, which have heightened vulnerabilities in areas such as gender-based violence (GBV), WAS (water, sanitation, and hygiene), food security, livelihoods, and disaster resilience. Recognizing the importance of communal cohesion, church development, and peacebuilding. Tearfund has initiated a Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment (MNSA) to analyze needs across its thematic focus areas. The assessment aims to guide future interventions and strengthen responses in church development, GBV, peacebuilding, environment, agriculture, disaster preparedness, and response in Benue State.
1. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Conduct a comprehensive needs and context analysis in the selected LGAs of Benue State.
2. Identify and prioritize sector-specific needs and gaps for vulnerable men, women, boys, and girls across the targeted LGAs of Benue State. Information will be disaggregated between IDPs. Resumes, host population groups?
3. To identify the key humanitarian and development actors operating in Benue State, their areas of intervention, the gaps, and the coordination platforms
2. SCOPE OF WORK:
Geographic Scope
The assessment will cover five LGAs: Guma, Logo, Agatu, Makurdi, and Kwande. The consultant of the assessment will spend a lot of the time at the selected locations. The consultant will work under the Interim Country Director for tearfund Nigeria in collaboration with the West Africa Regional DME Adviser and Senior M&E Officer for Nigeria. The consultant will be expected to travel to selected locations in Benue State, Nigeria.
Sectoral/Thematic Areas
The assessment will cover selected LGAs in Benue State. It will focus on gathering data and analyzing the following sectors: Environment; WASH; Agriculture or Food Security; livelihoods; Disease preparedness; and Disaster Response
TARGET GROUP
This will include: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); Host communities; Women and girls at risk of GBV; Farmers and herders; Youth, including adolescents and older people; and People living with disabilities.
3. METHODOLOGY
The assessment will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to ensure comprehensive data collection and analysis. Proposed methodologies include:
QUANTITATIVE METHODS
• Household surveys using structured questionnaires.
• Data collection tools (e.g., Kobo Toolbox) for real-time reporting.
QUALITATIVE METHODS
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members, including women, youth, and elders. The number of focus groups will be determined through discussions and mutual agreement between the consultant and Tearfund led by the Regional DME Advisor for West Africa.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with local leaders, government officials, and service providers.
• Transact walks to observe environmental and infrastructure conditions.
DESK REVIEW
A desk study will review the literature – existing reports, policies, and secondary data on Benue State – and where appropriate the secondary data will be included in the assessment report.
4. Key Deliverables
1. Inception Report: Detailing the assessment plan, methodology, and tools for data collection.
2. Draft Assessment Report: Summarizing preliminary findings challenges, and initial recommendations.
3. Final Assessment Report: Comprehensive document with sector-specific analysis, priority needs, and actionable recommendations.
4. Presentation of Findings: Summary presentation to stakeholders, including community representatives and funding partners.
5. A short (max 5 min) video summary of the key elements of their findings.
STYLE
The report, to be written in English language, is concisely and clearly written with a maximum length of 25 sides, excluding the summary and appendix. Font size ‘12’ is used for the main writing. Sub-headings are useful for making longer pieces of narratives more readable. Acronyms and jargon should be kept to a minimum.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
1. Comprehensive understanding of multi-sectoral needs in the targeted LGAs.
2. Prioritized sectoral needs and gaps to inform programmatic interventions.
3. Strategic recommendations to enhance resilience and improve service delivery.
5. QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Educational Background
• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Environmental Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or other relevant fields.
2. Professional Experience
• At least 7 years of demonstrated experience conducting large-scale needs assessments, program evaluations, or baseline surveys, particularly in humanitarian or development settings.
• Proven expertise in multi-sectoral assessments, including thematic areas such as WASH, livelihoods, food security, peacebuilding, gender-based violence, and disaster response.
• Experience working in Benue State, Nigeria or similar conflict-affected or crisis-prone regions, with a deep understanding of local culture and socio-economic dynamics.
• Prior experience with HDP Triple Nexus programming is an added advantage.
3. Technical Competencies
• Strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including survey design, data collection, and data analysis.
• Proficiency in data analysis software such as SPSS, Stata, or R, and qualitative tools like NVivo or Atlas.ti.
• Knowledge of international standards for needs assessments, such as the Sphere Standards and the Humanitarian Needs Overview framework.
4. Communication and Reporting Skills
• Excellent analytical and writing skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, and actionable reports for diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to lead focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Tiv or other local languages spoken in Benue State is an asset.
5. Other Attributes
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven track record of ethical research practices, including safeguarding and confidentiality.
• Familiarity with working collaboratively with NGOs, government agencies, and local stakeholders.
• A detailed cost of fees throughout the period of study.
To apply to conduct this assessment, please send a technical and financial proposal outlining your proposed evaluation approach, methodology, sampling techniques, workplan, proposed team and a breakdown of the proposed budget in Naira.
Also include:
Updated CVs with relevant experience, formal education and 3 references for the proposed evaluation team.
Two sample reports for recent similar assignments conducted
References from recent similar assignments.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Application should be submitted on or before 30th January 2025 to the email nigeria.quotations@tearfund.org with the subject named as “Benue MSNA Consultancy”
Applications will be assessed based on the technical quality and the proposed budget/value for money. Tearfund reserves the right to negotiate the timeline and budget with the bidder before offering a contract.
Note: Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.