Consultancy (End-Line Study)

Terms of Reference for HRF-III End-Line Study

 

Introduction

 

The Asia Foundation (the Foundation) has implemented Human Rights Fund III, which have been developed and managed with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (hereinafter, Pakistan).  The objective of HRF III is to increase the protection and promotion of rights of expression, assembly, association and thought (REAT[1]) including religious freedoms in Pakistan, especially at the provincial level and in targeted districts where rights are most at risk.  REAT freedoms are enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, Articles 18-22), ratified by Pakistan on 23 June 2010.[2] 

 

HRF III has made following two strategic interventions:

 

• The establishment of a network of civil society and private sector organizations dedicated to the promotion and protection of REAT with specific attention to freedom of religion;
• Increased public awareness of and support for the promotion and protection of REAT, with specific attention to freedom of religion

 

HRF III focuses on a very specific and targeted set of inter-related human rights themes in order to concentrate efforts and maximize results.  In particular, all efforts have, as their foundation the need for national and provincial legislation, policy and enforcement of Pakistan’s recent ratification of the ICCPR as it relates to REAT, including religious freedoms (ICCPR Articles 18-22).  Program activities include closely associated economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights of a particular religious group to practice their faith and workers’ rights of collective expression, including by members of a minority group working in a particular industry.

 

Study Objective and Scope

 

The Foundation will fund a national end line study of the above mentioned project.   

The baseline will help in measuring program impact evaluation and on-ground realities with respect to HRF III objectives. The end line study is expected to adopt a holistic research methodology incorporating quantitative and qualitative research tools.

 

Location

 

The End-line will focus on ten ‘hotspot’ districts (and 4 control districts, Rawalpindi, Sanghar, Shangla and Jaffarabad) that exhibit particular vulnerability for violations of REAT (including religious freedoms). Those districts are selected where Early Warning System have been piloted in all four provinces and include Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Khanewal, Umerkot, Jaccobabad, Larkana, Swat and Quetta. The selected districts will include urban and rural populations and areas of religious and ethnic diversity. 

 

Timeline:

 

Submit all deliverables within 60 days of award contract.

Detailed Scope of Work

 

Review of Project Documents and Secondary Data: The applicant should submit a review of existing data to show the change in the context from the time of baseline study.

 

The Consultant will expect to find out the answers of the following key questions:

 

To what extent did the project achieve its purpose/objectives? What immediate outcomes (intended and unintended) have been achieved in terms of the project objectives in the target districts?

Whether all agreed outputs were delivered? Has the quality and quantity of outputs been at par with good professional standards? Have the outputs been achieved effectively and efficiently?

 

How far have project outputs helped achieve the project goal and objectives?

 

An investigation on nature and magnitude of constraints, the factors affecting project 

Implementation and analysis of factors contributing to the project’s success or otherwise.

Identification of good practices and weak areas and suggestions for the way forward.

 

Sampling Methodology: The applicant will be required to provide a detailed sampling methodology for a representative sample. The sampling methodology should contain the following:

1)      Sampling frame and sample size

2)      Detailed sample design outlining the plan and logic for any stratification and/or clustering

3)      Power of the sample including confidence interval and margin of error etc.

4)      Plan based on the baseline to assess accurately impact evaluation.

 

Implementation Plan: A comprehensive implementation plan from field deployment to finalization of end line report must include the following:

1)      Field deployment plan (no. of proposed field teams)

2)      Proposed staff and assigned responsibilities (such as role of supervisors and enumerators etc.)

3)      Plan for training of field teams (must include a instrument training manual and field instructions manual)

4)      Method for data entry and cleaning

5)      Tools for data analysis

6)      Detailed work plan till finalization of the end line report

                                             

Monitoring and Quality Assurance: The applicant should highlight mechanisms for ensuring the quality of the data collected and entered at each stage of the study in a comprehensive monitoring plan.

 

Instruments for Data Collection: The End line study is required to combine quantitative and qualitative tools. The quantitative instrument would include the questionnaire to be administered. Qualitative instruments could include in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, focused group discussions and case studies etc. Instruments will require field pre-testing before finalization.

 

The applicant will be required to work closely with the HRF III team to develop study design and instruments. Additionally, quantitative and qualitative instruments will require approval from the Foundation prior to pre-testing.

All material prepared and collected during the end line study will be the sole property of the funding organization. The applicant will be required to provide the Foundation with all primary data collected in electronic form.

 

Focus Areas for Indicators:

 

Indicators for qualitative and quantitative instruments should be designed to measure the following areas at a minimum. Proposals highlighting indicators over and above the below mentioned areas are strongly encouraged:

 

 

• No. of political parties manifestoes/candidates in identified districts highlighting REAT issues as their area of work
• Mapping of any form of early warning and response systems with regard to HR violations in identified districts and compare it with the baseline study findings.
• Mapping of infrastructure, commodities and protocols in place (police, health etc.) along with their current power dynamics in identified districts and compare any difference from the baseline findings.
• Current trends in terms of public interest litigation to address REAT violations in comparison with the baseline findings.
• Awareness level of existing legislation surrounding REAT rights, incidences of violation, reporting and redress among the general population, judicial officers, police officers, and shelters generally and within minority groups in particular and compare it with baseline findings.
• Incidence and prevalence of various kinds of violence against religious minority members (violence, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment at workplace, etc.) and compare it with the baseline findings.
• Access to legal services for members of religious minorities victims/survivors and comparison with the baseline findings.
• Police attitudes towards religious minorities and level of conducive environment provided at police stations for minority members in comparison with baseline study especially in piloted districts.
• Current environment for religious minorities in public district courts in comparison with baseline findings
• Percentage of men, women and youth etc. that believe that violence against minorities is acceptable or condoned under any customary or religious sanction and compare it with baseline findings
• Level of availability of and satisfaction with legal counseling and shelter services for victims of rights abuses in comparison with baseline findings.
• No of civil society organizations working on religious minority rights
• No. of religious leaders/institutions prohibiting hate speech in comparison with baseline findings
• Awareness levels of public in general and minority groups in particular with regard to existence of practical resources such as CSOs, govt facilities and free legal aid to address REAT violations in comparison with baseline findings
• Level of understanding/sensitivity of media to highlight REAT issue without jeopardizing victims/survivors and their families and communities further in comparison with baseline findings
• No. of initiatives at policy, legal and Civil Society level (nationally and locally) to address REAT violations and compare it with baseline findings

 

Deliverables:

 

1. Inception report outlining learning’s from program documents, existing data and proposed study design; Sampling methodology (must include the final sample drawn);  Field Deployment Plan (Draft quantitative and qualitative Instruments;
2. Pre-testing of quantitative and qualitative instruments and field instruction manual;
3. Field deployment report and Field work completion report.
4. First draft of End line report.
5. Final End line report.

 

 

Request for proposal:

 

The Asia Foundation is inviting Technical and Financial Proposal in hard copy for the aforementioned consultancy. The proposal should be sent in a sealed envelope with two inner sealed envelopes (one envelope with technical and the other with financial proposal). The proposal must be accompanied with following documents:

 

• A short proposal for conducting this assignment including a comprehensive work plan with clear timelines.
• CVs of Team Lead and other team members with clear role and responsibilities
• Detailed Profile of firm/organization/individual consultant

 

Who can apply?

 

1. Individual Consultant/firm with proven track record of relevant experience of similar work.
2. Experience of working with donors and familiarity with donor reporting requirements
3. Ability to deliver quality work on time