Term of Reference for Conducting the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study on Sesual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) in “Strengthening Child Protection and SRHR in Rwanda” Project Intervention Zones: (Deadline 23 March 2021)

Term of Reference for Conducting the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study on Sesual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) in “Strengthening Child Protection and SRHR in Rwanda” Project Intervention Zones: (Deadline 23 March 2021)

1.    Introduction.

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization (non-profit) that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. And it’s most affected girls. Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We have been operating in Rwanda since 2007.

2.    ETHICS AND IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Plan International Rwanda is fully committed to the gender responsive safeguarding of all children and young people from all forms of violence. We take very seriously our responsibility and duty to ensure that we, as an organization, and anyone who represents us does not in any way harm, abuse, or commit any other act of violence against children and young people or place them at risk of the same.

2. Project Background

Plan International Rwanda was awarded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) a grant entitled” Strengthening Child Protection and SRHR in Rwanda” for 5 years (From 01 July 2019 up to 30th June 2024).  The project is being jointly implemented by Plan International Rwanda and 4 National CSOs in Bugesera, Gatsibo, and Nyaruguru Districts. The project intends to reach the following beneficiaries:

a. Rights holders: The project activities focuses on the most vulnerable children, adolescents, and youth groups including children living in child-headed households, children with disabilities, and children from disadvantaged groups.

b. Primary duty bearers (i.e. government institutions and representatives, law enforcement officials, social workers):

c. Secondaryduty bearers (i.e. caregivers, teachers, gatekeepers, civil society)

The project is guided by a theory of change which asserts that key barriers to protection participation, governance, and SRHR must be removed, while building the assets of girls and boys to actively participate and protect themselves. Emphasis is also put on the role of civil society in leveraging a safe and child-friendly environment free of abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect.

 In overall, the project seeks to contribute to a conducive environment so that “Vulnerable Children &Youth particularly girls are equally cared for, protected from all forms violence and are supported to enable them to make their own decision on their sexuality and reproduction”.

Specifically, the project is geared towards achieving the following SRHR outcomes:

1. Vulnerable children and young people, especially girls, are confident in making decisions for their self-protection and access to SRHR friendly services and support their peers to make autonomous and healthy decisions around sexuality and bodies
2. Adolescent and young people oppose SGBV including early and unintended pregnancy supported by economic and social empowerment;
3. Duty bearers, including local government and service providers, are resourced and implement laws and policies related to adolescents and youth friendly SRHR.

The main activities to achieve the above outcomes include sexuality dialogues with Children, Adolescents and Young people, parents, caregivers, friends of families, community health workers, local and religious leaders; create safe spaces of youth for SRHR education in the community; support youth reliance through VSLAs, and support quality SRHR service delivery  and CSE in schools.

Plan International intends to conduct the KAP survey under this project to identify and analyze gaps in designing and implementation of SRHR related laws and policies among project beneficiaries for the improvement of provision of SRHR information and services to adolescents and young people.

3. Purpose  of the KAP study

 The purpose of the study is to measure the level of knowledge in SRHR related laws and policies among primary beneficiaries and identifying the knowledge gaps, gendered norms, cultural or religious beliefs or behavioral patterns and practices that create barriers to children, adolescents, and young people accessing SRHR information and services.

The KAP survey will generate strategy that will help promote positive behaviours that are appropriate to the setting and also to provide a supportive environment that will enable the community to initiate and sustain ASRHR initiatives.

The KAP survey result must also include appropriate methodology for upcoming SRHR campaigns for government policy makers and authorities and the community members with the set of messages and recommended ways of delivery, including the main messages for informative brochures and posters that will be used during community mobilization and advocacy for policies changes

The result of the KAP survey will be used to complement the project baseline to design activities to increase awareness and knowledge on SRHR related laws and policies.

The KAP survey will focus but not limited to:

• Age of sexual consent and marriage
• Equal right to human reproductive health
• Discussion with children about SRH
• Re- entry to school right after pregnancy
• Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse
• Access to contraceptives to adolescents
• Safe abortion
• Sexual health among people with disabilities
• SOGIESC

 4. Users  of the KAP Survey findings

 Key intended users of the KAP study findings are Plan International staff, Partners, Donors, Government officials, Civil Society Organizations, Community members, and other key stakeholders. The report will also be referred by relevant stakeholders to inform future programming, fundraising, and resource mobilization.

 4.    Methods for Data Collection and Analysis

 The consultant is expected to lead and coordinate this exercise in close collaboration with Plan International Rwanda staff and implementing partners involved in the implementation of the project. The consultant(s) is/are expected to adopt a holistic approach in conducting the KAP study on SRHR. To this end, the consultant(s) is/are expected to use participatory techniques to gather both quantitative and qualitative data, and primary and secondary data and information that would adequately provide information needed under section/article 3 above.

The KAP study team should refer to the project’s logical based framework, CS and project baseline survey files, and other SRHR documents. The team should carry out the KAP study on SRHR based on a review of documentation and discussions with Plan International Rwanda technical people and its project implementing partners. To ensure the quality assurance process, Plan International Rwanda will imply surprise visit, check-back calls with respondents, and other QA related protocols. Population based primary data will be collected using structured questionnaire to obtain individual level information on the project and other relevant information from a sample of the target population. The secondary data collection should take stock of the relevant project documents, documents shaping the wider strategy/policy framework, and implementation progress reports, monitoring, and review reports thus far issued by the project.

The KAP study on SRHR will be carried out by a Consultancy Firm with a team of experts with skills and experience in the field of SRHR, adolescent and youth programming, adolescent and youth friendly thinking, and working with adolescents and youth, both male and female; who will propose the detailed methodology and tools to be used for data collection and analysis, etc. to Plan International Rwanda for its approval in advance?

The consultants should, after consulting relevant documentation of the project, including the Project proposal and the baseline surveys, propose assumptions for the calculation of a sample as well as its disaggregation into the smallest sampling frame(s) in a way which reflects representativeness. Sampling will be objective and statistically valid and, provided this requirement is met, data will be collected from all 3 Program Units/Districts, Implementing Partners, and other stakeholders. Data must be disaggregated by sex, age, and geographical locations. Sample size estimation will be done at 95% Confidence Interval and 80% power. Study variables of choice will be evaluated statistically to test for associations or lack of them thereof at the same level of confidence and power. The consultant(s) will also be requested to present their plan for data Collection and analysis by way of dummy tables.

The KAP study approach should be developed and implemented as presented below. Once the KAP study team has been contractually engaged, the KAP study exercise process will be carried out through the following phases:

A.    Inception Phase: 

A.1  Review the relevant program/Project documents, as well as documents shaping the wider strategy/policy framework.

A.2  Review and finalize the KAP study proposal, including methodology, sample size, ethical issues (including safeguarding children and young people), timeline, data collection, field supervision, quality control, data entry, data cleaning, data analysis, and reporting to Plan International Rwanda Team.

A.3  During the inception stage an inception report (of maximum 12 pages) shall be prepared in English and should also include a detailed action plan.

A.4  Present and discuss with Plan International Rwanda Team after ten days from the start of the consultancy, the prepared inception report of desk review process, methodology, and conceptual framework as well as KAP study final data collection tools and therefore make revision as needed.

A.5 The team will group the questionnaire items to make sure all indicators are covered

B.   Desk phase:

B.1  Review secondary data available, such as Project reports, independent studies by NGOs or researchers

C.    Training and Pre-testing Phase:

 C.1      Train the evaluation team in data collection

C.2      Conduct the field pre-test of the KAP study tools

C.3      Revision of final KAP study tools   after pre-testing

D.    Field phase:

 The Field Phase should start upon approval of the inception report by Plan International Rwanda. The KAP study team should:

D.1      Submit on time its detailed work plan with an indicative list of people to be interviewed, surveys to be undertaken, dates of visit, itinerary, and name of team members in charge.

D.2      List all preparatory steps already taken for the Field Phase

D.3      Summarize its field works at the end of the field phase, discuss the reliability and coverage of data collection, and present its preliminary findings

E.    Data collection 

E.1      Conduct field supervision and monitoring during the data collection

E.2      Provide technical assistance during the data collection period

E.3      Help field coordination as needed during the data collection period

F.    Synthesis phase

The consulting firm is advised to move forward along with Plan International technical staff

 F.1       Perform the data entry, preferably using SPSS software (data should be disaggregated by sex, age, and geography)

F.2       Conduct data cleaning (the process will not be taken to the next step until all parties have agreed on the way forward)

F.3       Conduct data analysis

F.4       Develop draft reports and submit to Plan International Rwanda for feedback

F.5       Adjust the report according to feedback received from Plan International

 6.    Sample

After consulting relevant program/Project documents, as well as documents shaping the wider strategy/policy framework, the consultant should develop and suggest a sampling strategy, including a description of the sample size; necessary respondent disaggregated by sex, age, and geography/location as per Plan International guidelines and the sampling approach

7.     Participant Selection and Recruitment

 Key stakeholders involved in the KAP study include directs and indirect beneficiaries such as adolescents’ girls and boys, potential girls’ and boys’ mentors from community and will include in and out of school children/youth (both males and females), Community Workers, Sector and district level authorities.   It will also include parents, teachers, and representatives of Civil Society organizations operating in the study area. Furthermore, it will include representatives of the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), the Ministry of Health (MoH), the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), Hospital and Health Centres of the target zones.

6. Ethics and Child Protection

 Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected, in accordance with Plan International Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning Standards, and our Global Policy on Safeguarding Children and Young People.

The KAP study process should consider ethical child protection and safeguarding requirements. Ethical considerations should be clearly outlined and Enumerators must be trained and sign Safeguarding Children and Young People policy as well as the Code of Conduct.  There should be informed, documented, and voluntary consent of the participant, and in addition, where the participants are under 18 years of age, the consent of their parent/guardian should be provided and consent/assent form signed before.

Confidentiality and data protection should be ensured and an assessment of potential risks to participants conducted prior to starting the survey to ensure mitigation measures are put in place to avoid exposing harm to the program participants

7. Key Deliverables 

 The reports must conform to Plan International requirements and standards; this will be assessed by Plan International Rwanda’s Head of Program Quality Assurance and Plan International Sweden. The text of the report should be illustrated, as appropriate, with maps, graphs, and tables.

The consultant will submit the following reports in English:

1. Inception report of maximum 12 pages to be produced after ten days from the start of the consultancy. In the report, the consultant (s) shall describe the first findings of the study, the foreseen degree of difficulties in collecting data, other encountered and/or foreseen difficulties in addition to his/her programme of work and staff mobilization. The report should also include a detailed action plan and budget including personnel and geographical areas to be covered, and proposals for regular activity reporting on progress to the management of Plan International Rwanda. The report should be submitted within 10 days after signature of the contract.

2. Draft final report(of maximum 50 pages) using the structure set out below. The draft final report should also synthesize all findings and conclusions into an overall KAP study on SRHR in the project zones.  The report should be presented within 10 working days from the conclusion of the data collection.

3. Final report(hard copies and an electronic copy in English) with the same specifications as mentioned under 2 above, incorporating any comments received from Plan International Rwanda and implementing partners in a validation workshop on the draft report, to be presented within 5 days of the receipt of these comments

4. Final Sampling methodology (including a unit of sampling and sampling frame) and size

5. Final   Data Collection Tools

6.Cleaned Data (including data files (e.g. Excel, SPSS), transcripts of qualitative data, syntax/ code books, etc.)

7. Completed Consent Forms (including for children and their caregivers and adults)

   Below is the suggested format for the reports:

• A standard cover sheet;
• Executive summary;
• Description of background and objectives;
• Methods and limitations;
• Description of findings (analysis and interpretation);
• Conclusions and recommendations.
• Annexes-not limited to:
  • KAP study TOR
  • List of people consulted and their identifications (including age and sex)
  • List of documents consulted
  • Final data collection tools/instruments (e.g., Key Informant Interview Guides, Observational Checklist, Identifying Household Information, Adolescent Survey, Caregiver Survey, Study Introduction, Permissions, Informed Consent Form, Study Introduction, Interviewer Training Schedule)
  • Cleaned data (including data files (e.g. Excel, CSPro and/or SPSS), transcripts of qualitative data, syntax/ code books, etc.
  • Manuscript for journal publication
  • Factsheet

 8. Roles  and Responsibilities

 In order to ensure quality support to the external consultancy firms, Plan International Rwanda will establish a small, internal core team led by the Head of Program Quality Assurance and Project Manager who will be assigned the responsibility of overseeing the study.

The team of Consultants will be required to follow Plan International policies and procedures in relation to children and young people, safeguarding their protection at all times. In pursuance of this, Plan International Rwanda staff member will be present at all interviews with children and youth without fail. The Consultant will be responsible for management of the data collection team.

9. Timeline

The timeframe for the KAP study, inclusive of submission of the final report, should not exceed 25 working days. The KAP study is expected to be carried out in April and May 2021 with the final report submitted by 28^th May 2021 at the latest as per the detailed tasks mentioned in the table below. With the use of Gantt chart, the Consultant should provide a comprehensive work plan, inclusive of timeframe, during the onset of the KAP study. the Consultant will work on the recruitment of enumerators and ensure he/she cover all expenses corresponding to the costs of logistics, meals, and salaries by the consultancy fees, etc.

Tasks	Estimated number of days
Inception meeting and briefing with project team, (HPQA, SRHR Advisor, Project Coordinator, and partners relevant staff)	1
Desk review	3
Develop data collection tools and present them to project team, (HPQA, SRHR Advisor, Project Coordinator, and partners relevant staff)	2
Train enumerators on the developed  data collection tools	2
Testing the data collection tools	1
Undertake field assessment using agreed data collection tool	5
Write and submit the draft KAP study report for comments to PIR team and key stakeholders	6
Include and address comments and submit the draft report.	2
Validation workshop of the final report	1
Submission of the final report, including annexes, after incorporating comments from the validation workshop	2 days after validation workshop
Total days	25

10. Expected Qualifications and expertise

Interested bidders are required to clearly indicate the person who will be leading this KAP study, hereby known as the Lead Consultant, and also detail the specific tasks of the other members that they so wish to involve in this KAP study. The lead Consultant will have the following key competencies:

• Advanced degree preferably in Public health, laws, communication, social sciences, Sexual Reproductive Health, and Rights, or others related
• Strong understanding the children, Adolescents, and young people’s SRHR situation globally, regionally and in the country;
• Understanding of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and other rights instruments;
• Experience in policy analysis and advocacy on SRHR,
• Experience to conduct KAP surveys;
• Experience in developing gender strategies
• Superior data tabulation and analysis skills (using CSPro; Epi Info or SPSS);
• Excellent report writing and data interpretation;
• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is a must;
• Good communication skills;
• Must be committed to respecting deadlines of delivery outputs within the agreed time-frame;
• Familiarity with PLAN operations and safeguarding policy will be
• Familiar with the Do No Harm approach as well as Leave No One Behind
• Promotes the culture of non-discrimination and respect of people’s sexual orientation

11. Submission  of proposal

 The Consultant is expected to submit a detailed proposal with the following components:

a)    Administrative documents:

Each bidder shall submit the following documents

i.    Copy  of Registration certificate

ii.    VAT Registration

iii.    RRAand RRSB clearance

b)    Technical proposal to include:

• A one-page Consultant’s understanding of the TOR;
• Two pages of the proposed methodology, activities, and expected outcomes;
• A detailed activities schedule/work plan with time frame (including a Gantt chart);
• A profile of the consulting firm including the full names, physical addresses, telephone numbers, and contact person of the form/company;
• Copy of CVs of all the consultants who will undertake the KAP study;
• Two previous examples of similar work entrusted by well recognized Organization/NGOs.

c)    Financial proposal detailing:

• Itemized consultant’s fees;
• Itemized field data collection expenses;
• Itemized administration expenses;
• Validity period of quotation;
• Expected payment plan and method;

12. Applications

 Interested Individual consultants/Consulting firms should submit their offers in one original and sealed Envelope, separating Technical and Financial Proposals, clearly marked “KAP STUDY ON SRHR IN “STRENGTHENING CHILD PROTECTION AND SRHR IN RWANDA” PROJECT INTERVENTION ZONES” by hand not later than 3:00 PM of 23^rd March 2021.

 For further details please contact the reception of Plan International Rwanda at +250 788305392. Only successful bidders will be notified and Plan International Rwanda reserves the right to reject any of the bids.