Location:
Rwanda
Rwanda
Job
Code: 1071
Code: 1071
#
of Openings: 1
of Openings: 1
Description
Scope
of Work for Protocol Development and Planning for an Impact Evaluation of the
Improved Services for Vulnerable Populations Project
of Work for Protocol Development and Planning for an Impact Evaluation of the
Improved Services for Vulnerable Populations Project
MEASURE
Evaluation Phase IV, a USAID-funded project of a consortium of partners led by
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, seeks a local research partner
to collaborate in the development o
Evaluation Phase IV, a USAID-funded project of a consortium of partners led by
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, seeks a local research partner
to collaborate in the development o
f an impact evaluation protocol of the
Improved Services for Vulnerable Populations (ISVP) Project in Rwanda. This
scope of work outlines the responsibilities and activities to be performed by
the research partner under the terms of the subcontract with MEASURE Evaluation
Phase IV, to be executed by Futures Group.
Background
Improved
Services for Vulnerable Populations Project
Services for Vulnerable Populations Project
The
Improved Services for Vulnerable Populations (ISVP) Project was awarded
by USAID/Rwanda in March 2015. ISVP’s overall goal is to strengthen the
capacity of target populations and communities to improve their health,
nutritional status and wellbeing. This contributes to reducing the risk and
impact of HIV/AIDS and other health conditions for vulnerable populations in
Rwanda. Vulnerable groups are defined as people living with HIV and AIDS
(PLHA), orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), including members of the
household caring for these two groups, very poor households especially female
and widow-headed households, and out of school youth. The ISVP activity builds
upon USAID/Rwanda’s support to the Government of Rwanda (GOR) and civil society
partners to improve access to health and social services for these vulnerable
populations and thus enable them to live productive lives.
Improved Services for Vulnerable Populations (ISVP) Project was awarded
by USAID/Rwanda in March 2015. ISVP’s overall goal is to strengthen the
capacity of target populations and communities to improve their health,
nutritional status and wellbeing. This contributes to reducing the risk and
impact of HIV/AIDS and other health conditions for vulnerable populations in
Rwanda. Vulnerable groups are defined as people living with HIV and AIDS
(PLHA), orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), including members of the
household caring for these two groups, very poor households especially female
and widow-headed households, and out of school youth. The ISVP activity builds
upon USAID/Rwanda’s support to the Government of Rwanda (GOR) and civil society
partners to improve access to health and social services for these vulnerable
populations and thus enable them to live productive lives.
The
ISVP Project is one of a number of projects that will contribute to the
achievement of USAID/Rwanda’s Mission- level results:
ISVP Project is one of a number of projects that will contribute to the
achievement of USAID/Rwanda’s Mission- level results:
- Increased
capacities of families and communities to provide better care for
vulnerable individuals; - Improved
household and community care and support practices for vulnerable
populations, especially children; and - Increased
access to education and social services for vulnerable populations.
A
key component of the ISVP project will be household economic strengthening
activities to provide the necessary support to stabilize and strengthen poor
families. Strong families have sufficient assets and purchasing power to
provide for the material and developmental needs of their children, and offer a
secure and nurturing environment to promote healthy child development. The
immediate objective of these activities is to improve resilience and purchasing
power so that families can afford to consistently feed, educate, and care for
their children, even in the face of potential shocks like illness, disability,
or death of a key breadwinner in the household. Household economic
strengthening interventions create structures and behaviors that can provide
platforms to layer on other interventions to reinforce positive parenting
practices and strengthen family decision-making in the best interests of
children.
key component of the ISVP project will be household economic strengthening
activities to provide the necessary support to stabilize and strengthen poor
families. Strong families have sufficient assets and purchasing power to
provide for the material and developmental needs of their children, and offer a
secure and nurturing environment to promote healthy child development. The
immediate objective of these activities is to improve resilience and purchasing
power so that families can afford to consistently feed, educate, and care for
their children, even in the face of potential shocks like illness, disability,
or death of a key breadwinner in the household. Household economic
strengthening interventions create structures and behaviors that can provide
platforms to layer on other interventions to reinforce positive parenting
practices and strengthen family decision-making in the best interests of
children.
Services
directed towards OVCs and PLHAs act as the primary entry point to target
vulnerable households in an integrated manner. ISVP will link PLHA, OVC and
other vulnerable families to basic health care, as well as to support services
that mitigate the impact of HIV disease, including services that promote or
support education, economic empowerment, and legal protection. Communities will
receive a network of services in health, education, social services, nutrition,
food security, and economic stability. The project will focus on
knowledge-based skills development that enhances households’ capacity
(knowledge, opportunities, and resources) to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.
The ISVP Project will be implemented in 15 districts in Rwanda.
directed towards OVCs and PLHAs act as the primary entry point to target
vulnerable households in an integrated manner. ISVP will link PLHA, OVC and
other vulnerable families to basic health care, as well as to support services
that mitigate the impact of HIV disease, including services that promote or
support education, economic empowerment, and legal protection. Communities will
receive a network of services in health, education, social services, nutrition,
food security, and economic stability. The project will focus on
knowledge-based skills development that enhances households’ capacity
(knowledge, opportunities, and resources) to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.
The ISVP Project will be implemented in 15 districts in Rwanda.
Impact
Evaluation of USAID’s ISVP Household Economic Strengthening Interventions
Evaluation of USAID’s ISVP Household Economic Strengthening Interventions
USAID/Rwanda
has requested that MEASURE Evaluation design an impact evaluation of the ISVP
Project’s HES interventions. The overall purpose of the evaluation is to
determine the effect of the ISVP HES activities on improving the economic
resiliency of participating households and the subsequent impact of this
resiliency on health and education outcomes of target populations, especially
on PLHAs, OVCs and their families.
has requested that MEASURE Evaluation design an impact evaluation of the ISVP
Project’s HES interventions. The overall purpose of the evaluation is to
determine the effect of the ISVP HES activities on improving the economic
resiliency of participating households and the subsequent impact of this
resiliency on health and education outcomes of target populations, especially
on PLHAs, OVCs and their families.
MEASURE
Evaluation is looking to partner with a local research organization to design
the impact evaluation protocol of ISVP. This SOW covers the development of the
study protocol, planning and preparations for the baseline survey.
Evaluation is looking to partner with a local research organization to design
the impact evaluation protocol of ISVP. This SOW covers the development of the
study protocol, planning and preparations for the baseline survey.
- Impact
Evaluation Protocol Design and Planning for Baseline Survey
MEASURE
Evaluation seeks a partner to develop a study protocol to evaluate the impact
of ISVP household economic strengthening activities on household economic
resiliency, and child health and education outcomes among most the vulnerable
households. The study protocol will address all aspects of an impact evaluation
including study design, identification of a control group or estimation of a
counterfactual, sample size calculations and sampling protocol, impact
estimation strategy, timeline, tools (including instrument development), and
budget. For this impact evaluation, details for the ISVP activity regarding
assignment to study arm and rollout of activities will be specified and
negotiated to adhere to a randomized control trial (RCT) study design.
Evaluation seeks a partner to develop a study protocol to evaluate the impact
of ISVP household economic strengthening activities on household economic
resiliency, and child health and education outcomes among most the vulnerable
households. The study protocol will address all aspects of an impact evaluation
including study design, identification of a control group or estimation of a
counterfactual, sample size calculations and sampling protocol, impact
estimation strategy, timeline, tools (including instrument development), and
budget. For this impact evaluation, details for the ISVP activity regarding
assignment to study arm and rollout of activities will be specified and
negotiated to adhere to a randomized control trial (RCT) study design.
Key
Research Questions:
(these may be refined in consultation with USAID/Rwanda, Global Communities and
other partners):
Research Questions:
(these may be refined in consultation with USAID/Rwanda, Global Communities and
other partners):
- Can
HES-only activities provide the economic stability for households to
access health/education services and improve individual health and
educational well-being? - Does
the more comprehensive set of services provided under ISVP impart the
required additional support to motivate these economically strengthened
families to realize health and education benefits? - Can
an unconditional cash transfer program replace HES activities and be as
effective in improving household economic well-being as well as health and
educational well-being? - Which
approach is more cost-effective?
Design
Options/Challenges
Options/Challenges
Based
on early discussions with USAID/Rwanda, there is strong interest in RCT to test
the research questions with up to 4 study arms (3 intervention and 1 control).
Randomization at the Sector-level is under consideration with the Mission and
ISVP, pending support from the Government of Rwanda.
on early discussions with USAID/Rwanda, there is strong interest in RCT to test
the research questions with up to 4 study arms (3 intervention and 1 control).
Randomization at the Sector-level is under consideration with the Mission and
ISVP, pending support from the Government of Rwanda.
- Specific
Responsibilities
This
SOW only covers the design of the impact evaluation protocol and the planning
and preparation for a baseline survey. Implementation of the baseline survey
work is pending USAID/Rwanda approval of the protocol.
SOW only covers the design of the impact evaluation protocol and the planning
and preparation for a baseline survey. Implementation of the baseline survey
work is pending USAID/Rwanda approval of the protocol.
The
overall responsibility of the research partner is to collaborate with MEASURE
Evaluation in providing technical expertise in all aspects related to the
design of the impact evaluation protocol and planning for the baseline survey.
overall responsibility of the research partner is to collaborate with MEASURE
Evaluation in providing technical expertise in all aspects related to the
design of the impact evaluation protocol and planning for the baseline survey.
The
specific responsibilities include the following:
specific responsibilities include the following:
- To
provide in-country expertise for sampling and study design considerations. - To
work with the National Statistical office and/or other offices with viable
data to determine/assess access to the official sampling frame: - Determine
availability of census data including household counts, socio-demographic
characteristics, GIS files; - Identify
overlap between Enumeration Areas (EAs) and geographic units used by
project (e.g., districts, sectors, cells); - Determine
process, permissions, and timeline necessary to access data. - To
initiate and prepare all documentation related to approval procedures
specific to Rwanda, including MOUs, IRB application and survey visa. - To
meet and negotiate with the Government of Rwanda, when required. - To
assist with the development and review of all survey instruments
(including translation of questionnaires into the local language(s)). - To
prepare budget estimates for baseline survey fieldwork given different
sampling scenarios and study designs. - To
develop the request for proposal (RFP), with input from MEASURE
Evaluation, for the baseline survey data collection. - To
coordinate the local solicitation of the RFP for the implementation of the
baseline survey. - To
participate in the review of the RFPs and selection of the best and final
organizations. - Del
iverables
The
expected deliverables include:
expected deliverables include:
- Detailed
workplan and timeline of activities - Summary
of local IRB, MOUs, and survey visa requirements, as relevant - Census
data compiled by smallest geographic unit possible (sector) - Sampling
plan - Revisions
of impact evaluation protocol - Estimated
costs for baseline survey data collection - Draft
RFP for local data collection agencies - Draft
questionnaires (in English and Kinyarwanda) - Local
IRB application - Timeline
The
above activities will be carried out between April and June 2015, as follows
(timing may be re-adjusted based on dates of contract approval and/or other
external delays):
above activities will be carried out between April and June 2015, as follows
(timing may be re-adjusted based on dates of contract approval and/or other
external delays):
- Review
draft protocol and all relevant documentation April-May2015 - Develop
sampling plan (including sampling frame) April-June 2015 - Provide
summary on local IRB procedures May 2015 - Revise
draft(s) of evaluation protocol May- June 2015 - Estimate
local costs of data collection May 2015 - Draft
and post RFP June 2015 - Draft
and translate questionnaires June 2015 - Develop
and finalize local IRB application June 2015
Application Requirements
O
rganizations wishing to serve as MEASURE Evaluation’s local research partner
for developing an impact evaluation protocol of the ISVP Project in Rwanda
should submit a proposal composed of: 1) a narrative in Word on how
organizations will accomplish the SOW responsibilities and deliverables, 2) a
detailed budget spreadsheet, and 3) a detailed budget narrative in a separate
Word document based on the tasks and expected deliverables described above. The
proposal should include:
rganizations wishing to serve as MEASURE Evaluation’s local research partner
for developing an impact evaluation protocol of the ISVP Project in Rwanda
should submit a proposal composed of: 1) a narrative in Word on how
organizations will accomplish the SOW responsibilities and deliverables, 2) a
detailed budget spreadsheet, and 3) a detailed budget narrative in a separate
Word document based on the tasks and expected deliverables described above. The
proposal should include:
- A
Cover Letter that clearly identifies the application as responding to this
request for cost proposal and stating the applicant organization’s name,
address, phone numbers, URL, and main email address. There should be a
contact person listed for any purpose related to this cost proposal. - Budget
A
detailed line-item budget should be prepared based on the responsibilities and
expected deliverables described above. They should be presented in Rwandan
Francs and U.S. Dollars and should not exceed a total cost of $15,000. It
should include, but not be limited to: Personnel cost: List number of
staff, daily rate and number of workdays for each category of staff (e.g.
Principal Investigator, researchers, administrative staff, etc.). Please
provide justification and a description of responsibilities for each category
of staff.
detailed line-item budget should be prepared based on the responsibilities and
expected deliverables described above. They should be presented in Rwandan
Francs and U.S. Dollars and should not exceed a total cost of $15,000. It
should include, but not be limited to: Personnel cost: List number of
staff, daily rate and number of workdays for each category of staff (e.g.
Principal Investigator, researchers, administrative staff, etc.). Please
provide justification and a description of responsibilities for each category
of staff.
Materials
and supplies:
Questionnaires, office supplies. etc.
and supplies:
Questionnaires, office supplies. etc.
Miscellaneous: List any other costs
such as costs for local IRB application cost, survey visa costs, taxes, etc.
such as costs for local IRB application cost, survey visa costs, taxes, etc.
Budgets
should be supplied in a separate spreadsheet. A template is provided as an
Annex to this proposal.
should be supplied in a separate spreadsheet. A template is provided as an
Annex to this proposal.
- Budget
Narrative
An
accompanying budget narrative in a separate Word file must be included. Within
the narrative, please provide justifications for and descriptions of major
tasks, staff responsibilities and how rates and other costs were determined.
accompanying budget narrative in a separate Word file must be included. Within
the narrative, please provide justifications for and descriptions of major
tasks, staff responsibilities and how rates and other costs were determined.
- Financial/accounting
structures and practices
The
applicant should provide key information related to their financial/accounting
procedures. It should submit an explanation of how the applicant calculates any
indirect costs (if charged in the budget). The applicant should also describe
the accounting software that they employ.
applicant should provide key information related to their financial/accounting
procedures. It should submit an explanation of how the applicant calculates any
indirect costs (if charged in the budget). The applicant should also describe
the accounting software that they employ.
- Evaluation
Criteria
Past
performance, experience in the area of large-scale population surveys, cost and
other factors will be evaluated and award will be made on the basis of best
value. Technical factors are considered more important than cost factors.
performance, experience in the area of large-scale population surveys, cost and
other factors will be evaluated and award will be made on the basis of best
value. Technical factors are considered more important than cost factors.
(a)
The criteria below are presented by major category, with relative order of
importance, so that applicants will know which areas require emphasis in the
preparation of proposals. The sub-factors are considered equally important. The
criteria below reflect the requirements of this particular solicitation.
The criteria below are presented by major category, with relative order of
importance, so that applicants will know which areas require emphasis in the
preparation of proposals. The sub-factors are considered equally important. The
criteria below reflect the requirements of this particular solicitation.
(b)
Even though cost has been assigned a numerical weight, applicants are reminded
that MEASURE Evaluation/Futures Group is not obliged to award a negotiated
contract on the basis of lowest proposed cost, or to the applicant with the
highest technical evaluation score. Although for this procurement technical
proposal merits are considered more important than cost relative to deciding
who might best perform the work, cost factors and Futures Group’s budget must
also be considered. Therefore, after the final evaluation of proposals, Futures
Group will make the award to the applicant whose proposal offers the best value
to the Government considering both technical and cost factors.
Even though cost has been assigned a numerical weight, applicants are reminded
that MEASURE Evaluation/Futures Group is not obliged to award a negotiated
contract on the basis of lowest proposed cost, or to the applicant with the
highest technical evaluation score. Although for this procurement technical
proposal merits are considered more important than cost relative to deciding
who might best perform the work, cost factors and Futures Group’s budget must
also be considered. Therefore, after the final evaluation of proposals, Futures
Group will make the award to the applicant whose proposal offers the best value
to the Government considering both technical and cost factors.
Applicants
should note that the following criteria: (1) serve as the standard against
which all proposals will be evaluated, and (2) serve to identify the
significant matters which applicants should address in their proposals. Refer
to the table below for evaluation criteria.
should note that the following criteria: (1) serve as the standard against
which all proposals will be evaluated, and (2) serve to identify the
significant matters which applicants should address in their proposals. Refer
to the table below for evaluation criteria.
