Historique

Description of the Assignment:

UPPR is a UK aid funded partnership between the Local Government Engineering Department, UNDP and UN-Habitat. UPPR has supported over 2,500 poor urban communities in 23 towns and cities across Bangladesh since it began its operations in 2008. UPPR recognises that poverty is multidimensional in nature and delivers an integrated response with complementary interventions. This includes mobilisation, community banking, improved water and sanitation, and improved livelihoods. The primary goal of the project is to lift households in poor urban settlements out of poverty.

However the project recognises that given these many dimensions to poverty, one project cannot meet them all. To meet priorities identified by the community but which UPPR cannot engage with directly, UPPR supports communities to develop relationships with other projects or organisations. These are known as linkages and partnerships. Collaborations with no exchange of funds are termed linkages while those where UPPR pays for the services provided are termed partnerships. These linkages and partnerships range from connecting settlements to municipal water supplies to establishing better health care provision within poor urban settlements.However no previous study on partnerships and linkages has been completed and there is a knowledge gap around how these different relationships work and what impact they are having.

This study will be the first full assessment of this approach. UPPR wishes to establish a typology of the partnerships and linkages it has established thus far and use this as a basis for an in-depth study based on a sample of these relationships. This study will assess its effectiveness and sustainability as well as identify good practices and areas for improvement. In particular with UPPR due to end in August 2015 and a new National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme in development, these lessons will contribute to future programming. It is expected that a primarily qualitative approach that draws upon participatory methodologies will be used. Particular consideration will also be given as to how findings will be shared with community members as they are a key audience for this study.

Project Description:

Approximately 40 million people in Bangladesh live in urban areas out of which 21 per cent live below the poverty line. Such poor urban households live inadequate and insecure houses, often in unsanitary conditions. Difficulties in accessing employment are made worse by having little or no social protection. There is limited access to health and education opportunities. With one of the highest urbanisation rates in Asia, the situation continues to worsen for an increasing number of urban poor in Bangladesh.

The project

UPPR works with communities in 23 towns and cities across Bangladesh to develop the capacity of poor women to manage their communities’ development issues and tackle the needs they identify as most important. The project began in 2008 and seeks to reduce urban poverty in Bangladesh by sustainably improving the livelihoods and living conditions of 3 million poor and extreme poor people living in urban areas, especially women and children. UPPR recognises that poverty is multidimensional in nature and delivers an integrated response with complementary interventions. Key outputs include:

• Urban poor communities mobilized to form representative and inclusive groups and prepare community action plans;
• Poor urban communities have healthy and secure living environments;
• Urban poor and extremely poor people acquire the resources, knowledge and skills to increase their income and assets; and,
• Pro-poor urban policies and partnerships supported at the national and local levels.

 To achieve these outcomes UPPR works with over 2,500 Community Development Committees (CDCs). Over 90% of leadership in CDCs is provided by women and they manage the Participatory Identification of the Poor (PIP); the development of Community Action Plans (CAPs); and oversee the implementation of community contracts (see http://upprbd.org/whatwedo.aspx for more details).

To provide this support, the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations work together to manage and implement UPPR. It is the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) that hosts and executes UPPR at a national level. In the towns and cities in which UPPR works, it does it jointly with the Municipality or City Cooperation. UNDP manages the implementation of the Project, and UN-Habitat supports the components that work on improving living conditions. Beyond the contributions of these actors, the majority of funding is provided by UK aid (GBP 67 million).

Partnerships and linkages

UPPR works in collaboration with the Government, non-Government and private organisations in its towns to access their services and achieve specific policy outcomes for sustainable poverty reduction. The model is called linkages and partnerships. Collaborations with no exchange of funds are termed ‘linkages’ while those where UPPR pays for the services provided by other entities are termed ‘partnerships’. This model is built upon two critical factors. Firstly, communities in poor urban settlements have a wide variety of socio-economic needs that no one project can adequately address. Secondly, urban areas have significant resources available in their locality that may be accessed by the poor if they are enabled to do so. These linkages and partnerships are formed in two ways, either by the UPPR staff at the town or national level, or by the communities themselves. As the community-led approach is more sustainable, UPPR has developed a systematic mechanism to build community’s capacity to establish local linkages. Since 2013, UPPR has had a particular focus on establishing relationships with private sector employers. UPPR supports the training of women from poor urban settlements with a view to the employer providing sustainable employment.

Current status of partnerships and linkages

By June 2014, the project had established a total of 150 partnerships and 785 linkages. This includes both community and project led relationships. Approximately 30 per cent of partnerships and linkages relate to health services. A further 25 percent relate to skills training and employment opportunities. An additional 25 percent relate to social protection. The remaining 20 percent includes nutritional support, legal support, educational support and other activities. Approximately half of all services are provided through NGOs. Approximately 40 percent are delivered with Government services. The remaining 10 percent are delivered in coordination with the private sector.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Study questions:

This study should achieve the following objectives and answer the following questions:

 Phase One: Establishing an initial typology

• Establish a typology of UPPR’s partnerships and linkages which emphasises the different ways in which they work as well as the different areas in which they work.

Phase Two: Testing the typology and exploring impact though case studies

• Did the partnership or linkage respond to the needs identified by the community?
• Was the partnership or linkage effective in meeting the needs of the community? What supported or inhibited the effectiveness of the partnership or linkage? Are there any gaps in partnership and linkages identified?
• What, if anything, has changed as a result of the partnership or linkage?
• Has the partnership or linkage provided good value for money with regards to its economy, efficiency and effectiveness?
• Is the partnership or linkage institutionally/financially sustainable without the support of UPPR? What factors support or inhibit sustainability? What the partner perceptions are of own benefits and satisfaction from the partnership?
• Have communities been able to establish their own partnerships and/or linkages? Are communities interested in establishing and managing their own partnerships and/or linkages?
• What good practices might be replicated in future programming? What recommendations are there to improve the delivery of such partnerships and linkages in future? What are the main lessons learnt?
• Finalise the typology in light of field work.

Scope of work:

During the first phase of the study, the consultant will consider the full set of partnerships and linkages established by the project. Once an initial typology of interventions has been established, the consultant will consider a sample of these partnerships and linkages only for in-depth examination.

The consultant and UPPR will agree on a number of case studies to probe the different types of partnerships and linkages identified through the typology. This sample of partnerships and linkages is not expected to be statistically representative. Rather it is used to explore the different types of partnerships and linkages that have been established and the effect they have had on the communities.

There are a number of key participants in this study - firstly, the community members who should benefit from the partnerships and linkages; secondly, the organisation with whom the partnership and linkage has been formed; thirdly, the UPPR officials involved in establishing or supporting these relationships.

The study is not expected to determine the impact on a representative sample of each partnership and linkage that is used as a case study. The project also appreciates that in the absence of baselines there are limits on how impact is measured and the extent to which it can be measured. However the consultant should propose appropriate methods to measure the beneficiary’s assessment of whether they have benefited from the partnership or linkage and in what ways.

UPPR has a range of existing documentation on its interventions with more due to be published during 2015 (see http://upprbd.org/projectrpts.aspx).This includes a value for money study which gives some consideration to partnerships and linkages. While UPPR’s publications will give a broad understanding of the ways in which UPPR works, there is limited specific information on the partnerships and linkages process. Alongside this study, UPPR is commissioning a separate study on its private sector work since 2013 which will focus on both the process and employment impacts.The private sector study is likely to be coterminous with this study. If so, exchange of information and emerging findings may be facilitated.

Methodology:

In preparing proposed methodologies, the consultant should consider the following requirements. The consultant is strongly encouraged to support their proposed approaches with examples of how they have successfully met such requirements in the past.

Typology of partnerships and linkages

Through a review of the partnerships and linkages database and a series of key informant interviews conducted over Skype, the consultant is expected to develop an initial typology of UPPR partnerships and linkages. Currently UPPR only characterises these at a high level. Firstly, it is necessary to identify whether they are partnerships or linkages. Secondly, whether they are community or project led. Thirdly, what is the broad area of intervention, e.g. employment, health, and legal aid.  However such a typology relates to what each is rather than how each works. Through a review of the database and discussions with key informants the consultant will refine these categories and propose tentative theories of a typology that incorporates how different partnerships and linkage works. This will be used to identify case studies for phase two where one of the objectives will be to test and refine the rationale of the emerging typology.

Qualitative approaches

The study will be primarily qualitative in nature and is likely to consist of both key informant interviews and participatory approaches when engaging with community members. Consideration may be given to the use of participatory numbers.UPPR also suggests that the beneficiary assessment approach may be relevant to understanding how communities have experienced and benefited from the partnerships and linkages. However consultants are not obliged to use these specific methods. All proposed approaches must be justified in the proposal. Consideration should also be given in the proposal as to how different approaches and sources of evidence may serve to triangulate findings.

Sampling

The sampling will be done through the identification of case studies from the emerging typology. As outlined in the scope of work, a range of individuals will need to be spoken to with regards to each sampled partnership and linkage. The exact size of the sample will depend on the nature of the typology. However in order to guide the development of proposals UPPR would envisage between eight and ten case studies being required.

Analysis framework

The consultant is expected to propose a detailed and systematic approach to analysing qualitative data, highlighting whether different approaches are required depending on the type of participatory approach applied. This may include the use of software such as NVIVO or network mapping tools. Strategies for visualising data are strongly encouraged. The analysis will include use of a gender lens.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The expected outputs are:

• An inception report incorporating revised project understanding and approach; sampling strategy; qualitative tools; qualitative analysis framework; and timeline;
• A Power Point presentation of emerging findings and meeting with key stakeholders; and
• A Draft report (in word document) which answers the key questions in depth and includes a literature review, findings and recommendations;
• The Final report which incorporates all  comments;
• An End of Assignment Report.

Estimated Duration to Complete the Expected Outputs & Deliverables:

• An inception report incorporating revised project understanding and approach; sampling strategy; qualitative tools; qualitative analysis framework; and timeline (Estimated duration: 3 days);
• Field visit and a Power Point presentation of emerging findings and meeting with key stakeholders (Estimated duration: 10 days);
• A draft report which answers the key questions in depth and includes a literature review, findings and recommendations (Estimated duration: 10 days);
• A final report which incorporates all review comments (Estimated duration: 6 days);
• Each study phase should result in a report that should be formatted to A4 size paper in hard copy & MS Word version. All data sets and analysis must be returned to the project (Estimated duration: 1 day).

Institutional Arrangement / Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

The study will be managed by the International Project Manager and under the overall guidance of the National Project Director. Contractual oversight will be provided by the UPPR Operations Manager.

Duration of Work

This study will take place over two months and require 30 working days inclusive of travel days. The consultant will work from home with field mission to Bangladesh for 15 working days for in-country visit to five to seven selected UPPR towns; and a presentation on preliminary findings.

Duty Station:

The consultancy will be home-based with one trip to Bangladesh for visit to seven (7) pre-selected towns. Transport for in-country travel will be provided by UPPR. All other expenses will be borne by the consultant. The per diem for in-country travel will be as per the UN rates.

Tentative payment schedule:

• 1st payment: 10% of total contract value will be paid after submitting project inception document;
• 2nd payment: 30% of total contract value will be paid after meeting with key stakeholders and submission of presentation with emerging findings;
• 3rd payment: 30% of total contract value will be paid after the submission and approval of the draft report;
• Final payment: 30% of total contract value will be paid after the submission and approval of the Final report and the End of Assignment report.

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrate openness to change, flexibility and ability to manage complexities;
• Development and poverty knowledge (especially in urban context);
• Proven research and evaluation capacities;
• Proven ability to write very high quality reports (in the English language);
• Proven strong written, networking and communication skills.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Minimum University Degree and preferably Masters’ degree in demography, population and development, statistics, economics, policy advocacy, urban planning or related area of study.

Experience:

• At least ten years of experience in undertaking qualitative research, including participatory methodologies;
• Examples of at least two previous studies related to at least one of the following areas: poverty reduction strategies; sustainability of development interventions; and private sector engagement;
• Previous professional experience in South Asia.

Language:

• S/he must have excellent skills in written and spoken English and capacity to provide high quality reports in a professional and timely manner.

Application procedure:

Technical Proposal:

• Relevant Experience – Description of experience in projects of a comparable nature, with specific description of technical specialization of consultant alongside a list of current and past assignments;
• Process - The Technical Proposal needs to contain a detail description of the process the contractor intends to follow to complete the tasks including a detailed work plan and time schedule for completion/delivery of the final product which, after selection of the contractor, will be agreed upon by the Project;
• Tools and Methodologies – Outlining your approach to qualitative research, including participatory methods, are relevant to the questions under study and meet the highest research standards. This should also include a detailed approach to qualitative data analysis;
• Quality assurance – Outline how you will ensure quality at all stages of the project but with a particular emphasis on sampling; data collection; data analysis; and reporting;
• Risk management – The firm must identify key risks and outline how it will mitigate against them. Particular attention should be paid to how political disruption will be handled, especially Hartals and blockades.

 Two references must be provided by the contractor. These should relate to assignments completed in the past two years.

Financial Proposal:

Financial Proposal will be prepared on lump sum basis and would include:

• The Financial Proposal shall consist of a comprehensive budget. The budget will be prepared in USD and would include all fees and associated costs, i.e. professional fee, travel cost, subsistence per diems, etc.;
• In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposals will include a breakdown of this amount disclosing the key assumption employed in costing the tasks.

The Budget of the successful bidder will be fixed, therefore, comprehensive and all inclusive budget should be prepared. The assignment will be time bound and no extension and/or financial addition is expected to be provided. The price should take into account all HR costs and ofessional fees, travel costs, DSA, subsistence and ancillary expenses.

UNDP shall effect payments, by bank transfer to the successful bidder’s bank account, upon acceptance by UNDP of the deliverables as specified in the ToR. Payments will be made in tranches based on the following percentages and milestones.

Evaluation of the Candidates:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks):

• Experience in conducting high quality qualitative research (15 marks);
• Experience in at least one of the following areas: poverty reduction strategies; sustainability of development interventions; and private sector engagement (15 marks);
• Experience in undertaking urban poverty research (10 marks);
• Quality and relevance of proposed qualitative approaches (15 marks);
• Quality of proposed analysis framework (15 marks).

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks):

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/z)

where:

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a plan on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

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