TOR for Baseline Assessment Of Integrated Intervention-PHE Project at German Foundation for world population, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

 

DSW Background

Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) is a global development organization that focuses on the needs and potential of the largest youth generation in history. We are committed to creating demand for and access to health information, services, supplies, and eco­nomic empowerment for youth. We achieve this by engaging in advocacy, capacity development and reproductive health initiatives, so that young people are empowered to lead healthy and self-determined lives.DSW has been working in Ethiopia for about two decades and half focusing on adolescent and young people sexual and reproductive health program in collaboration with government, international and local partners at different levels.

DSW Ethiopia is implementing various projects across Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia, Amhara, Sidama, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, Afar, Somali and Addis Ababa in collaboration with different developmental partners and maintains a strong network of partners ranging from community-based structures, local government offices to national and international NGOs and federal ministries. Currently DSW Ethiopia is initiating the implementation of a new project titled “Integrated Approach: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Livelihood Empowerment of Young People for Positive Coexistence with their Environment in Bishoftu City, Oromia Region.” This initiative is a four-year project, running from January 2025 to December 2028.

Project Background

Ethiopia is grappling with rapid population growth, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas like Bishoftu. This surge presents significant challenges to sustainable development, especially for the youth—particularly young women. High unemployment rates, insufficient sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, and limited economic opportunities contribute to poverty and social exclusion, forcing many young people into informal and often unsafe livelihoods. Consequently, their vulnerability to SRH challenges such as teenage pregnancies, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) increases.

Despite the Ministry of Health’s National Adolescents and Youth Health Strategy (2021-2025), which seeks to enhance access to quality SRH information and services, adolescents continue to face numerous barriers. Emerging health threats and preventable causes of morbidity and mortality are prevalent due to the limited availability of comprehensive SRH services. The National Reproductive Health Strategy highlights significant gaps, with many young people lacking access to essential information, contraceptives, and youth-friendly services. This scarcity leads to early and unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unsafe abortions among adolescents. Alarmingly, only 37% of women aged 15-19 and 52% of those aged 20-24 utilize contraception in Ethiopia.

High rates of early and unintended pregnancies further complicate the situation. The 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) revealed that approximately 29% of girls aged 15-19 have either given birth or are pregnant with their first child. Early pregnancies pose significant health risks for young mothers and their babies while adversely affecting educational and economic opportunities.

Gender inequalities and harmful traditional practices exacerbate these issues. Cultural norms like child marriage and female genital mutilation disproportionately affect young girls, with the median age at first marriage being just 17.8 years, perpetuating cycles of poor health outcomes.

In addition to SRH challenges, the environmental problems in Bishoftu significantly impact community well-being. Rapid urbanization has led to deforestation, loss of wetlands, and pollution affecting local lakes and fertile land. Inadequate waste management exacerbates these issues, as increased waste from urban populations contributes to environmental degradation. Many residents lack awareness of the importance of conservation, further threatening ecological sustainability. The depletion of natural resources limits agricultural productivity and exacerbates poverty, particularly affecting youth who rely on these resources for livelihoods.

To tackle these interconnected challenges, integrated interventions focusing on SRH, environmental sustainability, and livelihood opportunities are essential. This project aims to enhance SRH services, improve socio-economic conditions, and promote environmental conservation in Bishoftu. By empowering young people, particularly women, to take control of their reproductive health and engage in sustainable livelihoods, these efforts will contribute to Ethiopia’s national development goals and align with global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ultimately, this holistic approach will pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future for Bishoftu and its communities.

 

PROJECT GOAL, OBJECTIVES and INDICATORS

Project Goal

Contribute to the improvement of the socio economic well-being and health of young people who coexist positively with their natural environment through integrated interventions.

General Objective:Improved access to SRH information &services, livelihood opportunities and their engagement in environmental protection for 72,170 young people through enhancing their knowledge and practices in Bishoftu City of Oromia region by 2028

Specific Objectives:

Reach 72,170 young people aged 15-29 with comprehensive SRH information by 2028.

Enable 13,000 young people to access and utilize adolescent-friendly SRH services through referral linkages and outreach.

Improve the socio-economic situations of 132 youth and young women through targeted training and support in income-generating activities by 2028.

Enhance environmental protection practices through awareness campaigns and planting 40,000 seedlings by 2028.

Expected Results

• The expected results of the project can be broken down based on its key components SRH information and services, socio-economic empowerment, and environmental protection. We have four major results to be achieved in Four Years.
• 72,170 targeted young people aged 15 to 29 have reached with comprehensive SRH information, resulting in improved knowledge and understanding of SRH issues.
• 13,000 targeted young people aged 15 to 29 accessed &utilized adolescent and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
• Improved socio-economic situations of targeted youth and young women.
• Enhanced environmental protection practices by targeted community members.

Project indicators

Percentage increase in the young people well-being and empowerment levels of participating in SRH, livelihood, and environmental programs by the end of 2028.OR Percentage improvement in the health and livin conditions of young people by 2028

• Percentage increase comprehensive SRH Knowledge of young people
• Percentage increase of youth who can access sexual and reproductive health information
• Percentage increase of youth who have accessed and utilized sexual and reproductive health services
• Percentage increase of young people increased their KAP on the economic empowerment through engagement in the IGAs
• Percentage increase of participants involved in income-generating activities (IGAs)
• Percentage increase of youth actively participating in environmental protection initiatives
• Percentage increase in the number of young people who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of integrated and sustainable environmental protection.
• Percentage decrease in the school dropout rate of girls attending targeted intervention schools.

Purpose of the Assessment

The primary objectives of the baseline assessment for the integrated intervention project are to establish a comprehensive understanding of the current conditions and contexts in the project implementation area. This assessment aims to measure key performance indicators as outlined in the impact matrix, focusing on areas such as community engagement, health outcomes, and socioeconomic development.

Specific objectives include:

• Identify the current levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of targeted young people regarding PHE.
• Assess the accessibility and availability of adolescent and youth friendly health services.
• Analyze the current status of environmental sanitation and protection practices within the city, including in schools.
• Assess the alignment of project objectives with beneficiaries’ needs.
• Assess the current demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the target population.
• Set benchmarks for all indicators highlighted in the impact matrix.
• Explore the relationship between SRH, Economic empowerment and environmental protection to understand how they influence each other within the community context.

 

BENEFICIARIES

Direct Beneficiaries:

• Married adolescent girls and young women (2,880).
• Young people engaged through peer-led discussions in school and out of school (24,000).
• Youth utilizing SRH services (13,000).
• Youth trained on various topics, including SRH (290).
• Youth Participate and benefits from different edutainment activities and informed about SRH and environmental protections (32,000).
• Total direct beneficiaries targeted: 72,170 and Indirect target groups (communities’ members, families, school community and stakeholders) 72,000.

SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT

The baseline assessment will evaluate the initial conditions of the targeted population regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). It will also assess access to health services, sustainable livelihood opportunities, and the current status of environmental sanitation and protection in the city. This comprehensive assess will establish benchmarks for future assessments, documenting achievements, challenges, and best practices in the integration of health and environmental considerations.

Geographical Scope: eleven woreda found in three sub-cities of Bishoftu city administration.

METHODOLOGY

The assessment will employ a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. These may include surveys, key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGD), and document reviews. The methodology will not be limited only on the indicated once.

TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

• The consulting firm will be responsible for the following tasks:
• Inception Report: Develop and submit an inception report detailing the work plan, methodology, and data collection tools.
• Data Collection Team: Recruit, orient, and train experienced data collectors.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Lead data collection in targeted areas and analyze the information using appropriate statistical tools.
• Draft Report Submission: Submit the initial draft report for DSW review and incorporate feedback.
• Validation Meeting: Present findings to stakeholders for validation and discussion.
• Final Report Submission: Deliver the final report and raw data within the stipulated timeline.
• PowerPoint Presentation: Provide a standard PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings.
• Establish the project baseline and targets by aligning them with the findings from the assessment and trends identified in the study.

DURATION AND TIME SCHEDULE

• The baseline assessment is expected to be completed within 45 days .

 

REQUIRED EXPERTISE and QUALIFICATIONS

• The consulting firm should possess the following qualifications:
• Demonstrable experience in project evaluation.
• The lead consultant must have Masters and above levels of educational background in Social science, Health, population, demography and related fields of study with at least ten years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the area, Bishoftu city administration, Integrated interventions (PHE) and experience in adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health is important
• Familiarity with designing research frameworks and methodologies for evaluative research
• Proven experience in conducting an assessment on similar projects within the last three years
• High professionalism and ability to interpreting and analyzing data, working independently under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of local languages Afan Oromo is a must for data collectors.
• Legal provision with valid licenses or acceptable legal cover.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• The payment will be based on DSW’s financial regulations and procedures.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA OWNERSHIP

• The consultant will maintain the confidentiality of all participants. All data remains the property of DSW and cannot be released to third parties without written approval.