TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) – Consultancy for Baseline Survey

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
Consultancy for Baseline Survey – Strong Foundation Project
Project Title: Strong Foundation Project
Implementing Organization: CARE Sierra Leone
Project Duration: January 2026 – December 2026
Baseline Period: February – March 2026
Project Locations: Port Loko and Pujehun Districts, Sierra Leone
Donor: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Background
CARE Sierra Leone will implement the Strong Foundation Project in Port Loko and Pujehun
Districts to improve the nutrition and well-being of women of reproductive age and children
under five. The project focuses on improving dietary diversity, strengthening food and health
systems, and addressing gender and social barriers that affect nutrition outcomes.
CARE intends to recruit a local consultant or consulting firm to conduct a baseline survey
during the start-up phase of the project. The baseline will provide clear starting values for key
project indicators and generate practical information to guide implementation, monitoring, and
learning.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a simple, practical, and high-quality baseline
survey that will:
 Establish baseline values for Strong Foundation project indicators.
 Inform targeting, activity design, and community engagement strategies.
 Support routine monitoring, donor reporting, and future endline comparison.
 Generate evidence that can be easily used by CARE and partners for decision-making.
Scope of Work
 The consultant will carry out the following tasks in close collaboration with CARE Sierra
Leone:
Study Design and Planning
 Review of the Strong Foundation Project Proposal, logframe, and indicator list;

 Design a mixed-methods baseline survey using household questionnaires and
qualitative methods;
 Propose a clear and realistic sampling approach suitable for Port Loko and Pujehun
Districts.
 Ensure tools and indicators are aligned with CARE, IMNCHN, and national standards.
Data Collection Areas (Aligned to Project Indicators)
The baseline survey shall collect data linked directly to the project logframe indicators
below:
Objective 1: Increased Consumption of Diverse and Nutritious Diets
Key Indicators:
 Minimum Dietary Diversity (Children 6–23 months).
 Minimum Dietary Diversity (Women of Reproductive Age).
 Adoption of promoted nutrition and food safety practices.
Baseline Data to Collect:
 Child and maternal diet diversity (24-hour recall).
 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
 Household food availability and consumption patterns.
 Knowledge and practices related to food preparation and safety.
Objective 2: Improved Capacity of Food and Health Systems
Key Indicators:
 Satisfaction with nutrition and health service delivery.
 Community engagement with food and health system actors.
Baseline Data to Collect:
 Access to nutrition and health services.
 Referral practices for acute malnutrition.
 Community perceptions of service quality and accessibility.
Cross-Cutting Indicators
 Participation of women in household decision-making.
 Control over income and food-related decisions.
 Engagement in VSLAs, farmer groups, and community platforms.

Qualitative Data Collection
The consultant will conduct:
 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with women, men, caregivers, and adolescents.
 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with CHWs, CHOs, local leaders, agriculture officers, and
market actors.
Qualitative findings will explain why behaviors and practices exist and help CARE design
effective social and behavior change activities.
Tools, Training, and Fieldwork
 Develop simple and user-friendly questionnaires and discussion guides.
 Translate tools into relevant local languages where necessary.
 Train enumerators and supervisors (preferably locally recruited).
 Pilot tools and revise before full data collection.
Data Quality, Analysis, and Reporting
 Collect data using digital tools where possible.
 Ensure daily data checks and supervision during fieldwork.
 Analyze data and present results clearly by district, sex, and age group.
 Link findings directly to project indicators and objectives.
Key Deliverables
The consultant will submit the following deliverables:
1. Inception Report (methodology, sampling, tools, and timeline).
2. Finalized quantitative and qualitative data collection tools.
3. Clean baseline dataset and transcripts/notes from qualitative work.
4. Baseline Indicator Table aligned with the Strong Foundation logframe.
5. Draft Baseline Report.
6. Final Baseline Report incorporating CARE feedback.
7. PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations.
Timeline and Level of Effort

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 4–6 weeks, tentatively between February
and May 2026, covering:
 Inception and tool development.
 Training and pilot testing.
 Field data collection.
 Data analysis and reporting.
A detailed timeline shall be proposed by the consultant in the inception report.
Management and Coordination
The consultant will work under the technical supervision of CARE Sierra Leone’s MEAL Manager
and Project Manager. CARE will facilitate access to project sites, relevant documents, and
coordination with local partners and district stakeholders.
Consultant Qualifications
This consultancy is open to local consultants and local consulting firms. Applicants should
demonstrate:
 Experience conducting baseline surveys or evaluations in nutrition, health, agriculture,
or social programs.
 Strong understanding of community-based research in Sierra Leone.
 Ability to manage field teams and ensure data quality.
 Practical skills in data analysis and report writing.
 At least a bachelor’s degree in public health, nutrition, social sciences, statistics, or a
related field.
Ethical Considerations
The consultant must adhere to international ethical research standards, including:
 Informed consent from all respondents.
 Protection of vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
 Data confidentiality and secure data storage.
 Compliance with any national research approval requirements.
Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants/firms should submit:
 Technical proposal outlining methodology and approach.
 Detailed financial proposal.
 Organizational profile and relevant experience.
 CVs of key personnel.
 Samples of similar baseline studies conducted.
Payment Schedule
 Payments will be linked to satisfactory completion of deliverables and agreed
milestones, as specified in the contract.

Data ownership
 All data, reports, and materials produced under this consultancy shall remain the
property of CARE Sierra Leone and the donor and may not be used or shared without
prior written consent.
CARE Sierra Leone reserves the right to amend this ToR as necessary before contracting.

How to Apply:
Send a “Sealed Envelope” including a cover letter, a detailed technical and financial proposals
with the names of at least three references who must be present or past clients to:
The Admin and Supply Chain Manager
CARE Sierra Leone
11 th Old Railway Line
Wilberforce
Freetown, Sierra Leone
The sealed envelope should be clearly marked: “Consultancy for Baseline Survey – Strong
Foundation Project – RFP/CARESFP/2026/001” and submitted No later than Tuesday February
24 th , 2026 at 14:00 hours GMT.