Terms of Reference (TOR) for engaging External Agency to undertake Endline survey for a project on Water, Sanitation, Agriculture, Nutrition and Digital literacy & Life Skill Education in Nuh district, Haryana

S M Sehgal Foundation is a rural, grassroots implementing NGO that operates across 12 states of India, reaching over 4.2 million people and counting. The organization’s mission is to achieve positive social, economic, and environmental change across rural India. It works to address critical issues concerning food security, water security, and local participation and sustainability, with a focus on the empowerment of women and children. The foundation brings together a dedicated team of experts who create sustainable programs and work directly alongside rural communities to better manage their water resources, increase their agricultural productivity, strengthen and articulate their vision for village development, and transform the lives of youth and schoolchildren. S M Sehgal Foundation has five main program areas: Agricultural Development, Water Management, Local Participation and Sustainability, Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development. 

As part of its project “Vriddhi II”, operational in Nuh district in Haryana, SMSF seeks to hire an agency to conduct endline survey in select project villages.

Broad Tasks and Deliverables

1. Conduct Endline survey in the intervention villages of the district Nuh, Haryana. 
2. Ensuring the quality of the data through consistent data monitoring.
3. Create detailed Endline report comparing with the key indicators covered in the baseline survey.  
4. Provide raw data and interview transcripts, along with audio-visual attachments and/or photographs as necessary.

Project Overview

Project: Vriddhi II

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Implementation Partner: S.M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF)

Focus Area: Water, Sanitation, Agriculture, Nutrition and Digital literacy & Life Skills Education

The intervention villages lie in the most backward district, Nuh as identified by Niti Ayog, 2018. The district lags behind the rest of the districts in various essential parameters such as health, education, income and nutrition. Water scarcity is one of the major problems in the intervention region that is impeding the development indicators. Ground water is the only source for drinking and farming activities. Due to the constant reduction of rainfall and over extraction of ground water for various activities, the ground water level is depleting at a faster rate and water is becoming scarce. It is not only affecting the drinking water availability but also affecting the farming practices which are a mainstay of the people in the region. As the irrigation facilities are frugal, the dependency on rain fed crop is higher. Animal husbandry is the secondary source of income in the region to earn income alongside agriculture. However, the scarcity of money and non-availability of veterinary services increases their burden of rearing livestock.

Water scarcity impacts sewage system, sanitation, and garbage distribution, affecting population nutrition and women’s health. population nutrition and women’s health. Socioeconomic and cultural practices and lack of proper awareness on healthy food habits affect the health condition of women in the region. Against this background, SMSF implemented a project with a holistic approach of development in two villages i.e. Naharpur and Gabanspur of Punhana block of the district, Nuh, Haryana. Key objectives of the project are

• Improve access to water for community
• Improve hygiene and sanitation practices
• Increase awareness about balanced diet and nutrition, especially among women
• Empower and engage village youth through digital awareness
• Improve farm productivity
• Awareness and Access to different government scheme. 

Objective of the study

To this end, SMSF seeks to engage an external agency to undertake an endline survey of the project. The goal of the endline survey is measuring changes over time based on the identified parameters of the project intervention. 

We expect the agency to apply both quantitative and qualitative tools including structured interview schedule, semi structured interview schedules, focus group discussions and other relevant PRA tools for different stakeholders. Following is the tentative sample and target respondent groups for the study:    

This endline survey is expected to provide information on following vital indicators:

• Drinking water and sanitation
• Sources of water availability
• Availability of sanitation facilities
• Handwashing practices
• Nutrition status and dietary intake
• Mensural health and hygiene
• Digital literacy and Life skill education
• Awareness and access to government schemes
• Farming practices and allied livelihood practices

Geography

The endline survey will be undertaken in two villages i.e. Gabanspur, Naharpur lies in Punhana block of the district Nuh, Haryana. 

Duration of the study

Three-months from the date of signing the agreement. 

Submission Criterion 

1. Technical and financial proposal of the study should be submitted 

(Financial proposal should carry budget with all applicable taxes mentioned clearly. Budget line items should be clearly described followed with justification.) 

2. Credentials of the organisation and projects handled. 
3. The agency should have relevant thematic experience of working in the social sector (at least 5-6 years). Experience of working with non-profit organisations and international donors is desirable.
4. The selection of research agency will be done considering the soundness of the technical proposal along with the feasibility of the financial proposal.
5. The costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs.
6. Interested agency should submit their technical and financial proposal by 20^th February, 2024 – v.sharma@smsfoundation.org