Terms of Reference Needs Assessment for Women’s Empowerment in Southwest Sumba

Background

Established in 2007, Southwest Sumba is one of the poorest districts in Eastern Indonesia with a population of 313.217 (SBD Dalam Angka, 2020) and poverty rate of 30% (Susenas, 2017), the highest of other districts on the island. Open unemployment in Southwest Sumba is relatively low, with labor participation rate of 82% and 63% for male and female, respectively. The women of Southwest Sumba typically participate actively in agriculture, horticulture, livestock and estate crop services; though mostly acting in supporting roles to their husbands while their primary role would be as homemakers. There are opportunities for improved participation of women in economic activities.

WLF is keen to have a better understanding of the constraints, limitations, and opportunities women and, if any, female-headed households in Southwest Sumba face in participating in economic activities through an assessment. This assessment is expected to provide WLF with a portrait of current roles and profile of women and their economic activities in Southwest Sumba. Moreover, WLF is particularly interested in having a better understanding of how their participation in economic activities, or possibly lack thereof, relates to challenges women face in fulfilling the nutritional needs of both their children and their household.

Results from the assessment will feed into WLF’s development of a capacity building or support program that focuses on empowering women through the use of local knowledge, skills, wisdom and resources. This program may also have nutrition-sensitive or nutrition-specific components developed for targeted beneficiaries. WLF hopes that through such program, the women of Southwest Sumba can access opportunities to income-generating activities that in the long term can address the needs of women at individual, household and community levels, as well as the opportunities to improve nutrition status of themselves and their households.

About WLF

The William and Lily Foundation (WLF) is a Jakarta-based philanthropic organization established in 2009. Our mission is to empower vulnerable and marginalized communities by bridging learning with access to opportunities. As an active grant-making foundation, we work closely with local implementation partners on three focus areas: Education, Health and Economic Empowerment.

Objective

WLF seeks a Consultant (individual/team of individuals) to conduct a needs assessment on women empowerment in Southwest Sumba focusing on a realistic portrait on the role of women, their assets and challenges, and opportunities at individual, household, and community levels, as well as a nutrition profile of target respondents.

WLF is also keen to learn of suitable entry points for future support program(s) based on results of the assessment, as well as in better understanding the prevailing cultural practices and barriers to women accessing opportunities to improve their livelihoods and welfare, particularly in nutrition.

Scope

The assessment will collect data and information from women in at least 5 (five) villages under WLF projects’ portfolio, for example from revitalization of PAUD-HI program in Southwest Sumba project. Selection of key respondents will be done following a discussion with WLF and gathering of input from WLF’s implementing partners.

WLF also hope that the assessment can provide insights to possible linkages between an economic empowerment support program and WLF’s health and education programs.

Deliverables

Prospective Consultant is expected to deliver a Needs Assessment on Women’s Empowerment Issue in Southwest Sumba. Both qualitative and/or quantitative data will be used to investigate and analyze the issues that informed the needs assessment. These included primary and secondary data collected from target respondents and key stakeholders. Emphasis will be placed on delivery of the following information and analysis:

1. Existing economic or income-generating activities and role occupied by women in target areas;
2. Existing women’s group conducting economic or income-generating activities;
3. The ability of women to participate in income generating activities.
4. Potentials for women-focused income generating activities;
5. Challenges and barriers to women-focused income generating activities;
6. Lessons learned from women’s empowerment programs in the region that are applicable to Southwest Sumba (what works and what doesn’t, focusing on motivations and non-financial incentives or behavioral change ‘nudge’ experiments);
7. Local government strategy, program, policy or support for women’s empowerment.

Additionally, Consultant is expected to conduct household level survey to deliver an analytical and descriptive summary of women and the decision-making process at home, including information on women’s role in budget management and allocation, particularly on decision regarding food purchases (type of food, level of knowledge in nutrition, and access to nutritious food).

Duration

The assessment is expected to start in May 2020 and prospective consultant will be expected to submit their final findings within 3 (three) months from the start of data collection activities (excluding Eid holidays).

Selection Criteria

WLF is looking for experienced individual(s) with extensive knowledge and experience on women’ empowerment issues in vulnerable and marginalized communities of remote areas with challenging climate and geographical conditions. Prospective consultant is expected to have extensive experience in conducting needs assessment that focuses on community and participatory approach. Candidates should also possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in women’s studies, relevant social sciences, business management, or development studies. A master’s degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in conducting social research or needs assessment for women’s empowerment programs and or experience in conducting household level research  in Eastern Indonesia. Knowledge of Sumba, particularly Southwest Sumba is ideal.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative skills in research methodology.
• Excellent report writing skills in English or Indonesian.
• Strong interpersonal skills with experience in engaging local government, community leaders, and civil society.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including ability to manage a small team.
• Ability to handle tight timeline and prioritize.
• Prior experience of working in multicultural setting and sensitive to different cultural practices and values.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Submission

Prospective consultants are expected to submit technical and financial proposals in English or Indonesian that includes the following:

1. A comprehensive proposal focusing on needs assessment on women’s empowerment issue in Southwest Sumba, including a detailed research methodology to be applied and proposed selection criteria for target respondents and key stakeholders; 
2. Most recent Curriculum Vitae (for each member of the assessment team) with clear demonstration of previous experience in conducting needs assessment at household or community level or study on women and/or experience in implementing women’s empowerment or women-focused income generating programs;
3. Proposed work plan including timeline for key activities and deliverables;
4. Proposed budget in Indonesian rupiah, including daily rate, budget allocation for activities (meetings, FGDs, interviews, etc.), travel and accommodation, incidentals and other expenses;
5. A writing sample of the consultant(s)’s previous research work on women-focused economic empowerment programs.

Please send the technical and financial proposals in English or Indonesian to support@wlf.or.id by 26 April 2020.