Baseline Survey for: Recovery program in Abergelie Yechilla, Samre and Seharti (REPASS) Project

1. Background and Context

The conflict that broke out on the 4th of November 2020 between the Federal Democratic Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) left an estimated 1.8 million people displaced, claimed several hundred thousand lives according to some estimates, and left Tigray in ruins with many Tigrayans struggling to obtain basic needs and medical care. A telecommunications, electricity, and banking blackout that lasted for two years, effectively cut Tigrayans off from the rest of the world. Furthermore, the distribution of aid was blocked for many months; in December 2022, an estimated 5.5 million people in Northern Ethiopia were facing severe acute food insecurity (IOM Augst 2023).

Given the complex challenges facing the community, HELVETAS has played a vital role over the years in delivering humanitarian support to conflict- and drought-affected communities in Tigray. To support a smooth transition from emergency relief to recovery, HELVETAS has been actively implementing various recovery initiatives in the targeted woredas. Ensuring the continuity of these efforts is essential—not only to avoid disruption of services, but also to build on established relationships with community members, thereby accelerating recovery and resilience-building processes. This strategy is designed to help families regain their livelihoods and food security, while also deepening collaboration with government agencies, local community structures, and project participants.

Discussion with community members and partners highlighted a shared desire to move beyond humanitarian assistance toward longer-term recovery-focused interventions. There was strong consensus on the need for a transitional Nexus approach to reduce ongoing community hardships. Project participants clearly voiced their commitment to rebuilding their livelihoods and moving away from dependence on aid.

The project is designed to enhance food security, support early recovery, and improve livelihoods through targeted development activities. These include strengthening the seed supply system and rehabilitating small-scale irrigation infrastructure. A key focus will be the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices, achieved through the distribution of improved crop seeds and bolstering local seed systems, alongside irrigation canal rehabilitation.

Moreover, the project will incorporate valuable lessons from HELVETAS’s work in peacebuilding under its Conflict Transformation framework. Although contexts vary, insights from the NRM Borena project and its successor, the Regional Livestock Program will inform livestock restocking efforts and the analysis of conflict dynamics. In addition, relevant experiences from other initiatives focused on voice, inclusion, and social cohesion will be leveraged to further strengthen the project’s impact.

The proposed three target woredas in Tigray region (Abergele Yechila, Samre and Seharti woredas), are heavily impacted by the conflict. Abergelie Yechila (population 95,162), Samre (population: 76,704) and Seharti (population: 99,312) woredas faced food insecurity after war losses. Samre has 19,829 ha of farmable land, Seharti has 14,549 ha while Abergelie yechila has 19,856.5 ha of farmable land and potentially for crop production with meher season. Besides, Samre has 865 ha of irrigated land, Seharti has 1417.625 ha while Abergelie Yechila has 674 ha of irrigated land and potentially for vegetable and fruit production with irrigation. Before the war, 60% of farmers in both woredas owned livestock (cattle, goats, sheep) but many lost them. Seharti also has 32,000 returnees needing livelihood support. Abergele Yechilla (population: 95,162) has similar land use and livestock loss patterns. 

These woredas border areas with Amhara continue to face significant challenges despite improved access. The region experiences chronic food insecurity due to its semi-arid climate with minimal and erratic rainfall. A complete summer rain failure in 2023 resulted in a devastating 61.5% crop loss, jeopardizing the livelihoods of over 245,000 people. The impact extends beyond food scarcity, affecting livestock populations that rely on crop residue for grazing. Data reveals a dire situation, with over 80% of the population in these districts classified as food insecure and reliant on emergency and recovery programs. 

The overall aim of the project is to strengthen household and community resilience and adaptation to climate change in Central and Southeast zones of Tigray region, Ethiopia.

This will be achieved through actions across the following three main outcomes.

1. Outcome 1: Enhancing agricultural productivity through adoption of diversified and climate-smart/nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices, livestock production and rehabilitation of irrigation canals.

2. Outcome 2: Sustainable access to high quality seeds for diversification and food security

3. Outcome 3: Strengthened social cohesion and economic empowerment for sustainable community development.

The project has outlined a range of activities that will lead to several immediate results (outputs) under each outcome. The cumulative change within and between each of these systems will bring about the high level of impact the project seeks. 

Change will be measured at various levels. First, at individual and household level, where the project aims at an overall improvement of agricultural productivity, livestock production and crop diversity with a special emphasis on women and marginalised groups. The project also aims to bring to strengthen social cohesion and economic empowerment for sustainable community development in production and cooperative marketing. 

In this initial phase of the four years, the project will be operational in three woredas in the Central zone, Abergelie Yechilla and Southeast zones Samre and Seharti. The project will directly reach a minimum of 22,740 households (113,700 people will benefit). However, through organisational and institutional development many more, indirect beneficiaries will benefit from the project. 

1. Objective of the Baseline study 

The overall objective of the baseline study is to provide “diagnosis or initial assessment” of the situation at the beginning of REPASS project, which will help in the future to assess and measure the impact of an intervention. Specifically assess, identify, articulate, and recommend on communities’ resilience for climate shocks through early warning, disaster preparedness, and sustainable natural resource management in the target areas, agricultural productivity through adoption of diversified and climate-smart/nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices, livestock production and rehabilitation of irrigation canals, access to high quality seeds for diversification and food security and increasing social cohesion and economic empowerment for sustainable development. 

The main objectives of the baseline study are the following ones: 

• To collect information on socio-economic aspects that help to better define the context in which the project is going to be implemented (by complementing and integrating already existing information).

• To measure the baseline value and validate the corresponding target value for all the indicators outlined in the intervention logic providing disaggregated data (as required).

• To provide relevant basis and guidelines to the project planning and implementation and to the overall M&E system. Additionally, the assessment will provide data to support the refinement of the log frame, work plans, and risk mitigation strategies as necessary

• Assess community needs by identifying challenges, opportunities, and existing local capacities to enhance resilience

The results of the baseline survey will provide data to establish benchmark values for indicators indicated in the project’s Log frame, to direct its performance monitoring and outcome as well as impact evaluation. The baseline study results will also inform the project to reformulate or reshape concepts or measurable indicators in the log frame or in the document, to adequately accommodate activities or to adjust intervention strategies to contribute to the achievement of optimum results.

Specifically, the baseline will:

• Assess the agricultural productivity through adoption of diversified and climate-smart/nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices, livestock production and irrigation canals

• Assess the community access to quality seeds for diversification and food security

• Assess women’s engagement in decision making roles at the household and community level. 

• Assess women’s participation in social, economic, and political activities.

• Assess the psychosocial impact of the northern conflict with special emphasis on women and children including GBV survivals 

• Further map and assess the capacity of key stakeholders including but not limited to community-based organizations, cooperatives, and government partners on climate and disaster resilience and adaptation and market and service provision.

1. Scope of the Baseline 

The baseline survey shall be conducted in kebeles and villages under Abergelie Yechilla, Samre and Seharti woredas of Central and Southeast zones where the project operates. The survey covers all technical areas indicated in the project document providing information on thematic areas of the project outcomes and outputs, and related indicators of the SDGs. The survey is expected to recommend for the inclusion of any critical indicators that are not in the log frame. The target groups of the project include: –

• 22,740 direct beneficiary households, with 30% female-headed

• Cooperatives, irrigation user groups, and CBOs

The thematic areas of the intended project include: –

• Promotion of Agricultural Practices (e.g., adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture, functionality of irrigation systems)

• Strengthening Seed Systems (including availability, quality, and access)

• Restocking Livestock (assets and animal health)

• Improving social wellbeing through such as social cohesion, gender dynamics, and psychosocial support

1. Design and approach

The baseline survey should be conducted using mixed approach of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Data should include both primary and secondary sources. It includes but not limited to an initial desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), sample household survey and observation. Primary data collection should be conducted in all three target woredas (Abergelie Yechilla, Samre and Seharti) and include discussions at woreda, kebele and villages level. Importantly, at each level it is critical that the approach to data collection be inclusive and participatory, engaging individuals from various target groups (youth, women, farmers, disable, representatives of formal and non- formal groups or institutions, key gov’t stakeholders, private sectors etc.). The consultants should include in their inception report the key stakeholders and target group representatives to be contacted for interview and FGD.   While the choice of digital data collection and visualization tools will be determined by the consultant, it is advisable to use Kobo Toolbox and Power BI, as they are preferred by our organization and offer learning opportunities for future assessments

The baseline consultant is expected to design simple but numerically sensitive data collection tools/questionnaires which enable to gather data that can directly measure the proposed outcome and output indicators in the log frame through both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sampling size must be statistically valid and representative to fit the purposes of each outcome area. The analysis will involve content and statistical analysis using appropriate software as deemed fit by the consultant and client. In addition, the consultant should ensure that gender-sensitive language is used and that data collected is disaggregated by gender and other relevant dimensions.

1. Work plan

2. The baseline survey is expected to be completed within six weeks starting on May 2025.

3. Key task of the baseline study includes but not limited to: –

• The selected consultant will be required to review core documents deemed relevant for the baseline assessing already existing secondary data inclusive of the project document, country strategies of Helvetas, official sites for SDGs 2030 and other documents.

• Develop and share the inception report by clearly elaborating the methodology of the baseline assessment including both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, data collection and quality assurance protocols.

• Conduct field level assessment to gather qualitative and quantitative data from primary sources.

• Develop the assessment report and submit for comments to Helvetas at project offices and PO as required or as agreed.

• Facilitate a validation workshop and present the finding to representatives of the project organization and the government stakeholders.

• After inclusion of relevant feedback and comments from HELVETAS and other stakeholders, submit final report of the baseline.

Roles and Responsibilities of Helvetas

• HELVETAS: Provide logistical support, coordinate with government partners, and share relevant background information.
• Consultant/Firm: Conduct data collection, perform analysis, and prepare the reports.
• The donors (Frester Foundation etc.) will review the reports and provide feedback.

The baseline study report shall include the following outline.

• Glossary/Acronyms
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• Definition of Terms 
• Introduction
• Executive Summary (Narrative and a table which shows the baseline findings per indicators)
• Methodology
• Limitations
• Findings by outcome (including baseline values of indicators as per the shared intervention logic)
• Summary of main findings
• Conclusions and recommendations
• Annexes 

1. Key deliverables of the task

Team/ Management Arrangements

The baseline assessment will be undertaken by a team of consultants and enumerators. The team should consist of an experienced Senior Lead Consultant and three or more other consultants as team members. The consultants as a team should prove the necessary technical expertise in the development interventions that focus on climate change and resilience, livelihood improvement, Mental health and Psychosocial support approaches, inclusive economic development, Cooperative and market development, and women empowerment/engagements

The consultants shall have proven experiences in undertaking assessments in economically disadvantaged, conflict /drought affected and remote areas in Ethiopia. The lead consultant is responsible for leading the survey process and she/he has advanced skills in high level impact analysis coupled with proficient writing skills.

The desired qualification and experiences for team leader, members/consulting firm/Government partner office:

• The team leader (lead consultant) should have MSC/MA or above in economics, agriculture, DRM, development studies, management and NRM with substantial experiences in leading research and coordinating surveys/assessments and evaluations.

• The consulting firm has proven technical and structural capacity (networking of interviewers and supervisors).

• The team leader has proven analytical and report writing skills (in English).

• The team leader has previous experience and ability to coordinate baseline/assessments, midline, endline and evaluations in the area.

• The team members shall have qualification in development, economics, management, agronomy or agriculture, rural development, DRM, food and nutrition, sociology, gender and youths’ studies, organizational development, and shall have demonstrate relevant experiences in baseline, mid and endline assessments in similar projects.

• The consultants’ team shall have direct experiences, in similar area/setting, in applied research and M&E as an expert or as a consultant.

• The consulting firm or lead consultant shall provide a team with the above-described expertise, a renewed consultancy license (2017E.C), and attaching support letter(s) from client organization(s) and willingness to provide sample report(s).

Specification for the submission of offers

Qualified consultants or consultancy firms interested in the assignment are expected to submit the following documentation.

• A technical proposal (max 10 page): interpreting the ToR, elaborate the proposed methodology and design, including

  1. draft work plan against proposed time frame justifying any proposed changes to the deliverable schedule or process.

  2.  brief overview of the consultant/consultancy firm and the skills and experiences they would bring to the assignment (including CVs of any team members assigned to the assessment)

  3. contact details of three referees from other organizations that have recently contract the consultant/consultancy firm to perform similar work for the last 1- 2 years. 

• A financial proposal: clarifying the following costs: budget with professional fee per day, and all other relevant costs including logistical costs should be detailed.

• The financial proposal should be quoted in EtB(Ethiopian Birr).

• Sample of recent baseline completed: a sample of a recent baseline completed for a similar program/project.

• Overall conformity with administrative criteria will qualify consultant for further consideration. Subsequent, technical and financial evaluation account for 80% and 20%, respectively. 

• All legal documents including renewed business licence, VAT and Tin certificate should be submitted

Ethical Considerations 

• The project team shall obtain a support letter from the concerned regional office to conduct the survey.  

• The study is expected to respect basic ethical principles of Frester Foundation, HELVETAS and international standardized research codes of ethics and other individual donors.

• All research/study participants need to be informed primarily about the objectives and process of the study.

• All the study related documents including data gathering tools, checklists and forms will be the REPASS property. 

• The consultant will be required to use a signed consent form while collecting data/information

How To Apply

Interested and qualified consultants or consultancy firms in the assignment are expected to submit their Technical and Financial Proposal with the above mentioned documents, and send applications only through
HumanResources.ETH@helvetas.org