Terms of Reference (ToR) to Undertake Baseline Survey for Children in Street Situations (CISS) project in Dessie and Kombolcha

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Programme Location and Context

SOSCVE Bahir Dar program location was established in 2000 and works on alternative care, Family and Community Strengthening Program (FCSP), kindergarten, and high school. The program is currently active in Lalibela, Waghemira and North Wollo.

SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia is scaling up the Children in Street Situations (CISS) project to Dessie and Kombolcha towns in Amhara regional state due to conflict and environmental hazards. Children in these areas face extreme vulnerability including poverty, family breakdown, malnutrition, and substance abuse.

Objective of the Study

Overall Objective

Measure and set baseline values of the results framework indicators at outcome and output level before the start of the project in Dessie and Kombolcha towns.

Specific Objectives

• Set achievable targets for the project's outcomes and outputs
• Identify gaps in child protection, education, and livelihoods among target groups
• Assess access to inclusive education services, dropout rates, and teacher capacity
• Assess structural capacity and governance of community organizations and family-based structures
• Gather data to assist in designing/updating the project's M&E plan

Project Outcomes and Outputs

Outcome 1: Children Exit Street Situation

• Output 1.1: Children receive education
• Output 1.2: Children have good physical and mental health
• Output 1.3: Children have access to basic needs

Outcome 2: Families of CISS Have Increased Capacity to Provide Care

• Output 2.1: Families have improved economic capacity
• Output 2.2: Caregivers have increased parental knowledge

Outcome 3: Social Structures to Protect and Prevent Children in the Streets Are Strengthened

• Output 3.1: Capacity of child protection institutions is strengthened
• Output 3.2: Community members have more awareness of causes of street situations

Major Research Questions

• What is the status and major risks facing street children in Dessie and Kombolcha?
• What is the current level of access to education, enrollment, attendance, and dropout rates?
• What is the capacity of teachers to deliver inclusive and protective education?
• What are the livelihood opportunities and economic challenges facing households?
• What is the governance capacity of community organizations and family-based structures?
• How do stakeholders collaborate in delivering child protection, education, and livelihood services?
• What are the current baseline values for outcome and output indicators?

Scope of the Study

The project runs from June 2026 to December 2028, geographically limited to Dessie and Kombolcha towns, targeting children, caregivers, and youth.

Target Groups	Dessie	Kombolcha	Total
Children with care givers	94	141	235
Young people	125	188	313
Care givers	336	504	840
Total	555	833	1,388

Methodology

The consultant should use a mixed methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), disaggregating data by sex, age, and disability. Methods should include surveys, FGDs, KIIs, and desk reviews, with data collection tools tested before use.

Deliverables

All deliverables must be submitted within 40 days of contract signing:

• Inception report (max 8 pages) including methodology, sampling, and work plan
• Draft baseline study report (max 20 pages)
• Presentation of findings by intervention area
• Final baseline study report with executive summary and data collection tools
• Cleaned raw data (quantitative and qualitative) submitted to SOS CVE

Terms of Payment

• 30% on submission and approval of inception report
• 30% on completion of draft report
• 40% on completion of final report

Payment by bank transfer in Ethiopian Birr.

Qualification Requirements

• PhD degree (at least team leader) in psychology, sociology, social work, development studies, economics, M&E or related field
• At least 5 years' experience in NGO assessments, monitoring, and evaluation
• Good understanding of street children, family strengthening, child rights, and safeguarding in the Ethiopian context
• Proven experience in participatory data collection, mixed methods, and quantitative/qualitative analysis
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Legally registered firm with renewed license, VAT registration, and TIN number

How to Apply

Submit separate technical and financial proposals electronically to: procurement@sos-ethiopia.org

Subject line: "Terms of Reference to Undertake Baseline Survey for Children in Street Situations (CISS) project in Dessie and Kombolcha"

Technical proposal should include: understanding of assignment, methodology, work plan, team composition, relevant experience, and risk analysis.

Financial proposal should include: detailed budget breakdown covering professional fees, fieldwork, logistics, and production costs.

Supporting documents: company profile, CVs of key personnel, samples of previous work, legal registration and certifications.

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