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Terms of Reference
To Design and implement a community-led Action Research on cost-effectiveness of cooking and heating solutions in Malawi.
1.1. Background
A consortium of Oxfam (Lead), Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA) and Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) is implementing the project ‘Promoting Equitable Access to Clean Energy (PEACE) with financial support from the European Union (EU). The project aims at ensuring that citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) are better informed and empowered to advocate for their right to energy and for the adoption of efficient and fair energy distribution systems and regulations in Malawi. Ultimately, the project seeks to contribute to a more green and resilient economic transformation in Malawi through strengthening an enabling environment for equitable access to clean energy. The project will be implemented over a period of three and half years.
PEACE project is largely a national level policy engagement project, but it also has local level action in districts of Salima and Peri-urban areas of Lilongwe and Blantyre districts as points for generating evidence and piloting clean energy solutions. In each local level action area, there are four communities, thus a total of 12 communities being targeted.
In each district, 250 households are supported in piloting clean energy solutions, giving a total of 750 households for the project. The project is collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector institutions in the energy sector including International Financing Institutions (IFls), government institutions and departments, District Councils, the media, and communities.
1.2. Objectives of the project
1.2.1. Overall Objective:
To contribute to a more green and resilient economic transformation in Malawi through strengthening an enabling environment for equitable access to clean energy.
1.2.2. Specific objective
Citizens and civil society organizations are better informed and empowered to advocate for their right to energy and the adoption of efficient and fair energy distribution systems and regulations in Malawi.
1.2.3. Key outputs
- Enhanced capacities of CSOs to influence the local, national, and regional policy and legal frameworks within the energy Sector.
- Strengthened capacities of CSOs to demand for more transparency and hold the government and energy operators accountable.
Citizens and communities, especially the energy poor and most vulnerable groups (youth, women and people living with disabilities), are able to engage more actively in policy dialogue and decision-making processes related to access to clean energy.
2.0 About the Research
In many rural and low-income households, cooking and heating rely heavily on traditional methods that are inefficient, expensive, and environmentally unsustainable. Modern and efficient cooking solutions such as electricity, LPG, and biogas offer a promising alternative with the potential to reduce fuel consumption, lower household expenses, and mitigate environmental impacts. However, these modern solutions are often perceived as expensive for most rural communities. This perception is largely driven by the limited availability of data and evidence-based information on their cost effectiveness compared to traditional methods commonly used in these areas. This action research aims to address this gap by engaging selected beneficiary households in the three PEACE Project pilot districts to test and document weekly expenditures and other indicators related to cooking and heating using a variety of cooking and heating solutions including electricity.
2.1 Objectives of the research
2.1.1. Overall objective action research:
To examine cost-effectiveness of cleaner and efficient cooking and heating solutions over traditional cooking and heating methods currently used by communities in Malawi, drawing evidence from the project target areas in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Salima districts.
Specifically, the research aims to:
- Design and implement a community led longitudinal action research that tracks weekly expenditures for heating and cooking across select households using different cooking and heating solutions.
- Using findings of the research, demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of cleaner and efficient cooking and heating solutions used in Malawi.
- Assess the broader social, economic, and environmental impacts of transitioning to cleaner and more efficient cooking and heating solutions in Malawi.
3.0 Scope of Work
The consultant is expected to undertake this work following participatory approaches which includes both qualitative and quantitative study. Below are some of the processes to be carried out by the consultant(s):
- Inception Phase: Review project documents including the proposal, energy sector policies, programmes and strategies plus any other relevant documents. The key output is the inception report which will include a detailed approach to the research including the data collection tools and methodology. These will be discussed and approved before commencement of the assignment.
- Design and implement the action research, ensuring that it is community led. During implementation the consulting firm shall train and engage communities to collect both quantitative and qualitative data relevant to the action research. This will involve training households on data collection methods, overseeing weekly data collection from participating households and monitoring and validating collected data
- Data analysis/reporting: based on data collection and using a mix of qualitative and methodologies, the consultants) shall analyze the data and prepare a draft report to be presented to Oxfam, consortium partners and stakeholders. The report shall highlight key findings, challenges and recommendations. After presentation of the draft report, comments will be consolidated to inform finalization of the final research report for submission to Oxfam together with raw datasets.
- PowerPoint presentation: The consultant shall prepare a PowerPoint presentation of the main findings of the research.
4.0 Responsibilities of the consultants
The consultants will be primarily responsible for:
- Developing/designing study including tools and methodology
- Sharing study design including process, methodology and tools with Oxfam and consortium partners
- Arranging meetings with high level policy stakeholders to collect data.
- Collecting feedback from Oxfam and consortium partners and finalize study design.
- Develop data collection tools, orient, train and supervise the research participants (households)
- Analyzing data and preparing draft report.
- Getting feedback on the draft and submit a final report.
5.0 Responsibilities of Oxfam and Consortium partners
Within its policies and practices, Oxfam’s primary responsibility is to support the consultants to achieve the objectives of the assignment at hand. Specifically, Oxfam and the consortium partners, CEPA and CISONECC will be responsible
- Providing all relevant documentation for the assignment
- Providing training on Oxfam safeguarding and ethics to the consultants and their team
- Supporting the consultants) in arranging meetings with concerned parties.
- Providing inputs to design and study tools
- Monitoring, providing feedback and ensuring effectiveness of the study.
- Providing inputs/feedback to draft and final reports
- Releasing the budget as per the agreed budget disbursement schedule.
6.0 Deliverables
The following deliverables are expected under this TOR:
- Detailed research design and implementation plan agreed with Oxfam in Malawi
- Inception report
- Data collection tools, training manual and research materials for community participants
- Draft report
- Final report with targeted recommendations. These should be submitted in three hard copies and an electronic copy. The report should be no more than 40 pages inclusive of an executive summary which should be no more than 4 pages. Details of the other findings to be attached as annexes.
- Data set for quantitative data in Flash disk.
- Policy Brief for use by the project in engaging government, and other stakeholders around equitable access to clean energy in Malawi (5 pages maximum)
- Community-friendly summaries and presentations on the findings of the research.
7.0 Eligibility criteria
The consultant (s) should have sound experience in qualitative and quantitative research, clear understanding of action research methodology and experience in using different social research tools and techniques.
- The team must include holders of at least a master’s degree in energy studies, environmental science, development studies, or related fields.
- More than 10 years of practical experience in conducting similar studies with emphasis on action research.
- Quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis skills are essential.
- Demonstrable experience, skills and knowledge in advocacy and policy influencing within the energy, climate change and natural resources management sectors
- Good knowledge and understanding of the energy sector in Malawi.
8.0 Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Administrative Compliance (proof of registration, CVs of proposed team, evidence of previous work on action research, 3 relevant references for previous comparable assignments)
- Experience/Competence of the team/film (25%).
- Quality and Technical strength of the proposal (60%).
- Financial Offer (15%).
9.0 Work schedule.
Oxfam expects the consultant to complete the assignment by 28th February 2025.
10.0 Supervision and management
Oxfam in Malawi will supervise the process and ensure that the consultant delivers on the assignment as per their submitted proposal. Specifically, the consultant (s) will report to the Knowledge Management Coordinator and Project Coordinator from Oxfam. The consultant will be expected to work closely with and interact on a continuous basis with Oxfam in Malawi, CISONECC and CEPA while undertaking the assignment.
10.0 Submission of proposals
Interested consultant (s) should submit technical and financial proposal (not more than 10 pages), detailing how they will undertake the assignment including up-to-date CVs of the lead consultant(s). Proposals should be submitted to the address below either in electronic or hard copy form and must be clearly indicated ‘Consultancy for Longitudinal Community-led Action Research on cost effectiveness of cooking and heating solutions in Malawi” by 17:00 hours local time on 22nd December 2024.
All correspondence for the consultancy should be addressed to:
Internal Procurement Committee
Oxfam in Malawi
Green Heritage House (Area 13 Market)
P/Bag B331
Lilongwe 3,
Tel: +265 1 770 489/525
Email: procurement.malawi@oxfam.org.uk
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