Tender For Action Research: Practical Approaches To Climate Resilience In East Africa, July 2025 At Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity, which aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people. It is an independent Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded in the UK in 1984.

With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender.

Our vision:

Inspired by our Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.

Our mission:

Exemplifying our Islamic values, we will mobilise resources, build partnerships, and develop local capacity, as we work to:

• Enable communities to mitigate the effect of disasters, prepare for their occurrence and respond by providing relief, protection and recovery.
• Promote integrated development and environmental custodianship with a focus on sustainable livelihoods.
• Support the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty.

At the international level, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and is a signatory to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct. IRW is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) through raising awareness of the issues that affect poor communities and through its work on the ground. Islamic Relief are one of only 13 charities that have fulfilled the criteria and have become members of the Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk), and is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).

IRW endeavours to work closely with local communities, focussing on capacity-building and empowerment to help them achieve development without dependency.

Please see our website for more information http://www.islamic-relief.org/

Background

This action research initiative is integral to a broader project aimed at bolstering the resilience of vulnerable populations specifically smallholder farmers, pastoralists, unemployed youth, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) against climate-related shocks across the East Africa region. The overarching project strategically focuses on several key areas: improving access to sustainable water resources, enhancing agricultural and livestock productivity through climate-smart practices, increasing income-generating opportunities for youth, strengthening community-based disaster risk reduction (CMDRR) capacities, and ultimately, enhancing institutional capabilities for effective climate resilience programming. This specific action research directly contributes to Outcome 5: “Improved IR institutional capacity on climate resilience programming through action-research.”

General Project Information

• Project Title: Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change (BREAC)
• Implementing Organization: Islamic Relief (IR)
• Geographic Focus: East Africa Region (Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan)
• Target Rightsholders: Smallholder farmers, pastoralists, unemployed youth, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
• Overall Impact: Measurably reduced vulnerability to climate shocks within target communities.
• Key Project Components:
  • Improved Water Access: Development and rehabilitation of boreholes, dams, and irrigation systems.
  • Enhanced Agricultural and Livestock Productivity: Promotion of climate-smart agriculture, climate-adaptive crop varieties, and improved fodder production.
  • Increased Income and Asset Growth: Establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), provision of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and support for microfinance initiatives.
  • Strengthened Disaster Risk Reduction: Capacity building for Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) committees and establishment/enhancement of early warning systems.
  • Enhanced Institutional Capacity: Action research, knowledge generation, and dissemination to improve climate resilience programming.
• Specific Objectives:

Objectives of the review

The primary objective of this action research is to collaboratively develop and apply practical, context-driven knowledge and solutions that enhance climate resilience among target communities through participatory engagement, enabling the project to refine its adaptive management approaches and develop scalable learning tools for climate resilience across similar settings.

This research differs from traditional evaluations by prioritising community participation throughout, adapting interventions based on findings, and embedding learning directly into project cycles. Rather than solely assessing impact, it seeks to collaboratively test, refine, and scale effective resilience practices.

The specific objectives of this action research are:

• To deepen Understanding of Local Climate Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Strategies:
  • Employ participatory assessment methods to precisely identify the climate-related vulnerabilities experienced by diverse target communities.
  • Review of Related Studies and Theoretical Frameworks
  • Systematically document and analyze existing community-led adaptation mechanisms, evaluating their effectiveness and scalability.
  • Investigate the interconnectedness of gender roles, livelihood activities, and environmental factors in the context of climate change impacts.
• To evaluate the Effectiveness of Implemented Climate Resilience Interventions:
  • Rigorous assessment of the impact of specific project activities (related to water, agriculture, livestock, income generation, and disaster risk reduction) on the resilience of target beneficiaries.
  • Identification of key enabling factors and barriers influencing the success and sustainability of these interventions.
  • Comprehensive analysis of the functionality and effectiveness of the project’s early warning systems in facilitating timely and appropriate responses.
• To foster Collaborative Knowledge Generation and Sharing for Influence:
  • Develop a range of accessible knowledge products (e.g., research reports, policy briefs, compelling presentations, visual summaries) tailored to diverse audiences to inform policy and practice on climate resilience in pastoral and agropastoral livelihood systems.
• To enhance Institutional Capacity for Adaptive and Evidence-Based Programming:
  • Develop, refine, and implement a participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system that actively incorporates research findings.
  • Utilize the evidence generated through the action research to inform timely project adjustments, improve the design of ongoing interventions, and strengthen the conceptualization of future climate resilience programs.
• Focused Research Questions (Guiding Inquiries)

In addition to the objectives, this action research will have a set of overarching and activity-specific questions, which you will in Annex 1.

Methodology and approach

Action Research Approach

This action research will adopt a participatory and iterative approach, employing a mixed method design to gather comprehensive insights. The action research will follow an iterative cycle of planning, action, observation, and reflection, with findings being used to adapt project strategies in real-time. This cycle will be repeated over the project’s duration to ensure adaptive learning is embedded into implementation.

This iterative cycle can include the following stages: Plan, Act, Observe, Reflect, and Re-plan. This is to ensure continuous learning, adaptation, and meaningful participation by communities and country teams throughout the research process. The table below provides an example of what this would look like:

Stage

What Happens

Who Is Involved

Examples in This Research

Plan

Identify key problems, define research questions, co-develop tools and methods.

Country office teams, communities, regional MEAL, Global MEAL, consultant (support role).

Workshops to identify resilience gaps; co-design of FGD and survey tools.

Act

Implement data collection and begin piloting small adaptive actions based on emerging insights.

Country office leads with enumerators and communities; consultant supports.

Conduct surveys, FGDs, mapping to test programme strategies (e.g. improved water committee practices).

Observe

Analyse findings, monitor initial changes, document learning.

Consultant facilitates; country office and regional MEAL interpret findings.

Presentation of findings workshop to assess impact of intervention (e.g. TVET on youth livelihoods).

Reflect

Facilitate structured reflection sessions to interpret findings and identify what’s working or not.

Community representatives, CO teams, regional team, consultant.

Reflection workshop with staff and communities

Re-plan

Adjust project strategies based on evidence; prepare for next action cycle.

CO teams lead with support from regional and consultant.

Modify activities (e.g. refine DRR plans, market interventions), adjust MEAL tools.

Research Methodology

The methodology will include, but not be limited to:

• Participatory Action Research (PAR): This will be the overarching framework, actively engaging community members, local authorities, and project stakeholders in all phases of the research, from problem identification to the development and implementation of solutions.
  • Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Techniques: Utilizing tools such as community mapping, seasonal calendars, and wealth ranking to gather local knowledge and perspectives.
  • Participatory Mapping: Facilitating community members to visually represent their understanding of resources, vulnerabilities, and social dynamics to foster shared understanding and inform interventions.
  • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Facilitating in-depth discussions with diverse groups of community members to explore their experiences, perceptions, and knowledge related to climate change and project interventions.
  • Semi-structured Interviews: Conducting key informant interviews with community leaders, project staff, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders to gather expert opinions and detailed insights.
  • Case Studies: In-depth examination of specific project interventions, individual experiences, or community-led initiatives to understand the nuances of their implementation and impact.
  • Observation: Systematic observation of project activities and community practices to gather firsthand information on their implementation and outcomes.
  • Literature review: To refine the research questions, select appropriate methodologies, and build upon existing knowledge, ultimately strengthening the credibility and impact of the action research project.
  • Surveys: Administering structured questionnaires to a representative sample of rightsholders to collect quantifiable data on socio-economic indicators, agricultural practices, access to resources, and resilience capacities. Examples could include: Household surveys, water point surveys, livestock surveys, TVET institution capacity assessment surveys.
  • Analysis of Project Monitoring Data: Utilizing existing project data (baseline, midline, endline) to identify trends, measure progress, and assess the impact of interventions.
  • Asset Tracking: Quantifying changes in household assets and livelihoods as a result of project interventions.

Qualitative Methods:

Quantitative Methods:

Sampling strategy

The action research will employ a multi-layered and participatory sampling strategy designed to ensure contextual relevance, inclusivity, and representation across the diverse geographic and livelihood settings of the project. The sampling approach will be jointly led by the Country Offices, in coordination with the Regional and Global MEAL teams, and with technical input from the consultant.

1. Purposive Sampling

• To ensure contextual depth and relevance, purposive sampling will be used to:
• Select a diverse mix of project sites across the five participating countries (Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan), representing different agro-ecological zones and livelihood systems (pastoralist, agropastoralist, displaced, and urban).
• Identify key informants (e.g. traditional leaders, technical government officials, project staff, water committee representatives, VSLA leaders) who can provide rich and nuanced insights.

1. Stratified Sampling

Stratified sampling will ensure that data reflects the experiences of different target rightsholder groups, including:

• Smallholder farmers
• Pastoralists
• Unemployed youth
• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Each stratum will be further disaggregated by gender, and where possible, include persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups to capture differentiated climate resilience outcomes.

1. Random Sampling
2. Sample Size Determination

Within selected communities, random sampling will be applied (where feasible) for household surveys to ensure statistical validity and reduce bias. This will include systematic random sampling from project beneficiary lists or community registers.

The sample size will be jointly determined by Country Office MEAL teams and the Regional Office, taking into consideration:

• The need for representative and comparative data across countries and target groups.
• The available resources, timeframe, and logistical constraints.
• Statistical power required to detect meaningful differences or patterns across groups.

Sample sizes will aim to allow for both country-specific analysis and regional synthesis of findings.

Roles and Responsibilities for Action Research

Country Office

The Country Office plays a crucial role in the on-the-ground execution and local stakeholder engagement of the action research. Country Offices are the primary drivers of the action research process, leading data collection, and engagement with communities and stakeholders. Their leadership ensures that the research reflects local realities and feeds directly into adaptive programming

• Establishing a Sector-Based Research Team: This involves identifying and mobilizing internal staff with relevant expertise from different sectors to form a dedicated research team. This team will be the primary point of contact for the research within the country.
• Facilitating and Overseeing Data Collection: The Country Office team will be directly responsible for the systematic and ethical collection of data, ensuring it aligns with the agreed-upon methodology and tools. This may include coordinating interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, and gathering relevant documentation.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: Actively engage with local stakeholders, including community leaders, beneficiaries, government officials, and partner organizations, to ensure their participation, feedback, and ownership of the research process. This also involves coordinating logistics for meetings and workshops.
• Contextual Insight and Validation: Provide crucial local context and insights to inform the research design, data interpretation, and recommendations. This ensures the research is relevant and applicable to the specific country context.
• Logistical Support: Provide necessary logistical support for research activities, including transportation, venue arrangements, and communication.

EA Regional Office and IRW (International / Global Office)

The EA Regional Office and IRW provide strategic oversight, technical guidance, and quality assurance for the action research.

• Terms of Reference (ToR) Preparation: Develop comprehensive and clear Terms of Reference for the action research, outlining its objectives, scope, methodology, deliverables, and timelines. This serves as the foundational document for the research.
• Data Collection Tools Development & Refinement: Lead the development of robust and appropriate data collection tools (e.g., questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists) that align with the research objectives. This also includes refining tools based on initial feedback or pilot testing.
• Consultant Advertisement and Recruitment: Manage the entire process of advertising the consultancy, reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and selecting the most qualified consultant(s) for the action research.
• Consultant Onboarding and Contract Management: Facilitate a smooth onboarding process for the selected consultant(s), ensuring they understand the project’s objectives, context, and expectations. This also includes managing the consultant’s contract and payments.
• Data Quality Auditing and Methodological Oversight: Implement mechanisms for regular data quality checks and audits to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of collected data. This team also provides oversight of the research methodology to ensure rigor and ethical considerations are met.
• Technical Backstopping and Support: Provide ongoing technical support and guidance to the Country Office research team and the consultant throughout the research process.
• Dissemination Strategy Development (in collaboration with Consultant): Contribute to developing a strategy for effectively disseminating research findings to relevant internal and external audiences.

Consultant

The consultant will play a technical and facilitative role, supporting country teams to refine tools, analyze data, and develop actionable insights. Their primary role is to enhance the research capacity of the teams and ensure methodological rigour.

• Refining Tools and Suggesting Additional Approaches: Critically review existing data collection tools, suggesting refinements for clarity, effectiveness, and alignment with research objectives. Propose additional methodologies or approaches that could enrich the research findings and provide deeper insights.
• Comprehensive Data Analysis and Interpretation: Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative data analysis using appropriate statistical and analytical methods. Interpret the findings, identifying key themes, trends, and implications relevant to the research questions.
• Developing a High-Quality Action Research Report: Produce a well-structured, clear, and comprehensive final report that presents the research methodology, findings, analysis, conclusions, and actionable recommendations. The report should adhere to agreed-upon quality standards.
• Data Presentation and Visualization: Develop compelling and accessible presentations of the research findings, utilizing appropriate data visualization techniques (e.g., charts, graphs, infographics) to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Final Report Presentation and Discussion: Present the final research findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders (Country Office, Regional Office, IRW, etc.) and facilitate discussions to ensure understanding and actionable uptake of the results.
• Capacity Building (as agreed): Potentially provide training or mentorship to the Country Office research team in specific aspects of research methodology or data analysis, as agreed upon in the ToR.
• Project beneficiaries (smallholder farmers, pastoralists, youth, IDPs).
• Community leaders and local governance structures.
• Relevant government agencies at local, regional, and national levels.
• Academic and research institutions engaged in climate change and development studies.
• Donors and funding partners supporting climate resilience initiatives.
• Other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian organizations working in the East Africa region and globally.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

This action research is expected to produce the following key outputs:

Target Audience for Research Findings

The findings of this action research will be relevant and disseminated to a diverse range of stakeholders, including:

Timeline

The action research will be conducted throughout the project’s duration, with the following key phases and indicative timelines

Phase

Activity

Timeline

Phase 1: Planning

Develop detailed action research plan & methodology; ToR development; Establish research partnerships

Months 1-2

Phase 2: Data Collection and Analysis

Conduct community dialogues, FGDs, surveys; Collect data on vulnerabilities & adaptation; Analyze data & identify key findings; Integrate indigenous knowledge & modern EWS; TVET capacity & youth research

Months 3-11

Phase 3: Intervention Adaptation & Implementation

Share research findings; Adapt project interventions; Implement revised interventions & monitor; Quarterly regional monitoring missions; Link CMDRR & EWS providers

Months 11-15

Phase 4: Knowledge Dissemination & Evaluation

Develop knowledge products; Disseminate findings (local, national, regional); End-line evaluation; Action research report; Annual program review & learning; Provide required tools/equipment; Radio dissemination; Global dissemination; Regional learning exchange

Months 16-18

Required competences

The successful team will have the following competencies:

• Proven experience designing and leading participatory action research (PAR), particularly in humanitarian or development settings.
• Strong skills in mixed-methods research, including both qualitative (e.g., FGDs, case studies, participatory mapping) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, statistical analysis) approaches.
• Demonstrated expertise in climate adaptation and resilience, preferably with a focus on pastoralist, agropastoralist, displaced, and youth populations.
• Strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture, livelihood systems, water resource management, and/or community-based disaster risk reduction in East Africa.
• Proven experience working in East Africa, with contextual understanding of at least two of the following countries: Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan.
• Exceptional writing and reporting skills, with a track record of producing high-quality research reports, policy briefs, and learning products.

Expected outputs of the assignment

The consultant is expected to produce:

1. A detailed work plan and inception report developed with and approved by IRW and set out the exact methodology, data collection tools (checklist, questionnaire), data collection protocols/guidelines, and deliverables before the desk review.
2. The work plan, inception report, draft report, final report, presentation, etc., and communication language must be in English.
3. Development of data collection tools and checklists.
4. Comprehensive research reports documenting key findings, analysis, and actionable recommendations for improving climate resilience programming including:
   1. Compelling case studies and documentation of best practices and innovative approaches identified through the research process.
   2. Targeted policy briefs and other accessible knowledge products tailored for dissemination to policymakers, donors, and other relevant stakeholders.
   3. Presentations and summaries of key findings for dissemination at local, national, regional, and global forums to share knowledge and influence policy discussions.
5. Capacity building workshops and training materials for community members and project staff, focusing on research findings and their implications for practice.
6. Consultant(s) is expected to attend (bi)weekly review meetings with Action Research Team to provide updates on progress.

Timetable and reporting information

The consultancy is expected to run for 60 days, starting by the 1st September 2025 and ending before January 2028 (The proposed timeframe can be changed according to the need of the programmes and management)

Date

Description

Responsibility

15 July 2025

Tender live date

IRW

29 July 2025

Final date for submission of bid proposal

Consultant

30 July 2025

Proposals considered, short-listing and follow-up enquiries completed

IRW

8 August 2025

Consultant interview and final selection (+ signing contracts)

IRW

22 August 2025

Signing of Contracts

IRW/Consultant

1 September

Meeting with the consultant and agreeing on an action research methodology, plan of action, and working schedule.

IRW

Reporting information:

Contract duration: Duration to be in line with programme duration

Direct report: Yusuf Roble (Regional Director for East Africa)

Direct engagement: Aman Abdo (East Africa Regional MEAL Coordinator), Osob Osman (Global Programme Accountability and Learning Lead), Michael Ndichu, Regional FSL Manager

Job Title: Consultant, Tender for action research – practical approaches to climate resilience in East Africa, July 2025

Proposal to tender and costing

The consultant interested in carrying out this work must submit the following items as part of their proposal/bid:

1. Detailed cover letter/proposal outlining a methodology and approach briefing note
2. Résumé(s) or CV(s) outlining relevant skills and experience possessed by the consultant who will be carrying out the tasks and any other personnel who will work on the project
3. Example(s) of relevant work done in PDF
4. The consultancy daily rate (fill in appendix 1)
5. Expenses policy of the tendering consultant. Incurred expenses will not be included but will need to be agreed in advance prior to contract award (fill in appendix 1)
6. Be able to complete the assignment within the timeframe stated above
7. Be able to demonstrate experience of outcome reviews, mapping and impact assessment/evaluation approaches for similar work

Please ensure all documents be supplied in PDF format unless specified above.

Terms and conditions

The consultant would provide financial proposal outlining detailed break up of costs and charges. There would be formal agreement on payment schedule and funds transfer process once the consultant would be selected. Payment will be made in accordance with the deliverables and deadlines for this project so are as follows:

• 40% of the total amount – First upfront payment
  • 30% of the total amount – submission of the first draft of the evaluation report
  • 30% of the total amount – submission of the final evaluation report including all outputs and attachments mentioned above

We can be flexible with payment terms, invoices are normally paid on net payment terms of 30 days.

Additional information and conditions of contract

The following additional information will be expected from the consultant and be pursuant to the conditions printed beneath as well as the terms and conditions in the consultancy contract.

1. The ToR document is between the consultant and Islamic Relief Worldwide.
2. Islamic Relief Worldwide is a legally registered charity under the laws of the United Kingdom charity registration number 328158.
3. This document covers the consultancy project identified and described in this document and related correspondence and may not be expended for any other purposes without the prior written approval of Islamic Relief Worldwide, Head of Programmes.
4. The consultancy will be carried out under the auspices of the Islamic Relief Worldwide, Programme Quality. The lead consultant will be working in the capacity of a freelance consultant, an individual or for an organisation.
5. Collected data, information, reports and reference documents should be submitted, along with any audio files and transcripts collected.
6. Intellectual Property Rights to all research, and data, conducted and collected and the final proposal belongs solely to Islamic Relief Worldwide.
7. In case of contraventions or breach of any of the terms of the agreement, any outstanding payments to the Lead Consultant or the organisation will be withheld.

During the consultancy period,

IRW will only cover:

Consultancy fees

Any travel costs to visit IRW or any of our country offices if required.

IRW will not cover:

Tax obligations as required by the country in which he/she will file income tax.

Any pre/post assignment medical costs. These should be covered by the consultant

Medical and travel insurance arrangements and costs. These should be covered by the consultant.

To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;

https://islamic-relief.org/tenders

How to apply

consultancy CONTRACT

This will be for an initial period that is to be specified by the consultant commencing in September 2025 (exact date to be mutually agreed). The selected candidate is expected to work remotely and report to the Regional Director for East Africa.

The terms upon which the consultant will be engaged are as per the consultancy agreement. The invoice is to be submitted at the end of the assignment and will be paid on net payment terms 30 days though we can be flexible.

All potential applicants must fill in the table beneath in Appendix 1 to help collate key data pertaining to this tender. The applicant must be clear about other expenses being claimed in relation to this consultancy and these must be specified clearly.

For this consultancy all applicants are required to submit a covering letter and CV’s of all potential consultants including the project lead.

A proposal including, planned activities, methodology, deliverables, timeline, and cost proposal (including expenses) are expected.

Other relevant supporting documents should be included as the consultants sees fit and this may include examples of similar work done.

All applicants must have a valid visa or a permit to work in the UK (if travel is required to the UK). A valid visa/work permit is also required for those areas required to be visited as part of this consultancy.

This consultancy is open to any persons, freelancers, sole traders, research firms, consultants, policy and research think tanks, universities, academics, SME’s, large organisations and corporations including NGO’s.

TENDER DATES AND CONTACT DETAILS

All proposals are required to be submitted by Tuesday 29th July 2025 at 1.00pm UK time pursuant to the attached guidelines for submitting a quotation and these be returned to; tendering@irworldwide.org

For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to; tendering@irworldwide.org

Following submission, IRW may engage in further discussion with applicants concerning tenders in order to ensure mutual understanding and an optimal agreement.

Quotations must include the following information for assessment purposes.

1. Timescales
2. Full break down of costs including taxes, expenses and any VAT and be able to demonstrate best value for money
3. References (three are preferred)
4. Technical competency for this role
5. Demonstrable experience of developing a similar piece of work including a methodology

Note: The criteria are subject to change.

All applicants/bidders must also fill in appendix 2 which is a new mandatory requirement for suppliers to be registered onto our system and for their bids to be accepted and processed.

For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to; tendering@irworldwide.org. This address is for queries and advice only.

Appendix 1

Please fill in the table below. It is essential all sections be completed and where relevant additional expenses be specified in detail. In case of questions about how to complete the table below, please contact; tendering@irworldwide.org

Cost evaluation for consultancy on Tender for the Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change, July 2025

Full name of all consultants working on this project

Full company trading name

No of proposed hours per week

No. of proposed days

Preferred days

Non preferred days

Earliest available start date

Expected project finish date

Day rate (required for invoicing purposes) £

Total cost for consultancy in GBP (less taxes and expenses) £

Expenses (flights) £

Expenses (accommodation) £

Expenses (transfers) £

Expenses (in country travel) £

Expenses (visa) £

Expenses (security) £

Expenses (food) £

Expenses (print/stationary) £

Expenses other (please specify) £

Total expenses £

Total VAT or taxes £

Total cost for consultancy in GBP (inclusive of taxes and expenses) £

Note

The applicant is expected to take responsibility for paying full taxes and social charges in his/her country of residence.

Appendix 2

Please complete the form beneath as this is a mandatory requirement and once completed return this form with the rest of your documents when submitting your bid to us.

The information beneath in red is mandatory and must be supplied without fail otherwise you will not be registered on our system. If in doubt contact us on the email address above.

Supplier information form

Tender name

Full company name/consultant name

Full name of contact person

Full telephone number (including country code)

Full postal address

Property Name/Number

Address Line 1

Town/City

Country

Postcode

Complete email address

Company VAT number

Company registration number

Appendix 2 Action Research Questions

2.3.1 General Research Questions:

• What are the most critical climate-related vulnerabilities affecting the diverse target communities within the project’s operational areas?
• How effective are the implemented interventions across water resources, agriculture, livestock management, and disaster risk reduction in genuinely building climate resilience at the household and community levels?
• What are the primary obstacles and facilitating factors for the adoption and sustainability of community-based adaptation initiatives?
• How can valuable indigenous knowledge systems be effectively integrated with modern early warning technologies and dissemination mechanisms to enhance their impact?
• In what ways can gender-sensitive approaches be further mainstreamed and strengthened throughout the climate resilience programming cycle to ensure equitable outcomes?
• How can the project’s MEAL framework be strategically enhanced to effectively support adaptive management processes and ensure accountability to stakeholders?
• What are the most effective strategies for disseminating the project’s research findings to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and donors, to influence policy and practice?

2.3.2 Specific Research Questions by Project Component:

• Water Resources (Outcome 1):
• To what extent have newly constructed and rehabilitated water facilities demonstrably improved equitable access to potable water for different community groups (farmers, pastoralists, youth, IDPs), considering seasonal variations and specific needs?
• What are the perceived social and environmental consequences (both positive and negative) of the water infrastructure interventions, and how are these impacts understood and experienced by the affected communities?
• What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of utilizing solar-powered water systems from the perspectives of operation, maintenance, and community ownership?
• How are gender-related considerations effectively integrated into local water governance and management practices, and what are the tangible outcomes for women and girls in terms of time savings, health, and participation?
• How effective and sustainable are community-operated water management committees in ensuring the long-term functionality, maintenance, and equitable distribution of water resources?
• How have rainfall patterns in the East Africa region changed historically and in recent times, and what are the socio-economic and environmental impacts of these changes?
• What is the extent and nature of water stress experienced by smallholder farmers, pastoralists, unemployed youth, and internally displaced persons in the region, considering both historical trends and current conditions?
• How have water flow dynamics in key rivers and water bodies evolved over time, and what effects do these changes have on local livelihoods and ecosystems?
• What are the historical and current practices of water governance in East Africa, and how do these influence access to and management of water resources among vulnerable populations?
• How have the timing and volume of rainfall events shifted over the years, and what implications do these shifts have for agricultural productivity, water availability, and climate resilience?

Agricultural and Livestock Productivity (Outcome 2):

• To what degree have agricultural extension services and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices led to measurable improvements in food production, dietary diversity, and household livelihoods?
• How are livestock health services and fodder production initiatives contributing to the enhanced resilience of pastoralist families in the face of drought and other climate-related stressors?
• What is the demonstrable impact of introducing new, climate-adaptive crop varieties and agricultural tools on the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers?
• How effective are newly formed farmer cooperatives in facilitating access to inputs, markets, information, and collective bargaining power for their members?
• What are the key barriers and enabling factors influencing the widespread adoption and sustained use of climate-adaptive agricultural technologies and practices among target farmers?
• How effective and relevant is the training provided to farmers on good agricultural practices in addressing their specific needs and challenges related to climate change?
• To what extent has linking farmers to markets and financial institutions improved their income stability and overall resilience?
• How does the provision of small ruminants (restocking) demonstrably contribute to the asset base and livelihood diversification of drought-affected households? What are the associated social and economic impacts on household resilience? What best practices ensure the long-term sustainability of restocking programs?
• How functional and effective are established fodder seed banks in providing a reliable source of nutritious livestock feed during periods of scarcity?
• How are changes in temperature affecting agricultural productivity and livestock health in the East Africa region?
• What impacts do variations in rainfall patterns and water availability have on crop cultivation and livestock management?
• In what ways are shifts in seasonal cycles influencing agricultural practices and livestock rearing?
  • How have changes in the prevalence and types of crop pests affected agricultural yields and food security?
  • What are the emerging patterns of livestock diseases linked to climate variability, and how do they impact animal health and productivity?
  • How are changes in the availability and quality of agricultural seeds influenced by environmental factors, and what are their consequences for farming communities?
  • What underlying causes are driving changes in animal feed resources, and how do these changes affect livestock nutrition and overall productivity?

Income and Asset Growth (Outcome 3):

• How effective are Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and vocational training programs in measurably enhancing the income-generating capacity and financial inclusion of unemployed youth and women?
• What are the critical success factors and common challenges associated with microfinance and seed money initiatives in supporting the establishment and growth of small-scale businesses?
• What specific factors contribute most significantly to the long-term viability and impact of VSLA groups within target communities?
• How relevant and effective are the skills provided by TVET institutions in meeting the demands of local labor markets and creating sustainable employment opportunities for graduates?
• What is the impact of constructed market shades on the income and business activities of targeted beneficiaries, particularly women and small-scale traders?

Community Disaster Risk Reduction (Outcome 4):

• How effective are the developed CMDRR plans and implemented early warning systems in enhancing community preparedness for, and response to, climate-related shocks and other disasters?
• What are the measurable impacts of unconditional cash transfers and other social protection measures on the resilience of vulnerable households during and after climate-related crises?
• To what extent is valuable indigenous knowledge effectively integrated into the design and operation of modern early warning systems, and what is its contribution to community resilience?
• How functional, inclusive, and effective are established Disaster Risk Management (DRM) committees at the community level in coordinating preparedness and response efforts?
• In what specific ways do community-managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR) plans contribute to early action, the protection of community assets, and the minimization of losses during climate-related events?
• What is the perceived role and actual contribution of indigenous knowledge and local early warning signs in enhancing overall community resilience to climate-related disasters?
• How timely, accurate, and accessible are the current early warning systems for different community groups, and what are the key barriers to their effective utilization?
• What is the impact of unconditional cash transfers on the immediate needs and longer-term recovery of climate-shocked households?
• How effectively are community-managed disaster risk reduction committees functioning in their roles and responsibilities?
• How have the types of natural disasters affecting East Africa changed over time, and what are the corresponding impacts on vulnerable populations?
• What changes have occurred in the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the region historically and currently, and how do these changes affect community resilience and livelihoods?
• How has the scale of natural disasters evolved in East Africa, and what are the implications for disaster preparedness and response strategies?

Institutional Capacity (Outcome 5):

• In what specific ways is the action research process contributing to improved adaptive management practices and organizational learning within Islamic Relief?
• What are the key knowledge products and actionable learning outcomes generated from the action research, and how effectively are these being disseminated within the organization and to external stakeholders?
• How effective are current mechanisms for knowledge sharing and learning at the regional and global levels within Islamic Relief regarding climate resilience programming?
• What is the perceived impact of citizen-led participatory monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (PMEAL) approaches on the overall effectiveness and accountability of the project?
• What are organizational best practices and the most successful example of ‘climate advocacy.
• What are the key learning and improvement areas in organizational “climate advocacy”

To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;

https://islamic-relief.org/tenders