Baseline Survey Consultant

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany (VSF Germany) is an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO), providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. VSFG supports animal health, livestock related agriculture, marketing, food safety, drought responses and mitigation, capacity development of communities and governmental institutions, peace and conflict resolution with the ultimate aim of improving food security and strengthening livelihoods and resilience of pastoralist communities. VSFG currently implements activities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan with country programs coordinated from the Regional Office Nairobi.

VSF-Germany has been in South Sudan since 1998 covering the States of Upper Nile, Jonglei, Warrap, Eastern Equatoria, Western Bar el Ghazal and Lakes State, supporting emergency and recovery programmes alongside communities in the said States. VSF-Germany has received grant from EU in South Sudan under EU Alliance in support of the Horn of Africa Initiative. The proposed is Kapoeta East Pastoralists' Livelihoods, Empowerment, Adaptation and Peace (LEAP) Project planned to be implemented in Kapoeta County of Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan with the overall objective of contributing to strengthening resilience of agropastoral communities to recurring climate shocks and livelihood-induced conflicts in Kapoeta East. The proposed project has total budget of Euro 3,157,895.52 and will be implemented in two (2) Payams of Kapoeta East together with its partner, Enjojo Foundation, for the period of 30 months (June 01, 2026 – January 31, 2029). In addition, the action targets Natinga Payam which is strategically located in the cross-border area of Kapoeta East and other counties in the Eastern Equatoria state for the peace component intervention.

As part of the project implementation process, VSF-Germany and its partner (Enjojo Foundation) planned to undertake project baseline survey through external consultant to collect qualitative and quantitative baseline data for each of the project indicators (see attached log-frame as annex) that will be used to monitor and evaluate the progress of the project, update the project’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, and revise the project documents. Details of the baseline survey assignment is indicated below for the better understanding of the assignment.

2. Description of the Project

2.1: Relevance and context analysis

South Sudan faces a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis rooted in historical marginalization, chronic poverty, and underdevelopment, compounded by recent shocks including climate change, conflict, and economic instability. It ranks among the top five global hunger hotspots and is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries. As of early 2026, South Sudan is experiencing extreme food insecurity, driven by ongoing conflict, widespread displacement, flooding, and economic instability. During the lean season (April to July 2026), approximately 7.55 million people (53% of the population) are projected to face Crisis or worse conditions (IPC Phase 3 or above), with around 1.3 million in Emergency (Phase 4) and tens of thousands at risk of Catastrophe (Phase 5).

Climate change has intensified both droughts and floods, disrupting agriculture and pastoralism - key livelihood sectors. Vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and the disabled are disproportionately affected. Resource scarcity, especially water and pasture, fuels localized conflicts, worsened by weak governance and limited institutional capacity. Kapoeta East County, located in Eastern Equatoria State along the South Sudan - Kenya border, epitomizes the challenges of pastoralist borderlands: recurrent droughts, fragile livelihoods, and protracted insecurity. The semi-arid environment is marked by highly variable rainfall, frequent drought cycles, and progressive land degradation, which have drastically reduced pasture and water availability. Livestock - particularly cattle, goats, and sheep - form the backbone of household economies, social status, and cultural identity. However, these assets are increasingly undermined by climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and cross-border cattle raiding.

The county’s estimated population of 120,000 -180,000 is predominantly pastoralist (Toposa ethnic group), with over 60% under the age of 25. Youth face limited livelihood opportunities, often resorting to cattle raiding or armed group participation. Women and vulnerable groups bear disproportionate burdens, with restricted access to resources, services, and decision-making. Weak state presence, poor infrastructure, and reliance on customary governance further exacerbate vulnerability. Cross-border insecurity with Turkana (Kenya) and Nyangatom (Ethiopia) communities perpetuates cycles of violence, while porous borders facilitate illicit arms flows and livestock theft. Despite these challenges, Kapoeta East holds significant potential for resilience-building. Livestock production, informal cross-border trade, and traditional peace institutions provide entry points for integrated interventions. To ensure effective coordination, maximize resource efficiency, and avoid the duplication of interventions across Kapoeta East, a comprehensive partner mapping highlights the strategic positioning of key stakeholders, their operational footprints, and implementation methodologies. Dan Church Aid (DCA), through the SPREAD Project, operates across the Narus, Katikor, and Lotimor Payams, utilizing an integrated peacebuilding and resilience approach that mobilizes community action groups, facilitates cross-border dialogues, and strengthens local economies through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), livelihood support, small-scale irrigation schemes, and market linkages. Complementing these efforts, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) deploys two distinct initiatives: the PLACE Project, active in Narus, Kauto, and Lotimor payams, which focuses heavily on environmental and livestock stewardship through rangeland restoration, livestock systems strengthening, water and natural resource governance, transhumance route mapping, value chain development, and structured cross-border coordination; and the BREFONS Project, which commands a wider footprint across the Narus, Kauto, Katodori, Jie, Mogos, and Lotimor Payams to deliver critical infrastructure and climate resilience support, including the construction of water facilities such as hafirs and boreholes, veterinary services, mass livestock vaccination campaigns, and the development of slaughterhouses and rehabilitated rangelands. Finally, the World Food Programme (WFP), working through its cooperating partner, the Organization for Peace, Relief and Development (OPRD), provides broad safety-net and agricultural coverage across the entirety of Kapoeta East, deploying an emergency lean-season response via direct cash transfers, sustaining an essential school feeding program across 26 localized institutions, and anchoring long-term resilience through the distribution of agricultural inputs, the establishment of farmer field schools, and integrated peacebuilding activities. However, coverage remains uneven, with underserved Payams such as Mogos, Jie, Katodori and Natinga/Natina facing acute gaps. The LEAP project will complement these efforts by targeting resilience, livelihood diversification, and conflict-sensitive programming in priority Payams.

2.2: Overall objective and expected outcomes of the actions

Overall Objective: To contribute to strengthening resilience of agropastoral communities to recurring climate shocks and livelihood-induced conflicts in Kapoeta. This will be achieved through enhanced production and productivity of agropastoral households; increased opportunities for diversified livelihoods, income generation, and job creation amongst agro-pastoral households, particularly for women and youth; and strengthened community-driven conflict prevention, resolutions, and disaster risks management mechanisms and services in Kapoeta East County in Eastern Equatoria State by 2029.

The Action has proposed to achieve three expected outcomes:

Outcome 1: Enhanced Production and Productivity of Agropastoral Households

This outcome will be achieved through targeted interventions including technical training for CAHWs and establishment of a sustainable veterinary drug supply system. Awareness campaigns will promote climate-smart husbandry and One Health approaches across livestock value chains. Infrastructure for animal health services will be developed, and marketing capacity of off-takers will be enhanced. Livestock keepers will be trained in basic husbandry and fodder production, with hay and silage making promoted at household and village levels. Feedlot practices will be introduced to support small ruminant fattening, adding value and increasing income. Vulnerable households will receive small ruminants and poultry through a pass-on mechanism. Livestock marketing infrastructure, market access, and information systems will be strengthened. Advocacy and policy engagement will promote pro-pastoral development and cross-border trade.

Outcome 2: Increased Opportunities for Diversified Livelihoods, Income Generation, and Job Creation Amongst Agro-pastoral Households, Particularly for Women and Youth

This outcome focuses on empowering women and youth through technical and financial capacity building. Support will be provided to establish small-scale enterprises in livestock and agricultural value chains. The Action will strengthen the survival base of conflict- and disaster-affected populations by enhancing income and investment opportunities. Marketing of animals and their products will be improved through value addition, business management training, and establishment of microfinance systems. Key activities include forming VSLA groups, providing technical training via local institutions or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and supporting mentorship, apprenticeship, start-up capital, and market linkages.

Outcome 3: Strengthened Community-driven Conflict Prevention, Resolutions, and Disaster Risks Management Mechanisms and Services

This outcome will be realized through a structurally integrated, co-located geographical framework designed in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) to maximize operational complementarity and ensure clear institutional division of tasks. While both organizations operate within the same target territories to offer comprehensive shocks-and-stressors mitigation, WFP takes the organizational lead on Addressing Climatic Shocks and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) interventions. Specifically, WFP drives the establishment and strengthening of community-based DRR committees, handles the formulation of institutional disaster preparedness plans, and manages the dissemination and livelihood-utilization of climate early warning systems.

The action has also proposed to achieve the following outputs contributing to the achieve the above results and consultant also expected establish baseline result for the below outputs

Output 1.1: Climate-smart agricultural inputs, technologies and practices provided to producer groups. This output is not part of the assignment and brought here to demonstrate the distinct logical flow of the two independent interventions under a shared EU Alliance for the Horn of Africa Initiative logical framework, Output 1.1 will be executed exclusively by the World Food Programme (WFP), in complementarity with the VSF Germany's pastoralist-focused activities.

Output 1.2: Improved access to livestock health care management and extension services and water

Output 1.3: Improved livestock husbandry practices adopted by agro-pastoral producers

Output 2.1: Access by agro-pastoral women and youth to finance and business opportunities strengthened .

Output 2.2: Women and youths’ vocational/life skills development strengthened .

Output 3.1: Community-based structures for disaster management equipped with knowledge and skills . Similar to output 1.1 that this output also brought here to show synergistic Alignment and Complementarity with WFP’s Disaster Risk Reduction Framework under Outcome 3.

2.3: Implementation Approaches

The Project will be implemented for 30 months’ period employing the following methodologies

Inception Phase: The Action will use the first three months as mandatory preparatory phase for planning.

Sustainable Livestock Health Services inclusive of One Health Approach

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• Communities targeted by the project are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climatic variability leading recurring flood, livestock diseases build ups, and conflict adversely affecting traditional coping mechanisms; thus, pose challenges to existing pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihood strategies. To reduce these adverse effects, the communities’ local capacities on livestock health management and their traditional institutions that ultimately enable self-anticipation, preparation and early action will be built. Attention will also be directed to one health initiative ensuring a cross collaboration between the animal and human health care providers with the environment care lens.

Market System Approach: The Action aims at stimulating existing and new livelihood opportunities with the aim of income generation, job creation and livelihoods diversification to boost market-oriented production. The Action will adopt the Market Systems Development (MSD) Approach; a system that enhances and stimulate market access and shall be strengthened further by formation of a Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) that will bring together livestock input suppliers, livestock extension service providers, business development service providers (BDS) and buyers of livestock and policy makers. The project will facilitate linkages between value chain target groups and established commodity off takers in counties, states and at national level through Public Private Partnerships to promote reliable and steady access to markets.

Credit Service Access Stimulation Initiatives

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• Facilitation of access to financial services for resource-poor pastoralists is an essential means of enabling sustainable small farm business development. Therefore, the project will establish partnership with micro-finance institution (MFI) and cooperatives and enhance the potentials of self-saving groups through VSLAs to deliver for investment and working capital purposes.

Community Driven Development (CDD): The involvement of target communities and local government partners in all the stages of project cycle management is considered important in order that the stated specific objective and expected results of this project be m b will focus on the inclusion of women and the youth in key opportunity areas which is key to ensuring equitable participation and allocation of resources to all persons in the community.

Nutrition sensitive programming: As a mainstreaming strategy, the action will integrate nutrition objectives into the pastoralist’s livelihood interventions to address the root causes of malnutrition. This approach ensures that improved food production and nutrition awareness directly and indirectly lead to better dietary diversity and health outcomes for vulnerable households.

3. Purpose of the Baseline Survey

The overall purpose of the baseline survey is to provide information on all indicators, which will be used to monitor and assess the project activities’ progress and effectiveness during implementation and after the activities are completed. The survey will enable project indicators at output and goal/outcome level to be measured and tracked. The baseline information gathered is expected to be informed by both quantitative and qualitative data at household, Key informants and community levels which ultimately will be used to determine the extent of Kapoeta-LEAP project contribution to strengthening resilience of agropastoral communities to recurring climate shocks and livelihood-induced conflicts in Kapoeta East County.

Specifically, the objectives of the baseline survey are:

To assess the project’s theory of change (TOC), identify, & clarify the priority needs of the communities within the context of the project location.

To develop baseline indicators for the entire indicator in the project Result Frame (RF) at impact, Outcome and Output level. The baseline Results for all the indicators in the Result Frame will be used as a benchmark in the monitoring and evaluation of the project performance

To collect and analyze the relevant information of existing situation of project’s targeted beneficiaries (including disadvantaged households and impact of inter communal conflict to target beneficiaries and project implementation), service providers, and/or related stakeholders.

To generate a high-quality baseline survey report that will provide an accurate reference framework for both mid-term and end-term evaluation.

Identify conflict hotspots in Kapoeta East areas and document the main drivers of communal conflicts, their pattern, seasonality and typology.

To inform development of the project monitoring and evaluation plan

Identify other peacebuilding initiatives, if any, and main challenges faced.

4. Scope of the work

The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Submit a proposal on how to conduct the baseline survey;

Carry out a desk-review of relevant project documents including, the project monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework, budget and other relevant documents prior to the implementation of the study;

Provide an inception report detailing the proof of concept;

Develop the baseline survey tools (questionnaires, interview checklists, guidelines for enumerators, etc.) in consultation with project staff;

Train research assistants/enumerators on data collection tools and undertake a pre-test of the questionnaire

Conduct the baseline survey: perform Household interviews, focus group discussions and/or key informant interviews, etc.

Analyze and quality check the data, including through review meeting(s) with trained enumerators to get more in-depth understanding of the data collected.

Prepare and discuss with the Consortium members a draft report with sufficient detail to specify findings within each specific outcome, robustness of the indicators and/or their revisions and provide key recommendations for implementation

Undertake a validation of baseline survey findings with the Consortium members

Incorporate the comments from Consortium members into the final report

Prepare and submit a final report.

5. Approach and Methodology

5.1: Approach

The consultant will be required to develop clear methodology and procedure to carry out the task. The Consultant (s)/firm is expected to employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure inclusion of all the pr

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