Tanganyika Christian Refugee Service (TCRS) was established in 1964 to provide emergency relief and humanitarian services to refugees and asylum seekers in Tanzania. Initially, TCRS operated as the Tanzania country programme of the Lutheran World Federation’s Department for World Service (LWF/DWS). In 2006, it became an autonomous non-governmental organization.

Since 1984, TCRS has expanded its operations to include development work for disadvantaged communities, empowering them to overcome extreme poverty arising from socio-cultural, economic and climate-related challenges.

TCRS’s work in the target areas dates back to:

• Kilwa District: 2004
• Morogoro District: 2005
• Kishapu District: 2007

The Integrated Community Resilience Project will be implemented from 2026 to 2029 in 30 villages:

• 10 villages in Kilwa District
• 10 villages in Kishapu District
• Five villages in Mvomero District
• Five villages in Morogoro District

The selected districts are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and socio-economic challenges.

The project is funded by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm), with financial support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA). Felm has supported TCRS community empowerment projects in Kilwa since 2004, Morogoro since 2007 and Kishapu since 2009.

These Terms of Reference guide the baseline survey for the Integrated Community Resilience Project. The survey will assess the baseline status of the target communities and provide TCRS, Felm, government authorities and other stakeholders with a clear understanding of existing conditions.

The findings will establish values for key project indicators and support effective project implementation, monitoring and future learning.

Purpose of the baseline survey

The purpose of the baseline survey is to establish the initial status of the project’s target communities before major project interventions begin.

The survey will generate baseline data and values for the project’s impact, outcome and output indicators, as outlined in the project’s Results Framework and Theory of Change.

These values will serve as the project’s starting point for measuring progress, outcomes and impact throughout the project lifecycle. The findings will also be integrated into the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to support evidence-based decision-making and performance tracking.

The findings will provide TCRS, Felm, local government authorities and other stakeholders with reliable evidence to:

• Understand the existing socio-economic, environmental and institutional conditions of target communities.
• Identify the needs, vulnerabilities, capacities and priorities of rights holders and duty bearers.
• Assess whether the planned project interventions are relevant and appropriate for addressing identified challenges and opportunities.
• Establish benchmark values for monitoring project performance and measuring changes over time.
• Inform implementation planning, monitoring, learning and adaptive management.
• Support future midline and end-line evaluations of project progress and impact.

The survey will also assess the relevance and appropriateness of the project’s objectives and planned interventions within Tanzania’s current political, social and economic context.

It will examine the project’s alignment with relevant national and international frameworks, including:

• Five-Year Development Plan III, 2021/22–2025/26
• National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children II, 2024/25–2028/29
• Tanzania Development Vision 2025
• Tanzania Development Vision 2050
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030
• Finland’s country strategy for Tanzania
• Felm Global Strategy 2026–2029

Objectives of the baseline survey

Overall objective

To establish baseline values for project indicators, provide evidence for monitoring and evaluation, support realistic target setting, and generate information for future comparison and project learning.

Specific objectives

The baseline survey will:

1. Establish baseline values for all project impact, outcome and output indicators outlined in the project Results Framework.
2. Provide benchmark data for project monitoring, evaluation and future impact assessment.
3. Assess the target communities’ current socio-economic conditions, livelihoods, food security, climate vulnerabilities, adaptive capacities and resilience mechanisms.
4. Assess the current level of access to and quality of essential social services and identify barriers experienced by women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable or marginalized groups.
5. Assess the status of gender equality, women’s empowerment, disability inclusion, participation and decision-making at household and community levels.
6. Identify existing community structures, local resources, capacities and stakeholders that can support sustainable project implementation and long-term resilience.
7. Assess the relevance and appropriateness of the project’s objectives, strategies and planned interventions in responding to the priority needs, rights and capacities of rights holders and duty bearers.
8. Establish the status of Felm programme-level indicators and provide benchmark data for measuring the project’s contribution to broader programme outcomes.
9. Provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening project implementation, targeting strategies, inclusion approaches and the project’s MEAL systems.

Project theory of change

The baseline survey will assess the current status of target communities in relation to the expected impact, outcomes and outputs outlined in the project’s Theory of Change.

The findings will establish baseline values and benchmarks for measuring progress and achievements throughout the project implementation period.

Problem

Climate-related and socio-economic challenges are a daily reality for many people. Vulnerable and marginalized groups in remote and underserved locations are particularly affected.

Expected change

Improved climate resilience and livelihoods among vulnerable and marginalized communities through:

• Climate-smart and adaptation projects
• Strengthening vulnerable and marginalized people
• Strengthening relevant institutions
• Supporting local governance
• Strengthening community-based social protection committees

Intended end situation

Enhanced climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Scope of the baseline survey

The survey will be conducted across all project implementation areas in Kilwa, Kishapu, Morogoro and Mvomero districts.

It will involve project rights holders, duty bearers and other relevant stakeholders, including:

• Community members
• Local government authorities
• Civil society organizations
• Community structures
• Other actors relevant to the project

The scope has been designed around the project’s thematic focus, geographical coverage, target beneficiaries, environmental context and available resources.

Appropriate data collection methods must be selected to reflect these contextual factors and generate reliable evidence for project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The assessment will cover, but will not be limited to, the following areas.

A. Project relevance and context analysis

The consultant will assess the relevance and appropriateness of the project within the current local and national context.

The assessment must include a comprehensive review of secondary information from:

• Academic literature
• Government publications
• NGO reports
• United Nations publications
• Credible online sources
• Media reports
• Official statistics

The review should improve understanding of the project context and validate the primary data collected during the survey.

The consultant will assess:

• Whether the project’s objectives and planned interventions respond to the priority needs and challenges of target communities.
• Whether the project’s strategies are appropriate within the local social, economic, environmental and institutional context.
• The project’s alignment with TCRS and Felm strategies, national policies and strategies, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Whether the project’s targets, indicators and expected results are realistic and achievable based on baseline findings and existing conditions.

B. Socio-economic and livelihood assessment

The consultant will assess the socio-economic conditions, livelihood systems and food security status of the target communities.

The assessment will establish baseline information on household well-being, income generation, economic resilience and access to productive resources. It will identify livelihood and food security opportunities and constraints and provide benchmark data for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The assessment will cover:

• Household economic conditions, income sources and levels of economic well-being.
• Existing livelihood activities, opportunities, constraints and household resilience strategies.
• Household food security and nutrition, including factors affecting food availability, access, utilization and stability.
• Access to financial services, savings and credit schemes.
• Participation in Community Microfinance Groups and other community-based financial institutions.
• Employment opportunities and economic participation among women, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable or marginalized groups.
• Access to productive resources, markets, agricultural inputs and extension services that support sustainable livelihoods.
• Household coping strategies and economic resilience in response to climate-related, economic and other shocks and stresses.

C. Climate change, environment and resilience assessment

The consultant will assess the climate and environmental conditions of the project areas and the resilience capacities of the target communities.

Appropriate environmental assessment methods should be used, including:

• Community mapping
• Transect walks
• Seasonal calendars
• Direct observation of agricultural practices
• Observation of vegetation and irrigation systems
• Observation of livestock and other natural resources, where applicable

The assessment will cover:

• Community exposure and vulnerability to climate-related hazards, risks and shocks.
• Existing climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness practices at household and community levels.
• Adoption of climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land-use and natural resource management practices.
• Access to climate information services, weather forecasts and early-warning systems.
• The condition and use of land, water, forests, vegetation and other environmental assets supporting community livelihoods.
• Community resilience capacities, including local knowledge, coping strategies and institutional mechanisms for managing climate and environmental risks.

D. Gender equality and social inclusion assessment

The consultant will assess gender equality and social inclusion in the target communities using participatory and inclusive approaches.

Data collection must ensure meaningful participation by:

• Women
• Men
• Youth
• Older persons
• Persons with disabilities
• Other marginalized groups

Where appropriate, interviews and focus group discussions should be conducted separately according to gender and age. This will encourage open participation and minimize the influence of dominant voices.

The sampling strategy must represent the target population’s sociological, ethnic, linguistic and economic diversity.

The consultant will assess:

• Gender roles, responsibilities and decision-making patterns at household and community levels.
• Women’s participation and leadership in community governance, economic activities and decision-making.
• Existing gender inequalities, discriminatory norms and barriers affecting equitable access to opportunities, resources and services.
• Risks, prevalence and community perceptions related to gender-based violence, including existing prevention and response mechanisms.
• Participation, inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in community development and access to services.
• How the intersection of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and other vulnerability factors affects access to resources, opportunities, participation and project benefits.

E. Human rights and participation assessment

The consultant will assess the extent to which human rights principles, participation, inclusion and accountability are reflected in the target communities.

Participatory methods should include:

• Focus group discussions
• Community mapping
• Group interviews
• Thematic interviews

These approaches should support meaningful stakeholder engagement and capture perspectives from rights holders, duty bearers and other key stakeholders.

The assessment will cover:

• Awareness and understanding of human rights principles among rights holders and duty bearers.
• The extent and effectiveness of community participation in local planning, governance and decision-making.
• Existing accountability and feedback mechanisms, including their accessibility and responsiveness.
• The inclusion and meaningful participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized or vulnerable groups in decision-making and development processes.
• Opportunities and barriers affecting the realization of human rights and inclusive participation at household, community and institutional levels.

F. Institutional and stakeholder assessment

The consultant will assess institutional capacity and the stakeholder landscape relevant to successful project implementation and sustainability.

Key informant interviews should be conducted with stakeholders such as:

• Local and national government authorities
• Civil society organizations
• Non-governmental organizations
• School representatives
• Community leaders
• Cooperatives
• Producer groups
• Private-sector actors
• Trade unions
• Other institutions with relevant contextual or thematic knowledge

The assessment will cover:

• Existing community structures, organizations, groups and networks supporting community development, resilience and social inclusion.
• Leadership, technical and institutional capacities of local governments and other duty bearers to support project implementation and service delivery.
• The roles, responsibilities and influence of stakeholders in promoting sustainable development and achieving project objectives.
• Existing coordination, partnership and collaboration mechanisms among government institutions, civil society organizations, community structures and other stakeholders.
• Institutional strengths, capacity gaps and opportunities for strengthening collaboration, coordination and the long-term sustainability of project interventions.

G. Baseline measurement of project indicators

The consultant will establish baseline values for all project indicators to provide benchmark data for measuring performance and impact over time.

Data must be organized according to the project Results Framework and selected indicators to establish pre-project conditions and support comparison during routine monitoring, midline and end-line evaluations.

The consultant will:

• Measure and establish baseline values for all impact, outcome, output and Felm programme-level indicators.
• Organize and analyze baseline data according to selected project indicators.
• Ensure consistency and comparability of data throughout the project lifecycle.
• Disaggregate data by sex, age, disability and other relevant vulnerability categories, where applicable.
• Establish reliable benchmarks for measuring future changes, outcomes and project impact.

Baseline survey questions

Relevance

• Are the project objectives and planned interventions relevant to the needs and priorities of target communities?
• Are the project targets realistic considering the existing baseline situation?
• Does the project design adequately address the needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups?

Context and capacity

• What are the current socio-economic, environmental and institutional conditions of the target communities?
• What existing capacities and resources can support community resilience and sustainable livelihoods?

Inclusion and rights

• What barriers limit equal participation and access to opportunities among different groups?
• To what extent are women, youth and persons with disabilities involved in decision-making and development processes?

Climate resilience

• What climate risks affect the communities?
• What climate adaptation mechanisms currently exist?

Sustainability

• What local structures and capacities can sustain project outcomes beyond the project period?

Methodology

The consultant will use a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods.

Quantitative methods

• A household survey using digital data collection tools such as KoboCollect.
• Structured questionnaires administered to a representative sample of target households and beneficiaries.
• Statistical analysis of quantitative data to establish baseline values for all project indicators.

Qualitative methods

• Key informant interviews with district officials, ward and village leaders, local NGOs and project stakeholders.
• Focus group discussions with women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, farmers and community groups.
• Direct field observation of community conditions, livelihoods, infrastructure, environmental resources and project-related practices.
• Community mapping, transect walks and seasonal calendars, where appropriate, to assess natural resources, climate risks and community resilience.
• Review of government documents, reports, project documents, academic literature and other credible secondary sources.

The consultant must develop a scientifically sound sampling methodology that ensures representative participation by all target groups.

The sampling approach must consider:

• Sex
• Age
• Disability status
• Socio-economic characteristics
• Other relevant vulnerability characteristics

All data collection tools must be pre-tested and refined before field implementation. Enumerators must receive adequate training to ensure the consistency, quality and reliability of collected data.

Ethical considerations

The consultant must ensure:

• Informed consent from all respondents.
• Confidentiality and protection of collected information.
• Respect for cultural norms.
• Gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive approaches.
• Application of the Do No Harm principle.
• Compliance with safeguarding requirements.
• Compliance with the TCRS Data Protection Policy.
• Secure storage of all collected data.

Expected deliverables

The consultant will submit:

1. An inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, sampling approach and data collection tools.
2. Finalized digital and qualitative data collection tools.
3. Clean datasets and data analysis files.
4. A presentation of preliminary findings and facilitation of a validation workshop.
5. A draft baseline survey report.
6. A one-day validation and learning workshop with the TCRS team.
7. A final baseline survey report incorporating comments from TCRS and Felm.

Duration and timeframe

The assignment is expected to be conducted from 3 to 24 August 2026, before major project interventions begin.

The consultant must submit a detailed work plan showing the number of working days allocated to each activity.

Roles and responsibilities

Consultant’s responsibilities

The consultant will:

• Conduct a desk review of relevant project documents and reports.
• Prepare and submit the baseline proposal and inception report to TCRS.
• Include the proposed methodology, budget and work plan for quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Design appropriate data collection tools.
• Visit selected project villages.
• Conduct surveys, interviews and focus group discussions with beneficiaries, including women, men and youth.
• Engage vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.
• Consult local leaders, village animators, local government officers and project staff.
• Involve students where necessary.
• Submit draft and final evaluation reports within the agreed timeframe.

TCRS and project team responsibilities

TCRS and the project team will:

• Facilitate introductions to local authorities and communities.
• Brief the consultant and provide relevant project documents.
• Provide the project plan, results matrix, semi-annual narrative progress reports, project budget, TCRS Strategic Plan and TCRS Community Empowerment Curriculum.
• Review and approve the methodology and data collection tools.
• Provide logistics and district-level coordination, including transport, stationery and meeting arrangements.
• Pay the consultant upon satisfactory completion of the assignment, according to the agreement.

Consultant qualifications

The consultant or consulting firm should have:

• A master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Climate Change, Agriculture or a related field.
• Proven experience conducting baseline surveys for development projects.
• Strong expertise in mixed-methods research and statistical analysis.
• Experience in gender equality, disability inclusion, human rights and climate resilience assessments.
• Knowledge of Tanzania’s development context and local governance systems.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Fluency in English.
• A high level of professionalism.
• The ability to work independently and under pressure within tight deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to travel to rural areas.
• Intercultural sensitivity and respect for different cultural norms and values.
• Proven experience using KoboCollect or ODK.
• Experience analyzing data using SPSS or STATA.

Reporting arrangements

The consultant will report directly to the TCRS Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

All reports and datasets must be submitted to TCRS. Key findings will be shared with Felm and other relevant stakeholders.

Proposal submission requirements

Interested consultants must submit:

• Academic qualifications.
• Details of relevant services undertaken during the past three years.
• A detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
• Proposed methodology.
• Proposed work plan.
• Proposed report outline.
• Details or evaluation of the proposed team composition and task assignments or roles.
• Registration documents and other relevant statutory documents.
• A detailed financial proposal.
• A CV and evidence of previous experience with similar assignments.
• At least two references from previous clients.

Right to reject or terminate

TCRS reserves the right to reject a proposal or tender and terminate a contract if corrupt practices are connected to the award or implementation of the contract, including failure to meet contractual obligations.

Application instructions

Applications should be sent by email and addressed to:

The Director
Tanganyika Christian Refugee Service (TCRS)
P.O. Box 3955
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email:

Application deadline: 31 July 2026

Applicants who do not receive a response should consider their applications unsuccessful.

RFQ/Tender Information and Attachments

For comprehensive information regarding this RFQ/tender, we invite you to download the attachments provided below. These documents contain all the necessary details, including specifications, requirements, and submission guidelines. Please review them carefully to ensure you have all the pertinent information needed to participate.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL TENDER NOTICE HERE

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