REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Request for Proposals (RFP) for mixed method evaluation of Radio Serial Drama (RSD) in Liberia

Talking Drum Studio (TDS), in partnership with Population Media Center (PMC), is seeking technical and financial proposals from qualified firms, research partners, or universities to collect endline data for a mixed method evaluation of a Radio Serial Drama (RSD) in Liberia. The RSD was developed through generous funding from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The RSD will finish broadcast in September 2024 and will have aired throughout all 15 counties of Liberia. Research will follow immediately after.

The RSD was designed to address four major and two minor themes:

1. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) [major theme]
2. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) [major theme]
3. Social Cohesion and Conflict Resolution [major theme]
4. Gender Equity [major theme]
5. Sustainable management and use of natural resources [minor theme]
6. Sustainable agriculture [minor theme]

The purpose of the mixed endline evaluation is to help TDS, PMC, and SIDA understand whether or not the project reached its objectives related to awareness, knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, behavior and norms related to the themes listed above.

TDS, PMC, and SIDA will provide draft survey and focus group guide tools for use by the selected partner.

Application Details:

• The bidder should submit their technical and financial proposals (see section 7 for details) with relevant supportive documents through the email addresses mentioned below on or before July 5, 2024.
• In addition to the proposals, all firms should submit a letter of commitments that indicate the assigned task will be completed within the proposed timeframe the applicant will submit in their proposal.
• The selected firm is expected to notify TDS and PMC offices in 48 hours its willingness to accept the offer and start the work the soonest possible to meet the deadline.
• Interested and eligible firms should submit technical and financial proposals to sdichiara@populationmedia.org with a copy to jldushime@populationmedia.org, mbrowne.tds@gmail.com and mntoe.tds@gmail.com.
• TDS and PMC reserve the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

1. Background of the Assignment

Population Media Center (PMC) and Talking Drum Studio: Liberia Peace Center (TDS Liberia) created a tailored and culturally sensitive multimedia behavior change strategy. PMC’s well-tested and proven Social Behavior Change (SBC) methodology, with more than 25 years of field-testing, has proven to positively impact these kinds of issues using long-running, deeply local serial dramas. TDS Liberia is a trusted media voice and currently engages and influences communities across Liberia through their entertainment­ education and participatory theater.

As noted above, SIDA has funded TDS and PMC to implement a project with the goals to:

1. Contribute to long-term sustainability of effective prosocial programming in Liberia.
2. Promote a peaceful and inclusive society in Liberia which upholds human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and gender equality.

A main component of this project is the broadcast of a RSD. The RSD addresses pre-selected major and minor themes (listed above). In order to understand the impact of the RSD, TDS, PMC, and SIDA require endline data collected immediately after the RSD finishes to compare with previously collected baseline data.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective is to conduct a mixed method evaluation of the RSD which will have two main components.

First, a comprehensive quantitative assessment will be executed through the administration of a representative endline survey. This survey will be conducted in geographically congruent areas and among a demographically comparable population as those targeted during the baseline survey. Notably, the endline survey will exclusively engage participants who have been exposed to the intervention and gauge level of exposure.

In addition to the quantitative evaluation, there will be a qualitative arm of the study consisting of 8-10 focus group discussions (FGDs) focused on how/why we did or did not achieve the program objectives.

• Methods and Sampling

Overview:

The methodology for the endline survey entails a meticulous approach to ensure comparability with the baseline survey while focusing solely on participants exposed to the program. This necessitates strategic planning to replicate the baseline sample as closely as possible, with the exception of exclusively surveying exposed participants and excluding participants who were surveyed at baseline.

Sampling Strategy:

To achieve the objective of creating a sample akin to the baseline, the selected firm should employ a multi-stage sampling technique. This method will involve the following steps:

1. Selection of Primary Sampling Units (PSUs):

Utilizing the same PSU framework as the baseline survey, the firm should identify geographic clusters representative of the target population. These clusters should mirror those selected during the baseline survey to maintain consistency.

1. Household Selection within PSUs:

Within each selected PSU, the firm should randomly select households using a systematic sampling approach. It is imperative to ensure that the number of households that complete surveys is close to that of the baseline survey to accommodate the exclusive focus on exposed participants.

Sample Size Determination:

While the total number of completed surveys should remain consistent with the baseline, the firm should anticipate visiting a higher number of households to achieve this target. This adjustment accounts for the requirement to only survey exposed participants and those not sampled in the original baseline sample, which may necessitate screening a larger pool of households.

Baseline Sample Description:

To guide the sampling process, the characteristics of the baseline sample are detailed below:

• Geographic Distribution:

• Demographic Representation:

The Survey population was both men and women between the ages of 15 and 49.

752 surveys were completed.

390 participants were female.

362 participants were male.

430 participants lived in an urban area.

322 participants lived in a rural area.

Exclusive Focus on Exposed Participants:

It is essential to emphasize that the endline survey will exclusively target participants who have been exposed to the program under evaluation. This focused approach necessitates meticulous screening during household selection to identify eligible respondents.

Data Collection Protocols:

The firm should adhere to rigorous data collection protocols to maintain the integrity and reliability of the survey findings. This includes standardized survey instruments, interviewer training, and quality control measures to minimize bias and ensure data accuracy.

Proposals should include a plan and costs for recruiting survey and focus group participants, as well as gaining ethical consent. Please include costs for incentives for focus group participants.

The selected research partner should also plan on leading a data collection training in Monrovia supported by PMC and TDS staff. The training should be held immediately before the survey and FGD guide are pretested in the field. The training should be planned to last at least two days.

Focus group Design

The focus group discussions (FGDs) are pivotal components of the research methodology, designed to delve deeper into the perceptions and experiences of the target population regarding the program under evaluation. Each focus group should ideally consist of 8 to 10 participants, ensuring a conducive environment for meaningful interaction and diverse perspectives. It is imperative that the composition of each FGD reflects both gender and age diversity to capture a comprehensive range of viewpoints. While the specific locations for conducting the FGDs will be determined by the research partner, prioritizing accessibility and logistical feasibility, a minimum of 8 focus groups should be conducted. These groups should be organized as follows to ensure comprehensive coverage across various demographic segments:

• Two FGDs comprising adult male participants.
• Two FGDs comprising adult female participants.
• Two FGDs comprising adolescent female participants.
• Two FGDs comprising adolescent female participants.

Note it is important for FGD facilitators to be the same sex as the participants.

4. Tasks of the Research partner

• Submit a brief inception report to detail final plans for data collection.
• Review the draft endline survey and FGD guide created by TSD, PMC, and SIDA.
• Translate the draft endline survey into appropriate local language(s).
• Provide feedback on FGD guide provided by PMC and TDS as well as translate into local language if necessary.
• Have an adequate number of Android phones or tablets to collect survey data using SurveyCTO. Note that phones generally collect GPS data by default, but most tablets are not GPS enabled. Firms must use equipment that accurately collects GPS data.
• Create a training manual, supervisor guide, and enumerator guide for review by TDS and PMC, and document training progress (i.e., number of enumerators successfully trained). It is important for the enumerator team to be made up of an even number of women and men.
• TDS and PMC will work with the selected contractor on Human Subjects Protection requirements and ethical approval to conduct the endline evaluation in selected regions/districts and wards.
• Lead training for enumerators with TDS and PMC staff supporting.
• Pre-test the survey tool in one community (outside of the communities included in the evaluation) and if changes are needed consult with TDS and PMC.
• Pre-test the FGD guide with a sample focus group and if changes are needed consult with TDS and PMC.
• Collect data and ensure digital forms are submitted each evening during the collection period. Applicants must share a digital survey account with TDS and PMC, so everyone has access to data on an ongoing basis.
• Conduct 8-10 focus group discussions with listeners of the RSD.
• Supervisors must submit weekly progress reports during data collection to detail where they are, how many interviews their team attempted, how many interviews their team completed, how many FGDs completed etc.
• Develop and submit draft endline evaluation report any concerns/lessons learned Sample size and demographics. The report will include analysis from the survey and FGDs.
• Respond to any comments or questions by the TDS and PMC team and incorporate them into a final version of the endline evaluation.

5. Deliverables

The firm will provide the following deliverables (which are repeated in Section 6):

6. Duration of the Assignment

The endline data collection will proceed as described in the table and timelines below:

7. Instructions

Interested individual firms which are legally registered in Liberia are invited to submit a proposal for delivery of the assignment. The submission should include both Technical and Financial proposals, as described below:

Technical proposal—may not exceed ten pages. The technical proposal must include:

• A cover letter outlining the suitability of consultant for the assignment, motivation and summarizing relevant experience (Maximum 2 pages);
• How your team will meet the proposed sampling plan
• Clear work plan which addresses all tasks in Section 4 above and deliverables in Section 5 above (Maximum 4 pages);
• The proposed team working on the project. Must include equal male and female enumerators for data collection.
• Contact details from at least two independent referees with in-depth and proven knowledge of the applicant’s expertise and relevant work experience (1 page)

Financial proposal—submitted in in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheet format must include:

• A detailed budget containing total costs as per person per day rates, and any other costs anticipated in completing the assignment (i.e., travel to field sites, equipment);
• Costs for conducting the endline evaluation.
• Cost of FGDs
• A budget narrative (no more than one page) to justify costs.

Additional Materials:

• Two samples of relevant studies previously produced.
• CVs of the consultant/firm with full description of the profile and experience

TDS and PMC will provide the necessary orientation for the firm to abide by the existing rules and regulations.

If any interested firms would like clarification or have any questions about the proposal feel free to reach out to GIU@populationmedia.org or sdichiara@populationmedia.org

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