Consultancy Terms of Reference (Baseline Study) for Safeguarding Women, Vulnerable Populations, and Girls\u2019 Rights to Land Ownership and Access to Justice from the Grassroots ProjectClient: BLANTYRE OUR BODIES OUR LIVES
\nLocation: Blantyre Rural, Malawi
\nDuration: 4 working days (fieldwork) + 7 calendar days (analysis & reporting)
\nImplementing Partners: Blantyre Our Bodies Our Lives (OBOL) and Ecorys
\nAnticipated Start: September 20251. Background and RationaleBlantyre Our Bodies Our Lives (OBOL), in partnership with Ecorys, is implementing a one-year initiative to strengthen the protection of women\u2019s, girls\u2019 and other vulnerable populations\u2019 rights to land ownership and access to justice. The project emphasizes the enforcement of land-related laws and policies, and strengthens community-level linkages to legal aid and alternative dispute resolution services. Targeting eight Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Blantyre Rural, the project addresses harmful socio-cultural and gender norms that perpetuate land grabbing and denial of women\u2019s rights to land.The baseline study will:Establish the starting point for key outcome and output indicators.Clarify contextual barriers and opportunities.Provide actionable recommendations to refine implementation strategies.2. Purpose and Objectives of the Baseline StudyOverall purpose: To generate credible, disaggregated baseline evidence on land rights, access to justice, and prevailing socio-cultural norms affecting women, girls, and vulnerable populations in Blantyre Rural.Specific objectives:Assess awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding women\u2019s and girls\u2019 land rights.Document prevalence and nature of land-related disputes (including land grabbing).Map existing grievance and redress mechanisms (formal, customary, community-based).Identify gaps in enforcement of land laws and barriers to accessing justice\/legal aid.Provide baseline values for project indicators to inform monitoring, learning, and adaptation.Offer recommendations for programming, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.3. Key QuestionsThe study will answer (but not be limited to) the following:Awareness & Norms: What knowledge and attitudes exist about women\u2019s land rights among men, women, youth, and traditional leaders? Which norms support or hinder women\u2019s ownership\/control of land?Practices & Outcomes: What proportion of women report sole or joint ownership\/control? How prevalent are land grabbing cases, and what forms do they take?Access to Justice: Which dispute resolution mechanisms are used (formal\/customary)? How do communities perceive their accessibility, timeliness, and fairness?Systems & Enforcement: How effectively are land policies enforced? What coordination or capacity gaps exist among duty bearers?Vulnerable Populations: What unique barriers do widows, divorced\/separated women, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities, and ultra-poor households face?4. Indicator Framework (Illustrative)LevelIndicatorBaseline MeasureDisaggregationOutcome% of women (18+) reporting sole\/joint land ownership% \u00b1 95% CITA, age, marital status, disability, poverty statusOutcome#\/% of land-related disputes reported in past 12 monthsRate per 100 HHs \/ trendTA, dispute typeOutcome% of land disputes resolved within 90 days%Mechanism, TAOutput# of referrals to legal aid\/ADR servicesCountTA, monthOutput% of community members naming \u22652 land rights protections%Sex, age groupLearningQualitative index of norms supporting women\u2019s land rightsIndex scoreTA(Indicators will be finalized during inception.)5. Scope of Work and TasksThe consultant will:Inception phase: Review documents, finalize research questions, develop methodology\/tools, prepare Inception Report.Tool development & piloting: Draft KII\/FGD guides; (optional) short quantitative intercept tool; pilot and refine.Data collection:KIIs: District Lands Officer, 4 TAs, magistrate, CSOs\/paralegals (approx. 13\u201318).FGDs: At least 4 groups (8\u201310 participants each), ensuring diversity (AGYW, widows, persons with disabilities where feasible).Data management & analysis: Transcribe, translate, code, and analyze data. Apply thematic analysis (qualitative) and descriptive statistics (if quantitative).Validation & reporting: Facilitate stakeholder validation; submit draft and final reports plus data package.6. MethodologyMixed-methods design with qualitative emphasis.Sampling: Purposive for KIIs; stratified purposive for FGDs.Techniques: Semi-structured KIIs, participatory FGDs (e.g., vignettes, service-mapping), optional intercept surveys.Quality assurance: Daily debriefs, spot-checks, tool version control.Ethics: Informed consent, confidentiality, trauma-sensitive facilitation, safeguarding, referral pathways.\u00a07. Deliverables and ScheduleDeliverableContentTimelineInception ReportMethodology, tools, QA plan, ethics, risk matrix5 days post-contractData Collection ToolsGuides, consent formsWith inception reportFieldwork Completion NoteSites visited, challengesEnd of fieldwork (Day 4)Draft Baseline ReportFindings, indicators, annexes7 days after fieldworkValidation SessionPowerPoint presentationWithin 2 days of draftFinal Baseline ReportRevised report, 2\u20133 page executive summary, 1\u20132 page policy brief5 days after feedbackData PackageTranscripts, codebook, datasetsWith final report\u00a08. Roles and ResponsibilitiesConsultant: Lead design, data collection, analysis, reporting, ethics, safeguarding compliance.OBOL: Coordinate logistics, community entry, stakeholder introductions, review outputs.Ecorys and FAWEMA: Provide technical oversight, quality assurance, and donor alignment.9. Management and ReportingThe consultant will report to OBOL\u2019s Project Manager, with technical oversight from FAWEMA and Ecorys. Weekly status updates and a post-fieldwork debrief are required. Substantive changes to scope\/timelines must be approved by OBOL.10. Timeline and Level of EffortRoleActivityDaysConsultantInception & tool development2ConsultantFieldwork4ConsultantAnalysis & draft reporting4ConsultantValidation & finalization1Total1111. Ethical Considerations and SafeguardingInformed consent\/assent.Confidentiality and anonymization.Trauma-informed facilitation.Safe referrals for legal aid\/psychosocial support.Compliance with OBOL safeguarding and national research standards.12. Consultant QualificationsEducation: Bachelor\u2019s in Social Sciences, Gender, Development Studies, Law, or related (Master\u2019s preferred).Experience: \u22655 years conducting baseline\/evaluation studies on gender, land rights, or justice; qualitative methods expertise; Malawi land\/gender policy familiarity; grassroots engagement.Skills: Strong analysis\/reporting; facilitation; English & Chichewa fluency; ability to deliver under tight timelines.13. Application ProcessInterested consultants should submit:Technical proposal (approach & methodology).Financial proposal (all-inclusive).CV(s) and evidence of similar assignments.At least two references from past clients.Email applications to: blantyreobol@gmail.com by 12th September, 2025.14. Selection and Evaluation CriteriaCriterionWeightTechnical proposal (methodology, understanding of ToR)40%Relevant experience & qualifications30%Financial proposal (value for money)20%References and past performance10%<\/p>\n
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