CALL FOR INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT:
DOCUMENTATION OF MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES FOR THE REAL FATHERS PROJECT
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY

ABOUT IDC
The International Development Centre (IDC) is a non-profit regional Technical Assistance (TA) and Capacity Development agency in the East African region. IDC works with development agencies in the public and private sectors to build capacities in programming, IDC works in a broad spectrum of development programming in Africa to achieve impact at scale. IDC provides technical assistance for four focus technical areas: agriculture and food security, health, education, and scale-up programming. IDC also provides TA in cross-cutting areas such as gender, youth, and project implementation for development programming. IDC works with the LEGO Foundation to implement the REAL Fathers Project in Uganda.

ABOUT REAL FATHERS
The REAL Fathers Initiative is an evidence-based community mentoring program targeting young fathers aged 16-25 with children aged 1-5 years. The initiative is implemented by IDC in partnership with the LEGO Foundation. The stage of life for young fathers is a critical window for intervention to break the cycle of violence in families and communities. The program facilitates the transformation of young fathers into positive role models and nurturing fathers through father-to-father mentorship.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REAL FATHERS INTERVENTION

• Eliminate intimate partner violence (IPV) between young fathers and their partners.
• Reduce child abuse by promoting positive parenting behaviors.
• Improve communication and negotiation skills between couples.
• Promote gender-equitable norms and attitudes.
• Increase nurturing care and father involvement in child-rearing.
• Improve economic stability of young fathers in Uganda, Busoga, Gulu, Arua, Nebbi, and Moyo districts. In the past two years, IDC has been implementing the REAL Fathers project in the districts of Busoga, Gulu, Arua, Nebbi, and Moyo to address the needs of young fathers in the documentation of Most Significant Change (MSC) stories. This call for proposals is to document the MSC stories for the REAL Fathers project.

SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The primary objective of this consultancy is to lead the systematic documentation of Most Significant Change (MSC) stories from the REAL Fathers project. These stories must powerfully demonstrate the most profound and transformative changes experienced by project participants, intervention communities, and direct result of the intervention.
The consultant will be required to:

1. Document 10-15 high-quality MSC stories from the intervention areas where the REAL Fathers project is implemented.
2. Capture stories from young fathers, their families, mentors, and community members to reflect diverse cultures and social contexts.

QUALIFICATION OF THE CONSULTANT

• Be a Ugandan-registered independent consultant or consultancy firm.
• Possess at least 5 years of demonstrated experience in documentation of development programs, with a strong portfolio of similar assignments.
• Have experience working in development programs, behaviors, and social norms change interventions in communities in rural Uganda.
• Demonstrate strong ethical integrity and experience in collecting informed consent from participants, ensuring sensitive stories, including those involving gender-based violence, are handled with care and respect.
• Possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including young fathers, community members, and local leaders.
• Be fluent in English and at least one of the local languages spoken in the intervention areas (Luganda, Lusoga, Runyankole/Rukiga, or Acholi).
• Demonstrate strong ethical integrity and experience in collecting informed consent from participants, ensuring sensitive stories, including those involving gender-based violence, are handled with care and respect.
• Have a deep understanding of gender dynamics in rural Uganda.

Interested consultants should submit the following:
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
Interested consultants should submit the following:

1. A Cover Letter: Clearly expressing interest in the consultancy and outlining the consultant’s suitability for the role.
2. Technical Proposal: Outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.
3. Financial Proposal: Detailing the budget, including consultancy fees and any anticipated costs related to travel, data collection, and report production.
4. Updated CV: Highlighting relevant experience, expertise, and past work in MSC documentation or similar assignments.
5. Evidence of Previous Work: At least three samples of previous MSC documentation or similar work.
6. A Valid Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Identification Number (TIN) for Ugandan-registered consultants or firms.
7. A signed statement affirming commitment to ethical research practices, including informed consent and confidentiality.
   All applications should be submitted to:
   Email: consultancy@idc.org
   Subject Line: Application for REAL Fathers MSC Documentation
   Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
   Comprehensive details of the Terms of Reference can be found on our website: www.idc.org

LITIGATING ORGANIZATION
The International Development Centre (IDC) is fully committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children, young people, and vulnerable adults in all our work. We expect all consultants to share this commitment and adhere to the IDC Safeguarding Policy in their work. In the documentation process, consultants must adhere to ethical research practices, including obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and handling sensitive data with care and respect.