Ministry of Fisheries Sector Programme Support Phase Two

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

Socio-Economic Baseline Survey (SEBS) in nine Pilot Provinces

 

1. BACKGROUND

 

The development objective for the Fisheries Sector Programme Support (FSPS II) is

 

“The less privileged parts of the rural population engaged in fisheries benefit from sustainable and economic development of the fisheries sector”.

 

Poverty reduction is central to this Development Objective and addressed in all FSPS II components. However, to provide sufficient background for formulation of Programme indicators and reference points and to assist in preparing practical strategies whereby poor people can be reached by the Programme in an effective manner, the Ministry of Fisheries (MOFI) and the Embassy of Denmark (EDK) have agreed to conduct a baseline socio-economic assessment within the nine FSPS II target provinces - three each in the north, centre and south regions of the country.

 

North

Centre

South

Son La

Thua Thien-Hue

Ben Tre

Quang Ninh

Binh Dinh

Ca Mau

Nghe An

Dak Lak

An Giang

 

The FSPS II Programme Document contemplates two main Outputs for the Socio-Economic Baseline Survey (SEBS: Programme Document page 97). The first including a desk study, rural appraisal and selection criteria design was completed in 2005 and first half of 2006. These results can be seen in the attached excel file annex one.

 

This Output provided advice on the selection criteria to be used in the selection of the Communes where FSPS II activities will take place (annex 2) and also made recommendations regarding the need to modify the design of the SEBS – annex 1. Representatives from the 9 Pilot Provinces then applied the approved selection criteria and made a preliminary Commune selection.

 

 

2. OBJECTIVES OF CONSULTANCY

 

The objective of the consultancy is to improve the ability of MOFI, Provincial Statistics Office (PSO), Department of Fisheries (DOFI) and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to monitor and evaluate the social impact of sustainable fisheries development for both State funded and FSPS II co-funded interventions in terms of household (HH) income generation at the commune level.

 

3. OUTPUTS/PRODUCTS OF THE CONSULTANCY

This Socio-Economic Baseline survey has four expected outputs:

1.      Output 1: Target Commune[1] selection in 9 provinces confirmed in terms of compliance with the agreed selection criteria (annexes 2 & 3).

2.      Output 2: A Socio-Economic Baseline Survey carried out in 9 Provinces. The report of the baseline survey will include recommendations to MOFI and provinces on how the survey results can be used to develop a poverty reduction action plan in line with the Government’s Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy and Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2006-2010.

The Baseline survey will be carried out by means of a rural household survey conducted in a representative sample of all household types[2] in the selected Communes with controls in non-selected Communes in the 9 FSPS pilot provinces.

The survey will assess the possibility of modifying the standard General Statistics Office (GSO) and Provincial Statistics Office  (PSO) survey questionnaire[3] to capture more data about fish consumption by aquatic product type as an indicator for improved household beneficiary wellbeing (finfish, shellfish [crustacean, molluscan] and algae; origin (freshwater, brackish water or marine); form (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, canned, bottled, other); quantity and payment method (market purchased, bartered, home produced, wild caught).

 

The Output 2 report should also include recommendations on the key fish consumption questions to enter into the regular GSO data collections which will be submitted to MOFI for further action and used as the basis for an official request by MOFI to GSO. The report should also include recommendations on the training of PSO & GSO staff in connection with the above.

 

The survey will identify case studies to be carried out under Output 3 for each of the four Components of the FSPS II. There will be 8 case studies, 2 per Component, the scope for work for which will be defined as a product of Output 2.

 

3.      Output 3: Socio Economic Baseline report and analytical reports prepared 

 

§         A baseline report based on the data from the survey referred to in Output 2 including survey techniques, organization, content, and main results.

 

§         In addition, at least two analytical reports will be written based on Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey (VHLSS) data and the survey, covering such areas as rural household income and expenditure; the impacts from fisheries production; savings and investment situation of rural households who will be interviewed and assessed for living standards and poverty levels. This information will come from standard data produced biennially[4] together with tracer studies for a statistically valid representative sample of approximately 500 households[5], with members working as farmers, fisherfolk, fish farmers or in post-harvest activities to be revisited each year over the period 2007-2010.

 

§         8 case studies, 2 for each of the four components of the programme will be carried out to demonstrate the process of change, by economic activity (Capture Fisheries, Aquaculture, Processing and Trade) in the Fisheries sector. This will also include associated upstream and downstream goods and services suppliers so as to get an idea of the socio-economic spin-offs to associated industries.

 

4.      Output 4: A user-friendly monitoring information extraction interface established at Provincial level for use within Districts and Communes.

 

§         Once data is analyzed into tables and figures, a user-friendly information extraction interface will be set up. The set up of the interface is very important because it can provide MOFI/MOLISA and Provincial PSO/DOLISA/DOFI/DARD staff with a database that is easy to access and can provide information on changing trends in fisheries sector production with associated impacts on poverty and fish consumption levels. The databases will be updated annually and will allow the Provincial and Central level Institutions to monitor progress of the Government’s Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy and Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2006-2010 with specific reference to poverty reduction and improved sustainable livelihoods in the Fisheries Sector.

§         Key indicators will be chosen on the basis of the baseline survey results to ensure that the monitoring system is effective and easy to manage.

§         The database use will be documented in the form of a user manual and report including a practical action plan with recommendations on:

o       How additional key fish consumption questions are entered into the PSO/GSO data collections and submitted to MOFI for further action ( by way of regular official requests by MOFI to GSO);

o       The management of a sustainable MOFI – GSO data collection and processing system incorporating the key fish consumption questions; and

o       Training of PSO & GSO staff in connection with the above.

 
4. METHODOLOGY

 

The Socio-Economic Baseline Survey design should be closely based on existing DOLISA – PSO data collecting systems so that data collection during this survey and for future follow-up surveys is following the Government of Vietnam’s own statistical information gathering (or similar), is cost effective and simple to implement. Cost effectiveness in terms of statistically valid sample size, is therefore important as Provincial authorities have limited funds for such data collection. GSO, in close cooperation with the MOFI Vietnam Institute of Economics and Planning (VIFEP), will use a range of methods to deliver the four outputs:

 

  1. Collection of secondary data from PSO and DOLISA;
  2. Modification of existing GSO/PSO questionnaires to include more data on fish consumption and product origin;
  3. Field studies (individual/group interviews or focus group discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders);
  4. Tracer studies to follow randomly selected target group households’ well-being over time;
  5. Case studies covering all target groups: fishers (both inland and inshore); fish farmers (freshwater, brackish water and marine culture); and those working in fish transport, processing and marketing;
  6. Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour (KAB) studies to assess adoption of more sustainable production technologies; and
  7. Other methodologies as appropriate to be presented at the time of the survey design presentation.

 

5. ACTIVITIES

 

1. The preparation of a detailed work plan, including travel plan, for the completion of the SEBS and associated studies followed by:

2. Activity outline for Output 1: check on Commune selection and adherence to selection criteria report to FSPS II management.

3. Activity outline for Output 2: Rural household survey conducted in 9 Provinces.

 

Activities:

The survey on rural households will serve as the benchmark for later frequent updates and as a basis for setting up a database and subsequent baseline reports useful for MOFI and policy makers and Provincial authorities.

The sampling mechanism will be the same as the one in the survey carried out by GSO/VHLSS with the exception that a greater number of HH will be visited (22HH/Commune rather than 3HH/Commune from the VHLSS) so that the combination of data can be used for monitoring purposes by FSPS II, MOFI and Provincial authorities for broader statistical and policy analysis.

The field survey preparation, organization and part of data checking, entry and cleaning will be under the responsibility of a consultant trainer who will travel to all 9 Provinces providing the on the job training. This (familiarizing DOLISA and PSO with survey techniques through participation in two courses) will be done throughout the survey and subsequent work, covering such activities as questionnaire identification and design, survey methodology, survey organization, and management.

3. Activity outline for Output 3:  Socio-economic baseline report and analytical reports prepared.

Activity outline:

4. Activity outline for Output 4: A user-friendly monitoring information extraction interface designed and tested   

Activity outline:

§         Design and test simple M&E system with indicators using data available on PSO/GSO & DOLISA improved databases (Outputs 2 & 3 above) for both FSPS II and MOFI/DOFI/DARD needs;

§         These socio-economic baseline indicators will be carefully chosen so as to enable a link between baseline and future performance plus impact assessments. The baseline data should be updated annually by using the results from Output 3 where the VHLSS data was compared with the more detailed survey carried out by the Programme.

§         Indicators will include both Process (e.g. participation of men and women in labour force and e.g. percentage of men and women with schooling completed etc) and Outcome (e.g. unemployment rate both sexes and e.g.  functional literacy rate etc) indices.

§         A mix of primary and secondary data indicators will be selected:

§         Primary data collection:

·        Income (from what sources including fisheries)

·        Employed as… New employment options…

·        Access to potable water

·        Access to natural resources

·        Changes in land use

·        Access to health care

·        Access to education gender disaggregated (primary, secondary)

·        Specific fisheries indicators

§         Secondary data

·        Demographic information (birth rate, mortality, number of children, gender)

·        Population structure & density (average age etc)

·        Migration

·        Land use (including area of Commune and villages);

·        Employment / Unemployment and trends

·        Fisheries production

§         Write database operation manual;

§         Incorporate new fish consumption questions into the PSO/GSO data collection system;

§         Train PSO/GSO staff in the data collection and processing requirements reflecting the key fish consumption questions; and

§         Present findings and M&E system design at a workshop to be held in November 2007.

 

6. STAFFING/TEAM MEMBERS

 

The intention is to carry out this work by contracting GSO at the Central level and the Provincial Statistics Offices (PSO) in 9 target Provinces. GSO will liaise closely with the data providers and users associated with the Fisheries Sector at the Provincial level namely DOFI/DARD and DOLISA.

 

As the training aspects of this study are to be carried out by national consultant(s) they must have demonstrable in-depth knowledge of socio-economic survey implementation and the work carried out by GSO/PSO and DOLISA.  It is envisaged that GSO will put together a team of four consultants. An external consultant will be hired to assist with training and the Fisheries Sector needs in terms of Quality Assurance and to provide Technical Assistance with the process of data analysis. Core GSO team members must have extensive experience / abilities in the following aspects of data collection and processing:

 

§         Socio-economic data collection by means of the design and application of questionnaires, tracer and case studies;

§         Design and implementation of cost effective M&E systems;

§         In-depth understanding of MOLISA/DOLISA and GSO/PSO survey techniques;

§         Supervision of field work teams;

§         Ability to train staff in statistical techniques for survey design, data collection and processing;

§         Be fluent in both written and spoken English and Vietnamese;

§         Ability to work well with National and International consultants;

§         Excellent ICT skills and ability to deliver reports on time;

§         Be available for the full input with work in 9 provinces listed on page one of these ToR; and

§         Be physically able to carry out and supervise fieldwork.

 

The external consultant should also have the above qualities but in addition be fully aware of the Fisheries Sector’s needs and have strong data analysis skills.

 

 

7. TIMING

 

Total time for consultancy will be for a maximum of 6 months starting on or before 01.06.07 with final draft reports, designs and data handling systems in place by November 2007.

 

Tentative schedule for the delivery of the 4 Outputs will be as follows:

 

§         Commune selection comments and full implementation plan within three weeks of initiating the work;

 

§         PSO questionnaire and other questionnaire verification within six weeks of starting;

 

§         Other reports and data sets to be presented at intervals to be agreed on by MOFI and FSPS II advisers prior to contract signing;

 

§         Submitting the final draft reports for the Study and M&E proposals to MOFI by Monday 5th November 2007 and present at a workshop to be held in MOFI on or close to this date.

 

8. DEBRIEFINGS

 

At the end of each input a report and meeting will take place in MOFI. If necessary MOFI and/or Embassy staff will join the SEBS consultants in the field at times of data collection, training or as required. At such occasions the consultants will present the status of work conducted, achievements, problems encountered and possible solutions.

 

9. REPORTING/INPUTS

 

Interim and final reports are to be made by the consultant(s) in both English and Vietnamese. Translation costs are to be included in the contract under the reimbursable amounts.

 

  1. Under Output 1: Written comments on the selection of communes in relation to the accepted selection criteria by 22.06.07.
  2. Under Output 2:
    1. Comments on the PSO questionnaire modifications with acceptance by GSO to be presented to MOFI by 12.07.07.
    2. Questionnaire pre-test results
  3. Under Output 3:
    1. SEBS report
    2. Two analytical reports will be written based on 1) VHLSS 2006 data and 2) the DOLISA poverty data, covering such areas as rural household income and expenditure; the impacts from fisheries production; savings and investment situation of rural households who will be interviewed and assessed for living standards and poverty levels
    3. Eight case study reports
  4. Under Output 4:
    1. M&E system design report  including comments on initial tests
    2. Database user manual; and
    3. Report on the use of new key fish consumption questions and the regular updating to allow continued quality data collection

 

§         Other detailed target reference points for the completion of the outputs to be presented with the tender in the form of a process action plan.

 

§         The final SEBS and M&E system design as agreed by MOFI/GSO and the provincial DOFI/DARD/DOLISA/PSO to be presented in MOFI at a workshop on or before 05.11.07.

 

§         If modifications are required post final workshop, these should be incorporated in the final report in hard and electronic formats (Microsoft Word and Excel and other software packages together with databases) to be handed in by 15.11.07.

 

All materials and data collected and/or produced as part of the consultancy are the joint property of MOFI-Danida and counterpart Vietnamese organisations and can only be copied and reproduced with their permission. If any material from the consultancy is published the national consultant will be acknowledged.

 

The following documents will be provided by MOFI:

·        Recommendation report on establishing the socio-economic monitoring of FSPS II, June 2005.

·        Fisheries Law June/2004.

·        The Decree No 43/ND-CP dated May, 2nd, 2003 of the Government on functions, responsibilities, authorities and organizational structure of the Ministry of Fisheries.

·        Socio-Economic Development Plan in the Fisheries up to 2010, and Vision 2020.

·        The Master Plan of public administrative reform up to 2010, enclosed with the Decision No 136/2001/QD-TTg  of the Prime Minister dated 17th September, 2001.

·        Fisheries Development Programme up to 2010 approved by the Government: aquaculture development programme, fisheries export and processing programme and Draft Programme on capture fisheries.

·        Government Decrees on recruitments, employment and management of staff, civil and public servants; hierarchy regime, training and fostering plans for civil and public servants for the period 2006-2010.

·        Review report on implementation of 2005 State plan on tasks, orientation and implementation of Socio-economic development Strategy in 2006 for the fisheries sector.

·        Resolutions by MOFI Party Committee on development of fisheries science and technology up to the year 2010.

·        Danida 2005. Guidelines for Programme Management; 4th Edition.

·        MOFI 1999. National Program for Aquaculture Development Period 1999-2010.

·        MPI 2005. Draft National Socio-economic Development Plan (SEDP) 2006-2010.

·        MOFI/STREAM 2001. Sustainable Aquaculture for Poverty Alleviation (SAPA) – Strategy and Implementation.

·        MOFI 2005. Annual Report on Review of 2004 State Plan Implementation and Orientation and Tasks of Socio-Economic Development in 2005 of Fisheries Sector.

·        MOFI 2005. Semi-Annual Review Report: Implementation of Plan for First Six Months of 2005 and Tasks and Solution for Implementation of 2005 Plan of the Fisheries Sector.

·        MOFI / DANIDA 2005a. Programme Document; Fisheries Sector Programme Support II, 2006-2010.

·        MOFI / DANIDA 2005b. Strengthening of the Fisheries Administration. Fisheries Sector Programme Support II, 2006-2010.

·        MOFI / DANIDA 2005c. Strengthening of Capture Fisheries Management. Component Description. Fisheries Sector Programme Support II, 2006-2010.

·        MOFI / DANIDA 2005d. Sustainable Development of Aquaculture (SUDA). Fisheries Sector Programme Support II, 2006-2010.

·        MOFI / DANIDA 2005e. Strengthening Capacities of Post-Harvest and Marketing. Component Description. Fisheries Sector Programme Support II, 2006-2010.

·        DANIDA 2005. FSPS II Appraisal Report (June 2005).

·        World Bank 2003. Poverty – Vietnam Development Report 2004. Joint Donor Report to the Vietnam Consultative Group Meeting. (

·        World Bank 2005. Business – Vietnam Development Report 2006. Joint Donor Report to the Vietnam Consultative Group Meeting.

·        UNDP 2004. Taking Stock, Planning Ahead: Evaluation of the National Targeted Program on hunger eradication and Poverty Reduction and Program 135. Hanoi 2004. Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and United Nations Development Program.

·        MOFI / World Bank 2004. Vietnam Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Study.

·        T. T. Hue IMOLA (FAO/DOFI) Socio-Economic Baseline Survey.

 

In addition meeting rooms will be provided for feedback sessions and workshops.

 

Inputs provided by the national consultants: the national consultants will arrange the use of his/her own equipment (computers, printers etc) for  the whole consultancy period, and will be solely responsible for the backing up, prevention of virus attack and integrity of any data collected.

 

10. RESPONSIBILITIES

 

MOFI will:

·        pay the cost for all activities as stipulated in the contract.

 

No

Responsibilities

MOFI

Consultant(s)

1

Formulate detailed work plan

-

√

2

Procedures for establishing Endorsing Committee

√

-

3

Discuss and sign contract with the consultant(s)

√

-

4

Provide inputs

Materials, documents

As per contract

5

Procedures for contacting relevant organizations.

-

√

6

Coordinate activities and meetings between MOFI with advisors, consultancy group.

√

-

7

Report to the Endorsing Committee for comments, suggestions.

√

√

8

Secretary, interpreter for interactions with international advisers (NB – translation work for reporting is the responsibility of the consultant(s)

√

-

9

Confirm Commune selection

 

√

10

Training of Provincial level data collectors

 

√

11

Carry out SEBS

 

√

12

Carry out case studies

 

√

13

Identify the issues relating to contents of SEBS + M&E systems

√

√

14

Description/analysis

-

√

15

Develop draft reports

-

√

16

Report to MOFI Endorsing Committee.

-

√

 

17

Decide which suggestions, comments at the meeting with MOFI Endorsing Committee to be approved.

√

-

18

Finalize the SEBS and M&E system and

-

√

19

Submit to the Minister MOFI

√

-

 

11. ATTACHMENTS AND REFERENCES.

 

§         Annex 1: Recommendation report on establishing the socio-economic monitoring of FSPS II, June 2005.

§