We Are Seeking A Baseline Investigator

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Baseline Investigator

Title: Baseline Investigator

Project: SpringAid Nigeria Civil Society Strengthening Project (with

SpringAid Sweden & Sida)

Location: Imo State, Nigeria

Duration: 6–8 weeks

Contract Type: Consultancy / Short-term Assignment

Reporting To: Project Manager (SpringAid Nigeria) & M&E Lead

(SpringAid Sweden)

1. Background

SpringAid International Development, Nigeria, with support from SpringAid Sweden and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), will implement a multi-year civil society strengthening project aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment among 1,200 women and youth in three LGA in Imo State. The project focuses on entrepreneurship training, mentorship, job creation, financial inclusion, and institutional capacity building.

To measure project effectiveness and guide implementation, SpringAid requires a comprehensive

baseline assessment.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The Baseline Investigator will conduct a detailed socio-economic assessment of women and youth in the target LGAs to establish baseline values for all indicators in the project’s results matrix. This will ensure evidence-based planning, tailored interventions, and measurable progress during implementation.

3. Objectives of the Baseline Study
4. Assess socio-economic conditions of women and youth (poverty, unemployment, education, skills).
5. Understand barriers to entrepreneurship and employment.
6. Map opportunities, local resources, and stakeholder ecosystems.
7. Establish baseline values for all outcome and output indicators.
8. Provide recommendations to inform project implementation and mentorship design.

4. Scope of Work

The Baseline Investigator will:

1. Design & Methodology

•  Develop a baseline methodology, sampling plan, tools, and field strategy.
• Ensure gender-sensitive and youth-centered approaches.

1. Data Collection

• Conduct surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and interviews across targeted LGAs.
• Gather data on income, employment, skills, education, markets, financial access, and local
• enterprise potential.

1. Data Management

• Clean, code, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
• Ensure data confidentiality and ethical handling.

1. Reporting

• Produce a comprehensive Baseline Report with recommendations.
• Provide baseline indicator values aligned with the project’s results framework.
• Deliver raw datasets, analysis tables, and visual summaries.

5. Deliverables
6. Baseline methodology and workplan
7. Draft data collection tools
8. Field data collection & datasets (cleaned)
9. Analysis dashboard/table (Excel)
10. Baseline Report (max 30 pages + annexes)
11. PowerPoint presentation of findings

6. Qualifications of the Consultant

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Statistics, or related
• field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience conducting baseline studies, socio-economic assessments, or
• M&E.
•  Proven experience working with NGOs or donor-funded projects (Sida added advantage).
• Strong skills in quantitative analysis (SPSS, Stata, Kobo, Excel).
• Fluent in English; knowledge of Igbo and local context is an asset.

7. Timeline

6–8 weeks from contract signing.

8. Application Requirements

•  Technical proposal (methodology, tools, timeline)
•  Financial proposal (inclusive of all costs)
•  CV + 2 references
• Sample of previous similar work

Submit Application to: job@springaidnig.org

Deadline: 19 December 2025