Kenya: FINAL EVALUATION East Africa Drought Appeal - TERMS OF REFERENCE

East Africa Drought Appeal

FINAL EVALUATION

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Introduction In 2011, the region of East Africa experienced the most profound drought conditions in 60 years, causing the world’s most serious food emergency. According to UN reports an estimated 12.4 million people were severely affected across the region including in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan. Despite a strong international response, the situation continued to deteriorate, and there was no likelihood of real improvements until 2012, and then only if rains and crops were sufficient.

Failed rains, or rainfall below normal levels, and recurrent droughts in recent years, have made it a battle for many households to maintain their livestock and agricultural holdings. Many have become destitute and moved to urban centres in the hope of finding casual labour opportunities. Many households have also become increasingly dependent on limited humanitarian aid, remittances from the Diaspora and on internal social supports. However, all these safety nets are drastically weakened as the world economy deteriorates and food prices increase.

In response to this crisis, on July the 6th 2011, the Humanitarian Coalition launched an appeal to the Canadian public for funds to enable its member agencies to scale up the humanitarian response across 3 countries, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The total raised by the appeal stands at $14 million; $7 million by the Humanitarian Coalition and rest by the member agencies.

HC Member Agency Programs
All 5 Humanitarian Coalition Member Agencies had existing programs in the region and responded in this appeal. Three agencies are using HC funds in Kenya, two in Ethiopia and two in Somalia. The totality of HC funds are expected to be used by September 2012.

Further details of HC Member Agency programs and funding will be made available to the consultants on signing the Contract of Agreement with the HC.

Objectives of the Final Evaluation
2.1. To evaluate the overall impact of member interventions. 2.2. To confirm findings of the RTE conducted jointly with the Disasters Emergency Committee in October-November 2011 and to evaluate to what extent lessons or recommendations from the RTE have been taken into account and applied to programming.

2.3 To evaluate gender dynamics of program impacts and hoe gender was factored in all areas of the crisis response. Gender will serve as a cross-cutting theme in the evaluation methodology and findings.

2.4 To document a comparative analysis of best practices in cash-transfer programming in affected communities. This element of the evaluation will be documented as a separate (stand-alone) annex to the evaluation findings.

Timing and Resources
The field mission should take place in ¬¬¬¬¬¬September-October 2012. Up to 5 days may be taken prior to departure for the review of agency plans and to make contact with Members’ head offices. The field mission should be a maximum of 12 days duration in each country. A further week after the field mission may be taken for report writing. Time should be allowed for a workshop in the Canada after the first draft of the report has been prepared – to be completed within 3 weeks of the end of the field mission.

Risks and Challenges
Efforts will be required to manage the following:
• Timing of this evaluation may present challenges in accessing people that were present in the earlier response. • Holidays in Ethiopia in September will require work around. • Multiple countries will lead to logistical challenges and duplicated costs, these should be managed carefully to ensure all mission objectives and budget guidelines are met. • Possibility of creating undue expectations among beneficiaries that participate in focus groups for projects that are now completed. • Security situation in program areas in Kenya may significantly impact access to beneficiaries.

Field Coordination
One HC Member Agency will be identified as ‘Host Agency’ in Ethiopia and Kenya (may be separate organisations in each country). They will be responsible for helping to Coordinate the field mission, offer appropriate logistical support and be able to answer the consultants’ questions. HC Members, where appropriate, will ensure that key partner agencies meet the consultants and ensure the work funded by HC or CIDA is open for scrutiny.

The host agency will organise two meetings of the HC Agencies [and/or partners] in Ethiopia/Kenya; one at the start of the mission and one at the conclusion, to feedback findings. The first meeting will enable the Consultant/s to facilitate a review exercise; enable discussion on the cumulative coverage and impact of the HC members’ response; and on the specific issues outlined above. In addition to providing feedback, the final meeting could be used to identify any program, policy, or advocacy issues that need attention and determine whether agencies are willing and able to take them forward.

COVERAGE
Consultants should be prepared travel within the countries in order to cover as many agencies’ programs as possible. Each agency’s program should be visited in at least one country.

6. Other Coordination

The HC Secretariat will:

? Indentify a host agency to provide field coordination in Kenya and Ethiopia ? Compile contact information in Canada and Kenya/Ethiopia for each agency ? Make available Member Agency program plans and budgets, as well as any internal Member Agency evaluation findings

The consultant/s will arrange own visa, insurance and travel to the area.

It is possible that one member of HC Secretariat Staff will accompany the consultant team in each country.

Report The Consultant/s will be responsible for delivery of a draft report and Executive summary written in English and submitted 10 days following return from the field. This will be shared with Member Agencies and a meeting of representatives set up at the HC office in Ottawa with the consultant/s to discuss the findings prior to finalisation of the text.

The report must be confined to the specific objectives of the mission and should not be more than 25 pages, including an executive summary and map of the Members operations but excluding appendices. One appendix will present the analysis of best practices in cash transfer programming. The executive summary should include a brief narrative overview of what members have achieved as well as highlighting any issues of concern.

It is the intention of the HC that the report will be published, with the HC assuming lead responsibility for this. The final version of the report will be translated into French.

Individual agency-specific reports providing commentary on individual agencies’ performance are also expected. These will be shared with the HC Secretariat and the respective agencies only. The decision to include these in the final public report will be made by the HC.

Recommendations should be based on empirical evidence gathered during the course of the mission, prioritised and limited to 10 key points. This mission is not a commentary on the overall international relief effort, but a timely snapshot of the efforts and behaviours of HC members. The report should avoid generalisations or speculation as to the possible role of the HC in current or future emergencies. If other issues do arise, discussion with the Secretariat will determine how they should be addressed.

The Evaluation findings are those of the author/s and will be made available to the Members as such. Any communication on the findings will make it clear that the report reflects the opinions of the authors alone and not the HC Secretariat or their Members. It is intended that the report will be made available on the HC and ALNAP websites.

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