Terms of Reference for the Mid-term Review Of SIDA funded Great Lakes Civil Society Project (GLP)

Background

The Great Lakes Civil Society Project (GLP) is a regional programme implemented since January 2010 by the Danish Refugee Council with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency. The first phase of the GLP was implemented between January 2010 and April 2013, while the second phase started in May 2013.

The GLP is implemented in partnership with civil society organisations in six countries of the Great Lakes region: Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The GLP’s vision is for civil society to hold governments accountable to the commitments made for protecting displaced persons in their countries, by proposing realistic policy solutions to conflict and displacement.

The programme supports national civil society organisations in documenting and analysing specific displacement and conflict issues, and translating these analyses into practical advocacy goals at the local, national and regional levels. It draws on existing legal and political frameworks for the protection of refugees and IDPs, such as the Great Lakes Pact on Security, Stability and Development, and the African Union Kampala Convention, as well as national-level IDP and refugee policies and legislative tools. Where possible, it encourages cross-border learning between civil society organisations and regional initiatives aimed at providing joint solutions to regional displacement problems.

The proposal and logical framework for Phase II outline the programme’s overall objectives as follows:

Local conflict resulting from and contributing to displacement in target areas of the Great Lakes is prevented and/or resolved through participatory processes defined and implemented at the local level.National and regional policies on displacement and conflict in the Great Lakes region are developed and/or improved to respond to locally-identified needs.The capacities of civil society actors to play a strategic role in policy formulation on displacement and conflict are reinforced.

Considering the GLP’s scope, DRC is actively looking for an additional 3 years phase to its present funding (planned to end April 2016). The mid-term review must be conducted bearing in mind the possibility of the additional phase.

Objectives of the mid-term Review

Purpose:

The purpose of the mid-term review is to guide GLP implementation improvements by assessing the likelihood of its strategies, systems and activities producing the expected results.

Specific objectives:

More specifically, the review is expected to:

Assess the impact of the GLP so far and gaps to be filled.Assess the relevance, appropriateness and foundations of the GLP. The consultant will have to analyse the programme documents but also the context and legal frameworks in the countries of operationAssess the quality (appropriateness, availability and timeliness) and effectiveness of the support given to the CSO partners to improve their performances for the protection of displaced people. The consultant will particularly look at the partners’ capacity to conduct research, identify strategic issues, design and conduct advocacy intervention and develop cross-border collaboration. The consultant will assess the progress in the partners’ capacity since the beginning of their collaboration with DRC.Assess SIDA’s current interest and commitment to the programme.Formulate recommendations on how to make the programme more relevant and more efficient.

Methodology

While the consultant is expected and encouraged to propose a most suitable and appropriate methodology for carrying out the review s/he is expected to among others:

Review all relevant documents (programme documents, previous evaluations, partners reports, legal frameworks, donor reports, context analysis)Participate in a 2-day strategic workshop with the partners in Nairobi. The objective of the workshop will be to reflect on the impact of the GLP so far and establish a strategy for the future of the programmeConduct in-depth Interviews with four GLP partners, taking advantage of their presence while attending the 2-day strategic workshop in Nairobi in October 2014Conduct interview with the GLP team and other relevant DRC staffConduct a phone/Skype interview with SIDA in Addis Ababa. The consultant will also conduct an in-depth analyses on SIDA’s strategic interests through a literature review on key SIDA documentsPresent the key review findings to GLP/DRC staff in a briefing session in order to receive feedback on the report. Feedback from the review session will need to be incorporated into the final review report.

Expected outputs

An inception report detailing the consultant’s proposed methodology for conducting the review. This will be discussed, agreed and approved with the GLP Program Manager prior to commencement of the review.A draft report, not exceeding 20 pages, reflecting all major findings and conclusions to be shared with DRC Great Lakes for review and feedback.A final report (two hard copies and one soft copy in Ms-Word format) reflecting comments and feedback, including an executive summary. All Annexes in the soft copy of the report need to be included in the main report and as separate documents clearly named.Raw and analysed data including audio-visual materials where necessary.

Target audience for the report

DRC Great Lakes team and Senior Management in NairobiDRC Africa and heads of desk in CopenhagenSIDAPartners in the five countries of implementation

Time-frame and location

The mid-term review will take place in October 2014

The consultant will work alongside DRC’s GLP team in Nairobi, and is also expected to consult a sample of four Project’s partners: in Kenya, in Burundi, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2 partners). The consultant will also talk SIDA's representatives in Addis Ababa.

The mission level of efforts and work schedule may be:

1 day of developing an Inception Report to be discussed, agreed and approved by the GLP Programme Manager2 days preparation: reading programme documents and meeting DRC’s Great Lakes team2 days participation to a partners workshop in Nairobi on October 14-15, 20145 days in Nairobi for interviews with DRC team and partners and context/legal analysis5 days for report-writing

Qualifications

Advanced degree in Development Studies, Social sciences or other relevant field.Demonstrable experience in leading evaluations of humanitarian programmes;Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports in a timely manner;Demonstrated experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and data analysis techniques;Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of civil-society programming;Good interpersonal skills and understanding cultural sensitivities;Readiness to travel to Burundi and DRCongo if necessary.

Assessment and award of consultancy

DRC will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. DRC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.Any subcontracting of the consultancy will not be accepted.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

Commitments

DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.

Application process

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit their proposals in English including the following components:

CV (s) with details of qualifications, experience, telephone number and names of three referees (preferably those having worked for in similar assignments;Technical proposal that summarizes your understanding of the ToR and the proposed methodology, including the foreseen work plan for the days; andFinancial proposal providing cost estimates of daily consultancy fees in US dollars ($). Daily consulting rate is negotiable, although will be commensurate to DRC consultancy terms and standards.

Interested parties should forward the expression of interest, in English through the online application onhttp://www.drc.dk/ under vacancies no later than 25 September, 2014.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contactjob@drc.dk

Health Poverty Action (HPA) (registered as Health Unlimited (HU) in Kenya) works with some of the poorest and most marginalised communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, often in very difficult environments. We work to enable these communities achieve improvements to their health as one of their fundamental human rights.
HPA is currently implementing a DFID-funded project in Mandera, Kenya “Improving Maternal and child health outcomes for 128,123 women and children from marginalized pastoralists communities” and an EC-funded cross border project implemented in Mandera, Kenya and Dollo Ado, Ethiopia “Realizing maternal And Child Health rights in difficult environments”
HPA seeks to hire a consultant for a period of no more than 20 working days to undertake a midterm evaluation/review for these two projects. Interested applicants can view the full Terms of Reference (TOR) on http://www.healthunlimited.or.ke/ 
Applications should be sent by email to consultancies@healthunlimited.or.ke : quoting the Reference Number: Europe Aid/129492/C/ACT/TPS : GPAF-IMP-081 by 1700 hours East Africa time on or before 29th June 2014.
HPA is under no obligation to accept any proposal(s) and may accept or decline them in whole or part without giving any reasons whatsoever.

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Food Security Recovery Program (FSRP) – Lakes State Southern Sudan.

Terms of Reference for a Consultancy to undertake Mid-term Evaluation for Food Security Recovery Program in Rumbek North & Rumbek Central Counties of Lakes State Southern Sudan.

Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Belgium (VSF-Belgium) is an international non – governmental organization whose vision is to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations in developing countries, through improving animal health and production.

We have been a key player in the livestock sector in Southern Sudan since 1995 playing a major role in the establishment of a community based animal health delivery system and animal health delivery system and the ongoing rinderpest eradication process.

VSF Belgium’s 14 years of animal heath service provision in Southern Sudan has impacted positively on the community and changed lives of many families whose lives are dependent on livestock directly or indirectly.

VSF-Belgium in the past two years has been implementing a 4 year Food Security Recovery Program Funded by European Union (FSRP-EC Lakes) in two counties (Rumbek North and Rumbek Central) of Lakes State with an overall objective of enhancing the livelihoods and stabilize food security among vulnerable agro pastoralist communities in Lakes state.

Lakes State is one of the four states of greater Bahr El Ghazal, it has an estimated area of 40,235 Km², with its capital and the seat of the government situated in Rumbek. Lakes state borders five other southern states; Central Equatoria to the south, Jonglei State on the Eastern Bank of White Nile, Unity State towards the north-eastern side, Warrap State on the north-western side, and Western Equatoria on the South and West.

There are eight (8) administrative counties, each with several payams and bomas. The main ethnic group in the state is Dinka with the Jur Bel forming a minority. The human population of Lakes State is estimated at 695 730 people (Fifth Sudan Population and housing census April 2008).

Evaluation Summary

Project: Food Security Recovery Programme – EC Lakes

Project Period: 3rd September 2009 – 31st August 2013

Evaluation Type: Mid-term Evaluation

Evaluation Purpose: The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the level of impact by the project interventions on the lives of Rumbek Central & Rumbek North communities at the end of the phase 1 of the Project implementation.

Primary Methodologies: Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection where household survey, focus group discussions (FGD), interviews and document review will be used respectively

Evaluation Start and End Dates: 15th September 2011 – 10th October 2011.

Anticipated Evaluation Report Release Date: 15th of October 2011.

Description of the Project being evaluated

Operational Period for Project: 4 Years

Project Budget total Budget: Euro 1,500 004

Project Target Population:

Direct target population - 2662 HH – 23,825 personsIndirect target population – – 196,960 (107,554 -Males & 89,406 Females (M =54.6 %, F =45.4 %)Evaluation Target Audiences

This evaluation process is intended to inform our donors – European Union on the impact their funds have created on the lives of children, families, livestock keepers, livestock traders and communities living in Rumbek North & Rumbek Central.

VSF Belgium will on the other hand use the same information to inform its planning processes for the final phase of the project.

The main concerns/expectations of partners in this evaluation include:

Extent of achievement of program objectives.Impact of the program interventions on both the direct beneficiaries and nonbeneficiariesStrengths, Challenges and weaknesses of the program.Level of participation by local NGOs/CBOs government ministries, communities.Reports from key stakeholders i.e. MARF, MAF, Public Health, County Administration, County Council and other NGOs.The key stakeholders who have been involved in the implementation of the program activities include;
Ministry of Animal Resources & Fisheries.Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry.Ministry of Physical infrastructure (department of Rural water)County Commissioners (Rumbek North & Rumbek Central)Rumbek Town Council & Maper County Council.South Sudan Relief & Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC)Oxfam GBUN FAO (SPCRP)Evaluation Type

This is a mid-term evaluation. It has been scheduled by the programme to enable it find out progress made/gained towards meeting the designed goal and outcomes over the last two years of implementation.

Evaluation Purpose and Objectives

Purpose of the Evaluation

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the level of impact by the program interventions to the lives of Rumbek North & Rumbek Central communities at the end of phase 1 of implementation.

The exercise will determine the extent to which the project objectives have been achieved including:

Impact on the lives of the community.Change in the quality of life of the community especially the well being of vulnerable groups, livestock keepers.Sustainability of the projects undertaken in phase one.Programme effectiveness and efficiency.How far the project achieved the set goals and objectives.Best practices (new knowledge and important topics for further inquiry, lobbying, and influence)Case studies and success stories.Besides these, evaluation process will also assist in the following areas:
Determine how well the programme was designed and monitored against the objectives, benchmarks, and processes established in the project design document.Determine strengths (including successful innovations and promising practices) and weaknesses (factors impeding progress) of the programme planning, design, implementation M&E, and ongoing community management in the programme.Determine whether the resources (financial, human and materials) have been used economically and wisely for the well-being of the community.Determine how the programme involved and benefited vulnerable groups (genders, ethnic minorities, children, and the disabled) throughout the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and ongoing management of the programme
Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection where household survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), interviews and document review will be used respectivelyA final report will be expected out of the evaluation exercise. The consultant will make a presentation of the final report to be written in English. The draft report should be ready within a week from the last day of evaluation. The final report should be ready within 10 days after feedback from the VSF Belgium team. Review and feedback should take place within 2 weeks after the draft report for a final report preparation and production. The consultant will hand over a hard copy draft report as well as soft copy. For the final report, 3 hard copies and a soft copy will be required (CD copy).The report should adopt the EU mid-term evaluation format that will be provided by VSF Belgium.
Documents

Some Secondary data will be collected from the following sources

FSRP grant contract 2009FSRP proposal 2009FSRP baseline report 2010Budget and financial reportsNarrative reports (interim, inception rider and quarterly)Government records from the State Ministry of Animal Resources & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Ministry of Physical infrastructure LimitationsSome of the factors that may limit the evaluation include:
Challenges in communication incase of rainy weather. Use of four wheel drive vehicles will be necessary.Language barrier considering that local people are predominantly dinka speaking.There will be need to use simple language as well as translate during interactions.

Location

The consultancy will be based in Lakes State – Rumbek North and Rumbek Central Counties.

Authority and Responsibility

Evaluation Team Members and Roles

Consultant - Principal evaluatorCountry Program Manager – Quality ControlProject Manager - Goal Owner (Team leader)Program staff/Project Officers - Logistical supportResearch Assistants/Data Collectors - Data collectionTranslators - Translate portions of draft as needed to get input from people who speak the local language.Qualifications

The Consultant is expected to have the following attributes:

Postgraduate qualification in Agriculture/ Animal health & Production/ Veterinary medicine/natural resource management or a graduate qualification with at least 7 years experience in programming and Monitoring & Evaluation assessments.Significant field experience in East Africa in livelihoods planning and programmingSignificant experience in coordination, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs.Good communications skills and experience in working with teams, in facilitationAbility to write clear and useful reports (may be required to produce examples of previous work) and excellent analytical and writing skillsAbility to manage the available time and resources and to work to tight deadlines.Experience with analysis of development in a rural and post-conflict environment.Working experience in Southern Sudan is desirable.Available for the whole time of the baseline survey.Closing date: 5th September 2011.

Contact Information

Interested expert(s) should submit proposals indicating relevant qualifications and experience as well as detailed execution plan they would use for the mission.

They should also indicate daily consultancy rates and possible starting dates.

The proposals, CV and letter of motivation as well as three (3) referees should be sent electronically to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke

Ref: FSRP Consultancy 08/2011.

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