Somalia: Consultant for END LINE EVALUATION FOR LIVES Project

1.0 BACKGROUND.

Islamic Relief Somalia (IRS) has been operating in Somalia since 2006 and has responded to conflict and drought affected people through provision of life saving assistance. Through its projects, IRS has continuously been providing safe drinking water, improving hygienic sanitation facilities, increasing hygiene awareness, particularly to ones living in IDP camps; empowering the urban poor and distressed working children, engaging in conflict management and mitigation and strengthening of community cohesiveness and co-existence.

The project to be evaluated is a two year integrated livelihood for most vulnerable in Somalia funded by IRUSA and implemented by Islamic relief Somalia in bal’cad district, middle shabelle region. The project aims is to reduce rural poverty, contribute to Somalia national development plans and sustainable development goals by 2019.Initial project target beneficiaries are 622 HHs including those who will benefit from sustainable water supply.

1.1. THE PROJECT OVER VIEW.

Title

Integrated livelihood for most vulnerable in Somalia (LIVES)

Goal

Reduce rural poverty, contribute to Somalia national development plans and sustainable development goals by 2019.

Objective 1.

To improve household income and food security for 800 marginal farmers HHs among which 60% are destitute women and widows

· 80% of the target group have increased their income (TBD by Baseline), and secured the livelihood options

· 80% of them have adapted the new technologies and skill related to their livelihood options

· Farmers have established seed banks for continued farming, saved enough for providing farm inputs without IRW support

· 80% of the beneficiaries enhanced their resilience against any shocks they face

· 90% of the targeted women transformed their lives with confidence, awareness, income earning opportunities, socially engagements (women cooperatives and self-help groups, accessing microcredit) enabled to free off their children from labour sending them to schools with needed supports

Objective 2.

To improve WASH facilities for 10,000 individual through rehabilitation of boreholes

· Two new boreholes installed at the strategic sites and two rehabilitated

· Water management committee has been trained and taken charge of the boreholes

Target Area

Map of the target Area can be downloaded from Here

2.0END TERM EVALUATION

2.1. Scope and Objective.

The evaluation will cover the entire LIVES project duration, from June 1^st, 2016 to May 31^st, 2018. The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess the impact of the project on targeted beneficiaries and provide stakeholders with information on the performance of the project from beginning to end, document important lessons learned and provide practical recommendations for promising practice that can be replicated into other project that have similar interventions- the end line evaluation will seek to understand the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and as well as the achievement of the project .

The evaluation should provide assessment against project aims, objectives (including Impact of the Women cash Grants, Farm Tools distribution and vocational skills training as well as the distribution of Machinery Equipment’s for cultivations) and results based on the Project logical-model and the proposed intervention.

It should make credible analysis of the impact of the project, and draw lessons to build Islamic Relief’s institutional knowledge and that of stakeholders.

2.2. END TERM EVALUATION OBJECTIVES

(a) To assess the relevance/appropriateness of the theory of change of the project: Is the project addressing urgent needs and were suited to the priorities of the beneficiaries that will make a difference to the lives most vulnerable communities in terms of access to sustainable livelihood and production

(b) Assess the efficiency: The evaluator will assess whether activities of the project were cost-efficient, were achieved on time and whether they were implemented in the most efficient way compared to alternatives or not.

(c) Assess the effectiveness of activities and achievement of targets/outcomes

(d) Assess the project’s achievements in relation to the project’s objectives and intended results stated in the project document, logical framework and project implementation plan.

(e) Evaluate the impact/change on the intended beneficiaries and how the project has contributed to these changesAssess the extent to which project outcomes will be sustained beyond the life of the project.

(f) Lesson learnt: Identify the key lesson learned and the promising practice that can be replicated in other projects that have similar interventions.

(g) To deliberate on opportunities to improve and inform the design of livelihoods intervention as part of Islamic Relief’s Integrated livelihoods initiative (provide recommendations on Islamic Relief’s livelihoods programming)

The evaluator should assess the following:

Relevance

• Investigate and make conclusions on the appropriateness of project concept to the problems it was supposed to address taking into account the prevailing political and social economic situation in South-Central Somalia.
• Review the complementarity of the project with other IRS interventions in South-Central Somalia and particularly how this project has contributed to the reduction of vulnerability through the provision sustainable livelihood and capacity building.
• Review the project design including the risks and assumptions and their impact on the project.

Efficiency

• Assess how well the project activities transferred the available resources into the intended results in terms of quantity, quality and time.
• Assess how the project strategy used induced sustainable change, particularly in regard to working with Local government and community participatory processes.
• Assess how inputs and means have been converted into activities and the quality of the results achieved.
• Analyse the efficiency of the project implementation and monitoring at result level using the indicators of the log frame and the proposed timetable.
• Assess the level of collaboration with other agencies and the various project stakeholders.
• Verify the appropriateness of the project implementation approach and the innovativeness and response by project management to bring changes to the social environment in which the project operates.

Effectiveness

• Measure the extent to which the project achieved its outcomes and purpose using the OVIs column of the Logical Framework
• Assess whether planned benefits have been delivered and received as perceived by project management and target groups and will continue towards the intended purpose.
• Analyse the effectiveness of project strategies and capacity building efforts to determine if they are sustainable.
• Determine the progress made in achieving results of the project at all levels.
• Assess the quality of operational work planning, budgeting and how the project managed the originally identified risks and others that may not have been foreseen.
• Assess the quality of reporting.
• Check if the assumptions were correct and if not how this has affected the project achievements.

Impact

a) Analyse whether the project has made milestones that will contribute to the sustainable development goal of sustainably improving access to basic needs by vulnerable communities and other disadvantaged groups.

b) Determine the impact the project has made on improving living standards to the direct project beneficiaries.

Sustainability

d) Evaluate the stakeholder participation in the management/implementation of the project;

e) Measure the level of local ownership and confirm whether key stakeholders are committed to continue and build on the achievements of the project;

f) Confirm whether the community has the intent and capacity to continue the support activities including financial and technical capacities.

g) Assess if the regional environment, socio-economic, political and cultural factors are conducive to the continuity of the project support activities.

h) Assess to which level sustainability has been considered in planning and execution of activities particularly in respect to institutions, formal and non-formal, as well as technical and cross cutting issues;

i) Validate the exit strategy in place.

j) To enable a possible replication, the evaluator is to check whether the process and lessons learned are being documented appropriately so they can be translated into a methodology which will enable others to replicate the activities more easily and effective (multiplier effects).

Cross-cutting Issues:

k) Particular attention will be given to special needs, vulnerable and marginalized groups, gender, cultural identity, peace building, environment mainstreaming and capacity building in the project.

On the basis of the above-mentioned assessment,

• Measure the extent to which the project is successful in achieving its purpose in the targeted region. Analyse strengths and weaknesses of the project and identify lessons learned.

Develop detailed recommendations for how to strengthen: Project management (including monitoring); Implementation (including approaches) and relations with stakeholders in the project area. The recommendations should be placed into the context of how the project should be implemented in order to maximize impact going forward

2.3 CHECKLISTS OF INDICATORS AGAINST EACH BENCHMARK

2.3.1 The program is principled,appropriate and relevant meeting the needs of different groups

· program has needs assessments/analysis of the context and stakeholders

· Targeting criteria exists

· Assistance is adapted to different capacities and capabilities

2.3.2 The program is timely and effective

· Evidence that the project adapts to the changing context

· Activities are implemented without unnecessary delays

2.3.3 The project is technically measured against international humanitarian standards in a context appropriate way

· Project staffs are trained in relevant Sphere/international standards

· Assistance designed using Sphere/international standards

2.3.4 There is accountability all stages of the project and functioning system in place for information sharing and community feedback.

· There is community participation at all stages of the project and functioning system in place for information sharing and community feedback

· Complains/feedback mechanism is functioning

· project staffs conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate way.

2.3.5 An M&E Strategy is in place and been implemented using appropriate indicators

· The project has M&E/Result framework in place

· Appropriate tools are developed and used to ensure relevant monitoring information is gathered.

· Monitoring information is used in decision making and adapting the programming

2.3.6 The program budget is carefully managed to ensure the efficient and timely use of resources in line with the projects objectives.

· Project expenditure is regularly reviewed against the budget

· Timely reporting is delivered and necessary adjustments made

2.3.7 Sustainability of the project strategies

· Strategies build on local capacities and works towords improving the resilience of the communities and people affected by crisis.

· Project plan includes a transition or exit strategy

2.3.8 Impact

· What are the Wider social, economic, technical and environmental effects of the project on individuals by Sex, Age-groups and communities

2.3.9 Coherence/Complementarities

· How has the project been coordinated with activities and priorities of other agencies and organizations (Including local and national government)

· Were appropriate system of coordination established

2.3.10 Learning

· What were the key lessons learned

· What should be repeated in similar projects in future

· What should not be repeated in similar project in future

3.0 TARGET AUDIENCE

o Donor

o Project line ministries

o IRS field and regional level Staffs

o Project beneficiaries and Project team

4.0 METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH

Islamic Relief Somalia proposes a participatory, multi-stakeholder approach in undertaking this assignment. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies of data collection should be employed. The consultant will design methodologies following the indicators of logframe and result framework. The methodologies will include (but not be limited to):

1. A desk review of programme information including project proposals and reports.

2. Meetings with the Area Manager/Head of Programmes and M&E team of Islamic Relief Somalia

3. Interviews with staffs directly involved in the implementation process whose work contributed towards the objectives.

4. Interviews/surveys with local authorities and development actors.

5. Project site visits, Interviews (1 to 1), FGDs with the sample beneficiaries, ensuring the sample is representative and reflective of all women, men, girls and boys of all ages and abilities, and any other tools the consultant deems necessary to produce an effective and useful report.

6. Organisation of initial workshops to train evaluation teams in evaluation methodology (if relevant) as well as a final post-fieldwork workshop to assess and discuss the initial findings with Islamic Relief staff.

7. Submission of the draft evaluation report to IRS prior to the finalisation of the report.

8. If requested a member of IRS staff will be part of the team, and the consultant is expected to lead and build their capacity.

9. The Consultant should consider participatory methods in the design of the evaluation methodology, both to involve beneficiaries as well as to build their capacity. There should also be a mechanism to provide feedback to communities on the findings of the evaluation, e.g. through a meeting, newsletter, or other methods as appropriate. The overall evaluation should also assess the extent of beneficiary involvement throughout the project cycle.

5.0 KEY EVALUATION DELIVERABLES

The key deliverables of this evaluation will include;

Output 1: The incumbent will submit a comprehensive end line evaluation report in both electronic version and signed hard copy. The document should be very precise and address each specific objective.

The incumbent will submit the following:

Inception report on the execution of the assignment within three days of the commencement of the consultancy; setting out how he/she will approach the assignment, proposed methodology, evaluating team, proposed budget and detailed work plan and data collection tools, including draft survey questionnaire for collection of field-level data.

Draft comprehensive end line evaluation report which should include at least the following:

§ Executive summary (2 pages)

§ Background

§ Introduction

§ Purpose and objectives

§ Description of Methodology

§ Analysis and Findings

§ Conclusion and recommendations

Output 2: The incumbent will also deliver a high quality Power-Point presentation to wider audience such as IR staff, donors and other stake holders

Output 3: Final report, incorporating Project teams’, Programme Manager’s and other stakeholders’ input, completed after input is received.

The written report will be:

§ Produced in English language and using clear and concise language.

§ The report format and text shall be in A4 paper size and a legible Times New Roman 12 font size.

§ At least one signed hard copy and one electronic copy by the agreed deadline.

§ Final report; to be produced in the formats and schedules formats stipulated by IRW and in accordance with IRW consultancy procedures

5.0 EVALUATION TIMELINE

The evaluation is expected to run for 30 days, starting from 20^th May - 10^th June 2018.

6.0 REPORTING

The consultant will report directly to Country Director-IRS and will closely work with the IRS- LIVES project team in South Central Somalia such as the Area Manager, Livelihood Officer, Project Assistants and Monitoring and evaluation Coordinator.

7.0 SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CONSULTANT

The consultant must demonstrate evidence of high level of research experience in monitoring and evaluating in similar areas and especially in livelihood projects. The consultant should possess strong statistical/quantitative and qualitative research skills with excellent writing abilities. An appreciation and

Understanding of team work is highly required together with a high level of professionalism and ability to meet tight deadlines.

8.1 SPECIFIC ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

The consultants/consulting firm should be an experienced and have expertise in the following: -

o Extensive experience in research work and in education assessments/evaluations, including previous working experience in Somalia;

o At least a Master’s Degree in economics, developmental studies, business administration and social science or related field for the lead consultant/ a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree on the relevant academic areas with 7 year of progressive experience in research can be acceptable.

o Five years demonstrated experience in research in context like Somalia with sound understanding of cross cutting themes such as child protection, child rights and awareness.

o Knowledge in Research Methodologies and application of various tools including practical experience in assessments, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community based interventions

o The incumbent should have proven experience of using participatory methods as the means of data collection and analysis.

o Fluency in spoken and written English, knowledge of Somali is an added advantage.

o Excellent analytical and report writing skills with skills in using statistical packages such as SPSS.

IRS invites consultants/Consulting firm with the experience and skills described above. Applicants are being requested to send their proposals (Technical and Financial) including:

A. Technical Proposal includes

§ Experience of carrying out the similar type of task

§ Description of methodologies

§ CV of the competitor/leader

• Tentative Work plan.
• Appropriate outline of the report.

B. Financial Proposal includes

• Budget Breakdown

Please submit your technical proposal and financial proposal to email hr.mogadishu@islamicrelief.or.ke

It is strictly advised not to send any other document unless specified above. Violation of the clause will result into disqualification from the bid participation. Please mention only the “Consultant for LIVES project End-term evaluation” as the subject of email