Position Title: Mid-term Evaluation Consultant -DC-KEN21.01
Background and Rationale
Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V. (SoH) is a Christian motivated organisation for human rights, humanitarian aid and development cooperation. From its base in Constance, Germany, SoH is committed to helping those in distress and exploited people worldwide.
This mid-term is commissioned under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) budget for development projects run by private organisations.
SoH is the private German executing agency and the contracting party, while Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P) will be the local implementing partner.
The project’s goal is to contribute to the sustainable livelihood of the people of Isiolo County by increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change. Through the project, climate change adaptation capacity at the micro (1,500 households), meso (45 community organizations), and macro (policy makers, government agencies, institutions) levels is significantly increased. This will be achieved through implementation of three interconnected results areas (outputs) including; 1) 1,000 pastoralists and 300 agro-pastoralists organized into groups and have improved their resilience to the impacts of climate change through the application of effective livelihood systems; 2) The capacities of community-based institutions for natural resource management, conflict prevention and disaster prevention are strengthened; and 3) The capacities of local authorities, media and institutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change are strengthened and that the target group is able to participate in decision-making processes and has access to meteorological information (See annex 1) The project operates in six rural wards (Chari, Cherab, Sericho, Garbatulla, Kinna and Oldonyiro) in Isiolo County*.* The direct target group will be 1,000 pastoralists and 300 agro-pastoralists (each representing the corresponding number of households). The indirect target group includes approximately 9,100 family and community members of the direct target group. Min. 40% of the target group are women, although a higher percentage is targeted.
Purpose, Objectives and Use
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide SoH and MID-P with a comprehensive assessment of the project, conducted systematically and impartially, as well as analyse the progress towards the achievement of the project’s results and identify risks to sustainability identify lessons learned and information for potential future projects. The study will provide concrete, credible and practical recommendations that will assist with the timely incorporation of the findings into the decision-making process and contribute to the organisational learning of both implementing organisations.
The study will support the project quality assurance measures implemented by SoH and meet the donor requirements towards the development projects implemented by German private organisations.
The evaluation will address evaluation questions based on the standard OECD/DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact (please see https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/revised-evaluation-criteria-dec-2019.pdf). The objectives of the evaluations are to:
- Assess the extent to which the project has sustainably achieved its objectives and results (results matrix), including the extent to which the lives of the project beneficiaries have been improved,
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses in terms of planning, management, implementation and monitoring of the project,
- Evaluate sustainability measures,
- Identify cross-cutting issues addressed through the project, including gender equality, human rights, marginalised groups, inclusion, and other issues,
- Determine the effects of Covid-19, drought, inflation and communal conflicts on the project, its activities and implementing organisation,
- Identify risks and weaknesses and make recommendations for the successful completion of the project.
- To determine the effectiveness of the implementation approaches used by the project team so as to inform the rest of the project life.
- To determine sustainability measures put in place or planned by the project team to enable continuity of key project interventions on exit of project teams.
- To share recommendations on needed project revision aspects.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Evaluation Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Head of the International Assistance and Cooperation Department, in close cooperation with the responsible SoH Officer and the local implementing partner.
The duties and responsibilities of the Evaluation Consultant will include:
- Develop a work plan outlining the proposed research methodology, geographical coverage and schedule to conduct the study,
- Conduct a desk review of relevant documents,
- Carry out a project site visit to a project location to conduct research, collect data and establish contact with the local implementing partner, project beneficiaries and relevant project stakeholders,
- Review and evaluate available data and existing sources of information, including the project proposal, annual reports, conducted studies and other documents,
- Examine institutional, technical, staffing and financial capacities of the implementing partner as well as its relationship with the target group and other relevant stakeholders.
- Prepare an evaluation matrix as well as a list of interviews that will be conducted prior to the Evaluation.
Expected Deliverables
The study will produce the following deliverables:
- an inception report, including the proposed research methodology and data collection tools, a table of content and timeline of research activities prior to the site visit to the project location,
- a comprehensive report of a maximum of 30 pages with practical recommendations and relevant annexes (including raw data and documented records).
A template will be provided to serve as a guide and may be used to structure the final report.
Study Quality and Ethical Standards
The study team will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the study is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved. Furthermore, the study should be aligned to the following standards and applicable practices:
- Utility: the study must be useful and used.
- Feasibility: the study must be realistic, diplomatic and managed in a sensible, cost-effective manner.
- Ethics and Legality: the study must be conducted in an ethical and legal manner, with particular regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the Study.
- Impartiality and Independence: the study should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that takes into account the views of all stakeholders.
- Transparency: the study activities should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.
- Accuracy: the study should be technically accurate and credible, providing sufficient information about the data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods so that its worth or merit can be determined.
- Participation: the Stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the study process when feasible and appropriate.
- Collaboration: Collaboration between key operating partners in the study process improves the legitimacy and utility of the study.
The study must be in line with the SoH guiding principles and Code of Conduct.
Process/Timeframe
The total duration of the assignment is up to 25 working days within the period from 1st November 2022 to 26th November 2022.
Planning meeting with SoH (remotely), handover of relevant documents 1 day
Initial document review and inception report preparation 4 days
Sharing inception report with SoH and MID-P 1 day
Finalisation of inception report 1 day
Data collection site visit to a project location 7 days
Data analysis, draft report with annexes 6 days
Incorporating received feedback and report finalisation 5 days
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Minimum of 5 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result-based management framework
- Proven experience of conducting feasibility studies, evaluations and other research projects
- Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of projects
- Experience working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and partnered projects
- Fluency in written and spoken English
Desirable:
- Experience in the relevant field/sector
- Professional familiarity with the project country/region
- Practical experience of working for and/or evaluating BMZ-funded projects
- Fluency in written and spoken Swahili and/or Borana will be an added advantage
Academic Background
An advanced level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development studies, law and/or relevant studies. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
The Evaluation Consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organisation or government entity regarding this evaluation.
How to apply
Application Process
Please submit the following documents with the subject “Mid-term Evaluation DC-KEN21.01 in Isiolo County, Kenya” to recruitment@sign-of-hope.org no later than 7th October 2022:
- CV indicating all relevant experiences,
- contacts of at least two professional referees,
- a cover letter, including a brief description of the proposed research methodology (technical proposal max. 1 page) and a comprehensive breakdown of costs (financial proposal), including professional fees and all other relevant costs, including travel expenses,
- a writing sample of the document of similar research value (for example, a feasibility study, an evaluation report).
Please note that due to a large number of applications we may limit establishing contact to shortlisted applicants.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.