TERMS OF REFERENCE: STRENGTHENING
LIVELIHOODS IN HIRAAN REGION – SOUTH CENTRAL SOMALIA PROJECT
Background
The
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit
organisation founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries throughout
the world. DRC fulfils its mandate by providing direct assistance to
conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs)
and host communities in the conflict areas of the world; and by advocating on
behalf of conflict-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles
and the Human Rights. In Somalia, DRC is providing relief and development services
using a human rights protection of framework, aiming at supporting IDPs and
host communities affected by conflict and natural disasters. Currently, the
main thematic programme areas include; Food Security and Livelihoods; WASH and
Infrastructure; Protection and Advocacy; Community-Driven Development; as well
as Emergency Response on a case-by-case basis.
Project Overview
Loss
of household income compounded by increased reliance on the market, high food
costs, greater debts and waves of insecurity have made it progressively more
difficult for households to cover their immediate basic needs or plan for the
future. These problems are not, however, limited to the prevailing crisis or
particular seasonal effects on production but are the result of compounding
shocks and difficulties.
DRC
has been implementing a 32 - month food security and livelihood project ending
in December 2012 in Hiraan Region, funded by the European Commission (EC). The
project aimed at improving food security and promoting a higher degree of
self-reliance amongst populations living in selected villages of the Hiraan
Region. The target for the project were 5,250 food insecure households living
in the Riverine and urban areas of Beletweyne and Bulo Burte Districts to
support community efforts to become more self-sufficient by improving,
intensifying and diversifying agricultural production at household level; and
promoting and supporting diversified income-generating activities through
community-prioritized vocational skills training and capacity building. These
longer-term investment activities were to be complemented by a cash relief
component to mitigate the risk of loss of productive assets during acute quick-
onset emergencies.
The
overall objective of this action was to contribute towards the protection and
improved resilience of rural and urban livelihoods for conflict affected people
in Hiraan Region. This was defined to address food security related problems
using a holistic approach, which included both farming (food production and
diversification) as well as building the capacities of households to improve
their coping mechanisms through imparting knowledge, skills and start up tool
kits that aimed at assisting them to earn an increasingly profitable
livelihood. Additionally, unconditional cash transfers were provided to
destitute households during times of quick on-set emergencies. This action was
to work within a developmental approach and to complement on-going recovery and
emergency interventions implemented by DRC in the same geographical area.
More
than one year into implementation, the project was amended to only intervene in
cash for work (CfW), cash relief and livestock restocking activities; with
majority of the activities being implemented in Guriel district in Galgadud.
The activities targeted 1000 households (HH) with CfW activities for six
months; 500 HH with cash relief for three months; and 45 HH with livestock
restocking activities.
Purpose & Objective of Consultancy
The
purpose of the evaluation is to conduct an in-depth appraisal of the project to
enable DRC and other stakeholders learn from evidence-based information about
the project and ensure accountability. The key findings will also inform the
senior management in decision making with regards to the design and improvement
of future, similar projects.
Objectives: The
main objective of the Evaluation is to conduct an end term evaluation of the
outcomes based on the expected results with due consideration of the support
received to date from EC and DRC, through the project. Specifically, the
evaluation seeks to assess the performance of the project including;
Assess progress made towards the
achievement of results, extent to which they were achieved and the contributing
factors affecting the achievement of the intended results
Determine
if the results contribute to the project's overall objective of protecting and
supporting primary livelihood mechanisms in Somalia
The extent to which the DRC interventions
have contributed to the Somalia emergency assistance programme objectives
Establish the relevance, efficiency and
effectiveness of the project in delivery of the services
Identify
and document the lessons learnt from the project and provide recommendations
for guiding design of livelihood programmes
Scope of Consultancy
Scope: The scope of the evaluation includes a detailed
analysis of the project within its implementation context and establishing the
extent to which the project has contributed to the DRC Programme in Somalia.
The evaluation will be conducted in all the areas where the project activities
were implemented; and will target project beneficiaries, staff and other
stakeholders. Currently, Hiraan region and neighbouring districts are
inaccessible by non-Somalis and requires that the applicant state clearly how
s/he will deal with access to be able to deliver in the assignment.
Evaluation Criteria
The
evaluation should effectively answer the following questions under each
criteria:
Effectiveness: To what
extent were the project objectives achieved at the results level? Did the
benefits reach the target group as intended? Were benefits distributed fairly
between gender and age groups and across social and cultural barriers?
Efficiency: To what
extent are the costs of project intervention justified by its results, taking
alternatives into account?
Relevance: To
what extent did the project intervention conform to the needs and priorities of
target groups, and the policies of DRC and the European Commission?
Appropriateness: How
well did the humanitarian activities respond to the changing demands of the
situation; considering the requirements of adaptation, ownership,
accountability, and cost-effectiveness? How and to what extent did the
activities take into account longer-term needs and the interconnectedness of
the existing humanitarian problems?
Coordination and Coherence: Were policies mutually consistent? Did all actors
pull in the same direction? Were human rights consistently respected? What
mechanisms were put in place for coordination with the local authorities,
donors, and other actors; and how effective were they?
Key Tasks:
For the objectives of the consultancy to
be achieved, as a minimum, the key tasks to be performed by the
consultant(s)/firm will be to;
Develop an Inception Report detailing
among other things; the process and methodologies to be employed to achieve the
objective of this consultancy as stated above. It should include evaluation
tools, and important time schedules for this exercise, and be presented to DRC
for review and further inputs.
Undertake desk review of the relevant
project documents that include the Proposals, Implementation Plans, Project
Implementation Reports, DRC programme management guidelines, DRC strategy
documents and any other relevant documents and should take into consideration
EC evaluation guidelines and standards.
Design the evaluation methodology as
appropriate
Design, develop, critique (with DRC team)
and refine data collection tools including translation to the local Somali language,
where appropriate.
Conduct a comprehensive field based
project evaluation [using both quantitative and qualitative data collection
methods] as a means of providing insights on support received to date from DRC
and collect data on targets – based on indicators as documented in the project
proposal and monitoring and evaluation framework
Carry
out data collection, entry and analysis and write up the Evaluation Report. The
format of the report shall include the following:
Executive Summary, including summary table
of key issues and recommendations
Preliminary pages
Main
text, to include:
Background Information: Brief on the
Project and context; Evaluation – purpose and objectives; evaluation
limitations
Methodology
Findings: Analysis and interpretation
based on evaluation objectives and criteria
Lessons learnt, Best practices and
opportunities for long term solutions
Conclusions
and Recommendations
Appendices:
Evaluation tools, evaluation ToR, sample framework, bibliography, etc.
N/B: The
report will be reviewed and approved by DRC before final payment is released.
Key Deliverables
The
Expectations from the Consultant:
Debriefing at the end of field work is
mandatory with relevant DRC staff
Inception report
Four (4) bound hard copies of the report.
Soft copy of the Report in two (2) CDs.
The
consultant will also be required to submit to DRC all assessment materials
including:
Soft copies of all data sets both
quantitative and qualitative
All
filled quantitative data collection tools and qualitative data recording
materials. Any other non-consumable documents/items that will be used in the
course of the planned consultancy
A
summary of the Final Evaluation report in MS PowerPoint format
DRC’s Responsibilities
The
Consultant will be responsible to the Livelihoods Coordinator, with technical
oversight by the M&E Coordinator. DRC staff in the evaluation areas will
provide necessary support to the Evaluation team, as may be needed.
DRC
will provide the following:
Transport to and from the field.
All necessary project documents as
requested by the Consultant
Travel Insurance for the consultant
Accommodation for consultant in the field
Pay
consultancy fees at a mutually agreed rate
The
terms and conditions of service will follow DRC terms of consultancies. Payment
will be done according to the finance procedures of DRC.
Professional requirements
Demonstrable experience in leading
evaluations of humanitarian programs responding to major disasters, with specific
emphasis on cash programming and food security;
Knowledge of strategic and operational
management of humanitarian operations and proven ability to provide strategic
recommendations to key stakeholders;
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;
Experience
in qualitative data collection and data analysis techniques, especially in
emergency operations;
Experience, knowledge and clear
understanding of Somalia’s humanitarian context;
Good interpersonal skills and
understanding cultural sensitivities;
Readiness to travel to Somalia and conduct
direct standard monitoring and evaluation activities; and
Have
an advanced degree and experience in food security programming and evaluation,
development evaluation or social sciences
Evaluation 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.
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.
Application process
Interested
candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to
submit their Expression of interest (Eol) to drcjobs@drchoa.org. The EoI should
include:
CV (s) with details of qualifications,
experience, telephone number and names of three referees,
Technical proposal that summarizes your understanding
of the TOR, the proposed methodology.
financial proposal providing cost
estimates of daily consultancy fees in US Dollars ($) and
The
foreseen work plan for the days. Daily consulting rate is negotiable, although
will be commensurate to DRC consultancy terms and standards.
Please
forward the expression of interest, in English and marked ‘Consultancy
for Evaluation of Strengthening Livelihood Project in Hiraan region’ no
later than 16th November, 2012.
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