Consultancy Announcement for baseline, Mid-term and Endline Study – Somalia

 

CONSULTANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Under the project title Multi-sectoral and integrated humanitarian response with focus on food security and livelihood for conflict and climatic shocks affected vulnerable people and communities in Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe submitted a regional approach project to the German Foreign Office. The project covers Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan and is the first of it’s kind for Diakonie Katatrophenhilfe in the region.

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is looking for a consultancy to carry out a project based baseline, mid-term and endline study in three countries and to assist in developing a comprehensive and overarching MEAL framework.While specific guiding questions for the mid and end term evaluation and the activity schedule will be formulated and developed as the project evolves, these ToRs provides a comprehensive overview of the scope of work, coverage and deliverables for the baseline study only to be carried out from beginning of August to September 2021.

Baseline

Overall objectives of the baseline and geographical scope

The baseline survey’s overall purpose is

To establish the pre-project conditions in key intervention areas from which a comparison can be made for the purpose of benchmarking performance, monitoring and evaluating the intended goal and outcomes of projects and for learning purposes.

To provide assistance to the project coordination structure located in the regional office for establishing a common MEAL framework for the three-country components, allowing for a consolidated reporting on project progress .

To build in a gender-sensitive and inclusion analysis, with an in-depth GBV gap analysis

In addition, the baseline will enable Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, its partners and its donor (German Foreign Office) to capture any unforeseen issues that will be vital to enable the smooth implementation of the project.

The baseline study is supposed to be conducted in the three project countries Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Specific objectives of the Baseline and expected outputs:

General

Establish fixed baseline data or starting points against which project outcomes and progress will be measured throughout the result framework.

Assess the vulnerability of target communities in regards to the respective programmatic approaches in the project areas

Assess the general socioeconomic situation of the target groups including income (source of livelihood, average income per family per day), education level (literacy, numeracy, life skills including communication, interpersonal skills; resilience factor), shelter, business skill familiarity, knowledge of child rights, protection and participation of children and basic public health issues (hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, communicable diseases) in the target locations.

Assess if the project response through protection/de-mining and EORE awareness, cash assistance/food distribution, livelihood, WASH and Community-managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR), are appropriate to the needs of all individuals and groups (men, women, youth and children)

Assess appropriateness of indicators and if necessary provide recommendations for revision of indicators or suggest new indicators

Assist partners in identifying key stakeholders in each project area and how to integrate them in the project

Assist in establishing accountability systems with each partner organisation, or where already established, assess functionality and accessibility of the accountability system

MEAL framework

Assist in drafting a comprehensive MEAL framework for the project, which outlines the monitoring components for each country programme (incl. definition of indicator measurement and data collection approach, allowing data collected disaggregated by gender, age and disability) and assist implementing partners in defining which data is adequate and needs to be collected, enabling measuring project progress and informing project decisions

Train the project coordination structure on MEAL matrix allowing for accurately tracking of indicators and consolidated (cross country) reporting (after the baseline study)

Develop monitoring tools for the project coordination structure and implementing partners which include protection and gender based questions

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Assess the accessibility of all project locations

Assess how to minimize the unintended negative effects which can increase people’s vulnerability to both physical and psychosocial risks

Assess any potential risks to the project and how cross cutting themes will be integrated into the project.

In regard to project outcomes and outputs:

Outcome 1

Assess the existing protection issues and gaps

Mapping out protection services and (referral) service providers in the target locations for children, youth, women and men including persons with disability and older persons in all areas and the potential for linking up with livelihood activities

Assess  the  proposed  demining  activities  in  terms  of  relevance  for  access  to  land  for

cultivation in SSD project areas

Assess the baseline of access to basic, safe and dignified shelters solutions, disaggregated by gender, age and diversity in Somalia in Beletweyne of Hirshabelle; Baidoa of Southwest states; Galkayo and Abudwak IDP settlements.

Assess the learning opportunities for girls and boys with and without disabilities in Kaxda and Garasbaley IDP settlements in Mogadishu.

Establish the livelihood activities mostly practiced by the communities and their purchasing power in all project areas

Assess prevailing food security levels in all project areas

Assess status of all targeted markets in the all project areas in SOM, SSD and ETH (apart from Kunaba and Dalol) to ascertain if they can support cash-based programming (Cash for Asset, multipurpose cash) and main needs of the beneficiaries that Cash programming should address

Outcome 3

Assess current water and sanitation structures in IDP sites and host communities, including targeted learning spaces (only SOM) as well as WASH preparedness measures currently in place in the project areas in Mogadishu, Hiraan, Bay and Mudug locations in SOM and in Chercher and Yalo woreda in ETH

Assess potential for sustainable, inclusive and safe access to water for displaced and non-displaced people in ETH (Yalo and Chercher) and SOM project areas

Outcome 4

Assess capacities of selected communities in SSD and in Chercher and Yalo woreda in ETH to take early action and reduce risk

Outcome 5

Assess the satisfaction of selected communities in all project areas with the current assistance and protection received by local partners

Deliverables

Inception Report

Stakeholder mapping indicate the various stakeholders be interviewed on what aspects

Detailed design, methodology, and sample size criteria incl.   calculations

Detailed work plan, including, timeline, activities, risk, and mitigation measures

Bibliography of documents/secondary data sources utilised

Data collection tools such as Household survey, Key informant interview guide, Focus group discussion guide, and analysis plan etc.

Indicate consultancy team(s) who will undertake the exercise and their roles, including their geographical experiences and core competency/expertise. Please also indicate which consultant team is covering which project area

It is important to note that the results of the three country studies must be presented in a consolidated report and presented in a way that allows for joint monitoring of the project outcomes to be achieved by all three country components and can be carried forward in a joint MEAL plan.

Presentation of First Draft:

The consultant will be required to organise a presentation of the first draft baseline report, and hold a meeting with Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and partners to discuss the draft baseline report and give feedback. The draft report will present:

Sampling Framework and Tools

Raw data collected

Report stating methodologies, survey documents, findings, recommendations, and necessary support

The final report shall address all baseline questions and take feedback of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and partners into consideration

Mid-term Review (MTR)

Overall objectives of the MTR and geographical scope

The MTR overall purpose is

To assess the progress of the project to date

To assess the appropriateness, relevance and effectiveness of strategies and approaches such as localisation, mainstreaming gender, protection and inclusiveness, nexus, and implementation of interventions and provide recommendations to further improve the project

To project, with its current momentum, how effectively the project will reach its outcomes and outputs by the end of project

To capture learning and inform project related decisions

The MTR must follow the baseline process such that an appropriate analysis and comparison can be conducted on the data collected and generated. For the same reason it has to be conducted in the same areas as the baseline study.

Since the component implemented in Ethiopia already ends on 31st August 2022, the mid-term review for this component will be the end term review for the activities in Ethiopia. For this part, and only for this one, the ToR for the end term review will apply.

Specific objectives of the mid-term review expected outputs:

The key questions for the mid-term review will be specified as the project evolves and following results of the baseline study. Basically, the MTR will need to address the following questions, but is not limited to:

Relevance

What is the prevailing project context and its significance to project implementation?

Who are the key actors (stakeholders) in the project? What are their roles and responsibilities and how have they influenced project implementation?

What is the relevance of the project outcomes to the beneficiaries, community, governance and policy priorities at project and how has this changed during the life span of the project?

Were the selected modalities the most appropriate to meet the needs of beneficiaries (including types of cash used (multipurpose cash and cash for work)) and appropriate to the geographical areas

Appropriateness

Were markets able to deliver affordable food and other essential items?

Were markets safely accessible to all beneficiary groups?

Did recipients prefer cash over other types of assistance and were they satisfied with the transfer mechanisms? Why/ why not?

Are there appropriate, functioning systems of accountability (participation, information sharing, feedback and complaints) that beneficiaries are using and are beneficiary feedback and complaints received used to shape the response

Is new learning being captured and acted upon during implementation? If yes, how and what? If no, why not?

Effectiveness

To what extent is the project likely to meet its outcomes?

To what extent has each of the approaches employed by the project contributed towards achievement of project outcomes

To which extent are protection, gender and inclusion principles incorporated in all project activities and promoting meaningful access, safety and dignity in humanitarian aid and what can be improved?

What is the quality of the outputs achieved so far?

What are the identified and potential barriers to successful delivery of the project?

How have the risks and assumptions made at project design evolved and how have they impacted the project implementation and progress towards achievement of the objectives? Is there need to adjust/update the risk assessment and mitigation measures?

What are the strengths and successes in project implementation (management, staff, coordination, mutual learning and capacity strengthening and reporting)?

What are the weaknesses and challenges in project implementation (management, staff capacity, project set up, coordination and reporting)?

Are mechanisms in place suitable to track effectively and efficiently project implementation, to ensure quality and generate learning?

What is functionality of the complaints handling mechanisms and follow up that were put in place?

Have there been any unplanned effects and are these good or bad?

Efficiency

What is the level of cost-effectiveness in the accomplishment of the outputs completed so far or in the process of completion?

What are good practices for demonstrating cost-effectiveness of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and its implementing partners?

Does the implementation follow the time schedule?

How suitable is the project set up and structure for, and conducive of positive progress?

Impact

To what extent is it likely that the output and outcomes of the project contributed or will contribute to the achievement of the overall goal of the project (impact level)?

Are there other unintended positive and/or negative effects which have occurred by implementing the project?

Has Do not harm be considered throughout all project activities?

How effective has the project been in delivering a gender impact and what unutilised potentials can be identified?

Sustainability

Are the considerations taken by the project such as nexus programming, community-led approaches, engaging youth etc. visible, effective and conducive for sustaining the project results, allowing for its continuation after the project has come to an end or for

connecting the project to sustainable cooperation, and to what extent have these consideration been implemented?

Deliverables

The following are the expected outputs:

Inception report that sets out conceptual framework to be used in the evaluation, stating the key questions for the mid-term and methodology, including information on data sources and collection, sampling, and key indicators. The inception report will also include a timeline for the mid-term and drafts of data collection instruments.

Presentation of the first draft: one-day presentation of the first draft report, debriefing meeting with Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and partners to discuss and give feedback on the draft report.

Final Mid-term report taking feedback of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and partners into consideration and making use of the project’s baseline report and PDMs clearly having a comparative analysis of key indicators and well as disaggregated results and not exceeding 50 pages (excluding annexes).

Electronic copy of all data collection tools and the raw data set shall be provided

End of project evaluation (EPE)

Overall objectives of the EPE and geographical scope

The overall objective of the EPE is

To demonstrate how the project achieved its intended outcomes and determine what changes it brought to the targeted households and communities

To look at the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and appropriateness of the intervention in comparison to performance and progress indicators and assess whether access, safe and dignified humanitarian assistance through avoidance of causing harm, preventive and minimization of unintended negative effects was provided by all project partners.

To establish how well protection, gender and inclusion were mainstreamed and if the project substantially contributed to more locally-led humanitarian responses.

Specific objectives and expected outputs:

The objectives of the EPE will build on the above indicated objectives of the MTR. Likewise as the MTR the evaluation must follow the DAC criteria. However, the detailed set of questions will be defined and finalized in the course of the project implementation, to ensure relevant learning is captured and adopted for the final design. It is important that the evaluation also elaborate on how successfully the approaches of the project such as regional approach, localisation, nexus, inclusion, gender and conflict sensitivity were followed and what has been the impact.

Deliverables

Inception report that sets out conceptual framework to be used in the evaluation, stating the key questions for the mid-term and methodology, including information on data sources and collection, sampling, and key indicators. The inception report will also include a timeline for the mid-term and drafts of data collection instruments.

Presentation of first draft: one day presentation of the first draft report, debriefing meeting with Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and partners to discuss and give feedback on the draft report.

End of project evaluation report taking feedback of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and partners into consideration and making use of the project’s baseline and MTE reports, and

PDMs clearly having a comparative analysis of key indicators and well as disaggregated results and not exceeding 50 pages (excluding annexe).

Content:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Methodology, including sampling and limitations

Analysis and findings of the evaluation. The analysis should be done according to the objectives:

Address concerns, lessons learned, and comments from Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe

Stories of change and quotes from respondents

Conclusions for each of the end line evaluation objectives

Recommendations for future projects

Annexes:

Relevant maps and photographs of the evaluation areas where necessary

Bibliography of consulted secondary sources

Finalized data collection tools

List of interviewees with accompanying informed consent forms

3 case studies (incl. photos in Jpeg., at least 1 female and male beneficiary)

electronic copy of all data collection tools and the raw data set shall be provided

KEY QUALIFICATIONS OF THE EVALUATORS_________________________

The Consultancy team will be composed of experts with the below essential and desirable profiles and qualifications. The team of experts should be gender-balanced to enable complete coverage of the different aspects of the consultancy as set out in these terms of reference, including cross-cutting issues.

Essential

Solid experience in working with humanitarian sectoral and complex programs relating to emergency and development projects in Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia, preferably a minimum of 10 years

Demonstrable experience in leading evaluations of humanitarian programs responding to major disasters such as conflict, drought and flood with proven knowledge of

Sound understanding of SPHERE standards, Core Humanitarian Standards, familiarity with key cash transfer guidelines and MEAL framework best practices and approaches Knowledge on community vulnerability; disaster risk reduction, protection gender programming, Nexus; and participatory approaches

Proven ability to provide strategic recommendations to key stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, local authorities, and partners);

Proven experience with participatory evaluation and qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed-method design, triangulation);

Readiness and ability to travel to all named project areas

Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, and make recommendations

Excellent English skills – speaking and writing are essential and having consultants speaking the languages in the project areas is an added advantage.

Ability to deal with hardship and remote area fieldwork

Good interpersonal skills and understanding cultural sensitivities;

Desirable:

Experience working for German NGOs or experience of evaluating projects funded by German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO).

Active member of CaLP or other global networks championing research and best practice in the field of cash and voucher assistance.

Knowledge of local languages is seen as an asset.

Experience in gender and inclusive sensitive analysis

Familiarity and experience with the Charter for Change and Grand Bargain is an asset

 

HOW TO APPLY

To receive the detailed TOR and the application instruction, please send an email to: contact.ken@diakonie-katastrophenhilfe.org

The deadline for application is 15^th July 2021.

Only short-listed firms/individuals will be contacted.

 

……………………………………………………………………………………………

QaranJobs.com

……………………………………………………………………………………………

PLEASE JOIN US – QARAN JOBS

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/QaranJobs.so  

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/somaliajobs

Linkedin: https://so.linkedin.com/company/qaranjobs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/QaranJobs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qaranjobs

……………………………………………………………………………………………