Country: Turkey
Closing date: 23 Aug 2016
Consultant for end of project evaluation
Terms of Reference – End of Project Evaluation for the Norwegian People’s Aid project: *Improving Food Security and Livelihoods in selected provinces of northern Syria.*
1. Background
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is a politically independent membership-based organisation working in Norway and in more than 30 countries around the world. Founded in 1939 as the labour movement’s humanitarian solidarity organisation, NPA aims to improve people’s living conditions and to create societies that are more just and more democratic.
NPA’s work is organised into four main activities: Long-term development cooperation (including humanitarian assistance in times of crisis), mine and explosive clearance, first aid and rescue services, and refugee, asylum and integration work in Norway. NPA adopts a partnership approach to long-term development work (including humanitarian assistance) and commits to support the capacity development of partners in the process of undertaking the work.
Since 2012 NPA has been responding to the crisis in Syria with humanitarian assistance. This was originally organised as food and non-food relief item distribution. Since 2015 the humanitarian assistance has combined food relief with support to re-building and strengthening livelihood strategies. Specifically, support has focused on agricultural and livestock inputs and access to essential knowledge and services (i.e. Para veterinary services). Management of partners is undertaken from neighbouring countries and the development and application of remote monitoring mechanisms is critical. The rapidly changing context in northern Syria means that programming has to be flexible and responsive, without sacrificing quality and accountability.
NPA’s current 12-month humanitarian project cycle is being concluded in September 2016. In light of this and the continued complex crisis dynamics in northern Syria, NPA is seeking to commission an external evaluation of the humanitarian action undertaken over the past 12 month project cycle.
2. Purpose and scope of the work
The purpose of this evaluation is to generate learning and evidence for NPA. Key outputs should be of a high standard both in terms of meeting expected evaluation standards and in terms of well communicated, practical and applicable recommendations.
The consultant will, from both Turkey and Iraq:
· Assess progress made towards the achievement of results at the outcome and output levels;
· Assess performance in terms of the following criteria: Appropriateness of design; relevance of results; sustainability (where relevant); transparency and accountability; and efficiency of resource allocations.
· Identify lessons learned and provide recommendations for guiding subsequent humanitarian programming.
Evaluation Ethics:
Due to the dynamic situation in which NPA and its partners operate, as well as the potentially life threatening nature of the issues involved, it is essential that the evaluator adhere to strict ethical and security guidelines. Consultants will only be considered where evaluation ethics and appropriate protocols are embedded into their organisational or private consultancy profile. Consultants have to demonstrate they are keenly aware of particular ethical and security issues that arise from working in this specific environment, including protection of local communities and the need for vigilant data handling and management.
3. Outputs
a) Evaluation Work Plan: This document will operationalize and direct the evaluation. It will describe how the evaluation will be executed, thus refining and elaborating upon the terms of reference; it will be approved by NPA senior management and act as an agreement between parties for how the evaluation will be conducted. The work plan will include the following elements:
Expectations of evaluation
Roles and responsibilities
Evaluation methodology
Evaluation framework
Information collection and analysis methods
Reporting formats
Day by day work plan and time-frame for deliverables
b) Evaluation Report: The report will describe the evaluation and put forward the findings, recommendations and lessons learned. The presentation of results should illustrate a logical progression derived from the information collected. The evaluation report will be presented in two stages: A draft report (for comments within a stipulated period) and a subsequent final report (within an agreed time-frame).
4. Time Frame and deadlines
The evaluation is expected to take a total of 21 days and will include:
5 days document review and preparation of Work Plan.
10 days field work in Turkey (6) and Iraq (4), inclusive of travel time.
6 days report writing, obtaining feedback, and finalising the report, which will be delivered no later than the 15th November 2016.
The work is expected to commence from the 1st October 2016.
5. Qualifications, skills and experience
Relevant university degree (Masters preferred) in a field such as humanitarian affairs, development studies, agriculture (etc).
Proven knowledge of the range of applicable qualitative and quantitative research methods for humanitarian evaluation.
Ability to synthesise complex information and present it in simple language.
Excellent written and verbal English; additional Arabic language skills preferable.
Knowledge and experience of the Syria crisis essential, and experience with remote management modalities preferred.
6. Management of the consultant
The Humanitarian Programme Manager will directly manage the consultant, with support from the Head of Development Programmes and Country Director.
Evaluation Terms of Reference
Project title:Improving Food Security and Livelihoods in Aleppo and Al-Hasakah provinces of Syria
Project duration: September 1st 2015 to August 31st 2016
Duration of Evaluation: Maximum 21 days
Projected Date: 1st to 21st October 2016
1. Introduction
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Syria is seeking the services of a consultant with experience in the evaluation of humanitarian programmes in conflict-affected areas to undertake a thematic evaluation of the NPA Programme ‘Improving Food Security and Livelihoods in Aleppo and Al-Hasakah provinces of Syria’.
The purpose of the evaluation is to generate learning and evidence on the extent to which the programme has:
a) Targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable categories of people pertinent to the project rationale and objectives;
b) Supported timely, relevant and effective delivery of food aid and livelihood inputs to target populations;
c) Delivered results in-line with the project results framework;
d) Been able to effectively monitor project activities through a ‘remote management model’;
e) Improved the capacity of partner organisations.
The evaluation will provide evidence that will contribute to the management of future relief and early recovery programmes and to Norwegian People’s Aid’s humanitarian policy more broadly. The evaluation findings are also expected to contribute to the common evidence base on humanitarian practice in a somewhat unique context, as well as strategies on how to build resilient local organisations within a complex humanitarian crisis.
The expected deliverables from the evaluator are:
An evaluation work plan, to be agreed prior to the commencement of the evaluation.
A draft and a final evaluation report.
2. Background
The conflict in Syria has now passed five years. According the to the latest statistics from UNOCHA there are now 6.5 million IDPs and 13,500,000 people classified as ‘in need’. Recent needs assessments indicate that the food security situation varies widely both across and within geographical areas. The results of NPA partner’s assessments echo the findings of large-scale assessments such as the Syria Multi Sector Needs Analysis2 (MSNA), highlighting drastic price variations for food items, differing degrees of access, and challenges with trade routes caused by insecurity and damage to infrastructure.
The sizeable and on-going displacement also impacts food security, where areas with large influxes of IDPs report higher food insecurity and areas with fewer IDPs report lower food insecurity. In addition to food security, the conflict situation has also had significant impacts on livelihoods. The vast majority of northern Syria is non-state controlled, meaning that amenities previously provided by the state are no longer accessible to local communities. In the absence of a heavily subsidized economy that previously provided guaranteed sales prices, increased purchase prices and reduced access to productive assets, combined with decreased opportunities for labour and trade, has seriously affected families in the northern region. The primary constraint to accessing food across Syria is economic, and local food production is a key element of the solution, providing both a source of food and income. When wanting to strengthen resilience at a household level through interventions aiming to increase food security a multi-track approach is relevant; that provides both for the immediate food needs of vulnerable individuals where necessary, as well as livelihoods through provision of inputs and skills.
The project Improving Food Security and Livelihoods in Aleppo and Al-Hasakah provinces of Syria targets internally displaced persons with emergency food assistance, and host communities and returnees with a range of inputs necessary to re-start or strengthen livelihood strategies.
3. Purpose, Objectives and Scope of Evaluation
The purpose of this evaluation is to generate learning and evidence for NPA. Key outputs should be of a high standard both in terms of meeting expected evaluation standards and in terms of well communicated, practical and applicable recommendations.
The consultant will:
· Assess progress made towards the achievement of results at the outcome and output levels;
· Assess performance in terms of the following criteria: Appropriateness of design; relevance of results; sustainability (where relevant); transparency and accountability; and efficiency of resource allocations.
· Identify lessons learned and provide recommendations for guiding subsequent humanitarian programming.
Evaluation Ethics:
Due to the dynamic situation in which NPA and its partners operate, as well as the potentially life threatening nature of the issues involved, it is essential that the evaluator adheres to strict ethical and security guidelines. Consultants will only be considered where evaluation ethics and appropriate protocols are embedded into their organisational or private consultancy profile. Consultants have to demonstrate they are keenly aware of particular ethical and security issues that arise from working in this specific environment, including protection of local communities and the need for vigilant data handling and management.
Evaluation Outputs
a) Evaluation Work Plan: This document will operationalize and direct the evaluation. It will describe how the evaluation will be executed, thus refining and elaborating upon the terms of reference. It will be approved by NPA senior management and act as an agreement between parties for how the evaluation will be conducted. The work plan will include the following elements:
Expectations of evaluation
Roles and responsibilities
Evaluation methodology
Evaluation framework
Information collection and analysis methods
Reporting formats
Day by day work plan and time-frame for deliverables
b) Evaluation Report: The report will describe the evaluation and put forward the findings, recommendations and lessons learned. The presentation of results should illustrate a logical progression derived from the information collected. The evaluation report will be presented in two stages: A draft report (for comments within a stipulated period) and a subsequent final report (within an agreed time-frame).
4. Skills and Qualifications
NPA is seeking the services of an experience evaluator of humanitarian projects who fulfils the following competencies:
· Reliability and effectiveness, with proven knowledge and experience conducting evaluations of humanitarian programmes in complex conflict induced crises; preferably combined with prior experience as a project/programme manager in such contexts.
· Fluency in English; Arabic is desirable.
· Sound understanding of evaluation design and methods (both qualitative and quantitative), including and understanding of the strengths and limitations of different approaches, and a sound understanding of the challenges posed by remote management.
· Understanding of how to interpret and present findings
The basis for payment and payment scheduling will be determined during contract negotiations.
How to apply:
Proposals must include:
A cover letter of no more than 2 pages providing an introduction to the evaluator, their relevant experience with reference to examples of previous work and their availability for the assignment.
A technical proposal of no more than 3 pages outlining the planned approach and methods to undertake the assignment.
A 1-page budget, inclusive of fees and all anticipated costs.
A detailed CV, including relevant contactable references.
Applicants may contact the Programme Manager via email with questions on the programme and process whilst developing their proposal (see below).
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a Skype/phone interview on the 1st or 2nd September.
Applications should be sent no later than the 23rd August 2016 to the Humanitarian Programme Manager, Anna Hidayat at: AnnaH@npaid.org and cc to HR manager: HRiraqsyria@npaid.org
