DEPARTMENT/COUNTRY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/MISSION The American Refugee Committee (ARC) Darfur program started in 2004 in response to the emergency needs of some 500,000 war-affected IDPs and host populations in the Tulus and Gereida corridors in South Darfur. Over the years, and in response to the humanitarian needs, ARC’s assistance reached more than 900,000 vulnerable war affect persons in over 90 rural communities in the two corridors and in the Gereida and Kalma camps. The overall aim of the program is to contribute to the improvement of the overall health and wellbeing of spontaneous returnees and vulnerable host communities by addressing their immediate humanitarian needs and contributing to long-term community stabilization.
ARC focuses on rehabilitating and maintaining basic life saving services and building local capacity through training and engagement of related government Ministries, PHC facility staff as well as community leaders and others engaged in providing these services. Specifically, ARC facilitates the provision of preventative and curative primary health care services including reproductive health as well as supplementary feeding (under-fives, pregnant and lactating mothers) and nutrition education in 14 static health facilities and 5 mobile clinic locations. In addition, ARC is facilitating access to safe water, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion education in the target communities and camps. Moreover, ARC is supporting household food security through facilitation of a seed fair scheme that enables vulnerable IDPs, returnees and host populations to access quality seeds and tools of their choice from within their communities using vouchers. ARC is systematically phasing out of the FAO supported direct seed distribution scheme in favor of the seed voucher scheme that is proving to be more responsive to the needs of the target populations. Vegetable gardening is also supported for women in coordination with the nutrition and WASH sectors. These integrated interventions are designed and implemented in coordination with related line Ministries of government, beneficiary communities and other stakeholders.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The main purpose of the evaluation is to inform ARC of its progress and implementation learning experiences as it addresses the needs of war affected IDPs and host communities.
This evaluation will specifically assess the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of the OFDA funded ARC projects in South Darfur during the period September 1, 2009 to July 31, 2011, so as to enlighten ongoing and future programming. This includes taking a critical look at the intervention planning and delivery approaches; consistency of such approaches with the global ARC, government and donor strategy and approaches; beneficiary targeting and participation approaches, other stakeholders involvement; extent to which stated program goals and objectives are being accomplished and maintained; taking advantage of intervening opportunities and managing challenges; the field methodology – how ARC reaches out to and interfaces with the target populations; addressing issues of quality, compliance and sustainability; etc.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Analytical Framework for the evaluation The consultant will develop the analytical framework for the evaluation based on humanitarian evaluation standards and good practices. In this way, the report will not only contribute to ARC’s own learning, but also that of other actors within the humanitarian sector. Key guiding questions/ issues in the evaluation include the following:
Appropriateness, relevance and timeliness • To what extent was the humanitarian response appropriate, relevant and timely to the needs of the affected host and IDP communities? • Etc.
Coverage • What criteria were identified and used to make a decision to respond or not to respond in specific localities? How appropriate were these? What considerations informed any decisions not to work in areas beyond ARC’s current coverage? • Etc.
Adherence to standards and principles • What measures were taken and to what extent did ARC ensure adherence to international humanitarian standards, guiding principles, guidelines (Sphere Humanitarian charter and standards, Humanitarian Accountability Partnership standards and principles)? • Etc.
Effectiveness: outcomes and impact • Did ARC identify and implement the most appropriate activities to meet its objectives? • What processes, systems or indicators were used to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of ARC’s work? • Etc.
Efficiency • What resources have been invested (human, financial, technical) to achieve the defined outputs and outcomes? • Etc.
Enabling factors and obstacles to effectiveness and efficiency • What have been the external enabling factors and obstacles to relevance, effectiveness and efficiency? • Etc.
Process The consultant will lead the evaluation undertaken, working with ARC staff. All activities will be coordinated with ARC’s office in Sudan: ARC Sudan staff will ensure the collation and distribution of background documents prior to the evaluation as well as the organization of key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
ARC Sudan and ARC HQ will all review the detailed research plan, analytical framework and tools, as well as the initial high-level findings report and will all sign off on the final report.
Methodology The consultant will be expected to design the evaluation using a combination of qualitative methods and tools:
Document Review - This will include review of relevant external documents such as UN/NGO/Government documents related to the Sudan crisis and responses as well as internal documents related specifically to the ARC supported program. Some of the key internal documents include Country Program Strategy, NGO/CBO Partner project proposals and workplans, including budget, financial reports and MoU’s (agreements), internal assessment/surveys documents and relevant materials for qualitative and quantitative assessment/observations and progress reports. Annex 2
Key Informant Interviews - Key resource people will be identified jointly with the ARC team for more in depth interviews, including external informants (relevant government, UN, INGO, partner NGO staff and representatives of local communities as well as internal informants). A semi-structured interview guide will be developed for this purpose.
Focus Group Discussions will be conducted to elicit the views and perspectives of a representative selection of the ‘beneficiaries’ of ARC’s interventions. These include youth, women, men, local leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS • Previous experience in the evaluation of humanitarian programs, including qualitative participatory evaluation methodologies that involve the engagement of affected populations, including youth, women and the elderly. Lead role in at least 3 major program evaluations.
• Master’s degree in statistics, social sciences, or related degree. • Must have very good skills in computer statistical analysis and detailed knowledge of appropriate statistical tools. • A sound understanding of the context prevailing in Sudan. • A broad understanding of the issues concerning the humanitarian response with particular skills in the area of emergency humanitarian assistance. • A sound knowledge of Humanitarian Principles, Red Cross Code of Conduct and Sphere Standards, and humanitarian accountability mechanisms. • Fluent and clear written English. Arabic is an asset.
For full job description and the online application form, please visit our website at http://www.arcrelief.org and click on Careers. All positions are open until filled.
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