End of Term Evaluation of Emergency Response Project Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Consultancy: End of Term Evaluation of Emergency Response Project
Somalia


BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private independent, non-profit organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian principles, and human rights in general, to securing the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promoting long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement.

DRC has been providing relief and development services in Somalia since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Currently, DRC program focus on supporting IDP populations and host communities affected by conflict and natural disasters.

The main programmes include: Food Security and Livelihoods; WASH and Infrastructure; Protection and Advocacy; Community Development; as well as Emergency Response. The humanitarian assistance in Somalia focuses on assisting the affected populations get immediate and essential life needs.

THE RESPONSE EMERGENCY PROJECT
In October 2009, DRC got funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to respond to emergency situation in the South-Central (Hiran, Mudug and Mogadishu) regions of Somalia for 27 months, ending in December 2011. Later on, more communities in Galkayo; and Sanaag and Sool regions of Somaliland received some financial support to cushion them from severe drought effects. These areas have repeatedly experienced violence, displacement, drought and floods and have had worsening humanitarian situation coupled with lack of functional security systems and poor information networks, limiting access by aid actors.

The project was specifically developed to provide DRC with a flexible emergency response capacity for timely and appropriate rapid emergency interventions to mitigate the impact of sudden on-set natural and man-made emergencies. Specifically, the objectives of the project were to strengthen DRC’s capacity to respond to rapid on-set emergencies in a timely manner and strengthen community preparedness and resilience to sudden onset emergencies.

The activities implemented through the project include water trucking; distribution of NFI kits; sanitation activities involving construction of latrines; cash transfer; and flood and drought mitigation, involving river embankment and water reservoirs construction. The targeting criteria was meant to respond to immediate needs of the affected population; but mainly focused on the areas of displacement that receive less humanitarian assistance. The implementation framework involved consultation with communities, local leaders and related Clusters for each activity to ensure coordination and participation of stakeholders.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EVALUATION
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 Sida and DRC, through the project. Specifically, the evaluation seeks to assess the performance of the project including:

The extent to which the results were achieved and relevance of the project
Establish the efficiency and effectiveness of the project
Assessing the contributing factors affecting the achievement or non-achievement of the intended results
The extent to which the DRC interventions have contributed to the Somalia emergency assistance programme objectives
Establishing if the DRC implementation partnership strategy was appropriate and effective in delivery of results
How the project strengthened the application of a rights-based approach, including the extent to which the project was gender sensitive

SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION
The scope of the evaluation entails conducting a detailed analysis of the project within its implementation context and establishing the extent to which the project has contributed to the DRC Emergency Programme. The evaluation will mainly focus on the project activities in the South and Central regions of Somalia; with some activities in parts of Somaliland and Galkayo; and will target project beneficiaries, implementing partners, staff and other stakeholders, both at cluster and contextual levels. Currently, Hiraan region is completely inaccessible by non-Somalis while Mogadishu region can be visited/accessed, depending on the security situation at the time of the visit and this must be organized prior.

Key Tasks
The key tasks for this consultancy assignment, in order to achieve the above, 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 the interview schedules, and time schedules for this exercise, and present the same to DRC for review and further inputs.
Undertake a desk review of the relevant project documents that include the Proposals, Results Frameworks, Implementation Plans, Project Implementation Reports, DRC programme management guidelines, DRC strategy documents and any other relevant documents
Design data collection methodology as appropriate, guided by the international evaluation standards and relevant framework(s).
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:
1. Executive Summary (max 2 pages)
2. Preliminary pages – Acknowledgment, Acronyms and Table of contents

3. Main text, to include:
a) Background Information: Brief on the Project and context; Evaluation – purpose and objectives; evaluation limitations
b) Methodology: Design, Sampling technique and Sample size
c) Findings: Analysis based on evaluation objectives and interpretation
d) Key accomplishments and Summary of project assessment
e) Lessons learnt, Best practices and opportunities for improvement
f) Recommendations
Appendices: Evaluation tools, evaluation ToR, sample framework, bibliography, etc.
Present the draft report to DRC team for review before producing a second draft
Present a Draft Evaluation Report (2nd draft report) to DRC and other stakeholders in workshop to facilitate sharing of evaluation results with a view to incorporate inputs from project stakeholders in the final draft.
Submit a Final Evaluation Report to DRC as stated in the Consultancy Contract.

DRC’s Responsibilities
The Consultant will be responsible to the Hiraan Area Manager, 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.
Travel insurance to the consultant
All necessary project documents as requested by the Consultant
Accommodation to consultant
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 financial procedures of DRC.

Key Deliverables
The Expectations from the Consultant:

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 study materials including:
1. Soft copies of all data sets both quantitative and qualitative

2. All filled quantitative data collection tools and qualitative data recording materials.

3. Any other non-consumable documents/items that will be used in the course of the planned consultancy

Duration
DRC envisages that the consultancy will take 20 days, from the time the contract is signed. The
Consultant/Consultancy Firm should develop a feasible costed-work plan/activity schedule covering a maximum of 20 days and submit as integral part of the proposal for this consultancy. The successful bidder must commit to accomplish and deliver the consultancy services and deliverables before or on 20 January, 2012 by close of business.

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

Qualifications

Have an advanced degree and experience in development evaluation or social sciences
Have working experience in Somalia, in conflict/post-conflict countries or other countries in a humanitarian situation
Good interpersonal relation and understanding cultural sensitivities
Documented experience in participatory project assessments /evaluation
Experience in evaluating emergency response projects preferably in Somalia
Strong analytical and report writing skills
Experience in using a range of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods
Demonstrable capacity to deliver high quality outputs within the proposed timeframe

General
Commitments
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

Application process
Please send in an Expressions of interest (EoI), including: 1) CV with details of qualifications, experience, telephone number and names of three referees, 2) technical proposal that summarizes your understanding of the TOR, the proposed evaluation approach and tools to be used, 3) financial proposal providing cost estimates of daily consultancy fees and 4) the foreseen work plan for the days. via email indicating ‘DRC Consultancy for Evaluation of the Emergency Response Project’ in the subject line to : drcjobs@drchoa.org.