Back Mid – term evaluation of Community Stabilization and resilience building & Community Violence Reduction projects in l’Ouham Pende, Nana Gribizi & Kemo

1. Evaluation context

IOM CAR is currently implementing two projects in the areas of Community Violence Reduction (CVR) and community stabilization and resilience building as outlined below:

· Improving the Resilience of Marginalized Communities in Ouham Pende Region, Central African Republic / Donor: KOICA

· Réduction de la Violence et Stabilisation des Communautés à Haut Risques Sécuritaires (l’Ouham Pende, Nana Gribizi and Kemo Préfectures) / Donor : the European Union

The projects deploy a holistic approach that aim to restore basic social and economic services through the construction/rehabilitation of prioritized community infrastructures using the Cash-for-Work (CfW) approach, engagement of unemployed youth in professional/skills training programs and the establishment of local enterprises for selected beneficiaries as Income-Generating Activities (IGA). These activities are accompanied by capacity building of local authorities, Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Local Committees and the communities at large through trainings, awareness raising sessions and social cultural activities. The community stabilization project funded by KOICA is implemented alongside the CVR project funded by EU and both projects complement each other. In Ouham Pende, the two projects are implemented in the same prefecture but target different communities and beneficiaries. The joint evaluation will maximize time and resources as the two evaluations have been scheduled at the same time. It will be important to conduct joint evaluation in order to compare the data and the progress both projects are making. Lessons learnt from the evaluation will allow the implementation team to derive operational recommendations in a holistic manner for all intervention zones.

Project 1: Improving the Resilience of Marginalized Communities in Ouham Pende Region, Central African Republic / KOICA

Output 1.1: Set up of representative Local Committees (LC) in all targeted communities

Output 1.2: Essential social services are restored through participative rehabilitations of critical infrastructures

Output 1.3: The socialization of beneficiaries and community members is reinforced

Output 2.1: Local market study of existing economic opportunities for IGAs carried out

Output 2.2: Beneficiaries implement IGAs

Output 2.3: Local capacity to prevent and response to SGBV is strengthen

Output 2.4: The social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, use of community dialogue for settlement of intercommunal disputes and rejection of violence are strengthened

Project 2: Réduction de la Violence et Stabilisation des Communautés à Haut Risques Sécuritaires / EU

Objective 1: Renforcer la résilience et la cohésion des communautés par la participation de la jeunesse désœuvrée à la réhabilitation d’infrastructures et la restauration de services de base à haut intérêt communautaire

Objective 2: Favoriser la réintégration socio-économique de la jeunesse désœuvrée par des formations professionnelles et des activités génératrices de revenus (AGR), tout en garantissant leur ancrage à travers l’accès et la propriété.

Objective 3: Renforcer la cohésion sociale, la coexistence pacifique et le dialogue intra et inter communautaire.

2. Evaluation purpose and objective

The objectives of the midline evaluations for the two projects are to assess project progress at mid-point, to extract good practices, challenges, document lessons learnt and recommendations, in order to guide the future implementation and potential scaling-up or expansion of the projects. IOM follows the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria for evaluations, which assess the project using the following six criteria: relevance, coherence, effectiveness and efficiency. The midline evaluations will be conducted in accordance with the evaluation framework. The objectives of the evaluations are as follows:

· To review the efficiency and effectiveness of the project in achieving its intended results

· To assess the relevance and sustainability of the project components

· To assess the overall impact of the project on CVR, community stabilization and resilience building and the perceptions of security within the communities

· To assess the level of ownership and participation by the Local Committees and the beneficiaries

· To assess the accountability component of the project, including gender consideration or inclusiveness, Complaint and Feedback Mechanisms, and Do No Harm principle

· To assess the strengths and weaknesses of the project design and implementation process and come up with concrete lessons learnt and recommendations.

3. Evaluation scope

The mid – term evaluation of the KOICA funded project will consider the period from 24 December 2019 through 31 August 2021 while for the EU CVR funded project, the scope of the mid – term evaluation will consider all project outputs and results, from the formal launch of the project in August 2018 through the operational set-up, and the implementation of the planned activities up to 31 July 2021. The geographic scope of the evaluation will include Bangui, Ouham Pende, Nana Gribizi and Kemo Prefectures, which are the main areas of project intervention.

The purpose of the mid – term evaluation is to provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the achievement of project results, to inform and internalize lessons learned and recognize good practices to improve future project development and especially operational implementation. The evaluation also aims to assess the progress made so far in the implementation of the activities.

Cross-cutting themes, such as Gender, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Rights-Based Approach, Environment shall be evaluated, as well.

4. Evaluation criteria

The evaluation aims to identify lessons learned and best practices, as well as to propose operational recommendations for project design and implementation during the remaining period and for future projects.

The evaluation criteria are as follows:

1. Relevance of the project's planned results/outcomes.

2. Coherence of the project.

3. Effectiveness of project implementation.

4. Modalities of internal management and efficiency

5. Gender and cross-cutting issues, including RBA and AAP:

5. Evaluation questions

Relevance

• Did the expected results and outputs remain valid and useful as originally planned, or the results had to be subsequently modified?

• Did the project align with and contribute to national and regional emergency strategies?

• Was the project consistent with the donor's priorities?

• Does the project still meet the needs of project beneficiaries?

• To what extent has a gender-sensitive, rights-based and accountable approach been used in the design and implementation of the project?

Coherence

Internal coherence:

• To what extent do the projects create synergies and linkages between other interventions implemented by IOM in the emergency/ humanitarian field; and to what extent do the project activities correspond to IOM's Global Humanitarian Response Plan?

External coherence:

• To what extent does the project create synergies and linkages between government, humanitarian actors, and donor community interventions in the sector of assistance in CAR (humanitarian, in general, and/ or SHELTER/ NFI, specifically)?

Effectiveness

• Have the project results been achieved?

• Did the expected results have unintended positive or negative effects?

• To what extent did these effects contribute to the results achieved?

• What is the quality of the results/services/products achieved/delivered?

• Were the target beneficiaries reached as planned? Are the target beneficiaries satisfied with the services provided?

• When and how are M&E activities conducted? Are M&E resources (human and financial) enough and appropriate? What are the M&E lessons learned and good practices?

Efficiency

• Were the project activities carried out as planned and outputs delivered on time?

• Have all stakeholders involved in the project provided or made available the required resources in a timely manner to implement the activities?

• Is the cost of the resources provided/ made available by all stakeholders involved in the project in line with (or less than) the expected cost?

Gender and cross-cutting issues, including RBA and AAP:

• Did the project incorporate a gender dimension (results matrix, implementation)?

• If target groups (women, children, special needs) experienced unintended negative effects, did the project take appropriate measures?

6. Evaluation methodology

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Mission of IOM in the Central African Republic, and the direct supervision of the EU CVR Project Manager/Head of Sub – Office in Paoua, the Midline Evaluation Consultant will produce two comprehensive Midline Evaluation Reports for each of the two projects outlined above.

The consultant will carry out the following tasks:

· Conduct a review of all existing relevant project documents, including but not limited to baseline surveys; market research reports; activity reports; MoUs, contracts, SOPs and other manuals; attendance lists; training reports; beneficiary databases; security incident reports; financial reports; meeting minutes

· In accordance with the evaluation framework, prepare an evaluation plan for review and approval by the IOM Coordination Unit

· In accordance with the evaluation framework, design the evaluation tools and agree on data collection methodologies with the project teams

· Conduct trainings and simulation exercises for the data collectors (simulation exercises are aimed at reducing errors during the actual data collection), guide data collection process and ensure quality data are collected based on the design of the data collection tools and methodologies. Conduct verification of data collected and compile relevant information necessary to feed the assessment process (required number of data collectors will be provided based on request)

· Collect relevant data using the agreed upon evaluation tools, including field visits, surveys, and consultations with relevant stakeholders

· Conduct cleaning, analysis, visualization and reporting of data collected

· In accordance with the evaluation framework, draft the Midline Evaluation Report. The draft report will be submitted and presented to IOM Coordination Unit for review and input. The consultant will submit the final version of these documents within one week after receiving inputs from all parties

· Present the key findings, lessons learnt and recommendations in a participatory workshop for each of the projects. Draft a summary of discussions held during the workshop for future reference.

· The consultant will submit the final versions of the reports within one week after receiving inputs from all parties.

· Any subsequent adjustments required by IOM will be addressed by the consultant as needed for final approval of the reports.

7. Ethics, norms and standards for evaluation

IOM abides by the norms and standards of UNEG and expects all evaluation stakeholders to be familiar with the ethical conduct guidelines of UNEG and the consultant(s) with the UNEG codes of conduct as well.

IOM abides by the Norms and Standards of the UNEG and expects all stakeholders to be familiar with the Ethical guidelines for evaluation of UNEG and the consultant with the UNEG code of conduct for evaluation in the UN System as well. UNEG documents are available under IOM Evaluation Webpage www.iom.int/evaluation. The UNEG Norms and Standards will also be a key component of the quality management system.

The evaluation process will be conducted in accordance with IOM's Data Protection Principles.

8. Evaluation deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the evaluator, non-exhaustive, and to be amended according to IOM internal M&E guidelines[1]:

• Inception report confirming methodology and evaluation questions.

• Draft reports to be shared with the project team for review and feedback. Preliminary findings and recommendations for each of the projects will be presented to the project team. Feedback should focus on technical aspects and not on conclusions or findings, unless these are based on inaccurate or incomplete information, in which case corrected or additional information should be provided.

• Present separate final reports with feedback taken into account. The reports will follow the same format and logic as described in the IOM M&E guidelines for evaluation reports. The appendices should include the TORs, the list of documents reviewed, the list of persons interviewed or consulted including dates, and the data collection tools.

• a two-page Evaluation Brief (see IOM template) to facilitate sharing of key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

• Any lessons learned or best practices identified during the evaluation process.

The evaluator will also prepare the first drafts of the follow-up Management Reports Matrix (MRF, see IOM template) with key recommendations. The IOM Country Office will be asked to complete the MRF and plan the next steps after the evaluation.

9. Specifications of roles

The evaluation will be managed by:

• The Project Manager/Head of Sub – Office Paoua

• With support from CAR RMU (Resources Management Unit)

The Project Manager will make available relevant source documents to the Consultant including the project documents and reports. The data collection teams will support the data collection exercises while key stakeholders within the management cycle of IOM CAR will review and provide inputs to the draft reports including operational recommendations for the remaining implementation period.

Following (a) agreement on the final terms of reference (ToR) between the evaluation manager and the evaluator(s); (b) review, revision and acceptance of the inception report; and (c) review, revision and acceptance of the final report.

10. Time schedule**

The consultancy will have a total of 30 days consisting of the following:

· Desk review of relevant documents

· Submission of Midline Evaluation plan

· Design of relevant data collection tools

· Implementation of data collection process

· Data verification, compilation and analysis

· Analysis of evaluation results and sharing of initial findings with IOM mission in CAR

· Submission of comprehensive draft reports (separate report for the CVR and community stabilization and resilience building) and incorporation/integration of relevant comments from stakeholders

· Compilation of comments and submission of final reports

Time Schedule

Please refer to the below link to access the table for the time schedule.

https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/htinor_iom_int/ETKqaZ3FV8xKhZrCHxzrLLMBtae2g2lFJeqicaWF911p6g?e=28eTJv

11. Evaluation budget

The consultant is expected to share a proposed budget with IOM upon which the cost will be assessed in accordance with the tasks outlined in this ToR. The proposed amount will be paid in installments and based on deliverables attained according to the timetable:

· 40% upon signature of the contract,

· 40% upon delivery and acceptance of the draft report revised according to stakeholders’ comments and

· 20% upon final approval of the report by IOM.

12. Evaluation requirements

· Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, International Development or related fields

· Experience of 5 – 10 years in conducting project evaluations with focus on CVR, reintegration and reinsertion of former combatants, community stabilization and resilience building and experience working with unemployed youths with conflict carrying capacity

· Academic and practical experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodology, design and implementation required

· Demonstrated competency in data analytics and statistical software, such as Excel, SPSS, STATA, SAS, R required

· Experience in data collection and community engagement in the context of IOM or similar organizations/sectors is preferred

· Experience of working with IOM and UN missions and agencies in crisis and conflict – affected environments, in terms of programme design, management and evaluation.

· Experience working in Central African Republic or in similar contexts is an asset.

· Capacity to speak and write clearly and concisely in French and English