Description
1. Overview Project TitleManaging Risk through Economic Development Phase 4 - MRED IV program Implementing AgencyMercy CorpsDonor AgencyUnited states based foundationType of StudyFinal EvaluationExpected start/end dates, number of workdays February 3rd to March 31st, 2025 - Total 20 working daysLocation Dili, Timor Leste
2. Background:Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.Since establishing operations in Timor-Leste in 2007, we have earned a reputation for innovative and high-quality programming. We promote a community-led, market-based approach to addressing key challenges to improved wellbeing through greater resilience, resolved root causes of poverty, and inclusive economic growth.
3. Project DescriptionMercy Corps’ Managing Risk through Economic Development Phase 4 (MRED IV) program is a 3-year program implemented in Timor-Leste in Ainaro and Covalima Municipalities from April 2022 until March 2025. The purpose of the project is to accelerate the replication and scale of the M-RED disaster-readiness approach in target geographies through a multi-pronged strategy: increasing self-sustaining disaster readiness capacities in Phase III target communities, accelerating M-RED expansion in new communities, and influencing the enabling conditions needed to promote sustainability, replication, and scale while promoting innovation through early action and localization.The Program implemented its interventions in areas such as:
- Established and strengthened Suco Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and Community Disaster Support group (CDSG).
- Trained and socialized GESI integration in program implementation.
- Installation of a new Early Warning System (EWS) OR strengthening existing EWS.
- NEXUS crop/ Risk Sensitive livelihood promotion.
- Constructed/ repaired structural and non- structural mitigation activities.
- Coordinated and partnered with stakeholders for implementing the DRR and Livelihood work.
- Innovated a Resilience roof against strong wind.
- Conducted Research and Learning for adaptative management decisions and influence and advocacy of M-RED promoted practices. Three main Outcome of the MRED IV program are as follows:
- Outcome 1: 39 vulnerable communities will have improved disaster readiness, engaging inclusive community disaster risk management groups, and promoting adoption of disaster risk management and risk-mitigating livelihood practices to strengthen assets, capacities, and behaviors to prepare and respond to natural hazards.
- Outcome 2: Formal Partnerships with National 1, Post Admin 6, Sucos 19, Aldeias 39, and 35 private sector actors will be established and strengthened to build enabling environments that can enhance the disaster-ready capacities of communities before, during, and after disasters.
- Outcome 3: Nine internal learning events and 4 external learning sharing events will be conducted for adaptive management within the program and dissemination of M-RED best practices to advocate for and influence stakeholders to apply the project approach and activities. 4. PurposeThe purpose of the consultancy is to conduct an endline evaluation of the MRED IV program. This endline evaluation will assess overall program performance to answer the evaluation questions outlined in the section below against the list of DAC frameworks. The consultant will review indicator targets, aggregate program successes and lessons learned and provide recommendations for future programs by specifically answering the evaluation questions. This evaluation should be utilization-focused, as the follow-on MRED IV project will aim to implement feasible recommendations in the follow-on program/s. The evaluation aims to answer the following evaluation questions: Effectiveness
- How well have the program objectives been achieved? And if not, why?
- How well have the outputs of the program been achieved? And to what extent have they contributed to the program objectives?
- How effective are the approaches and structures in delivering the desired outputs? How can they be improved?
- Is the project bringing about desired changes in the behavior of people and institutions? If so, what is the extent of this change?
- Are there or could there in future be any unintended positive or negative impacts arising from particular outcomes?
- What could have been the likely situation (of the environment and its management) without the project? Efficiency
- To what extent were the available technical and financial resources adequate to fulfill the project plans?
- Did the program face any unforeseen problems? If so, how well were they dealt with?
- Was there an effective process, built into the management structure for self-monitoring and assessment, reporting and reflection? How well did this mechanism or process work? Relevance
- How well were the needs, problems, challenges and issues of the communities in the program area addressed by the design of the program?
- To what extent is the project contributing to the strategic priorities, policies and plans of GoTL and other stakeholders. Sustainability
- How well is the approach used likely to ensure a continued benefit after the end of the project?
- How well are all key stakeholders sufficiently and effectively involved? And how well are their expectations met and are they satisfied with their level of participation?
- Are alternative or additional measures needed and, if so, what is required to ensure continued sustainability and positive impact?
- Recruitment OverviewProject TitleManaging Risk through Economic Development Phase 4 - MRED IV program Implementing AgencyMercy CorpsDonor AgencyMargareth A. Cargill Philanthropy (MACP)Study Period (tentative) February 3rd to March 31st 2025 - Total 20 working days Research area of endline surveyConsultant with background of Disaster Risk Reduction Expert, Agriculture system, and Economic Recovery Market System QualificationsMercy Corps is looking for an experienced consultant. to lead the evaluation study which will include an endline survey, and qualitative methods to further explain and triangulate data. Therefore, the consultant should be well versed in using mixed method approach, design and tools. S/he will be responsible for ensuring the endline evaluation utilizes methodologies that meet quantitative and qualitative research standards. Detailed responsibilities should be determined at the beginning of the mission and outlined in the methodology. AreaQualification Experts in Disaster Risk Reduction Expert, Agriculture system, and Economic Recovery Market System1. Five to seven years of experience conducting and leading program evaluations, preferably final evaluations.