INGO Cash Transfer, Final Evaluation TORs, Lilongwe, Malawi |
Closing date: Friday,
10 June 2016
10 June 2016
EXTERNAL
FINAL EVALUATION TERMS OF REFERENCE
FINAL EVALUATION TERMS OF REFERENCE
1.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Malawi
has been experiencing recurrent food crises over the past decade. This
situation of chronic food insecurity is the result of
has been experiencing recurrent food crises over the past decade. This
situation of chronic food insecurity is the result of
a number of interrelated
economic, environmental and governance-related factors. While there was a need
to develop long-term solutions to these complex challenges, there was also an
immediate and critical need to reach out to families who were vulnerable to
food insecurity in the lean season (October 2015 to March 2016).
The
Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) 2015 assessment report
projected that 2,833,212 people (17.4% of Malawi’s population) across 251
districts would be food insecure during the lean season. This was due to late
onset of rains which delayed planting of major crops followed by heavy rains
and flooding. The country also experienced dry spells in most districts for 4-6
weeks between February and March 2015 resulting in low yields of most crops,
and limited rainfall between the months of April to May 2015 which would have
been used for winter cropping. This resulted in reduced irrigated crop harvests
in the months of September to November 2015. The maize needed to meet the food
deficit was 124,183 metric tonnes (MT) equivalent to a cash value of US$
41,394,444 if sourced locally.
Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) 2015 assessment report
projected that 2,833,212 people (17.4% of Malawi’s population) across 251
districts would be food insecure during the lean season. This was due to late
onset of rains which delayed planting of major crops followed by heavy rains
and flooding. The country also experienced dry spells in most districts for 4-6
weeks between February and March 2015 resulting in low yields of most crops,
and limited rainfall between the months of April to May 2015 which would have
been used for winter cropping. This resulted in reduced irrigated crop harvests
in the months of September to November 2015. The maize needed to meet the food
deficit was 124,183 metric tonnes (MT) equivalent to a cash value of US$
41,394,444 if sourced locally.
In
response to the above needs and under the MVAC umbrella, an INGO consortium led
by Save the Children and with partners (Oxfam, GOAL Malawi, Concern Worldwide
and Concern Universal) put together a donor proposal focused on Emergency Cash
Transfers to ensure that the food entitlements of 81,034 vulnerable families
were met. The consortium provided monthly cash transfers to the most vulnerable
families in 33 Traditional Authorities (TAs) over a period of 3 to 7 months,
basing on the 2015/16 MVAC assessment reports. The cash transfers were made via
e-payment, and the transfer amount was calculated each month according to
updated food prices following market price collections to ensure that the value
was sufficient to meet the household planned food basket.
response to the above needs and under the MVAC umbrella, an INGO consortium led
by Save the Children and with partners (Oxfam, GOAL Malawi, Concern Worldwide
and Concern Universal) put together a donor proposal focused on Emergency Cash
Transfers to ensure that the food entitlements of 81,034 vulnerable families
were met. The consortium provided monthly cash transfers to the most vulnerable
families in 33 Traditional Authorities (TAs) over a period of 3 to 7 months,
basing on the 2015/16 MVAC assessment reports. The cash transfers were made via
e-payment, and the transfer amount was calculated each month according to
updated food prices following market price collections to ensure that the value
was sufficient to meet the household planned food basket.
The
consortium also incorporated resilience building into the response by equipping
families with knowledge and skills that would enable them to improve their
economic situation and reduce vulnerability to future shocks. The consortium
prioritized linking beneficiaries to Village Savings and Loans Associations
(VSLAs), nutrition messaging and linking pregnant and lactating mothers to care
groups and, where possible, integrating beneficiaries into long-term
development initiatives run by fellow NGOs, UN agencies, the Government of
Malawi (GoM), or other actors.
consortium also incorporated resilience building into the response by equipping
families with knowledge and skills that would enable them to improve their
economic situation and reduce vulnerability to future shocks. The consortium
prioritized linking beneficiaries to Village Savings and Loans Associations
(VSLAs), nutrition messaging and linking pregnant and lactating mothers to care
groups and, where possible, integrating beneficiaries into long-term
development initiatives run by fellow NGOs, UN agencies, the Government of
Malawi (GoM), or other actors.
The
consortium’s selection of implementation areas and approach (cash) was based on
the July 2015 MVAC report and the subsequent market assessment which analyzed
the potential for cash-based interventions in the affected districts, and the
programme evaluation of the 2014/15 INGO Cash Transfer Programme response. 2
INGO CASH TRANSFER, FINAL EVALUATION TORs 2015-2016
consortium’s selection of implementation areas and approach (cash) was based on
the July 2015 MVAC report and the subsequent market assessment which analyzed
the potential for cash-based interventions in the affected districts, and the
programme evaluation of the 2014/15 INGO Cash Transfer Programme response. 2
INGO CASH TRANSFER, FINAL EVALUATION TORs 2015-2016
Project
expected impact
expected impact
- Save
lives, alleviate suffering, and contribute towards resilience building of
81,034 (proposed 82,129 before Machinga beneficiaries were reduced)
households affected by food insecurity (445,678 individuals including
234,890 children) in Nsanje, Machinga, Mulanje, Dedza, Lilongwe, Mchinji,
Nkhotakota and Kasungu.
Project
outcome
outcome
- To
improve food and livelihood security and resilience amongst 81,034
targeted households in Nsanje, Machinga, Mulanje, Dedza, Lilongwe,
Mchinji, Nkhotakota and Kasungu.
Project
outputs
outputs
- 445,678
targeted people from the affected areas effectively receive cash
entitlement in lieu of food. - Linkages
established with long term community programmes to enhance resilience and
improve food security for the targeted population.
EVALUATION
PURPOSE
PURPOSE
Serving
the dual purpose of accountability and learning the evaluation will:
the dual purpose of accountability and learning the evaluation will:
- Assess
and report on the connectedness, relevance, effectiveness, performance and
results of the INGO Emergency Cash Transfer Project - Determine
the reasons for observed results and draw lessons to inform the consortium
management and key stakeholders with respect to program strategy and
approach (Learning) - Based
on the findings, make honest recommendations for future cash transfer
programs in Malawi (Learning to Action)
EVALUATION
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
The
evaluation will be based on a set of key questions. These questions are intended
to give a more precise and accessible form to the evaluation criteria and to
articulate the key issues, thus optimizing the focus and utility of the
evaluation. The evaluation questions will be refined and detailed in a matrix
of evaluation questions to be developed by the evaluator at inception, in
coordination with the INGO Evaluation Steering Committee. Attention will be
given to dimensions of gender, protection and accountability to affected people
throughout the analysis.
evaluation will be based on a set of key questions. These questions are intended
to give a more precise and accessible form to the evaluation criteria and to
articulate the key issues, thus optimizing the focus and utility of the
evaluation. The evaluation questions will be refined and detailed in a matrix
of evaluation questions to be developed by the evaluator at inception, in
coordination with the INGO Evaluation Steering Committee. Attention will be
given to dimensions of gender, protection and accountability to affected people
throughout the analysis.
The
evaluation will address, among others, the following questions
evaluation will address, among others, the following questions
Operational
Performance & Results
Performance & Results
- To
what extent did the interventions achieve the INGO Consortium’s main
results? [effectiveness] - What
were the unintended positive or negative effects on households,
individuals, children, communities, markets and local economies at
district level? - How
effective and efficient was the beneficiary targeting process? Were
accountability mechanisms designed by the project able to capture
inclusion and exclusion errors in beneficiary targeting? - Beneficiary
satisfaction, views and perspectives on the programme and ideas for
improvement.
Programme
Strategy
Strategy
- How
effective was the delivery of additional unconditional cash (in the form
of an additional cash supplement per Household) at addressing the
nutritional requirements of Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and the
Under 2s? - How
effectively have cash transfer beneficiaries been linked with longer term
resilience building initiatives e.g. VSLAs?
Consortium
architecture and institutional arrangements
architecture and institutional arrangements
- What
added value did the consortium approach have on the implementation of the
cash transfer project? - To
what extent has the consortium approach led to innovation, adaptation and
learning for the INGO Consortium [and beyond] to improve guidelines and/or
systems for cash transfer programming?
SCOPE
OF ASSIGNMENT
OF ASSIGNMENT
The
consultant will carry out the following activities during the final evaluation
process
consultant will carry out the following activities during the final evaluation
process
- Review
of key documents that include the log frame, MEAL Plan, Work plan project
proposal, the baseline report and 2013/14 and 2014/15 evaluation reports,
PDM data, quarterly reports and other relevant documents - Design
of the evaluation process - Develop
an Inception Report to include: the process and methodologies proposed and
key deadlines to achieve the evaluation purpose as stated in the sections
above. The inception report should clearly illustrate how each evaluation
question will be answered, what methodology will be used to answer each
question and how it will be reported. This will be presented to a
Consortium Steering Committee for review and further input before
evaluation starts. The Inception Report should be produced by the
consultants within 3 days of being awarded the contract (negotiable
depending on availability). - Present
a draft Evaluation Report to the Consortium Evaluation Steering Committee. - Incorporation
of one round of input from the Steering Committee on the Inception Report
and Final Report. - Presentation
of preliminary findings and recommendations in a Learning and Action
Workshop in country with key stakeholders.
EVALUATION
DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
The
evaluation process should be inclusive and participatory using a balance of
both qualitative and quantitative methods. It should reference the original
baseline survey and logframe and generate new insights and learning. This
should be detailed in the Expression of Interest. The evaluation will also
ensure that the OECD DAC criteria and cross cutting issues are comprehensively
addressed.
evaluation process should be inclusive and participatory using a balance of
both qualitative and quantitative methods. It should reference the original
baseline survey and logframe and generate new insights and learning. This
should be detailed in the Expression of Interest. The evaluation will also
ensure that the OECD DAC criteria and cross cutting issues are comprehensively
addressed.
PROGRAMME
QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS TO BE INCLUDED (OPEN TO OTHER SUGGESTIONS IN THE
INCEPTION REPORT)
QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS TO BE INCLUDED (OPEN TO OTHER SUGGESTIONS IN THE
INCEPTION REPORT)
- Average
coping strategy index. - %
of households with acceptable dietary diversity score. - The
percentage of households eating two or more meals per day - Food
consumption score. - Percentage
of households reporting referral of under-five children to NRU. - Percentage
of households with at least 1 member participating in village savings and
loans groups - Inclusion
error (% of project beneficiaries that do not meet the agreed targeting
criteria) - Primary
school absenteeism - Percentage
of beneficiary households who are participating in other long term
development programmes initiatives - 10.
Proportion of household expenditure on food and non-food items
6.
KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE
KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE
Date
- 17th
June - 21st
June - 21st
-22nd June - 23rd
June - 24th
– 27th June - 28th
June- 26th July - 1st
August - 2nd
– 3rd August - 4th
-5th August - 12th
August
Activity/Outputs
- Contract
Signed - Submission
of Draft Inception Report - Review
and Submission of Feedback on Draft Inception Report - Submission
of Revised Inception Report - Agreed
Final Work plan, Documentation sharing/Desk reviews, Contacts, Logistics - Final
Report - Draft
Report Revision - Report
Review & feedback - Presentation
of preliminary findings and recommendations in a multi-stakeholder
learning and action workshop - Draft
Report Submission - Field
Work & Draft Report Writing
Lead
- SCI
- Consultant
- Steering
Committee - Consultant
- SCI
- Consultant
- Steering
Committee - Consultant
- Consultant
Proposed
schedule subject to discussion on consultant availability
schedule subject to discussion on consultant availability
Expected
consultant work days: 35 days
consultant work days: 35 days
7.
CONSULTANT PROFILE
CONSULTANT PROFILE
- Proven
track record in and solid knowledge of humanitarian evaluation - Experience
and knowledge of humanitarian and development issues at practitioner level - Cash
Transfer and Food Security or Social Protection experience preferred - Record
of evaluation publications - Relevant
geographical experience ideally in Southern Africa - Solid
participatory facilitation skills - Fluency
in English. - Excellent
verbal and written communication skills in English. - Experience,
skills and knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in the
field working with frontline national staff on an inter-agency basis - Sensitivity
to gender, protection and cultural issues - Ability
to lead and work with a team under pressure to meet deadlines and produce
agreed deliverables to standard. - The
evaluator must be independent, but collaborative, willing to share
thoughts, ideas, and make constructive criticism. - Availability
to meet the agreed deadlines.
8.
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION PROCESS
Expressions
of Interest clearly marked ‘Expression of Interest to conduct: Final
Evaluation for INGO Consortium Emergency Cash Transfer Response Programme’
should be submitted to the address below by Sunday, 12th June, 2016.
of Interest clearly marked ‘Expression of Interest to conduct: Final
Evaluation for INGO Consortium Emergency Cash Transfer Response Programme’
should be submitted to the address below by Sunday, 12th June, 2016.
The
Expression of Interest should include at a minimum:
Expression of Interest should include at a minimum:
- Applicants
CV - Contacts
(email and phone) of 3 former clients - A
detailed list of similar assignments that the consultant has conducted in
the past - Two
evaluation reports that the consultant has authored - Daily
Rate (US Dollar equivalent) - Consultant’s
home base i.e Departure Point
Email:
malawi.jobs@savethechildren.net
malawi.jobs@savethechildren.net
Location:
Lilongwe, Malawi
Lilongwe, Malawi
Contract
– Full-Time
– Full-Time
Closing
date: Friday 10 June 2016
date: Friday 10 June 2016
All
jobs close at midnight UK time on the date specified
jobs close at midnight UK time on the date specified
