TERMS
OF REFERENCE FOR MID – TERM EVALUATION FOR ‘STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY
ORGANISATION CAPACITY IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE POLICIES AND CITIZEN
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING IN RWANDA’ PROJECT.
OF REFERENCE FOR MID – TERM EVALUATION FOR ‘STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY
ORGANISATION CAPACITY IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE POLICIES AND CITIZEN
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING IN RWANDA’ PROJECT.
Position: Mid – Term
Evaluation Consultant
Evaluation Consultant
Project: ‘Strengthening CSO
Capacity in Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Policies and Citizen
Participatory Budgeting (SCAB EU project) in Rwanda
Capacity in Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Policies and Citizen
Participatory Budgeting (SCAB EU project) in Rwanda
Project
Location:
Rwanda
Location:
Rwanda
INTRODUCTION:
ActionAid
Rwanda is an associate of the country program of ActionAid International,
global federation committed to end poverty and injustice. AAR works alongside
people living in poverty and exclusion empowering and building their
capabilities to claim and realize their rights. AAR partners with rural
communities to challenge the root causes of poverty; build their skills and
increase their knowledge in order for them to identify long lasting solutions.
Rwanda is an associate of the country program of ActionAid International,
global federation committed to end poverty and injustice. AAR works alongside
people living in poverty and exclusion empowering and building their
capabilities to claim and realize their rights. AAR partners with rural
communities to challenge the root causes of poverty; build their skills and
increase their knowledge in order for them to identify long lasting solutions.
Recognizing
the terrible food security situation of the African continent and the
longstanding neglect of agricultural investment, in 2003 the Heads of State and
the African Union (AU) adopted the “Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food
Security in Africa.” The declaration committed African countries “to
adopt sound policies for agricultural and rural development, and commit
[themselves] to allocating at least 10% of national budgetary resources for
their implementation within five years,” in line with the framework of the
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP). Governments
also committed themselves to “engage in consultations at national and regional
levels with Civil Society Organizations and other key stakeholders, including
the small-scale and traditional farmers, private sector, women and youth
associations, etc., as a means to facilitate their active participation in all
aspects of agricultural and food production
the terrible food security situation of the African continent and the
longstanding neglect of agricultural investment, in 2003 the Heads of State and
the African Union (AU) adopted the “Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food
Security in Africa.” The declaration committed African countries “to
adopt sound policies for agricultural and rural development, and commit
[themselves] to allocating at least 10% of national budgetary resources for
their implementation within five years,” in line with the framework of the
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP). Governments
also committed themselves to “engage in consultations at national and regional
levels with Civil Society Organizations and other key stakeholders, including
the small-scale and traditional farmers, private sector, women and youth
associations, etc., as a means to facilitate their active participation in all
aspects of agricultural and food production
In
2007, Rwanda became the first country to sign a CAADP Compact. By May
2011, 26 countries had officially signed on to the CAADP agenda.
Nevertheless, to date only 8 of these countries have met the commitment of 10%
budgetary allocation to agriculture, which was due to be reached in 2008.
Even among these countries, there is debate as to whether government claims of
agricultural investment are consistent with actual spending.
2007, Rwanda became the first country to sign a CAADP Compact. By May
2011, 26 countries had officially signed on to the CAADP agenda.
Nevertheless, to date only 8 of these countries have met the commitment of 10%
budgetary allocation to agriculture, which was due to be reached in 2008.
Even among these countries, there is debate as to whether government claims of
agricultural investment are consistent with actual spending.
Rwandan
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have made substantial progress since the
devastation of the 1994 genocide. However, their capacity to engage the
government in advocacy and lobbying efforts and to hold it accountable for its
decisions remains weak. This has resulted in a weak voice for CSOs,
including smallholder farmer organizations, in decision-making processes around
agricultural policy. Women smallholder farmers in particular experience
multiple barriers to effective engagement in public accountability processes,
including limited opportunities to express their needs and views and low
capacity and awareness to engage through existing channels. The root causes of
CSOs’ weak engagement in agriculture policy shaping are numerous and
intertwined. The weak knowledge of their basic rights, the limited knowledge of
policies affecting them , the weak understanding of decision-making processes
and insufficient t monitoring practice coupled with chronic low financial and
technical capacities are at the core.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have made substantial progress since the
devastation of the 1994 genocide. However, their capacity to engage the
government in advocacy and lobbying efforts and to hold it accountable for its
decisions remains weak. This has resulted in a weak voice for CSOs,
including smallholder farmer organizations, in decision-making processes around
agricultural policy. Women smallholder farmers in particular experience
multiple barriers to effective engagement in public accountability processes,
including limited opportunities to express their needs and views and low
capacity and awareness to engage through existing channels. The root causes of
CSOs’ weak engagement in agriculture policy shaping are numerous and
intertwined. The weak knowledge of their basic rights, the limited knowledge of
policies affecting them , the weak understanding of decision-making processes
and insufficient t monitoring practice coupled with chronic low financial and
technical capacities are at the core.
ActionAid
Rwanda in partnership with CLADHO & CCOIABis implementing a capacity
building project that aims at promoting Sustainable Agriculture Policies and
Citizens participatory Budgeting in Rwanda (SCAB) funded by European Union
(EU). This project will strengthen the capacity of civil society
organisations at all levels (internal governance, structuring, and resource
mobilisation, and technical budgetary knowledge, communication skills) to
actively engage in agriculture policy dialogue, budget shaping and monitoring.
The project intends to better link the national agriculture budget to the
population’s priorities/needs and rights through informed analyses and
contributions to budget proposals, monitoring and tracking public revenues and
expenditures, and supporting citizens’ budget literacy. In so doing the project
will mobilize, bring together and work with civil society stakeholders from
community sector, , district l to national levels in a bid to institutionalize
agriculture budget planning processes that embrace public participation,
accountability, effectiveness, gender responsiveness and climate resilience.
Rwanda in partnership with CLADHO & CCOIABis implementing a capacity
building project that aims at promoting Sustainable Agriculture Policies and
Citizens participatory Budgeting in Rwanda (SCAB) funded by European Union
(EU). This project will strengthen the capacity of civil society
organisations at all levels (internal governance, structuring, and resource
mobilisation, and technical budgetary knowledge, communication skills) to
actively engage in agriculture policy dialogue, budget shaping and monitoring.
The project intends to better link the national agriculture budget to the
population’s priorities/needs and rights through informed analyses and
contributions to budget proposals, monitoring and tracking public revenues and
expenditures, and supporting citizens’ budget literacy. In so doing the project
will mobilize, bring together and work with civil society stakeholders from
community sector, , district l to national levels in a bid to institutionalize
agriculture budget planning processes that embrace public participation,
accountability, effectiveness, gender responsiveness and climate resilience.
Purpose
of the Mid-Term Evaluation:
of the Mid-Term Evaluation:
The
MedTerm Review will assess progress of the project since it began in April 2016
and provide recommendations for improvements. These recommendations will be
incorporated into annual planning of the remainder of the project. More so, the
findings willserve as evidence base for future programming in the area of
increasing CSOs and CBOs capacities in agriculture policies and sustainable
food security. The evaluation will assess the:
MedTerm Review will assess progress of the project since it began in April 2016
and provide recommendations for improvements. These recommendations will be
incorporated into annual planning of the remainder of the project. More so, the
findings willserve as evidence base for future programming in the area of
increasing CSOs and CBOs capacities in agriculture policies and sustainable
food security. The evaluation will assess the:
(i)
Relevance
Relevance
Evaluate
the relevance of the project [e.g. To contribute to poverty reduction,
sustainable development and achieving the MDGs, improve governance and
management in the agricultural sector by strengthening policy making in
the sector, the institutional and legal framework and the capacity of key
stakeholders; etc]
the relevance of the project [e.g. To contribute to poverty reduction,
sustainable development and achieving the MDGs, improve governance and
management in the agricultural sector by strengthening policy making in
the sector, the institutional and legal framework and the capacity of key
stakeholders; etc]
The
consultant shall at least carry out the following activities concerning the
relevance and quality of the project:
consultant shall at least carry out the following activities concerning the
relevance and quality of the project:
a.
Study all the documentation and reports from the project
b. Evaluate the relevance of the project in terms of the
socio-economic and environmental context in the project area.
c. Evaluate the project’s relevance regarding the objectives
of the Ministry of agricultural programmes, or the country’s vision 2020.
d. Evaluate the project’s identification and initial
formulation.
Study all the documentation and reports from the project
b. Evaluate the relevance of the project in terms of the
socio-economic and environmental context in the project area.
c. Evaluate the project’s relevance regarding the objectives
of the Ministry of agricultural programmes, or the country’s vision 2020.
d. Evaluate the project’s identification and initial
formulation.
2.
Examine the status of results of the project (project efficiency)
Examine the status of results of the project (project efficiency)
Review
the progress (status) of project activities towards results. During the
evaluation of the efficiency of the project, the team shall analyse the
implementation of the program emphasising on:
the progress (status) of project activities towards results. During the
evaluation of the efficiency of the project, the team shall analyse the
implementation of the program emphasising on:
- Input
delivery, cost control and activity management - The
project’s achievement of its results in terms of quantity, quality and
convenience, according to what had been previously indicated in the Grant
Contract. - Balance
between the results obtained and those expected. The main constraints and
difficulties must be pointed out. - Delays
for each activity, as indicated in the original work plan.
3.
Assess
management arrangements
Assess
management arrangements
- To
assess the performance of [project implementer] in terms of quality of
supervision, efficiency in financial administration, ability to anticipate
problems and extend implementation support, adequacy of reporting,
recommendations and effectiveness of follow-up on recommendations. - To
assess the performance of [project implementer] in terms of project
implementation (Including human resources, financial management, internal
and external risk factors etc).
4.
Assess the quality of cooperation with institutions and effectiveness of
coordination mechanisms. This will include the quality of
information management and reporting, and the extent to which key stakeholders
are kept adequately informed of project activities (including beneficiaries/target
groups)
Assess the quality of cooperation with institutions and effectiveness of
coordination mechanisms. This will include the quality of
information management and reporting, and the extent to which key stakeholders
are kept adequately informed of project activities (including beneficiaries/target
groups)
5.
Assess the project implementation effectiveness
Assess the project implementation effectiveness
Assess
project performance with respect to effectiveness (delivery of outputs and
progress towards achieving the purpose). Assess the extent to which the project
is/remains consistent with, and supportive of, the policy and programme
framework within which the project is placed.
project performance with respect to effectiveness (delivery of outputs and
progress towards achieving the purpose). Assess the extent to which the project
is/remains consistent with, and supportive of, the policy and programme
framework within which the project is placed.
There
must be an emphasis on:
must be an emphasis on:
- Perception
of the results and achievements of the project by the beneficiaries, the
local authorities and other stakeholders. - Degree
of appropriation and participation of the beneficiaries. - Commitment
by the national, ministerial and district Authorities in the project’s
implementation.
6.
Sustainability
Sustainability
Evaluate
the extent to which the main actors possess the capacity to retain the results
and advantages of the project at the end of the action. Identify the main
factors for project success and the conditions required to lead to this
success.
the extent to which the main actors possess the capacity to retain the results
and advantages of the project at the end of the action. Identify the main
factors for project success and the conditions required to lead to this
success.
The
evaluation team shall evaluate the potential sustainability of the program
results concerning:
evaluation team shall evaluate the potential sustainability of the program
results concerning:
- The
economic feasibility and financial sustainability. - The
capacity building of those who will continue the project benefits in terms
of training, implementation and monitoring. - Evaluation
for the possibility of replication of the positive results in other
similar projects.
7.
Assess constraints encountered during the project implementation
Assess constraints encountered during the project implementation
To
analyse the various factors and constraints which have exerted an influence on
the project implementation; such as the operational mechanisms, managerial,
institutional, socio-economic policy issues and other external factors
unforeseen during design. Review of the risks and assumptions included in the
LogFrame. Evaluate the extent to which the risks and assumptions have
held true during the project implementation to date.
analyse the various factors and constraints which have exerted an influence on
the project implementation; such as the operational mechanisms, managerial,
institutional, socio-economic policy issues and other external factors
unforeseen during design. Review of the risks and assumptions included in the
LogFrame. Evaluate the extent to which the risks and assumptions have
held true during the project implementation to date.
8.
Produce a clear set of lessons learned and recommendations that can benefit the
project in its remaining life-span.
Produce a clear set of lessons learned and recommendations that can benefit the
project in its remaining life-span.
Scope
and area work.
and area work.
The
consultant will collect qualitative and quantitative data from CSO, CBO,and
networks of smallholder women farmers in Nyanza, Gisagara, Nyaruguru,
Karongi, Musanze, Kamonyi, Muhanga and Gakenke.districts
consultant will collect qualitative and quantitative data from CSO, CBO,and
networks of smallholder women farmers in Nyanza, Gisagara, Nyaruguru,
Karongi, Musanze, Kamonyi, Muhanga and Gakenke.districts
Specific
tasks
tasks
The
consultant is expected to conduct the following tasks:
consultant is expected to conduct the following tasks:
- Review
project documentation (proposal, log frame, theory of change, baseline
survey report, interim report submitted to the donor etc.) and other
relevant documents. - Provide
detailedcontextual information / situational analysis on CSOs. CBOs and
farmers’ knowledge onagriculture policies in Rwanda. - Put
in place the tools to be used for data collection both at mid-term and
final evaluations - Write
inception report and workplan for the evaluation exercise, and discuss
schedule with ActionAid - Present
clearly the methodology of the study (The sample size of the study) - Put
in place data collection instruments (qualitative & quantitative),
including questionnaires, interview guides, FGD Guide specific to this
project and appropriate to its target groups. - Coordinate
the recruitment (if additional research assistants are required) and train
data collectors in quantitative and qualitative methods (research
assistants must be both male and female with at least equal number of
female research assistants) - Provide
training to enumerators and project staff on research ethics and data
collection techniques and practices appropriate to the subject. - Oversee
the whole process of the mid-term evaluation and ensure quality control
processes are in place and provide on-going technical and managerial
support to his/her team. - Provide
regular updates to ActionAid on the progress of the exercise in regards to
challenges/issues in obtaining data. - Analyse
all qualitative and quantitative data and consolidate a comprehensive
report to be presented to ActionAid and partners for discussion during
validation workshop - Incorporate
inputs that might be given and finalise report.
And
Action Aid Rwanda’s and its implementing partners obligations – Implementation
arrangement
Action Aid Rwanda’s and its implementing partners obligations – Implementation
arrangement
- Provide
the consultant with the necessary support to ensure that the study is
undertaken with reasonable efficiency. - Inform,
the project beneficiaries,local community structures, and other identified
stakeholders that the survey is going to be conducted - Assist
in the identification of key stakeholders to be interviewed as part of the
evaluation. - Organise
stakeholder workshops for dissemination of the findings.
Methodology:
The
consultant will at the inception event of the bidding stage present to
actionAid Rwanda the methodology to be used.
consultant will at the inception event of the bidding stage present to
actionAid Rwanda the methodology to be used.
Expected
deliverables of the consultancy are:
deliverables of the consultancy are:
- An
inception Report (showing clearly study methodology, sample size, data
collection tools and work plan - Research
tools for data collection specific to the project to be usedduring this
study but alsothat can be used during final evaluations; these should be
translated in Kinyarwanda as well. - Draft
mid-term evaluation report ( clearly showing analytically the situation of
the project, facts and statistics should be clear and concise in relation
with the project’s results indicators - Final
report incorporating feedback received
QUALIFICATIONS,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
The
consultant should ideally have the following:
consultant should ideally have the following:
- Advanced
degree in social science, agriculture and women rights related areas. - Experience
on agriculture policy analysis, budget tracking and women’s rights
programmes, ideally including women’s economic empowerment - Extensive
experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative data, using digital
tools is an added value. - Good
knowledge and experience of designing surveys and sampling methodologies. - Proven
knowledge andexperience in HRBA participatory approaches - Managing
and coding data collected through a survey - Knowledge
on ethical research principles and experience applying them in practice - Able
to write detailed reports in English and also Fluent in Kinyarwanda. - Excellent
facilitation skills. (Ability to engage people in conversation and record
answers clearly and accurately, Organisational and team engagement skills)
Line
of coordination:
of coordination:
The
consultant, in undertaking the exercise, will report to the SCAB EU project
manager with close collaboration with AAR Program Quality Coordinator and with
the overall supervision of AAR Head of programmes and policy.
consultant, in undertaking the exercise, will report to the SCAB EU project
manager with close collaboration with AAR Program Quality Coordinator and with
the overall supervision of AAR Head of programmes and policy.
TIMELINE:
This
assignment is expected to start on 16th October 2017, and comprising
of an estimated total of 35 working days.
assignment is expected to start on 16th October 2017, and comprising
of an estimated total of 35 working days.
REPORTING:
Draft
report will be shared to AAR who will provide their comments in 15 days,
validation workshop will be organised to share with stakeholders the findings,
after integrating in the report feedback from the validation workshop, the
consultant will make the final copies and he will provide to ActionAid Rwanda 5
copies of the report.
report will be shared to AAR who will provide their comments in 15 days,
validation workshop will be organised to share with stakeholders the findings,
after integrating in the report feedback from the validation workshop, the
consultant will make the final copies and he will provide to ActionAid Rwanda 5
copies of the report.
HOW
TO APPLY:
TO APPLY:
Applicants
are expected to submit the following documents:
are expected to submit the following documents:
- Technical
proposal - Financial
proposal
Applications
must be submitted to ActionAid Rwanda Head office in Kigali not later than 4th
October 2017.All applications should be enclosed in an envelope marked: Consultancy
for Mid term evaluation for SCAB project.
must be submitted to ActionAid Rwanda Head office in Kigali not later than 4th
October 2017.All applications should be enclosed in an envelope marked: Consultancy
for Mid term evaluation for SCAB project.
Selected
consultant(s) will be expected to sign the contract and abide to ActionAid
values and key policies (including Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, Child
Protection Policy, etc.).
consultant(s) will be expected to sign the contract and abide to ActionAid
values and key policies (including Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, Child
Protection Policy, etc.).
Josephine
Irene UWAMARIY
A
Irene UWAMARIY
A
Country
Director
Director
