Call for Expression of Interest- For Final Evaluation of the Project “Integrated Multi Sectoral Approach to Improve the Resilience of Vulnerable Communities of Wag Himra Zone, Amhara Region (RESET II Project)”  Funded by European Trust Fund Horn of Africa (EUTF HoA)

Action Against Hunger is a non-profit humanitarian organization which is implementing relief, rehabilitation and development programs in different parts of Ethiopia since 1985. Action Against Hunger has been registered as a Foreign Charity with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Charities and Societies Agency under registration no. 0032.

Action Against Hunger is planning to conduct Final Evaluation of the Project “Integrated Multi Sectoral Approach to Improve the Resilience of Vulnerable Communities of Wag Himra Zone, Amhara Region (RESET II Project)” Funded by European Trust Fund Horn of Africa (EUTF HoA). Action Against Hunger would like to invite all interested, eligible and qualified companies to participate in this open call for expression of interest.

1) Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of the evaluation will be to assess, quantify and document the contributions of the actions towards its overall objective, which is to strengthening economic opportunities and resilience of the most vulnerable communities to human induced and natural disaster crises through measure that will increase livelihoods and employment and better access to basic services. The focus of the final evaluation will be on the assessment of achievements, the quality, the results and the contribution towards the implementation of the SDG .

Specifically this evaluation will:

• Analyse and verify the relevance of the interventions and the achievements of the specific objective and intended results as described in the logical framework.

• Measure the extent of the project achievements and results against the baseline

• Assess the extent to which the project has been accountable to the target groups (women, men, adolescents, youth, and the community).

• Assess the level of synergies, integration and complementarities within the various project interventions and also with other on-going similar interventions by the government and other NGOs operating in the target areas

• Assess the level of improvement in community, community organizations and local government capacity as a result of project capacity building supports

• Systematically capture the good practices, key lessons and challenges and give respective recommendations having strategic significance for future programming

• Assess the degree of participation and coordination of the stakeholders in the project design, implementation and monitoring

Additionally, the evaluation is also expected to follow the standard specific objectives stated by the European Union, which are

• Review the Relevance of the project and its approaches in the context of the development need and potential of the intervention areas

• Verify the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the results achieved and trace the changes observed in the lives of the target beneficiaries, as a result

• Critically examine the continuing validity of the assumptions on which the project's likely Impact was based

• Analyse sustainability of the project initiatives beyond project period from the point of view of local stakeholders including target beneficiaries participation, institutional arrangements, compatibility of project objectives and target community need, etc.

2. Minimum Requirements

a. Profile of consulting firm

• The consulting firm must have undertaken similar works in Ethiopia and specifically in the high land mixed farming areas in the last three years

• Demonstrable experience (at least 7 years) in research/evaluation of projects related to the sectors (Health and nutrition, Food security and livelihoods and WASH)

• Ability to conduct high quality research, meet deadlines and respond to requests and feedback provided timely and appropriately.

• Excellent track record in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation.

• Familiarity with international quality and accountability standards applied in development cooperation.

• Excellent communication skills for report writing and presentation of research and evaluation of projects backed by extensive technical reports and publications.

b. Lead consultant and evaluators

• The lead consultant should have a minimum Master’s degree in rural development with very good knowledge of food security, resilience building, and knowledge of integrated interventions: public health, nutrition, agricultural and livestock systems, Livelihood diversification, environmental/natural resource management, etc.

• The proposed team must include professionals from the field of public health, rural development/ Agricultural economics/food security and livelihoods and Water and sanitation with relevant degrees.

• A well-grounded development specialist/ and or any related fields with excellent skills in research, monitoring and evaluation of resilience building projects.

• A good understanding of resilience building and Disaster risk management initiatives in Ethiopia

• Experience in multi-methodological and interdisciplinary approaches and data collection and analysis techniques in evaluation of development programs.

• Relevant degree and 15 years’ experience related to the assignment  to be undertaken;

• Significant experience in coordination, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs;

• Good communications skills and experience of workshop facilitation;

• Understanding of donor requirements and having prior experience in the evaluation of EU funded projects/programs;

• Legally registered firm with renewed license and Tin Number.

• Experience in working with INGOs and development projects is an asset.