Organization: Handicap International
Country: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon
Closing date:
21 Aug 2016Handicap International (HI) is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. HI is currently implementing projects in more than 50 countries worldwide.
HI has been active in the Middle East since 1987 and has led initiatives in 7 countries: Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Handicap International’s Middle East regional programme has developed its new 5 year (2015-2019) Regional Programme Framework (RPF) building upon extensive process which started in each country-mission then consolidated at the regional level. This strategic framework, which keeps a strong sense of continuity with the previous 5-years strategy while bringing in important innovations and new elements in line with the evolution of the political situation in the region, aims to “Promote access to inclusive and adapted services for Persons With Disabilities and vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on youth and women, in varied and volatile environments, characterized by chronic political and human crisis, and through duty bearers’, users’ and service providers’ representatives central involvement”.
- Project Summary
The project Empowering persons with disabilities and injuries within the Syrian population affected by the crisis” also known as Syrian Disability Representatives (SDR) project is aiming at empowering the representation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and persons with injuries (PwIs) in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, focusing on Syrian population affected by the crisis.
The project is implemented by Handicap International in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan, over the period 1st November 2013 to 31st October 2016 and is funded by the European Union Delegation for Syria (EU), and co-funded by The Asfari Foundation
The project supports informal groups representing Persons with disabilities and Injuries located in the camps and host communities across the three countries, to voice their needs, to promote their rights in accessing services with civil society organizations, local authorities and national and humanitarian service providers and to actively engage into realizing these rights. Through this intervention and beyond the immediate recognition of PWDs and PWIs’ rights by national and humanitarian stakeholders, the action aims at preparing the emergence of DPOs and CSOs and their future actions in their own country.
Implementing partners and geographical coverage
The project is implemented by HI team and national partners as per below repartition:
In Jordan, HI is implementing the project in Amman, Madaba, Zarqa, Mafraq, Irbid and AL-Ramtha.
In Iraq, the implementation is being done by Nujeen in Duhok governorate (Duhok, Zahko, Waar, Semel, Domiz 1 and Domiz 2 camps) and in Erbil governorate (Basirma, Qushtapa and Darashakran camps).
In Lebanon, the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) is implementing the project in Bekaa region and in the North region around Tripoli.
In Syria the project is being implemented by partners.
Project General Objective:
Children, women and men with disabilities and injuries within the Syrian population affected by the crisis are represented by civil society organizations that have adequate capacities to advocate for their rights and to contribute to an inclusive democratic transition process
Project Specific Objective:
The emergence of representative organizations and groups within the Syrian population affected by the crisis ensures that the demands of persons with disabilities and injuries are voiced, and that key stakeholders are mobilized for a more appropriate response to their needs.
Expected result 1: The situation, needs and opportunities regarding the development of DPOs, CSOs and informal groups supporting persons with disabilities and injuries are identified through a comprehensive stakeholder analysis within the targeted populations.
Activity 1.1: Identify and assess formal and informal Syrian CSOs/groups involved in the field of disability or injury (Y1).
Activity 1.2: Identify “leaders” capable and willing to form DPOs or CSOs in the field of disability or injury (Y1 and on-going).
Activity 1.3: Develop and maintain a database and a mapping of formal and informal Syrian CSOs/groups involved in the field disability or injury (Y1 and on-going).
Activity 1.4: Support the use of the web and social media to stay connected and access/share information/documentation despite geographical mobility. (Y1 and on-going).
Expected result 2: Individual leaders, DPOs, CSOs and informal groups within the Syrian population affected by the crisis develop their technical skills, organizational capacities and networks to represent and support persons with disabilities and injuries.
Activity 2.1: Assess training needs of formal/informal groups and individual leaders selected. (Y1 and ongoing).
Activity 2.2: Regional training and training of trainers for leading activists (Y1, 2, 3).
Activity 2.3: Follow-up training to other CSOs members.(Y2, 3).
Activity 2.4: Continuous mentoring to selected CSOs-DPOs for improved organization, governance and democratic representation (Y1, 2, 3).
Activity 2.5: Support groups and activities (Y 2, 3).
Activity 2.6: Identification of emerging Syrian activists and civil society leaders.
Activity 2.7: Mentor leading activists to form DPOs and CSOs supporting persons with disabilities and injuries (Y2, 3).
Activity 2.8: Developing dialogue linkages between supported groups, and with emerging civil society movements at local, national and regional level (Y2, 3).
Expected result 3: DPOs, CSOs and informal groups provide information on existing services to persons with disabilities and injuries, and actively engage with key stakeholders to promote a greater access to basic services for this target population.
Activity 3.1: Development of directories and communication materials on services (Y2, 3) providing support to persons with disabilities and injuries within the Syrian population affected by the crisis in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Activity 3.2: Guidance and ongoing support to specific formal and informal groups to provide information and referrals to existing services for persons with disabilities and injuries (Y2, 3).
Activity 3.3: Awareness-raising for key service providers and other stakeholders on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and injuries.
Activity 3.3: Dialogue and collaboration between supported groups and key stakeholders to promote a greater access to services.
Expected result 4: Pilot initiatives implemented by DPOs, CSOs and informal groups are gender inclusive, respond to the needs and promote rights of persons with disabilities and injuries and facilitate greater multi-stakeholders collaboration.
Activity 4.1: Support to local initiatives of supported Syrian CSOs and activists (Y2).
Activity 4.2: Micro-grant schemes for a selected number of initiatives (Y2, 3)
Activity 4.3: National workshops with grantees (Y2, Y3)
Expected result 5: The project is implemented through a clear and principled framework and is managed in a dynamic and evolving manner with the active cooperation of key stakeholders working at local, national and regional levels.
Activity 5.1: Inception phase and steering committee (Y1).
Activity 5.2: Establish project principles and a project ethics charter (Y1).
Activity 5.3: Development of M&E tools and mechanisms and on-going project coordination and planning (Y1, 2, 3)
Target groups/direct beneficiaries:
30 Syrian Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) / Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) supporting persons with disabilities and injuries (tentatively 4 Syrian CSOs in Syria, 10 in Lebanon, 9 in Jordan and 7 in Iraq) - 130 Syrian DPOs/CSOs’ activists (at least 50% of women and/or persons with disabilities) - 500 other members from supported DPOs/CSOs - 4,000 persons with disabilities/injuries, and their family members.
Final beneficiaries:
The final beneficiaries according to the project proposal include:
1) Syrians with disabilities and/or with injuries as well as their families affected by the Syrian crisis living in in the countries where the project is implementing its activities.
2) Individuals representing local and national authorities in the countries where the project is implementing its activities.
3) UN agencies, International and National NGOs, human rights organisations, civil society and Self-help groups in the countries where the project is implementing its activities.
- Description of the required Service
Handicap International is looking for a consultant or team of consultants to implement the external final evaluation of the regional project *“Empowering persons with disabilities and injuries within the Syrian population affected by the crisis**”,*** aka Syrian Disability Representatives (SDR) project.
Evaluation Purpose, Methodology
The objective of the final evaluation is to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability of the project and its services and to provide HI and partners with an independent comprehensive review of project performance, processes and results. The evaluation will be used to ensure accountability towards donors and communities by reflecting the voices, opinions and experiences of the beneficiaries and stakeholders involved in this project. It shall follow the principles of Development Assistance Committee, (C.f. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/16/37/50584880.pdf) and develop recommendations for further developments of the project or the guidance of similar projects in the future.
The proposed steps for the evaluation are:
· Inception
The consultant/s will undertake a desk review based on all documents sent by the project. On this basis, they will refine the evaluation questions, propose a detailed methodology and define a detailed working plan including the list of stakeholders to meet during field phase. These elements will be combined in an inception report. HI team will validate the inception report before going further with the evaluation
· Field Data Collection
Briefing with Regional Project Manager, Project Officers (Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria), Technical Advisor, Regional Projects Coordinator.
Field visits, Focus Group Discussions and meetings with the main project stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Debriefing to HI project team and the main project’s partners.
· Data Analysis and Reporting
The consultant/s will analyse the data and compile it in a final report, which will be validated by HI.
Deliverables
By the end of the evaluation, the consultant should include the following in Word electronic format:
- An inception report after the desk phase for validation prior launching the field phase (in English)
with methodological framework for evaluation (in English) including all tools produced (English and Arabic)
A power-point presenting the main findings to HI project team and its partners at the end of the field phase (English)
Evaluation report (English) (Max. 35 pages plus annexes; font: Arial 11) that includes the following main sections:
Cover page (title of the evaluation report, date, name of consultants)
Table of contents
Abbreviations list
Executive summary (that can be used as a stand-alone document)
Introduction outlining the background of the project and the evaluation
Purpose and objectives of the evaluation
Analytical framework of the evaluation including methodology/approach, indicators used, ethical issues and limitations of the evaluation
Summary results against project log-frame indicators
Major findings (data analysis, including gender analysis and response to evaluation questions)
Recommendations
Annexes: details of data collection tools, schedule of field visits and meetings; list of people interviewed; bibliography of key documents consulted; TOR for the evaluation. Annexes may also include more detailed country-level reports or case studies (exact format to be agreed during inception phase)
Evaluation criteria and questions
Questions to be addressed will address key criteria including:
· Relevance of the project approach and implementation;
· Effectiveness and efficiency of project in achieving results;
· Sustainability and impact of the project.
Questions will be structured according to the main components of the project. A preliminary list is presented below. This list will be refined adjusted during the inception phase.
1.Relevance:
· Was the project in line with the terms and priorities of the initial call of proposals ?
· Did the project provide adequate response to the beneficiaries’ (individuals and organizations) mid and long term needs?
· How useful are the outputs to the direct beneficiaries? Is there general acceptance of the outputs by these beneficiaries? Is there a significant gender differentiation in the usefulness of the outputs to direct beneficiaries To what extent were refugees engaged in the project design phase and formulation of results? To what extent they were engaged in defining and adjusting the modalities of implementation of the activities ?
· Examine the capacity of HI to analyse the context sufficiently and adjust the project modalities accordingly.
· Were the implementing partners relevant to the nature of the project and was capacity building provided by HI adapted to their needs and expectations ?
2.Effectiveness:
· Give an overview of the planned and achieved outputs, outcomes and their indicator. What was the key contribution of the action to the target groups and the humanitarian actors involved in the Syria crisis?
· How did the project results contribute to achieving the specific objective and planned ultimate general objective of the project? Do you think we should continue the same way to achieve the same result in future ?
· In what ways did the project contribute to gender equality?
· What were the key management/operational/Implementation challenges met by HI during the project implementation? Were the mitigation measures or solutions put in place adapted and responsive? Were the planned monitoring system and operational procedures applied timely and regularly updated according to the needs? If not, why?
· What are the main non-planned achievements within the project?
3.Efficiency
· Describe management of budget and impact on project objectives achievement.
· Assess day-to-day management of HI - Operational work planning and implementation (input delivery, activity management and delivery of outputs); respect for planning and deadlines.
· Assess the partner management planning and implementation (respect of delivery and deadlines)
· Assess the quality of relations/coordination/communication of HI and partners with local authorities, humanitarian stakeholders, beneficiaries, and other donors and stakeholders.
· How well has the project used its resources to produce target outputs? Were the planned resources adapted to the project needs?
· How adequate are the quantity and quality of project inputs relative to the target outputs?
· Were HI and its partners able to develop synergies with other projects so as to fulfill the needs of the beneficiaries and reach the planned outcome?
4.Sustainability
· Assess the ownership of project components by HI project beneficiaries
· Assess the level of change in institutional knowledge and capacity of the project endorsed groups through the project input and investments (trainings, technical and managerial support)
· Have mechanisms been put in place to ensure the sustainability of project results? Are they adequate?
· To which extent did beneficiaries and humanitarian actors get involved in the action?
5.Impact
· Assess the impact of the attainment of the project outcomes in regards to:
Capacity of target groups to ensure that the demands of persons with disabilities and injuries (PwDs/I) are voiced
Capacity of the informal Syrian DPOs/CBOs to advocate for their rights and to contribute to an inclusive democratic transition process
Policy-makers, local authorities, service providers (I)NGOs and International organizations’ reaction to advocacy action delivered by the informal Syrian DPOs/CBOs
Situation of PWDs/I affected by the Syria crisis (access to services, psycho-social support)
· Identify any unintended impact of the project on the target group and stakeholders
· How has the project contributed to the development of the capacity of the direct beneficiaries to carry out their tasks in an environment of change, in terms of improving organizational structures, and to contribute to the future reconstruction of their country of origin?
· What is the likely impact of the project beyond the direct beneficiaries and its timeframe?
· Are there early indications of potential success?
Scope of the evaluation
The evaluation will take place in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraqi Kurdistan, and for Syria in a remote manner. It will take place between 1st September and 13th October 2016 and will focus on the processes and the outcomes of the project for the period covering November 2013 to September 2016.
Documents and sources of information
Project proposal
Project planning
Two interim narrative and financial reports and other communications with the donors
Mid-term review report, quarterly review reports
Partnership agreements and partner reports
Technical guidelines for all implemented components and documentation/materials related to those components
National advocacy initiatives documentation (guidelines, applications, plans, and reports produced)
Training need assessment, training materials, training reports
Testimonies from the project beneficiaries and communications (articles, videos…)
Awareness material: Flyers, booklets and brochures
Consultant’s profile
The consultant (an expert or a team of experts) should be a specialist in monitoring and evaluation with no prior involvement in the project, enjoying the following qualifications:
Post graduate degree in social sciences, development, management or similar field; Additional educational background in the field of disability and/or human rights is highly desired;
At least 8 years of progressively responsible positions in planning and management of humanitarian and / or development programs;
Demonstrated knowledge in evaluation methodologies and data collection techniques.
Extensive proved experience in leading monitoring and evaluation of international donor funded project;
Excellent facilitation and communication skills;
Excellent analytical and report writing skills;
Fluency in English (excellent level of written English) and Arabic.
Experience within the context of the Syria crisis will be considered an asset
Time frame and budget for the evaluation
The evaluation is expected to last maximum 30 working days and take place between 1st September and 13th October 2016
A draft report is to be submitted to HI by 30th September 2016.
The Final report of the external evaluation will be due no later than 13th October 2016
The budget should include all necessary costs for performing the evaluation (fees, accommodation, international and local transportation, communication, translation etc).
Submission of the proposal
The proposal for this evaluation will include:
A technical proposal including the understanding of the stakes of this evaluation and of the terms of reference, the methodology proposed and a detailed timetable
A financial proposal/ budget forecast
The CV of the proposed evaluator/s (education background, expertise and experience in relation with the scope of the evaluation and the geographical location). In case of evaluation team, the team coordinator will be identified.
List of previous assignments in evaluation and/or in relation with disability
Deadline for submission of proposals: 21st August2016 20h00
How to apply:Proposals must be sent to: consultant.recruit.hi@gmail.com
Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview.