Terms of Reference

Mid Term Evaluation CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Increasing the safety, security, and operation space of human rights defenders in South Sudan

BACKGROUND

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), an International NGO founded in 2002, recruits, trains and deploys unarmed civilians to reduce violence and protect vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas. NP has been operating in South Sudan since 2010, and currently has presence in implement over seven projects across the country.

In May 2022, Nonviolent Peaceforce South Sudan (NPSS) with financial support from Dutch government through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has started implementing a three-year project titled: Increasing the safety, security, and operation space of human rights defenders in South Sudan. This project builds on an existing partnership between the EIDHR, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, NP, CEPO and DD. Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the project ran from 2015-2017, 2017-2019 and 2019-2022 respectively. They aimed to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of human rights work in South Sudan by improving the safety and security of South Sudanese HRDs. The most recent evaluation, the mid-term evaluation of Phase 3 of the project, found that the project remains highly relevant to the needs of HRDs, as the project strengthens the capacity of HRDs, particularly in areas of physical and digital security. It is also relevant to the context in South Sudan, as HRDs continue face high levels of risk, and because of the persistent need for a mechanism to protect HRDs.

Project Objectives

Primary Objective: Increase the safety, security, and operational space of South Sudanese Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) through the South Sudan Human Rights Defender Network (SSHRDN)

Objective 1: Enhance partner coordination and staff development to better support and protect South Sudanese HRDs

Objective 2: Strengthen the capacity of the SSHRDN to independently support HRDs across South Sudan

Objective 3: Mitigate acute and immediate threats to HRDs’ safety and security

Objective 4: Increase HRD’s capacity to protect themselves and continue their work

Objective 5: Systematically alter the HRD landscape in South Sudan though awareness raising, advocacy, research and strategic network building

PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION

The mid-term evaluation contributes to the integral part of the overall project management cycle to ensure effective oversight of the project. The midterm evaluation will also assess the progress made by the project in fulfilling its agreed objectives through the planned activities.

Its imperative to note that the project has been implemented in a phased approach i.e Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 running from 2015-2017, 2017-2019 and 2019-2022 respectively. As such, the Mid Term evaluation will also help to assess the impact of the project phased approach, as well as assessing the growth of SSHRDN as the lead actor for the HRD protection network in South Sudan.

The main aim of this project is to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of human rights work in South Sudan by improving the safety and security of South Sudanese HRDs. The phase 3 project evaluation, and mid-term evaluation studies, found that the project remains highly relevant to the needs of HRDs, as the project strengthens the capacity of HRDs, particularly in areas of physical and digital security. The evaluation studies also found out that the project is relevant to the context in South Sudan, as HRDs continue face high levels of risk, and because of the persistent need for a mechanism to protect HRDs.

With this background, the mid-term evaluation this year 2023 will aim at assessing the impact of the project towards strengthening the HRD’s capacity in physical and digital security; assess further and establish the relevance and strategic sustainability of the project in South Sudan; assess the strategic engagement and role of different partners of this project including donors, Human Rights Defenders, civil society partners and draw lessons and best practices that will be used to inform future programming.

The mid-term evaluation will also draw general lessons learnt, and a SWOT analysis that will inform adaptation and general implementation of the remaining phase of the project.

Specific Objectives include:

To assess the extent to which the project outputs have been achieved considering the indicators given in the project log- frame.
To evaluate the level of contribution of the outputs towards the achievement of the expected project objectives, goal and outcomes
To assess the impact of the project towards strengthening the HRD’s capacity in physical and digital security
To assess and establish the relevance and strategic sustainability of the project in South Sudan
To assess the strategic engagement and role of different partners of this project including donors, Human Rights Defenders, civil society partners and draw lessons and best practices that will be used to inform future programming.
To generate lessons learnt, and a SWOT analysis and make recommendations that will inform adaptation and general implementation of the remaining phase of the project.

METHODOLOGY

Quantitative data: It will be used to measure indicators of the project expressed in terms of numbers/percentages (quantitative indicators). Information will be collected using questionnaire survey which will be administered to a sample of households. The consultant is expected to determine the sample size which would be representative, and adequate to do basic descriptive statistics.

Qualitative data: Qualitative research methods such as key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions, In-depth interviews will be employed most importantly to substantiate (complement) the information collected through quantitative approaches.

Secondary documentation: Review of related documents will also be important to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project.

Proposed study design and methodology including the sample size will be discussed and agreed with NPSS at the beginning of the consultancy.

SCOPE OF WORK

The individual consultant will be expected to:

Design methodology for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the assessment.
Revise the baseline and midterm survey tools and create any new tools necessary to answer the end line evaluation questions.
Organize and facilitate training workshop for data collectors (NPSS will hire the data collectors) on evaluation implementation, including the evaluation protocol and tools to be used and pilot testing of the tool.
Plan and coordinate the necessary logistics to collect the data in accordance with the selected methodology.
Conduct the midterm evaluation and ensure the above-mentioned study objectives have been accomplished and exhaustively reported against
Collect and analyse available secondary data to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project.
Based upon a reading of the program documents, propose any additional topics or issues for analysis in the final evaluation.
Share key findings and insights from the evaluation with relevant staff through consultations.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

Submit an inception report/proposal which responds to the scope of work by adding any further detail or clarification regarding the evaluation approach, method, or implementation arrangements
Any suggested improvements to existing evaluation scope, as outlined in this document
Field work implementation plan (to be submitted before field work begins). This field work plan should be presented to NPSS for comment, and revised as necessary prior to commencing field work
Overall report that outlines the field work and the data cleaning
Cleaned data sets in SPSS format with data correctly organized, variables named and labelled.
Final survey questionnaires and qualitative data collection guides.
Three success stories and /or case studies with photos, testimonial, and supporting quantitative data;
A comprehensive evaluation report that meets agreed formats and fully addresses the study objectives as well as recommendations that will inform implementation of the project and future programming.

All deliverables – NPSS will oversee the process and be responsible for accountability and guidance throughout all phases of execution, and approval of all deliverables.

TIMEFRAME

The timeframe for the evaluation is estimated between 4-5 weeks. The consultant is expected to start working by 9th Oct 2023 and complete all responsibilities outlined in the Scope of Work and deliverables including final report by 6th November, 2023.

RESOURCES

NP will facilitate and pay the required payment for visa, transport to South Sudan and to all field sites. In addition, NPSS will provide accommodation and meals while in country. NPSS will not provide personal computers and the consultant has to use his/her own computer. All necessary logistical arrangements for the assessment will be coordinated through the NPSS logistics department.

The chosen individual consultant will be supervised by the Research Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser and will directly coordinate with the CE Programme Manager. Collaborative support will be provided by, , CE Programme team, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and Program Development Personnel in the planning and implementation of the Mid- term evaluation.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in International and Political Affairs, Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences or related field.
At least 7 years’ experience in the design and implementation of evaluations, assessments or baseline surveys including qualitative and quantitative data collection.
Previous experience in the area of human rights, civic engagement, and/or protection of civilians
Excellent knowledge and understanding of research methodologies and processes.
Experience in the development of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and log-frames.
Experience in gathering and systematizing large amounts of data
Experience managing a diverse team and providing capacity building and training support.
Experience developing protection projects in war and/or emergency settings.
Proven ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information through a protection lens.
Experience managing projects in complex and dangerous environments

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

The proposal shall include technical and financial sections. The financial section needs to describe only the consultant’s professional fee since other expenses like visa, transport, accommodation while in country will be handled by NP.

The proposal should include:

Consultant profile including past achievements
Introduction: A brief overview of the assignment as understood by the bidder
Detail methodology and approach including work plan (i.e. research techniques to be used, sampling, field operation plan, quality assurance and time frame)
Current CV of the consultant
Detail itemized work plan
Detailed itemized budget and price justification by unit cost per activity being proposed under the financial proposal.
Three references from organizations that proves the capacity of the consultant to carry out an assessment/evaluation
Annexes: Any documents, which the consultant feels will assist proposal review team in evaluating the proposal

Prospective individual consultants should submit written proposal and other details listed above

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 26th Sept 2023 by 4 PM CAT
Candidates may be selected before the closing date, apply early
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment before participating in an interview.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity. Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

NO FEE

PLEASE BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT JOB OFFERS. NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR ASK FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (INCLUDING APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, MEETING, TRAVELING, PROCESSING TRAINING, ETC). NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE WILL NOT REQUEST INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.