Terms of Reference

Mid-term- Evaluation

Fostering a safe and enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding

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. Unarmed civilian protection (UCP) is NP’s global core methodology. UCP refers to the engagement of unarmed civilians working to reduce cycles of violence and increase the safety and security of civilians impacted by violent conflict. UCP prioritizes direct physical protection to immediate threats of violence, even as we work to interrupt systemic violence. The success of UCP methodology is based on relationship building, acceptance and trust by the community that utilizes a mix of strategies to prevent violence, enhance the safety and security of civilians, build and strengthen local peace infrastructures, and create a n enabling environment for communities to devise and implement locally led peace and protection strategies. UCP is guided by principles of nonviolence, non-partisanship, primacy of local actors, and civilian-to-civilian action.

In South Sudan, NP has implemented UCP methodology since 2010 with 11 static field operational sites in six states and one administrative area: these include: Upper Nile, Jonglei, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Unity and Warrap.

NP’s programming in South Sudan includes peacebuilding, social cohesion, protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, child protection, youth engagement, and reconciliation with a particular emphasis on the prevention of violence in line with this and with funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) NP South Sudan is implementing a two year project Since November 2022, titled: Fostering a safe and enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding, being implemented in Juba County, Central Equatoria State; Rubkona County, Unity State; Mundri West County, Western Equatoria State; and Ulang County, Upper Nile State. The project overall goal is to foster a safe and enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable peace. The specific project objectives include:

Objective 1: Violence and its effect on civilians, particularly women and children, is reduced and responded to.

Objective 2: Community Protection Teams are strengthened and entrenched as integral structures in their communities**.**

Objective 3: Communities are better positioned to influence local authorities and state mechanisms on civic decision-making processes and peace processes**.**

Objective 4: Social Cohesion is increased within and between communities.

The project has completed its one year of implementation and as such, NP South Sudan is seeking a consultant to conduct a Mid Term Evaluation to assess progress of the project against the key performance indicators as stipulated in the project baseline, assess the impact of the project towards achieving its broader goal and specific objectives, as well as capturing best practices, lessons learnt, as well as conduct a SWOT analysis that will inform project implementation for the remaining phase of the project and as well inform overall programming at NP South Sudan.

PURPOSE OF THE MID TERM EVALUATION

Monitoring and evaluation is an integral part of the overall project management cycle to ensure effective oversight of the project. The purpose of this mid-term evaluation is to review the project progress, achievements and challenges, inform project managers, and the donors of key lessons learned, and purpose recommendations for any improvement or adjustment needed for the remaining project implementation period.

Specific Objectives include:

To assess the extent to which the project outputs have been achieved considering the indicators given in the project document.
To evaluate the level of contribution of the outputs towards the achievement of the expected project objectives, goal and impact.
To show the progress made in achieving the intended outcomes/objectives in relation to the Theory of Change outlined in the project document.
To assess the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of interventions as well as, the sustainability of the results, and the degree of satisfaction of the beneficiaries.
To evaluate the appropriateness of the strategies and approaches used for implementing the project and capture any significant trends, changes that will inform the next year of project delivery.
To capture best practices, lessons learnt, as well as conduct a SWOT analysis that will inform project implementation for the remaining phase of the project and as well inform overall programming at NP South Sudan.

METHODOLOGY

A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study will be conducted in four of the project implementations sites −Juba Protection of Civilians (PoC) (Central Equatoria), Bentiu PoC (Unity State), Ulang County (Upper Nile State), and Mundri County (Western Equatoria). Thus, evaluation will involve collecting the following data:

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.

Qualitative data:

Qualitative research methods such as key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions with key project stakeholders i.e project participants, community leaders, project facilitators like the CBPTs (Community based Protection Teams) will be employed most importantly to substantiate (complement) the information collected through quantitative approaches.

Secondary documentation:

Review of related documents like project document, project reports and any other relevant materials will also be important to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project.

SCOPE OF WORK

The individual consultant will be expected to:

Design methodology for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the assessment based on the above evaluation objectives.
Organize and facilitate training workshop for data collectors (NP 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 evaluation at the project location to measure key output and outcome indicators as defined in the project log frame.
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.
Draft evaluation report for the comments of NPSS team.
Final evaluation report incorporating the NPSS comments

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 time-frame for the evaluation is estimated between 4-5 weeks. The consultant is expected to start working on 16 November, 2023 and complete all responsibilities outlined in the Scope of Work by 16th December, 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 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 coordinate with the Research Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Program Development Personnel, Program Manager and field staff in the planning and implementation of the evaluation.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

Master’s degree in International and Political Affairs, Law, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience

At least 7 years’ experience in the design and implementation of evaluations, assessments or mid-term surveys including qualitative and quantitative data collection.
Previous experience in the area of human rights, civic engagement, and/or protection of civilians
Knowledge of international normative standards on women’s rights and gender mainstreaming processes
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
Excellent ability to communicate with stakeholders including process management and facilitation skills

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

The proposal shall include technical and financial sections. The financial section needs to describe only the consultant’s professional fee and other expenses that will incurred during the evaluation process excluding expenses like visa, transport, accommodation and small per diem while in country as this 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, 31st Oct 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 an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector.NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritise ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks,

which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter

Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left

employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.

Keywords

Mid-term Evaluation Nonviolent Peaceforce South Sudan project implementation progress assessment impact evaluation best practices lessons learnt SWOT analysis quantitative data qualitative data secondary documentation methodology design data collection data analysis evaluation report