Sign of Hope Mid-term Evaluation Consultant (Smallholder Cooperatives) Jobs in Malawi
Purpose, Objectives, and Use
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide SoH and CICOD with a comprehensive assessment of the
project, conducted systematically and impartially, as well as analyse the progress towards the achievement of the project’s results and identify risks to sustainability. The study will provide concrete, credible, and practical recommendations that will assist with the timely incorporation of the findings into the decision-making process and contribute to the organisational learning of both implementing organisations.
The study will support the project quality assurance measures implemented by SoH and meet the donor requirements towards the development projects implemented by German private organisations.
The evaluation will address evaluation questions based on the standard OECD/DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact. The objectives of the evaluations are to:
Assess the extent to which the project has sustainably achieved its objectives and results (results matrix), including the extent to which the lives of the project beneficiaries have been improved,
Identify the strengths and weaknesses in terms of planning, management, implementation, and monitoring of the project,
Evaluate sustainability measures,
Identify cross-cutting issues addressed through the project, including gender equality, human rights, marginalised groups, inclusion, and other issues,
Determine the effects of Covid-19 on the project, its activities, and implementing organisation,
Identify risks and weaknesses and make recommendations for the successful completion of the project,
Measure the different values of the Food Consumption Score (FCS) and the CARI indicator between the lean and harvesting seasons in Malawi,
Evaluate the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the food security situation in Malawi (e.g. fertilizer availability, fuel prices, access to seeds and crop imports).
Duties and Responsibilities
The Evaluation Consultant will cooperate closely with the responsible SoH Officer and the local implementing partner.
The duties and responsibilities of the Evaluation Consultant will include:
Develop a work plan outlining the proposed research methodology, geographical coverage, and schedule to conduct the study,
Conduct a desk review of relevant documents,
Carry out a project site visit to a project location to conduct research, collect data, and establish contact with the local implementing partner, project beneficiaries, and relevant project stakeholders,
Review and evaluate available data and existing sources of information, including the project proposal, annual reports, conducted studies, and other documents,
Examine the institutional, technical, staffing, and financial capacities of the implementing partner as well as its relationship with the target group and other relevant stakeholders.
Expected Deliverables
The study will produce the following deliverables:
An inception report, including the proposed research methodology and data collection tools, a table of contents, and a timeline of research activities prior to the site visit to the project location,
A comprehensive report of 30 pages with practical recommendations and relevant annexes (including raw data and documented records).
A template will be provided to serve as a guide and may be used to structure the final report.
Study Quality and Ethical Standards
The study team will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the study is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved. Furthermore, the study should be aligned with the following standards and applicable practices:
Utility: the study must be useful and used.
Feasibility: the study must be realistic, diplomatic, and managed in a sensible, cost-effective manner.
Ethics and Legality: the study must be conducted in an ethical and legal manner, with particular regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the Study.
Impartiality and Independence: the study should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that takes into account the views of all stakeholders.
Transparency: the study activities should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.
Accuracy: the study should be technically accurate and credible, providing sufficient information about the data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods so that its worth or merit can be determined.
Participation: the stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the study process when feasible and appropriate.
Collaboration: Collaboration between key operating partners in the study process improves the legitimacy and utility of the study.
The study must be in line with the SoH guiding principles and Code of Conduct.
Process/Timeframe
The mid-term evaluation shall be conducted in two parts with a gap of a couple of months. The first part of the evaluation shall be held in January/February 2024. This should guarantee that the evaluation is measuring the effects of the lean season in Malawi on the overall food security situation. The second part shall be conducted in June/July 2024 in order to assess the impact of the harvesting season on the overall food security situation.
The total duration of the assignment is up to 30 working days within the period from January/February 2024 and June/July 2024.
Planning meeting with SoH (remotely), handover of relevant documents 1 day
Initial document review and inception report preparation 4 days
Sharing inception report with SoH and CICOD 1 day
Finalisation of inception report 1 day
Data collection site visit to a project location 5-10 days
Data analysis, draft report with annexes 5-10 days
Incorporating received feedback and report finalisation 3-5 days
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
Minimum of 5 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result-based management framework
Proven experience in conducting feasibility studies, evaluations, and other research projects
Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of projects
Experience working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and partnered projects
Fluency in written and spoken English
Desirable:
Experience in the relevant field/sector
Professional familiarity with the project country/region
Practical experience of working for and/or evaluating BMZ-funded projects
Fluency in written and spoken Chichewa
Academic Background
An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development studies, law, political science, data science, and/or economics.
A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
The Evaluation Consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organisation or government entity regarding this evaluation.
How to Apply
Please submit the following documents as PDF files with the subject line
“Mid-term Evaluation, DC-MAL22.01″ to [email protected] no later than 10.11.2023:
CV indicating all relevant experiences,
contacts of at least two professional referees,
A cover letter, including a brief description of the proposed research methodology (technical proposal max. 1 page) and a comprehensive breakdown of costs (financial proposal), including professional fees and all other relevant costs, including travel expenses,
A writing sample of the document of similar research value (for example, a feasibility study, an evaluation report).
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