Local NGO

Deadline : 15 April 2021

Introduction

A reputable human rights organisation in Zimbabwe working on combating impunity and promoting accountability in Zimbabwe seeks the services of an experienced consultant to assist in the production of an end-of-project evaluation. The project is titled “Combating Impunity and Promoting Accountability in Zimbabwe” ran from June 2017 to December 2020. The key result area was combating impunity in Zimbabwe.

Purpose and Scope of the Evaluation

The purpose of the end of project evaluation is to establish the extent to which the project has achieved its objectives; assess the performance of the project, and assess whether the project represents good value for money. The findings of this evaluation will guide the organisation in the identification of successes and challenges and suggest recommendations for future programming.

The evaluation to inform reflections by all stakeholders on what has been achieved through the project, and to facilitate a process of critical analysis that allows celebrating the successes, challenging the assumptions, tackling the challenges, and exploring the opportunities identified during the implementation of this project.

Scope and Objectives

The consultant will conduct an independent assessment of the appropriateness, timeliness, effectiveness, and efficiency of the implementation of the project that is ending. The specific objectives and key questions for assessment are:

To assess the appropriateness and relevance of the project goal, objectives, design, and approaches used to achieve the desired outcomes. This should include a review of the project’s objectives and its implementation, including strategies developed, interventions applied, and methods designed to test those approaches. The consultant must be guided with questions such as: Were the original objectives valid? Were they achievable and did they meet the needs and priorities of the target groups? If not, state the challenges faced and if the project was able to adapt appropriately particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To assess the effectiveness of the project in achieving the desired change and results, including the nature and extent of the project impact and any barriers to the achievement of the desired change. The consultant must seek to establish: Whether the project activities generated the planned outputs and if they were delivered on time. If not, what have been the reasons for this? Were the reasons valid? The significant achievements made by the project; If there were significant changes brought by the project; and Areas and reasons for where the project performed particularly well and where its performance has been weakest? If there were fewer achievements in some areas and why? Were the reasons valid?

To assess the efficiency of the project in achieving the desired change, including project responsiveness to changes in the implementing context. The consultant must seek to establish: If the work plans were adapted during the course of the project and if any adaptations were necessary and appropriate; If the project activities represented good value for money; If the project learnt from experience and improved practice; and How well the key partners and other relevant stakeholders were identified and engaged in the implementation of the project.

To assess the potential sustainability of achieved changes and appropriateness of project activities for ensuring a continuation of benefits generated under the project. In the assessment, the consultant must establish the following: If the project demonstrates a long-term commitment to its goal; The extent to which the project design and selected approaches support the achievement of lasting changes in policy, legislation, and practice; and If there is anything that could have been done differently during project implementation to ensure the sustainability of achieved changes.

To assess the value of monitoring and evaluation approaches used and their effectiveness. The consultant must establish: How well monitoring and evaluation data was used to improve the project; How effectively lessons learnt were disseminated to key target audiences and policymakers; How well the monitoring and evaluation approaches used captured the project achievements and failures; and Whether the right indicators were chosen to measure the project outcomes.

Methodology

The consultant will be expected to design the evaluation plan, selecting the most appropriate methodologies, to be discussed and agreed upon with the project team. The selected methodologies should be participatory. It is expected that some primary data collection will be conducted using a combination of primarily qualitative methods and tools which may include: Document review: a review of programme documents (a proposal, M&E framework, activity reports, annual project reports, work plan, budget, and financial reports); Key informant interviews with key informants made up of staff from the organisation and external informants made up of partners and stakeholders.

Deliverables

The consultant must submit the following deliverables: An inception report detailing the evaluation plan drawing on both external and internal resources; and A comprehensive evaluation report including evaluation methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The report should be clear and simply written, free of jargon.

The structure of the final report should include the following: Executive summary; A brief background that is directly relevant to the report’s analysis and conclusions; Methodology; Key findings and conclusions supported with relevant data; Lessons and recommendations including details as to how the recommendations might be implemented; Annexures including a list of all individuals interviewed, interview guides, work schedule, and any other technical details.

Timelines

The evaluation must be completed by 30 April 2021 and the following timelines will be used at each stage:

Selection of Consultant and Signing of Contract - 16 April 2021

Inception Report - 23 April 2021

Data collection and Interviews - 26 April 2021

Submission and presentation of findings in Preliminary Report - 28 April 2021

Discussion and feedback on findings - 29 April 2021

Final Report submission - 30 April 2021

Consultant Specification

The lead consultant interested in carrying out this assignment should have a strong background in human rights-related evaluations, including the following qualifications and skills: At least 5 years demonstrated experience in conducting baseline survey and program evaluations; Proven project management and implementation experience; Proven experience of using participatory evaluation tools as a means of data collection; Previous experience in evaluating human rights projects including qualitative participatory evaluation methodologies that involve the engagement of stakeholders and communities; and Demonstrated exceptional report writing skills.