Terms of Reference: External Evaluation for Integrated Project focused on Gender Based Violence, Child Protection and Nutrition.

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference: External Evaluation for Integrated Project focused on Gender Based Violence, Child Protection and Nutrition. Project title: Funded by: Safe Women s and Children s Centre: Prevention of and Response to Gender Based Violence and Child Protection with integrated Nutrition service among Internally Displaced Persons in Kachin State - UNICEF Myanmar - Plan International Germany Duration: - Four weeks 1. Introduction In the protracted armed conflict in Kachin State, Myanmar, Plan International and their partners IMC and KMSS provide humanitarian support through nutrition, gender based violence (GBV) prevention and child protection programming for affected women and children in 5 IDP camps, one of which is located in nongovernment controlled area. The children are at risk of further violence, abuse and exploitation amid continuous fighting and displacement. The project works through a holistic approach, integrating GBV, nutrition and child protection, as lifesaving services for conflict affected IDP children, pregnant and lactating women and adolescents. It aims to ensure a protective environment for vulnerable women and children at risk among the displaced population in Kachin. The action targets the most vulnerable IDP children in hardest to reach camps where access and, as a consequence, humanitarian assistance, are limited. Plan implements the proposed activities through partnerships with the local NGO Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), as well as with the International Medical Corps (IMC), utilizing their experiences in the respective areas and sectors KMSS is a front line humanitarian actor in Kachin with established profile and relationships with local communities and authorities. IMC has strong technical expertise in the area of Gender Based Violence (GBV). 2. Project Overview: Overall objective: To ensure a protective environment and prevent malnutrition for vulnerable women and children at risk among the displaced population in Kachin Specific objective: To provide increased access for women of reproductive age, children under 18 years including adolescent girls to timely and appropriate prevention of and response to Gender Based Violence 1

2 (GBV) and child protection (CP) integrated with community based Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practice. Expected results: - Result women over 18 years and 92 adolescent girls ages of benefit from targeted psychosocial support and age appropriate and survivor centred GBV response services including 208 men and boys reached with GBV prevention activities through risk mitigation and targeted SBC activities - Result mothers of children under five years, 140 pregnant and lactating women, 231 adolescent girls ages of 13 18, and 267 children under five years receive comprehensive nutrition and IYCF services including micronutrient deficiencies prevention and education on age appropriate feeding and nutrition - Result children (410 girls, 425 boys) including 441 adolescents ages of in targeted camps have increased access to psychosocial support and referral services through community based child protection mechanism - Result 4. Increased coordination and capacity of stakeholders including 4 project staff, 5 Case Managers, and 22 Community Facilitators ensuring provision of quality service and operation of Safe Women s and Children s Centre 3. Evaluation Objectives: The selected applicant will address the following questions: - Relevance/Appropriateness: Does the intervention make sense within the context of its environment? Has it addressed the needs and aspirations of the targeted beneficiaries? Have changes in the environment affected its relevance? - Effectiveness: To what extent has (or is likely to be) the purpose of the intervention been achieved, and to what extent is the achievement a result of the intervention? What is the progress from the beginning (baseline) towards the agreed project purpose (as determined in the project document)? o Did the IMC s technical support to local service providers (trainings, ongoing technical visits) provide demonstrated increase in the partners technical capacity to provide essential services to gender based violence survivors? If so, would this increased technical capacity permit the partners to continue providing quality services if there was no further funding? - Efficiency: Does the quantity and quality of the results justify the quantity and quality of the means used for achieving them? How cost effectively have the means been converted into results? - Sustainability: Did the project implementation promote durable solutions by strengthening, through systematic capacity building, mentoring and follow-up, local institutions and reinforcing social cohesion. - Monitoring and Evaluation: Were all targeted camps appropriately reached and monitored? Were the most vulnerable and marginalized people involved? Were findings from ongoing monitoring appropriately addressed and if needed the activities adapted during the project period? - Gender/age: Are the needs and roles of all gender and age groups (women and men/boys and girls) fully recognized in the planning and implementation? How does the project affect the relations between women and men/boys and girls? Did it take into account possible negative effects of the context and of the action itself? 2

3 o Do women and girls actively participate in group activities at the WGCs? Women and girls in the camp and host community know what services exist, why they are important and how to access them? - Coordination: To which extent has the intervention been harmonized between different actors, promoted synergies, avoided gaps, duplications and resource conflicts? o Does the project contribute to the support of joint UN mechanism as GBV WG and the CPSS? o Are community leaders/camp committee aware of the safety risk in the camp and outcomes of safety audits? Which actions have be taken for implementation of recommendations? - Protection: Has this action avoided exposing people to further harm as a result of the activities? Has the access been impartial for all children in proportion to need and without discrimination? o When protection issues have been identified, have proper linkages with relevant stakeholders been established? Is a protection referral pathway existing and functioning? Have actions to mitigate protection issues been implemented? - Forward Looking: Research and address these specific programmatic and implementation topics: o Lessons learned and good practices during the implementation (duplicated for future projects) o Generate recommendations for future project implementation in Kachin in NiE and CPiE and GBV 4. Methodology The evaluation shall be based on a participatory methodology including key informant interviews and focus groups. Being an external evaluation, document review shall be the starting point to identify lessons learned in accordance with these terms of reference and verification of compliance with each of the indicators with their respective sources of verification. Methodology and data collection/storage method must be cleared by technical team from partner agencies. Suggested Methodology and Timeline: i. Desk review of program documentation, previous research in the three technical areas covered by project. ii. iii. Key informant interviews Data collection and analysis (due to security reasons a non Kachin evaluation team can only visit 4 of the camps, it is strongly recommended to partner with Kachin staff in order to be able to conduct the field visits with appropriate language skills, assessment team MUST include women and men and FGDs MUST be divided by sex). Gender, age and cultural diversity must be taken into consideration in team formation and planning of the evaluation. The time allocated for preparations, field work and reporting should be 3 5 weeks after signing the contract during the months of Feb March All deliverables must be complete and submitted by March Please note that any research, data collection and information gathering efforts on gender-based violence should respect WHO guidelines and GBV guiding principles and the consultant should consult with GBV team as necessary. Plan s Child Protection Policy to safeguard children from harm shall be adhered to at all times throughout the evaluation process. 3

4 5. Selection Criteria The evaluation team should be independent, representing both genders and have the ability to work as a team. i. Excellent track record of program evaluation in humanitarian context ii. Proven experience working in Kachin State, Myanmar. iii. Working knowledge of 2/3 relevant sectors (Nutrition, Child Protection, Gender Based Violence) iv. Previous experience with evaluation of UNICEF funded project preferred Applicants will be scored on the technical quality of their submission, relevance of experience of technical team and previous experience in target area. To determine selection, the technical score will be weighted at 70%. Financial proposal will be weighted at 30%. 6. Deliverables i. Work plan and methodological plan for data collection approved by technical counterparts within 5 working days of signing contract. ii. Draft evaluation report in accordance with schedule set during work plan iii. Final evaluation report before 31 March 2016 o The final report will contain a short executive summary and a main body of the report covering the methodology, the conclusions and findings with respect to the guiding questions, indicators, as well as new issues which emerged during the evaluation, and recommendations. 7. Payment Schedule: The fee for consultants will be negotiated and applied following according to Plan Myanmar regulation. Plan Myanmar considered paying 20 % of consultancy fees upon signing of the contract agreement. 20% upon submission of deliverable (i), 30% will be paid upon the submission of draft report (ii) and final 30% payment will be made on approval of final report deliverable (iii). Withholding tax shall be deducted at 3.5% for non residents and 2% for locals. 8. Application process We invite interested consultants to submit the following application documents: i. Expression of interest outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria and their understanding relevant technical sectors, evaluation methodology and the Kachin context. Expression of interest should also include confirmation of availability to start evaluation on 1 March ii. A proposed activities schedule/work plan with time frame iii. CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the evaluation including the field teams iv. One recent example of similar evaluation report written by the applicant v. Financial proposal detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection and administrative costs including travel, boarding and lodging Please send your application to Plan Myanmar HR Department: Myanmar.CO@planinternational.org by or before 20 February

5 Additional Information: i. Commitment to Child Protection: The parties will work in full respect for the rights of children, fulfilling the policies set for the Protection of Children and laws of the country that regulate this issue. The evaluator receives, signs and acknowledges Plan s Child Protection Policy and is obliged to protect and defend the rights of children and / or adolescents who are directly, indirectly, or incidentally linked to the work conducted. ii. Intellectual property: All data, reports, products, including drafts, are the exclusive property of Plan International. Reproduction (total or partial), as well as publication, is prohibited without written authorization of Plan International. iii. Fraud: The parties agree that if one party commits fraud or deception regarding the agreement, such action will result in the termination of the contract with the sole responsibility of the part that induces or executes willful or fraudulent action. iv. Reference & background checks will be performed for successful candidates including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan s Child Protection Policy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Plan is an equal opportunity employer. 5