Request for Expression of Interest for Consultancy Services
Norwegian Church Aid is seeking the services of a Consultant for the Evaluation of Secondary Education and Vocational Training in Gedo Region of Somalia
Terms of Reference
1. Background
Norwegian Church Aid is an ecumenical, diaconal, humanitarian and non-profit organisation mandated by churches and Christian organisations in Norway to work for global justice, by empowering the poor and challenging the wealthy and powerful, through development of local institutions and by providing humanitarian assistance.
NCA’s work in Somalia started in 1993 following the humanitarian crisis that was precipitated by the collapse of the Somalia government in 1991.
NCA works with communities to implement multi-sector projects particularly in the area of Education, WASH, Livelihoods, Women Empowerment and Peace Building and emergency assistance in the areas of food assistance, shelter support and other emergency life-saving interventions.
2. Rationale for Evaluation
The aim of this consultancy undertaking is to evaluate the secondary school education and technical vocational training project in Gedo region of South Central Somalia. NCA was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) to implement the project from 2010 to the end of 2012.
As such, as the project cycle comes to an end, NCA considers this evaluation as an opportunity to review the project results which will candidly inform the next phase of the project implementation.
NCA is one of the main education providers in the Gedo region and has over 14,000 children accessing primary education offered with support of community education committees, local administrations and capable local NGO partners in 4 districts of Gedo region.
In addition, NCA has been assisting three secondary schools and one vocational training centre in Gedo, and these will be the subject of this evaluation exercise.
3. Objectives of the evaluation
The objectives of the evaluation are to:
a. Assess degree to which the project objectives and outcomes as laid down in the three-year proposal have been achieved.
b. Assess relevance, appropriateness, effectiveness, gender-sensitivity and acceptability of the project.
c. Assess the level of participation of stakeholders and co-implementing partners of the project.
d. Assess the relevance and effectiveness of the organizational partnership, cooperating and coordinating efforts related to the accomplishment of the project as well as effectiveness of the project management.
e. Assess NCA and partner institutional, operational and financial management capacity to implement the project.
f. Assess the level of community involvement for the project and its potential to replicate and scale up.
g. Assess the potential for post project sustainability
h. Record the lessons learned from the project, and provide clear recommendations on the way forward
4. Relevant questions
Based on the project proposals and reports, the consultant may need to address the following specific questions:
a. Is the project appropriate to the higher education needs in Gedo region?
b. Did the project achieve its three-year objectives/results as outlined in the proposal?
c. Up to what extent did the project address the issue of low transition rates?
d. Did the project mainstream cross cutting themes such as HIV/AIDS awareness, gender equality/equity, protection (UN RES. 1325), Environment, etc.?
e. Do the local implementing partners have sufficient capacities to continue and scale up the project in the next phase?
f. How is the project managing co-ordination and collaboration with other agencies, GEN, UN, INGOs, etc.?
g. Is there potential for expansion, replication and scale up?
h. What are the potentials or challenges for post intervention sustainability?
5. Specific tasks of the Evaluation Team
a. Drafting and finalizing a mission plan and methodology for the field assessment
b. Undertaking field visit(s) and evaluating the project
c. Submitting first evaluation draft to NCA and seeking their feed back
d. Submitting the final evaluation report within the agreed time frame
6. Time frame for the evaluation
The evaluation will take place in the month of July/Aug 2012 and will take a total of 20 days inclusive of days for transport, field work and report writing. Actual start date will be agreed upon with the selected consultant.
7. Remuneration
To be agreed upon with the successful Consultant/Consultancy firm.
8. Expected Deliverables
a. An inception report detailing the contextual understanding of the Gedo region, methodology to be applied, and the proposed timelines. Alongside this, in the case of a consultancy firm, submit relevant registration documents. An individual Consultant should provide at least 2 referrals of a similar assignment done either for UN or INGOs.
b. First draft of the evaluation report and a debriefing session: end of July, 2012.
c. Final evaluation report: by 20th August 2012.
9. Desired Background and Experience
a. At least 7 years’ experience undertaking education consultancies in conflict/post-conflict settings.
b. Good understanding of the context of education programming in Gedo and the larger Somalia is highly desirable
c. University Degree in Education, social sciences or related field
d. Good knowledge of emergency education programming/understanding of INEE minimum standards in Education
e. Excellent written and spoken English. Good understanding of Somali language is desirable
f. Computer literacy, excellent writing, analytical and interpersonal skills.
Interested Consultants/Consultancy firms should submit an inception report, a detailed C.V. and relevant registration documents to:
Vacancies.Ncakenya@nca.no, on or before Sunday, 29th July 2012.
Individual Consultants should, in addition to the above, provide at least 2 referrals of a similar assignment done either for the UN or INGOs
NCA will not accept hand-delivered submissions.