Call for Expression of Interest (EOI)

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

April 2024

Terms of reference for

Conducting an End-Line Evaluation of Strengthening Livelihoods and Community Resilience in Particular Women, through Promotion of Nutrition-Sensitive Food Production of Neglected and Under-Utilized Crop Species (NUCS)

Project Activity: Conduct end-line evaluation of the project

Duration: Up to a maximum of 45 working days (1st May to 15th June 2024)

Project Overview

Action Against Hunger | Action Contre la Faim (ACF) is an international humanitarian organization committed to ending child hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger saves the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger. As a non-governmental, non-profit, we are committed to principled humanitarian action as outlined in our International Charter of Principles: independence, neutrality, non-discrimination, free and direct access to affected populations, professionalism and transparency. ACF in partnership with Sahara Nepal funded by Neuflize has implemented the NUCS project in wards 1, 4 and 8 of Belaka municipality of Udayapur district since August 2022 to June 2024. The main objective of the project is to ensure disaster resilient livelihoods and enhance food security (improved Household Dietary Diversity) among the most vulnerable households of Udaypur district through innovative Value Chain development of bamboo, mushroom and Neglected and Underutilised Crop Species (NUCS).

Rationale of the End Term Evaluation 

This evaluation will be conducted as an exercise of accountability towards the donor and the beneficiaries at its final implementation stage. The evaluation will be able to gauge the overall results and performance of the project against its set targets and baseline. Its recommendations will provide lessons to adapt for future multi-sectoral lens of Food Security and Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition response activities through climate resilient and disaster risk reduction.

Objective of Evaluation

The overall objective of the final evaluation is to evaluate the achievements of the results of the project results and its impact based on six criteria of OECD/DAC. The result will be measured against its baseline status of the project. The Evaluator will also briefly highlight the key achievements and the challenges during implementation of the project to inform future fundraising efforts and better project implementation.

The specific objectives of the final evaluation are to: 

• Assess project completion and efficiency of the resources utilized. 
• Assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the project. 
• Evaluate the relevancy of the project. 
• Seek evidence of impact: whether the project has made or is likely to make a lasting difference in the lives of the beneficiaries. 
• Evaluate the sustainability of the outcomes of the project: whether the impact of the project is likely to long last or not. 
• Identify lessons learned and challenges of the project. 
• The evaluation findings and results will inform knowledge management base and will ensure best practices are adopted and applied within all the sectors. Feedback from the evaluation will be used to improve quality of the programs, modification and revision of design based on the lessons learnt.

Evaluation Criteria and Questions

The evaluation will focus on the entire project as it attempts to determine as systematically and objectively as possible. Following evaluation criteria and questions will be addressed:

Methodology and Approach

The evaluation will be carried out in a transparent manner, making sure that all relevant stakeholders participate, as appropriate. The evaluation team should design an appropriate methodology demonstrating all key evaluation components i.e. context, coherence, relevancy, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, inclusion and sustainability. Final evaluation is expected to adopt a mixed-method research methodology i.e., use of quantitative and qualitative research tools.

Quantitative:

Use of a questionnaire to collect primary data from sampled households (HHs) out of 478 project intervened Household.

Qualitative: 

• Desk review of relevant documents including project documents, periodic progress reports, best practice documents, published articles, and related national, provincial and local government plans and policies and other data from secondary sources 
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders, local government representatives, women representatives, FCHVs, farmer groups, women networks, project participants etc. 
• Prepare learning document (at least 2-pager) for each result including stories (success/failure/change/impact) 
• At the end of the data collection phase a debrief with ACF Nepal and implementing partner SAHARA Nepal is expected. 

Evaluation Deliverables

The evaluation is expected to produce, in addition to the key findings of the evaluation, clear and practical recommendations for both implementation and future.

• An inception report, including: 
  • A detailed methodology based on this ToR, including a rationale for the choice of methods and how they will be used to highlight different elements of the programme. 
  • A detailed evaluation timeline 
  • Evaluation matrix (main questions, sub-questions, sources of data, method)
  • Initial findings based on review of the programme documentation, existing data and secondary data
  • Suggested areas for investigation not covered by this ToR and any suggested additions/alterations
• Raw version as well as clean version of quantitative data collected including analysed version in SPSS or any other statistical software
• One electronic copy of (a clean version of) qualitative data collected 
• Final Evaluation Report (both electronic and hard copy) after incorporating the feedbacks and comments
• Power point presentation containing findings and recommendations
• 2-4 pages learning document for each result as suggested by ACF Nepal

Competency Requirement

Between the proposed team members, the following criteria should be met: 

• The team leader should have Master’s Degree in Agriculture/Forestry or relevant having extensive working experience in Food Security and Livelihoods, Nutrition and Health, Climate Change and DRR, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion aspects
• Have advanced skills and knowledge in monitoring, evaluation and learning methods and approaches, conducting community-based evaluations, and project sustainability mechanisms and processes
• Follow and agree to abide by ACF’s rules and policies, including safeguarding/child protection policy, child protection code of conduct, anti-corruption and fraud policy
• Familiarity with theory of change approach and methodology 
• Extensive experience; 3-5 years with at least 2 examples of evaluating projects 
• Ability to produce high quality, accessible reports/outputs. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali. 
• Strong coordination and facilitation skills, including ability to work in different culture and context. 
• Capable of working and travelling within Nepal. 
• Commitment to accomplish work within given deadlines. 

Evaluation Criteria

The procurement committee will evaluate the proposals submitted to ACF Nepal, based on a pre-determined criterion using weighted scoring method. Technical and Financial Criteria will be provided with the following weightage.

Technical Criteria: 70% 

Financial Criteria: 30%

Application process 

ACF Nepal will select applications from consultancy firms/ teams. Approaches that incorporate creative methodologies to draw out and document learning are welcomed.

Applications must include: 

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for all proposed team members
2. Organizational document (registration, VAT/PAN, profile, audited report and tax clearance certificate )
3. Cover letter outlining how the consultant/s meet the person specification, confirmation of availability in the timeframe indicated, and contact details for three professional referees 
4. Technical proposal – outlining methodologies and plan for evaluation with timeframe and an outline of the roles and responsibilities of each member of the consultancy team, financial proposal – including daily rate and all costs in relation to travel, accommodation and other expenses related to evaluation 
5. 2 sample of a similar piece of work previously conducted in the relevant field

Interested firms/teams or individual can apply to procurement@np-actionagainsthunger.org with subject as “Application for NUCS EOI” by 24 April 2024, 17:00 hours Nepal Standard Time. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

ACF Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications. Telephonic enquiries will not be entertained. 

Action Against Hunger | Action Contre la Faim (ACF) is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people with disabilities and members from disadvantaged/underrepresented ethnic groups.