Consultant_ Final Evaluation of the Nepal Karnali Earthquake 2023

Terms of Reference for the Final Evaluation

of the Nepal Karnali Earthquake 2023

1. BACKGROUND

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Jajarkot District on 3 November 2023 at 11:47 local time. The epicentre was in Ramidanda in Jajarkot district which claimed the lives of 154 people in Jajarkot (101) and Rukum West (53) district and injuring 366 people. As of December 2024, no major aftershocks have been recorded however the impact remained quite challenging as more than 75,000 houses were affected by the earthquake in 10 districts out of which Jajarkot, Rukum West and Salyan districts were badly affected.

NRCS has been implementing an IFRC-wide response based on the one plan approach in the affected communities with the support from the IFRC Network present in Nepal, including the IFRC Secretariat and five integrated members: American Red Cross, British Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, and Swiss Red Cross. Another 11 IFRC Members provided support through the IFRC appeal: American Red Cross, Austrian Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, German Red Cross, Hong Kong Red Cross Branch of the Red Cross Society of China, Japanese Red Cross, Red Cross of Monaco, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, The Canadian Red Cross Society, The Netherlands Red Cross, Turkish Red Crescent Society, as well as European Commission-DG ECHO.

As of January 2025, NRCS provided emergency assistance (at least one item) to 5,665 families (28,325 people including 14,446 females) supported through the emergency appeal.  An additional 453 households received cash support of NPR 15,000 (approximately CHF 105) to construct a toilet since this support was not included in the government-provided grant for transitional shelter.

600 highly impacted households (3,000 people) received conditional cash grants for transitional shelter construction in two instalments i.e., NPR 25,000 (approximately CHF 179) in each instalment. All 600 households, targeted in this operation, completed their transitional shelter with toilet and water storage tank and moved into the transitional shelter. Out of 600 households, 200 households of the most vulnerable households also received additional shelter improvement support of NPR 15,000 (approximate of CHF 105). Vulnerability criteria include not only those with fully damaged houses but also those whose houses have sustained impact but can be liveable with minor repairs and protect them from heat, cold, and monsoon rains.  By the end of December 2024, the affected population was still residing in a transitional shelter made from galvanized corrugated sheets and locally available salvaged materials following the Temporary Housing Construction Grant Procedure for Earthquake Affected Households of the Government of Nepal. Due to a lack of proper guidance for permanent shelter construction from the Federal Government, the affected population is still residing in the transitional shelter.

The emergency multi-purpose cash grant distribution was completed during the response phase in May 2024. A total of 20,865 people including 10,224 females of 4,173 families received multipurpose cash grants of NPR. 15,000 (approximately CHF. 98) to address their basic need. The amount was agreed upon by the Cash Working Group members. In addition, 689 households received the first installment of conditional cash grants for livelihood support. The targeted household received NPR 25,000 (approximate CHF 176) to implement their business plan which they have prepared in coordination with the NRCS, local government, and other key stakeholders. After the monitoring of key progress based on their plan by the representative of the local municipality and NRCS District Chapter, they will receive the second instalment of same amount to complete their business plan which will later provide them with income-earning opportunities. It is expected that the transfer of second instalment will be completed by January 2025. In addition, six cash for work (CFW) initiative have supported 175 families hard hit by the disaster in three districts. Participant community members have been engaged to restore and expand irrigation canal, foot trail, and mitigation works in their locality.

NRCS conducted health and hygiene promotion activities in the communities reaching out to at least 25,803 people including 13,159 females. Along with this, NRCS distributed 782 hygiene kits to the people affected by the earthquake reaching out to 3,910 people including 1,994 females.  In addition, 25,087 people were provided with mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) through community-based MHPSS interventions focused on household visits and orientation sessions. Similarly, NRCS has distributed 9,328 dignity kits to women of reproductive age, 4,500 Kishori kits2 distributed to adolescent girls, and 580 solar lamps were distributed to the affected people with support from the IFRC appeal and UNFPA.

As of reporting period, NRCS reached out to 3,445 people including 1,757 females with at least the first instalment of the conditional cash grant for livelihood support as well as various training on livelihood. To restore the livelihood and strengthen the income generation activities of the most vulnerable communities, NRCS implemented the livelihood activities in the earthquake-affected districts.

As of January 2025, NRCS has scaled down the operation as most of the activities are completed. Some of the activities such as the second instalment of the livelihood cash grant, the renovation/reconstruction of the drinking water supply scheme (DWSS) affected by the earthquake will be completed by the end of March 2025.

Click on the link below for detailed TOR:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QPGcYR27EmaoR0oxg3SNAqzKjJJtfCDG/view?usp=sharing

Qualifications

Selection of the external final evaluation consultant(s) will be based on the following qualifications:

• Minimum qualification of a masters degree in a relevant field in (i.e. health sciences, sociology/demography and/or
• economics)Demonstrated experience planning and implementing final project evaluations required.
• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of monitoring and evaluation experience is required, with at least five years of direct, full-time experience in the field.
• Demonstrated competence in designing and managing quantitative household surveys, enumerator training, data collection and analysis, validity testing and carrying out inferential statistics as required.
• Proven track record of conducting qualitative research and analysis.
• Excellent written and spoken English required
• Strong computer skills in spreadsheet, word processing, database management, statistical analysis software familiarity and presentation software required.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills required.
• Knowledge and experience working with the Red Cross Red Cross Movement preferred.
• Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.

The team members will have the following skills and experience:

• Five years of experience or more working in international relief operations and/or monitoring and evaluation.
• Master’s degree in international relations, social sciences, humanitarian assistance and/or related fields or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Red Cross Movement and its disaster management system is preferred.
• Experience in carrying out interviews and facilitating focus group discussions.
• Sound experience in data consolidation, analysis and presentation. Ability to clearly synthesize and present findings.
• Fluent in English.

Application procedures

Interested candidates should apply by 27 February 2025 through the following link. ~ Apply Now

Application materials should include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Cover letter summarizing your experience as it pertains to this Final Evaluation of similar larger emergency operations and three professional references
3. Two-page technical proposal with proposed evaluation methodology
4. Financial proposal outlining an all-inclusive fee required to undertake this assignment including daily consultancy rate and all costs for data collection and travel
5. At least three examples of a previous evaluation reports authored by the team leader most similar to that described in this TOR.

Application material is non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process.