Terms of Reference (ToR) for Midline Study

Terms of Reference (ToR) for

Midline Study 

Ensuring Child Protection and Welfare among Marginalized Communities in Rautahat District

1. Background

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an independent humanitarian and development organization that has been serving humanity for more than 35 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, IR strives to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. Since 1984, IRW has helped millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by Islamic values, IRW believes that people with wealth have a duty to those less fortunate – regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief. IRW is affiliated in Social Welfare Council as an International Non-Government Organization.

IRW projects provide poor people with access to vital services and protect communities, women and children from/during disasters and deliver life-saving emergency aid. It provides lasting routes out of poverty and empowers vulnerable people to transform their lives and their communities. IRW supported local partners immediately after the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 to address the Emergency and recovery needs of the most affected population. IRW is presently working through local implementing partners in Rautahat, Rasuwa, Kapilvastu, and Rupandehi districts.

Islamic Relief (IR) Nepal has been implementing protection sector-specific intervention in Rautahat district through a local implementing partner- Rural Development Centre (RDC) Nepal. This intervention Ensuring Child Protection and Welfare among Marginalized Communities of Rautahat District was launched in January 2020 and targets two municipalities (Kathariya and Gujara) of Rautahat.

The project aims to provide supportive, protective, and caring environment for orphans and address the issue of increased early marriage incidences and hazardous forms of child labor in Rautahat district in Nepal.  This is ensured by strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms, through engaging adolescent girls and boys, women groups, and youths as well as formation/activation of Ward and Municipal Child Protection Committees. This project will also focus on capacity building of local and district committees on child protection to control early marriage and WFCL and provide essential services to orphans and their caretakers. Furthermore, this intervention aims to prevent and protect girls and boys at risk of early marriage and child labor and improves the existing condition of orphans through the provision of protection and education services, as well as livelihood support to the families of the needy children. The project further shall enhance the knowledge of vulnerable children and communities on child protection through community and media campaigns to reduce the ill practices. 

Project Theory of Change- Islamic Relief Nepal will utilize the Child-Centred Community Development (CCCD) approach, which is rights-based, holistic, gender-responsive and inclusive, guided by key strategies including anchoring programs in the community, holding state actors accountable, strengthening the capacity of civil society and working in partnership for greater impact. Through this approach, IR supports community members, inclusive of children and marginalized groups to develop solutions to the own problems.

The major objective of the project is to ensure supportive, protective, and caring environment for vulnerable children specifically orphans, victims or at risk of child marriage and Worst Form of Child Labour (WFCL) through provision of protection, educational and self-reliance services, and community based integrated response mechanism in Rautahat District of Nepal.

IR considers evaluation as an integral part of the implementation of interventions in the ground. This project will go through independent evaluations (Baseline, Midline Midline evaluations). Thus, this TOR sets out the responsibilities of the consultant to design and carry out project midline evaluation in different communities where project activities are implemented in Rautahat district. The evaluation will focus on the assessment of the implemented activities and how the activities are leading to the achievement of the planned results as well as to the project objectives. The midline study will give the midline value of the project progress. Also, because of this midline evaluations, recommendations from the evaluator/s are expected to improve the quality of ongoing projects.

2. Summary Table

3. Scope of Evaluation 

The objective of current Terms of Reference (ToR) is to deliver the Midline study and Evaluation of the project “Ensuring Child Protection and Welfare Among Marginalized Communities in Rautahat District” implemented by RDC as a local partner.

The baseline study of the project was carried out in December 2021 on total 374 Households that is included in the project municipalities (Kathariya and Gujara). Over the period of 27-months, project have worked to establish and strengthen Community-based child protection mechanism. Similarly, project has supported to increase the knowledge of community people on child protection and have increased the access of vulnerable children on social protection schemes and need based support. The midline evaluation will give the progress against the baseline reference and make a way forward to improve the quality of the ongoing project.

The specific objectives of this midline evaluation are to:

• To establish a midline value for the project in line with the project log frame in project area. 
• Incorporate gender analysis in each component of the study.
• Evaluate the project’s theory of change (ToC); its relevance to the overall country strategy; the appropriateness of its planned objectives in terms of funding and duration of the intervention; and its appropriateness project design, intervention and needs of the beneficiaries.  
• To assess the effectiveness and relevance of projects interventions, outputs, and results
• To assess the key effects /outcomes of the project; provide evidence of the achievements of this project in terms of both the positive and negative, intended, and unintended, and the primary and secondary effects of the programme, alongside any direct or indirect contributions to any systemic change.
• Assess the key innovations used in the project and their impact, whether positive or negative, upon the delivery of project deliverables.
• To assess the effectiveness of accountability systems and the functionality of complain response mechanism in the targeted communities
• Document lessons learned and developed clear and actionable recommendations for adoption and integration into any similar future development-related projects within the region and elsewhere.

4. Methodology of the Evaluation (Midline Evaluation)

The midline study/evaluation should employ both qualitative and quantitative approach. Review of relevant secondary data shall be an integral part of the study and should be reflected wherever possible in the report. The consultant will undertake a comprehensive desk review of the existing project literature. The literature review will include but not limited to the project proposal, logical framework, interim/periodic reports, baseline reports, case studies, beneficiary’s database and other relevant documents and reports prepared by IRW- Nepal and its partner. The IRW- Nepal will provide all relevant key project documents for the comprehensive desk review.

The study design should align with the project log frame and should have a comparative analysis of the midline value with the baseline reference value. Focused group discussion and Key informant interview (KII) with relevant stakeholder should be conducted. The gender analysis should be incorporated in each component of the study and that should be reflected in the final report. The baseline study report will be provided by IRW-Nepal.

Based on the literature review the consultant will develop the methodology for primary data collection for midline evaluation. For primary data collection, the consultant will engage in field and collect data from project beneficiaries, and other stakeholders as specified in indicative schedule.

5. Deliverables

All deliverables are to be submitted to Islamic Relief Nepal in both electronic and hard copy format. Deliverables include:

i. An inception report, to be submitted one week after the agreement, explaining the methodologies, data collection and reporting plans with draft data collection tools such as interview (KII), FGD guides, a timeframe with fixed dates for deliverables for both midline study and end of project evaluation. (The reference of the baseline study data collection tools to be taken for the midline study but not limited to)

ii. A final report (combined or separate) to be submitted at the end of the evaluation with a maximum extension of 30 A4 size pages excluding annexes.

6. Indicative Schedule 

The consultancy will last 4 weeks, and it is expected to be carried out during 1 June – 1 July 2022. The selection and contractual procedures will complete by last week of May 2022. The tentative schedule is as follows:

• Week 1: Desk review of core documents; drafting and validation of the inception report with detail work plan, checklists, tools, and questionnaires. Enumerators’ orientation after the approval of tools and inception report.
• Weeks 2-3: Field visits to project sites; interviews with project staff, beneficiaries, and relevant stakeholders (Ward offices, Municipalities, Child Protection Committees, religious leaders). Focus group discussions (FGDs) with members of women groups, youth groups, child groups/clubs, men’s group and beneficiaries from Community Care and Protection Centers (CCPC).
• Weeks 3-4: Drafting of final report (final version to be submitted no later than 10 July 2022).

7. Quality and Ethical Standards 

During the evaluation, it should take all reasonable steps to ensure evaluation is designed and conducted to respect and protect the dignity, rights and welfare of the people, communities, stakeholders, and authorities involved and to ensure that the evaluation is technically accurate and reliable, is conducted transparently and impartially, and with full accountability.

The consultant will sign and adhere to the Islamic Relief’s safeguarding and protection against exploitation and sexual abuse (PESA) code of conduct.

The study standards are:

i. Utility: The evaluation product must be useful as an organizational learning. 

ii. Feasibility: Evaluation must be realistic, diplomatic, and managed in a sensible, cost-effective manner.

iii. Ethics & Legality: Evaluation must be conducted ethically and legally, with regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the evaluation.

iv. Impartiality: Evaluation should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that considers the views of all stakeholders

v. Transparency: Evaluation activities should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.

vi. Accuracy: Evaluation should be technically accurate, providing enough information, analysis, and interpretation.

vii. Participation: Stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the evaluation process when feasible and appropriate.

viii. Collaboration: During the evaluation, collaboration at different level is expected. This will later improve the legitimacy and utility of the study.

ix. Consent: Taking formal consent of all the responders is must during the evaluation.

8. Evaluation Team

The Evaluation Team is expected to:

• Be composed of a team leader with documented extensive experience on similar evaluations of development projects in the field of child protection, women empowerment, human rights, and disabilities.
• Have extensive experience in conducting midline study and external evaluations in the context of cooperation for development and a proven record delivering professional results.
• Have sound knowledge of evaluation and data-collection methods.
• Be able to communicate effectively in Nepali and English.
• Have previous working experience in Southern Terai.

9. Proposal Evaluation 

The technical and financial proposal will be evaluated separately and have 70% and 30% score respectively. The proposals evaluation is based on given criteria

10. Application Procedure

Interested candidates, firms and agencies are mandatory to submit the following documents by 20 May 2022 with the subject REF: Midline Evaluation of Project Evaluation-ECPW to Info. Nepal@irworldwide.org

i) Letter of motivation (7 pages max.) indicating

• The consultants’ suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications etc.
• How the team will be composed and the division of work between team members.
• Discussion of the work methodology it will use.
• Draft work plan and suggested timetable.
• Economic offer and budget break down.

ii) Professional profile of the evaluating team/ company (CV of least lead consultant/team leader of consultancy team)

iii) A copy of previous evaluation report (Baseline/Midline/Endline) on the similar issue

For firms/agencies following additional documents must be submitted:

• Valid certificate of company registration
• Valid copy of tax registration certificate
• Tax clearance certificate

Islamic Relief Worldwide, Country Office Nepal

House no. 482, Kumaripati-5 (Near United Academy)

Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal

Contact no: +977 1 5537610