Zimbabwe Jobs 2016: Final Programme Evaluation Consultant, SPARK
FINAL PROGRAMME EVALUATION CONSULTANT
Implementing Organisation: SPARK
Programme: Agri-Business Creation Programme
Programme Countries: Burundi, South Sudan and Yemen
Evaluation Duration: November – December 2016
Close Date: 13-11-2016
Inspired by a lecture they attended as students at the University of Amsterdam, SPARK Directors, Yannick du Pont and Michel Richter began SPARK as early as 1993. Following a documentary they watched about the atrocities in the Balkans, and a presentation by an 18 year-old boy who spoke about his experiences in a detention prison camp, Yannick and Michel had little knowledge at the time that this would be a life changing moment.
SPARK is seeking an experienced (team of) consultant(s) to conduct the final evaluation of the Agri-business Creation Programme, which is implemented by SPARK under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Reconstruction Fund. The programme promotes entrepreneurship and job creation in agricultural value chains in Burundi, South Sudan and Yemen.
The final programme evaluation, which will cover the implementation period from January 2012 – December 2016, is meant to assess whether the programme adjusted planning properly in order to maximize results in a changing context, as well as identify successes and recommend lessons for learning. It will also highlight issues and challenges affecting effective and efficient implementation of outputs and their contribution to project outcomes and impact and recommend whether results obtained warrant a continuation of this type of programming. The evaluation is being undertaken at (and during) the end of programme implementation and will serve as an important tool for lessons learned and direction on future programming.
Tasks
The consultant(s) will undertake the following tasks:
- Conduct meetings with key project staff of SPARK and partners;
- Design the evaluation, including data collection tools for the project and relevant program indicators and sampling technique and size;
- Conduct desk reviews of secondary information and project documents including the project proposal (including log frame), implementation and M&E plans of the project, donor regulations, project financing agreements, project baseline survey, progress and financial reports, existing data collection and monitoring tools and any other relevant documents;
- Obtain feedback on data collection tools from key SPARK and partner staff and finalize draft data collection tools to be tested;
- Collect data from a representative sample of individuals from the target groups and key stakeholders, through information gathering tools including but not limited to – key informant interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs);
- Assess progress on and quality of implemented project activities;
- Data processing (data entry, verification and analysis);
- Report writing and submission of first draft report for review from SPARK;
- Presentation of findings and recommendations to and validation by key stakeholders (SPARK, partners and other identified actors working with the project);
- Finalize the report incorporating feedback and submission of final report.
Expertise required
The evaluator(s) should be (a team of) experienced and independent consultant(s), freelance or from a consultancy organisation, with at least the following expertise:
- Advanced university degree in International Development, Social Sciences or any other related field with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in international development and project evaluation.
- Previous professional experience in the programme’s countries is desired.
- Excellent understanding of agri-business development in fragile states and feeling for relevant political actors and policy influence regarding food security and socio-economic development.
- Demonstrated experience in value chain development.
- Have an understanding of operating conditions in less stable environments.
- Demonstrated experience in assessments and/or evaluations of interventions using participatory methods.
- Advanced analytical and report writing skills.
- Be willing to travel to working areas of the project (Burundi, S. Sudan and Yemen).
- Fluent in English (both reading and writing).
- Understanding of French and/or Arabic is an advantage.
Mode of Application
The deadline for submission of applications is 13 of November 2016. All applications should include the following:
- Cover letter(maximum 1 page) stating the candidate’s availability during the months of November 2016 – December 2016
- CV’s (up-to-date) of all study team members, including three references with contact details.
- Technical proposal:Which should include:
- Brief explanation about the Consultant with particular emphasis on previous experience in this kind of work.
- Profile of the Consultant to be involved in undertaking the evaluation.
- Understanding of the ToR and the task to be accomplished, including clear explanation of all qualitative and quantitative methods the consultant is proposing to use and a clear plan for data analysis.
- Draft work plan.
- *Financial Proposal**:* Which should include consultancy fees that include VAT, with a breakdown of days*fee per deliverable (excluding: accommodation and living costs; transport cost; stationeries, and supplies needed for data collection; and costs related to other persons that will take part during survey process, workshops).
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested consultants or firms should submit their applications to: vacany@spark-online.org. Please indicate “ABC Final Programme Evaluation” as the subject heading. Further information may be requested, including complete ToR, and questions may also be discussed per telephone with Pyt Douma. Response to questions will be shared with all interested candidates.