Project Evaluation at Finn Church Aid (FCA)

Rational, purpose and priority objectives of the evaluation

The objective of this evaluation is to assess the components of FCA’s approaches to peacebuilding in Northern Kenya and to identify the approach, which brought lasting change and impact.

FCA’s previous strategy period ended in 2017. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the work done under this project from 2013 to 2017. This evaluation will provide FCA with useful feedback on the project performance and impact, and be a source of learning for FCA. The evaluation findings will also be shared with the back donor as part of FCA’s accountability while demonstrating the project impact. Further, the findings will be utilized for decision making on either to amend the strategies used or continue employing similar strategies.

The evaluations results will be used as part of the Country Programme Annual Planning (CPAP) of FCA Kenya office for the upcoming year. Accordingly the recommendation will feed into programme planning. In addition to FCA staff, the results will be made public and communicated to the right-holders (including beneficiaries) as well as the government officials – accordingly the language used should reflect the expected audience (limited used of technical terminology).

KECO will utilize the evaluation findings for both improving the quality of work for accountability purposes and for lesson learning, and more specifically for:

Improving compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and other standards relating to accountability and transparency of our work, as well as technical quality of our programmes.

Scope of the evaluation

• The evaluation will cover every year of the implementation 2013-2017 and more specifically from 2015 onward where the new FCA strategy was implemented.
• Implementation strategies;
• Program partnerships;
• Monitoring aspects of the project;
• Sustainability of results achieved;
• Scalability of the project results
• Conclusions and lessons learnt.
• SWOT analysis of the Kenya Program including.

The geographical area of focus will be Baringo East, Turkana South, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo and Marsabit counties. The evaluation should focus on the programmatic aspects, with less focus on the financial aspects as this was already covered as part of the annual audits.

Evaluation questions

The evaluation team is invited to propose the evaluation question to KECO (no more than 12 questions) as part of their technical proposal.

Methodology required and available data

FCA requires both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Each of the focus group discussion (FGD) should not exceed five persons per group, FGD should be disaggregated by gender to avoid power influence, at least one FGD should focus on children, and the sample should be at a minimum 15 KI and 15 FGD, in all the counties. Utilization of other evaluation methodologies is encouraged, e.g. though not mandatory, the information can be collected on KOBO toolbox or any other appropriate software.

Evaluation process

Upon selection, the evaluator is expected to organize for an inception workshop with KECO team through which all the tools are reviewed (either in FCA KECO Office, or through Skype. The evaluator must explain in details her/his plans and the support she/he requires from KECO team. This inception workshop also serves as an action-planning meeting with KECO team. The evaluator also introduces his/her team of data enumerators and presents an opportunity to clarify roles of each actor while agreeing on travel dates. During the inception phase, KECO presents the evaluator with all the previous project reports and all relevant contacts in the field and timelines to include desk reviews, travel dates, flights bookings and responsibilities are agreed upon and documented by the parties.

FCA will provide logistical support in the form of in-country transport, access to workspace, and translators/facilitators in meetings. FCA will also provide human resources in the form of a number of staff members who will be available to support the evaluator in planning and collecting information. KECO will not give any per diem to the Consultant and or her/his team. KECO will make appointments with relevant authorities and support in translation and where necessary selection of field based enumerators.

Timetable Proposals accepted but not exceeding 30 days

• Deliverables & Payments
• An inception report outlining the methodology, detailed work plan, study report outline and assessment tools for the study, within 1 week of signing the contract
• A draft activity report detailing the preliminary findings of the evaluation, within 1 week of completion of data collection activities.
• A final report incorporating feedback from FCA on the draft. The final product of this endline evaluation is a report, ready for presentation to FCA KECO, MFA Finland and FCA HO
• A debriefing/workshop session with FCA KECO program team, highlighting the key findings and lessons from the evaluation.
• Soft copies of all data collection tools and data analysis outputs
• List and contacts of all respondents

Payment %

• Upon approval of the Inception report 30%
• Upon approval of draft report 30%
• Upon Approval of final report 40%

Skills and qualifications required

• 6 and above years of experience of designing and implementing impact evaluations (essential)
• 5 years’ experience and knowledge of facilitating participatory evaluation processes as a team leader (essential)
• Experience of evaluating peacebuilding or conflict resolution projects and programmes (desirable)
• Sound knowledge and understanding of community-led peacebuilding structures (desirable)
• The consultant should have broader experience working with relevant peace building approaches including Do no harm (DNH) and strengthening local capacities for peace
• The consultant should be able to complete and submit the assignment within one month period
• H/She should be fluent in use of participatory evaluation methodologies.
• S/He should be familiar with Kenya’s peace building and devolution strategies.
• An advanced degree in development studies, peace and conflict management and field experience is desireable

Budget

• Provide an indicative total budget for the evaluation exercise
• Provide detailed breakdown of the budget without VAT
• Provide detailed breakdown of the budget with VAT

Bids assessment

Qualitative award criteria

• Skills / expertise of the evaluation team
• Methodology for structuring, data collection & analysis
• Organization of tasks and timetable
• Price factor

Terms of contract

• Confidentiality – Final product of this evaluation is a property of FCA.
• The Consultant is responsible for payment of all social costs, other employment related costs and insurance contributions and for all other liabilities of a statutory nature.
• The consultant and the enumerators will have to abide by FCA Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding policy and any other relevant policies
• The consultant will provide a debriefing session (in Helsinki or via Skype) to present the main findings and recommendations
• Copyright for the report will remain with FCA.