End-Term Evaluation for Eco-Farming Project at Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH EA)

EXPRESION OF INTEREST (EOI)

REF No: HIHEA/03-2021/M&E

Title: END-TERM EVALUATION FOR ECO-FARMING PROJECT

Location of project: Eldama Ravine, Njabini and Kiambu

Reports to: Evaluation Management Group led by HiH EA MEL Team

Type of contract: Consultancy

Period: 1 ½ Months.

 

Introduction 

Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH EA) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Kenya working for the economic and social empowerment of its poorest citizens to enable program participants to lift themselves out of poverty and vulnerability. HiH EA is part of the Hand in Hand (HiH) network that seeks to reduce poverty through sustainable job creation.  HiH EA works with the marginalized, vulnerable poor rural and peri-urban smallholder farmers (80% women) to help lift themselves out of poverty through the power of entrepreneurship. HiH EA seeks the services of a team of qualified consultants to conduct an End Term Evaluation (ETE) for a three-year initiative implemented by Hand in Hand (HiH) through HiH EA in Kenya. This evaluation is commissioned by HiH EA, in consultation with Hand in Hand International (HiH I). 

 

Project summary

Kenya is one of the countries most affected by the ongoing climate change. Drought and irregular rain affect the country's ability to provide food and water to its residents, creating poverty and insecurity. Urban areas grow slums, which often also serve as dumping sites for environmentally hazardous waste and poisons that contribute to the growing climate threat. The situation in these slums and in the urban agricultural communities is unsustainable.

The Eco-farming project is a three-year (Oct 2017- Mar 2021) initiative, implemented by HiH EA. The project focusses on eco-entrepreneurship and aims at reducing poverty and increasing climate resilience to enable members to thrive as Eco-entrepreneurs. The project is being implemented in three branches covering a total of 7 counties and 13 sub counties as shown below;

Branch: Kiambu

• County: Kiambu
  • Sub Counties: Kiambu ,Githunguri ,Kiambaa,Limuru and Lari.

Branch: Njabini

• County: Nyandarua
  • Sub Counties: South Kinangop and North Kinangop.
• County: Nakuru
  • Sub Counties: Naivasha

Branch: Eldama Ravine

• County: Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho.
• Sub Counties: Eldama Ravine, Keiyo South, Tinderet, Kipkelion East & West

Project objectives

The broad project objectives are: 

1. To reduce poverty levels through eco-entrepreneurship.
2. To improve the livelihood, income and status of youth and women through creation of sustainable jobs.

 

Project targets 

1. To mobilize 14,160 members
2. To recruit 708 self-help groups.
3. To ensure 5,664 members adopt green practices in homes, farming and businesses.
4. To enable the creation of 9,912 enterprises, out of which 30% will be eco-enterprises.
5. To enable the creation of 12,886 jobs

 

Purpose of the evaluation 

• The purpose of this evaluation is to assess and learn from the process; achievements, challenges encountered during the project implementation and advice on future similar projects. 

 

Objectives of the evaluation 

1. To assess the achieved results of the project against the stated objectives. 
2. To assess the appropriateness of the implementation strategies (integration of entrepreneurship and environmental conservation/green practices) and give recommendations for future programming. 

 

Methodology of the evaluation 

The evaluation methodology will include a theory of change approach and use mixed methods, including literature/document review, observation, focus group discussion, key informant interviews and project beneficiary interviews (conducted by the evaluation team). 

The stakeholder consultations will be conducted through semi-structured interviews, a survey and focus group discussions. It is highly recommended to use videos and pictures to support case studies. There will be visits to project sites (to be identified in the inception report). The baseline (including the individual baseline questionnaire and data set) should be used to assess progress over time and to have comparative data. In addition, project documents and agreement, budgetary information, financial reports, annual reports, manuals, posters and other documents developed by the project or technical reports issued, a sample of monitoring data and reports will be reviewed.

An Evaluation Management Group (EMG) is appointed with representatives from HiH EA and HiH I. The EMG holds the responsibility for overseeing the evaluation process, which includes selecting evaluation consultant(s), checking that quality standards are met and ensuring that the evaluation report, the conclusions and recommendations are communicated effectively.

Evaluation core areas of enquiry and questions

Broadly, the evaluation should;

1. Assess results as set out at the start of the project and impact 
2. Document and promote learning from the programme, to ensure continual improvements both for HIH EA, our members, and the wider community of HIH partners and donors 

 

The evaluation shall answer key questions that will be finalized with the consultants.

1. Identify and analyse the significant higher level effects (positive or negative, intended or unintended) that the project has contributed to in the well-being of the targeted communities and their environment. 
2. To what extent have objectives stated in the project document and logical framework, been achieved? Focus on income change at household and enterprise levels, adoption of climate resilience practices and the access to wider economies through access to markets
3. To what extent does the net benefits of the intervention continue, or is likely to continue, with the end of the project – i.e. will the results endure after the project has ended.
4. Was the conversion of inputs (funds, expertise, natural resources, time etc.) to outputs, outcomes and impact done in the most cost effective way possible, as compared to feasible alternatives? 
5. What are the synergies and interlinkages between the intervention and other interventions carried out by HiH EA?
6. What opportunities exist on specific value chains promoted in the project sites (value chains and location to be finalized with consultant), with a focus on market access?

Deliverables

1. An End Term Review Inception report which outlines in detail the actions to be undertaken by the consultancy team.
2. Development and review of primary data collection tools and data collection plan. 
3. A presentation of draft findings to both the HiH EA and HiH I teams for discussion and feedback. 
4. An End Term review report of approximately 40 pages.
5. A four-page summary of the report with key highlights
6. Presentation of the End Term Evaluation to project stakeholders.  

Requirements/qualifications

HiH EA and HiH I are requesting the consultants to submit proposals to respond to the Terms of Reference outlined above. We expect the consultant/consultancy firm to demonstrate the skills and experience outlined below (or equivalent):

• The consultant/s should have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in field research 
• Academic level Masters in Environmental management, Entrepreneurship, M&E, social science or any other relevant field. 
• A team of consultants or firm with technical expertise in green entrepreneurship, SMEs, climate change resilience and conservation agriculture.
• Lead consultant to have 8 Years’ experience reviewing eco-farming projects in the development spectrum (evidence should be attached)
• An expert in evaluations with more than 5 years of experience
• Should demonstrate evidence of past relevant evaluation assignments in Kenya and be able to provide examples as may be requested (share a sample report)
• Proven track record in analytical report writing  
• Capacities with electronic data (qualitative & quantitative) collection will be considered
• Experience of field work and data collection at household level in Kenya 
• In-depth knowledge of enterprise development programs, involving the poor, peri-urban and rural entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers 
• Expertise on women and youth economic empowerment programmes and barriers and challenges to participation in the economy and society an advantage

The proposal should include the following:

1. A short outline (up to 10 pages including annexes) of evaluation approach, research design and methods for the ETE including how they propose to answer the research questions outlined above. 
2. A proposed process and timeframe for the ETE setting out the phases, the number of consultants and the number of days.
3. The anticipated challenges and dependencies affecting the implementation of the ETE and how these should be addressed both by the consultants, HIH EA and HiH I.
4. A summary of the skills and experience of the proposed lead consultant and the consultant(s) together with her/his CV showing relevant previous assignments and clients.
5. A detailed fee quote and rationale for the assignment

Suggested End Term evaluation timeframe: 

• Tender bids deadline: 5th Feb 2021
• Review and scoring of applications by 10th February 2021 
• Appoint the Consultant by 18th February 2021
• Desk review of project documents by the Consultant, submit the inception report containing refined methodology, agree timeframe and finalize ETE plan: 25th February 2021
• ETE Field visits and data (qualitative & quantitative) collection completed by 12th March 2021
• Presentation of draft findings to HiH EA and HiH I by 19th March 2021
• Hand in Hand feedback to the draft report by 24th March 2021
• Deadline for receipt of the ETE final Report by 1st April 2021

Submission of proposals 

Electronic submission of proposals will be made to HiH EA through the procurement email address: procurement@handinhandea.org by 5th February, 2021 at 1700 hours EAT. Enquiries on the assignment to be sent through the same email. The lead consultant is asked to tender a proposal document of no more than 10 pages.