Terms of reference
- INTRODUCTION CARE Sierra Leone aims at addressing and responding to humanitarian emergencies through programming that empowers and restore dignity of target poor disadvantaged and marginalized Sierra Leoneans, with a specific emphasis on women and girls living in rural and peri-urban areas of Northern Sierra Leone.
In the past twelve months, CARE Sierra Leone has partnered with CARE International in the United Kingdom developed a close collaboration with the National and District Ebola Response Centers (NERC , DERCs), Government Line ministries namely Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and Water Resources (MoWR) to deliver an Ebola Emergency Response project that address the impact of Ebola on particularly the Water , Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) and health with funds from the Disaster Emergency Committee (UK) in the United Kingdom. The project was concentrated in the northern region of Sierra Leone and was very much instrumental in responding to increased access WASH infrastructures and preventing the further spread of the Ebola virus through effective community based surveillance systems in the Bombali, Kambia, and Koinadugu and Tonkolili districts respectively.
Scope of work
CARE SL seeks the services of a competent consultant / team of consultants to carry out a Final Evaluation for the DEC Ebola Emergency Crisis Response project. The overall objective of the assignment is to assess the design, performance and impact of the response interventions on the lives of people living in these Ebola affected districts. The assignment will particularly focus on assessing the overall impact of the project activities in relation to WASH and health within the context of Ebola Emergency Response delivery in the four districts.
Specific objectives of the assignment
In a bid to accomplish this, the following specific objectives have been set out: a. Assess the extent to which proposed outcomes and objectives have been achieved b. Assess the efficient and effective use of resources c. Determine the extent to which the Code of Conduct standards and Sphere had been respected d. Assess the level of involvement of and accountability to beneficiaries e. Assess the extent that past lessons and DEC or Member RTE recommendations had been fulfilled
Methodology The consultant(s) is required to propose a mixed methodology for carrying out the assignment. However CARE and partners recommend the use of combined qualitative and quantitative methods to allow effective measurement of project progress and performance during the implementation period. Because of lack of baseline data, it will be necessary to establish a sampling strategy with a control group to enable an appropriate appraisal of outcome-level changes at the target population level. CARE recommends that the Final Evaluation methodology is focused on three main dimensions, as outlined below:
Performance assessment
Performance of the action will be assessed through a review of available documentation including quarterly and interim reports, as well as well as other relevant internal project related documents available in the country office. Whatever data available at baseline will be shared in order to attempt a retrofit comparison vis-à-vis a control group. Additionally, key informant interviews and focus groups (among other qualitative methods) will be conducted to get more information and a better understanding of the barriers and enhancers in project implementation.
Impact assessment
Given that the project did not undertake any baseline assessment prior to its implementation, interviews and FGDs with beneficiaries and key partners will be used to assess the impact of the Ebola Emergency Crisis response in the four districts.
Analysis of lessons learned for future response
CARE is seeking to gain knowledge on lessons learned to feed into future response interventions of a similar nature, with particular reference to what this evaluation can prove to work in the target population. Hence, comprehensive analysis of the all information (quantitative and qualitative) gathered in the final evaluation will be done to answer the questions established to inform CARE, NERC, DERCS and the Ministries of Health & Sanitation and Water Directorate’s learning.
CARE will be responsible for hiring the enumerators who will work alongside project field staff with supervision from the consultant(s). In addition the consultant(s) will be responsible for determining the survey sample size, the sampling strategy and the training of enumerators. CARE SL will be responsible for the overall coordination of the survey including the logistic support to the survey. Expected deliverables
The Consultant(s) will deliver the following: a. Final version of the questionnaire and discussion guides to complete data collection. b. Compilation and summary of focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The scripts must be written in English. c. Final report of the Final Evaluation including annexes d. 3 pages executive summary based on key findings for wider dissemination e. Develop the final sampling plan in coordination with CARE Sierra Leone project team f. Training for enumerators g. Develop strategies and mechanism to ensure data collection quality (qualitative and quantitative. Final strategy will be further discussed with the CARE team
Timeline Activity Dates No. of w/days 1 Advertisement 20/07/2016 - 29/07/2016
2 Selection of consultant and contract signature 01/08/2016 - 13/08/2016
3 Enumerator and supervisors training, tools pilot (pre-testing & review of survey tools), sample selection, local language check 15/08/2016 - 24/08/2016 8 4 Field data collection 25/08/2016 - 07/09/2016 10 5 Data template creation 08/09/2016 1 6 Data inputting and cleaning 12/09/2016 - 27/09/2016 12 7 Controlling for outcome-level variables between control and test groups; creation of tables and final report writing 28/09/2016– 11/10/2016 10 8 FE validation session 12/10/2016 1 9 Feedback from CARE and report finalisation 13/10/2016 1 10 Submission of draft Evaluation report to CARE 17/10/2016 1 Total 44
2 Selection of consultant and contract signature 01/08/2016 - 13/08/2016
3 Enumerator and supervisors training, tools pilot (pre-testing & review of survey tools), sample selection, local language check 15/08/2016 - 24/08/2016 8 4 Field data collection 25/08/2016 - 07/09/2016 10 5 Data template creation 08/09/2016 1 6 Data inputting and cleaning 12/09/2016 - 27/09/2016 12 7 Controlling for outcome-level variables between control and test groups; creation of tables and final report writing 28/09/2016– 11/10/2016 10 8 FE validation session 12/10/2016 1 9 Feedback from CARE and report finalisation 13/10/2016 1 10 Submission of draft Evaluation report to CARE 17/10/2016 1 Total 44
Compensation
Attractive but negotiable based on experience.
Required Skills/Competences/qualifications
• Sound knowledge and experience in the Emergency Response programming with a focus on WASH and health sectors • Past experience in similar assignments within the context of emergency response • Excellent writing and oral skills as the person is required to prepare and finalise a report and set of accompanying materials • Excellent capability to adapt and maintain focus on expected results • Strong knowledge and track report in leading randomised field research • Capable to deliver deadlines and working in hard to reach and remote communities
HOW TO APPLY:
HOW TO APPLY: The Expression of Interest should include the following: • Cover letter indicating availability for this assignment. • Proposed study methodology including a detailed work plan. • Updated curriculum vitae of the consultant(s). • Contacts of three professional organisations that have recently contracted the consultant to carry out similar study/research tasks. • Budget
DEADLINE: Interested and qualified consultants should send their applications before or by July 29th, 2016 to: SLECARESierraLeone@care.org Copy to:Josephine.bertin@care.org
