As part of the monitoring and evaluation function in ensuring effective oversight of the project within the project management cycle, the purpose of this end-line evaluation is to assess the overall performance of the project against the planned project objectives, and key performance indicators as well as assess the impact of the overall project to the intended beneficiaries. The scope of the end-line evaluation will cover the entire project period of 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2024. It will specifically assess and inform project stakeholders i.e donors, project managers/staff, relevant government departments and the targeted community at large about the project achievements, challenges, and lessons learned as well as provide recommendations to inform future programming.

Specific Objectives include:

• To assess the extent to which the project achieved its objectives as specified in the project proposal
• To assess the extent to which the project outcomes and outputs have been achieved considering the indicators given in the project document.
• To evaluate the level of contribution of the outputs towards the achievement of the expected project objectives, outcomes, goals and impact.
• To assess the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of interventions as well as the sustainability of the results and the degree of satisfaction of the beneficiaries.
• To identify major external factors that influenced or impacted the implementation of the project and evaluate their implication on future interventions.
• To evaluate the appropriateness of the strategies and approaches used in implementation of the project.
• Assess the wider impact and sustainability of project results and satisfaction of the project participants in line with the key project deliverables and impact.
• To identify and document best practices, and lessons learned from the project and make recommendations for future strategies.

3. EVALUATION QUESTIONS

In line with the purpose and scope specified, evaluation question topics and sub-questions will be finalized during the preparation of the inception report. Without direct limitation on questions for inclusion, some suggested key questions include the following:

• To what extent and how has the intervention led to mitigating violence, increasing the safety and security of civilians and strengthening the resilience of populations affected by conflict and environmental shocks?
• To what extent and how has the project achieved its objectives and particularly in line with child protection; GBV prevention and response as well as protection coordination, advocacy and information?
• To what extent and how has the project achieved its key outputs, outcomes and performance indicators as specified in the project documentation?
• To what extent and how has the project achieved its impact specifically about mitigating violence, increasing the safety and security of civilians and strengthening the resilience of populations affected by conflict in South Sudan?
• To what extent and how has the project been relevant, effective, and efficient in ensuring the primary goal of mitigating violence, increasing the safety and security of civilians and strengthening the resilience of populations affected by conflict in South Sudan?
• To what extent and how has the project delivery and achievement of results ensured sustainability and satisfaction among the project participants?
• To what extent and how did external factors influence or impact the implementation of the “Mitigating violence, increasing the safety and security of civilians and strengthening the resilience of populations affected by conflict and environmental shocks” project?
• What best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations can be identified to inform future programming and strategy for the donor and other major stakeholders?

4. DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study will be conducted across the project implementation areas i.e. Jonglei (Lankien and Pibor Counties), Unity (Panyijiar County and greater Southern Unity- Leer), Bentiu Town (Rubkona County) and Central Equatoria (Yei County), Warrap State (Tonj). The individual consultant is expected to conduct a participatory assessment providing for meaningful involvement by project partners, beneficiaries and other interested parties. Primary and secondary data is expected to be gathered using a mixed method to evaluate programme implementation. Thus, the assessment will involve collecting the following data:

• Quantitative data: It will be used to measure indicators of the project expressed in terms of numbers/percentages (quantitative indicators). Information will be collected using a questionnaire survey which will be administered to a sample of households. The consultant is expected to determine the sampling technique and size which would be representative, and adequate to detect the changes observed and do basic descriptive statistics.
• Qualitative data: Qualitative information will be collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with key stakeholders including community participants, community leaders, community/traditional leaders, local government offices, civil society organisations, donors, local humanitarian partners, project staff and others to complement the information collected through quantitative approaches.
• Secondary documentation: A review of relevant project documents and reports among other relevant documents will also be important to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT

The consultant will be expected to:

• Design methodology for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the final end-line evaluation.
• Develop and finalise evaluation questions and create the tools necessary to answer the final evaluation questions.
• Develop a detailed field implementation and enumerators training guide for the final evaluation.
• Organize and facilitate training workshops for data collectors (NP will hire the data collectors) and pilot testing of the tool.
• Plan and coordinate the necessary logistics to collect the data in aaccordance with the selected methodology.
• Conduct the final evaluation at the project locations to measure key indicators as defined in the project logical framework and also set benchmarks.
• Develop the data entry template and ensure data entry clerks are trained adequately.
• Collect and analyse available secondary data to augment the final evaluation findings.
• Based upon a reading of the programme documents, propose any additional topics or issues for analysis in the final evaluation.
• Analyse and interpret data to develop a comprehensive final evaluation report.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of the final evaluation data with baseline findings of the current project.
• Share key preliminary findings and insights from the final evaluation with relevant staff through consultations.

6. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Submit an inception report/proposal which responds to the scope of work by adding any further detail or clarification regarding the study approach, method, or implementation arrangements
• Fieldwork implementation plan (to be submitted before fieldwork begins). This field work plan should be presented to NP for comment and revised as necessary prior to commencing fieldwork.
• Final evaluation questionnaires and qualitative data collection guides.
• Cleaned data sets in CSV and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) format, with data correctly organized, and variables named and labelled.
• Cleaned qualitative data collection transcripts.
• High quality validation of the information collected through a validation workshop of the findings.
• A comprehensive final evaluation report that meets agreed formats.

• RESOURCES

  NP will facilitate all visa requirements, transport to South Sudan and all field sites. In addition, NP will provide accommodation and communications equipment while in the country. NP will not provide personal computers and the consultant must use his/her own computer. All necessary logistical arrangements for the assessment will be coordinated through the NP logistics department. The chosen individual consultant will coordinate with the Research Monitoring and Evaluation team, Program Development Personnel, Program Manager and field staff in the planning and implementation of the data collection.

  9. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

  Education:

  • Master’s degree in International and Political Affairs, Law, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.

  Required Experience and Skills

  • At least 5-7 years of experience in the design and implementation of evaluations, assessments, or baseline surveys including qualitative and quantitative data collection.
  • Previous work experience in the area of humanitarian work specifically the protection of civilians, knowledge of and understanding of the South Sudan operating context will be an added advantage.
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of research methodologies and processes.
  • Experience in the development of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and log-frames.
  • Experience in gathering and systematizing large amounts of data.
  • Experience managing a diverse team and providing capacity-building and training support.
  • Experience developing protection projects in conflict-affected and/or emergency settings.
  • Proven ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information through a protection lens.
  • Experience managing projects in complex, dynamic and volatile environments, where security and political situation is very fluid.