Independent Evaluator

§ Job Title: Independent Evaluator § Duty Station: The data collection is expected to take place in Bekaa and Beirut § Scheduled start of the mission:  (by 12 September 2016) § Timeframe: 16 to 18 working days stretched over the period of one month; § Responsible to: the Senior Advisor and the Senior Design, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer   Independent Evaluator for an End Term Evaluation- Create Syria: A Project to empower Syrian Art in Exile - Delivering community-based art in times of crisis   Background and Rationale Create Syria is a partnership between Ettijahat- Independent Culture, the British Council and International Alert to enhance the expertise of artists and cultural activists living outside of Syria, including displaced Syrians. The project aims to create environments and initiatives which will enable Syrian artists, cultural activists, and civil society organizations to play increasingly active roles in improving the lives of Syrians, primarily by supporting creative endeavors which develop long-term cooperation and mutual resilience amongst Syrians as well as with host communities.  In light of the political, economic, and cultural changes that Syria is witnessing, the project seeks to create a long-term support network for Syrian artistic production which will strengthen contemporary art practices and target refugees and communities in crisis. The project also addresses local audiences in the host communities into which artists and new cultural initiatives have moved.  Between 2015 and 2016 the project focuses on artists and initiatives in Lebanon. The project consists of four main components. The first one addresses the need to develop actors’ skills in artistic project design and management during times of crisis, through training schemes and events to demonstrate techniques which use art to challenge stereotypes and alleviate tensions and frustrations.  The second denotes a support network for ten artistic cultural projects over a six-month period, all over Lebanon. The third component entails the establishment of a platform on which Syrian artists and cultural activists can promote their work and artistic projects at international festivals. It also aims to encourage opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between Syrian artists and their international peers.  And the fourth comprises of an interactive dialogue targeting Syrian audiences in their new environments and linking them with artists, civil society organizations, and decision-makers, with the aim of developing independent Syrian cultural production abroad and enhancing collaboration between displaced persons and host communities.  Evaluation Purpose and Objectives This End-term Evaluation (ETE) is an assessment of outcomes and impacts achieved through the implementation of the Create Syria Project’s activities that started in 29 September 2015 and was supposed to finish by the end of March 2016. An extension of six-month period was done and most of its activities were implemented by August 2016. As part of the remaining activities a final showcase event in Beirut will be held between 16 and 17 September during which artistic activities of the project, policy recommendations and lessons learned will be presented. From 21st September, presentation of the Create Syria work will also take place in London at a multimedia exhibition reaching out to an international audience as well as Syrian diaspora network in UK.  The ETE aims specifically at assessing the level of achievements in the activities and outputs of the project, as outlined in the M&E plan for partners (Ettijahat – Independent Culture, British Council and Alert). It aims at measuring the pace and quality of implementation, variances, the reached outcomes and impact of the project. The evaluation aims to measure the level of coordination and networking between different stakeholders and end beneficiaries of the project including Lebanese communities, Syrian artists, displaced and refugees in Lebanon. The findings of this evaluation will be used to set recommendations with regards to future programming design as well as to further enhance the outcomes and impacts achieved by the Create Syria with artists, with Lebanese society and with Syrian displaced and refugee communities. Common partner priorities for Evaluation were identified as follows: assess to what extent the artists and artists’ network have increased ability to operate and are sustainable assess aesthetic quality of artistic outputs assess support to arts and culture in conflict contexts assess the extent to which art can contribute to community resilience, development and social cohesion to assess the extent to which art can bring people together and create and support improved and more sustainable relationships between and with communities Tasks to be achieved The Independent Evaluator will work closely with International Alert staff in Beirut. His/her support shall ensure an effective data collection and data analysis using a dynamic and a participative approach with stakeholders and end beneficiaries for a clearer reflection of the results of the project.  The selected consultant should be able to produce the following deliverables: Lead desk review of relevant literature: The consultant will carry out the literature review and submit a written summary as per the format provided. Lead on data collection (through questionnaires, conduct key informant interviews and focused group discussions with relevant stakeholders as per the evaluation methodology). The consultant is expected to deliver transcripts and notes, then lead the analysis of this data and share a write-up of the synthesised data. Present draft ETE report: The consultant will deliver a draft report in English to Alert staff for feedback and will refine analysis and recommendations following Alert input.   Tasks List Activity Time Frame Desk review 12 September – 13September (2 days) Data collection (interviews, surveys) 14 – 20 September (6-7 days) Data  consolidation 21  - 23 September (3 days) Data analysis / Write-up 24 – 27 September (3-4 days) Submission draft report 30 September Submission of final report (including Alert feedback) 7 October (2 days) Experience and Qualifications § University degree in social sciences or relevant fields § Experience of conducting independent evaluations in Lebanon § At least three years of experience in interviewing vulnerable populations, with familiarity for standards of ethical conduct in research settings  § Strong inter-personal communication skills § Excellent skills in research and data collection § Ability to work both independently and as part of a team § Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism § Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines § Prior experience working in the field of arts, peacebuilding is a plus