Evaluation Study Terms Of Reference For Jrs Education Projects Implemented In Lebanon: L02 (Bekaa, Bar Elias), L03 (Beirut, Bourj Hammoud), And L04 (Jbeil)

  1.      Context: Refugee Education in Lebanon The Syrian conflict is now in its fifth year. In 2015, the number of refugees fleeing Syria surpassed 4 million and Lebanon became the country with the highest per capita concentration of refugees in the world. Based on recently published figures by UNHCR on Lebanon, half of the total number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon are children below the age of 18. Under the Reaching All Children with Education (RACE) strategy, joint efforts have been exerted by the Lebanese government, UN agencies and NGOs to provide refugee children in Lebanon with quality education in 2014 and 2015. However, the lack of available spaces, transportation costs, foreign languages barriers, discrimination and bullying, social and economic issues impose themselves as the main barriers to enrolment and retention in programs provided through public schools. Many children have experienced trauma during the conflict or their displacement, and the overcrowded classrooms, in addition to their families’ economic hardship, are further stressors, particularly for students whose education has been interrupted by conflict.   2.      Projects’ Rationale JRS has been implementing emergency response programs in Lebanon since year 2013, tackling the most urgent needs of Syrian refugees and unregistered Syrian immigrants. Currently, JRS runs education-in-emergency programs in Lebanon in the following locations: Bourj Hammoud, Jbeil, Bar Elias, and Baalbek.   JRS’ education programme in Lebanon aim to fill the gaps in public education for refugee children in a holistic approach that supports their physical and psychosocial needs as well as their educational ones. The projects aim to ensure refugee children have access to education and provide them with adequate transitional support to support their retention in public schools.  Since 2013, JRS has provided education to thousands of refugee children through its education programme. In 2015, JRS doubled the size of the programme to reach more than 2,000 children that year; with over 350 JRS students who enrolled in public school first or second shifts and more than 260 JRS students who applied to the government-certified ALP.   3.      Brief Overview of the Programme (3 projects) JRS’ education programme in Lebanon is designed to expand access to education and provide adequate transitional support for at-risk refugee children and youth in Bourj Hammoud, Jbeil, and Bar Elias. The programme is implemented in 5 schools and education centers, with 9 shifts and between 150-250 children per shift, and an average of 14 teachers per school/education center. Overall goal: Refugee children in Lebanon have access to quality education in Lebanon and are retained in public schooling programmes. Objectives: To expand refugee children’s access to education in Lebanon and provide adequate transitional support to increase their chances of enrollment and retention in public schooling, through three models: (i) Kindergarten, remedial and homework support, and informal education and recreational activities for children and youth in areas with adequate access to public schools, (ii) transitional education for children who are currently unable to access public schools in portable pre-fab classrooms provided by a local partner, (iii)  education in areas where there are not adequate available spaces for refugee children in public schools, in partnership with local private schools. Indicators: 1-      Output: By the end of May, 2016, 2,330 refugee children (1,165 girls and 1,165 boys) have access to education or education support through JRS’ education projects in Bourj Hammoud, Jbeil and Bar Elias. 2-      Outcome (model i): By the end of May, 2016 90% of girls and boys enrolled in kindergarten have completed the program and those who completed the KG3 level are prepared to enter public primary school. 3-      Outcome (model i): By the end of May, 2016, 90% of girls and boys enrolled in remedial and homework assistance show improvement on their subject tests and are retained in public schools. 4-      Outcome (model ii): By the end of May, 2016, 90% of girls and boys enrolled in the non-formal transitional education program have improved their education knowledge by one level, in comparison to their placement test and are prepared to integrate into public school. 5-      Outcome (model iii): By the end of May, 2016, 90% of girls and boys enrolled in JRS formal education have completed the school program to obtain graduation certificates in compliance with national certification standards. 6-      Outcome (all models): By the end of May, 2016, JRS’ holistic support elements (psychosocial and hygiene support, food and transportation support where applicable) have improved students’ wellbeing and their performance and retention in public schools or JRS’ education programs, where relevant.   4.      Rationale for the Evaluation The external evaluation of Projects is part of JRS overall Programmes Policy. The results of the evaluation are used to improve activities and to provide the needed support to overcome the challenges that arise in JRS educational programme and activities. The documentation of the results of the evaluation allow JRS to learn from its mistakes and to increase its capacity to offer quality education to refugee children.   5.      Objectives of the Evaluation The objective of the evaluation is to assess the implementation of the JRS holistic educational approach of its three types/models of JRS educational projects in Lebanon (listed above). The period covered by the evaluation is September 2015 through May 2016. The main results expected from the evaluation are to measure and assess: Impact: the impact of the project(activities) on the children who attend JRS educational activities Strengths and weaknesses, successes and shortcomings of these activities. The quality of the following components: Curriculum, education material, methods of teaching School management Contribution of Education Officers and of Social workers Teacher Training Parent involvement Added value of additional elements (snacks for students, busing, hygiene) The Evaluator shall submit a final evaluation report with the assessment of the abovementioned outcomes and outputs.   6.      Key questions the evaluation should address The evaluation should assess whether the anticipated outcomes of the programmes, as set out in the Project Proposals (and for which specific results and targets have been set) have been achieved, and to what extent they have done so. This will also involve an assessment of the programmes in terms of design, implementation and results against several factors (elements), including: Relevance Effectiveness Efficiency Impact Quality Sustainability Accountability (to stakeholders/communities targeted by the programme)    7.      Activities envisaged (not comprehensive) Evaluation/analysis and assessment of data and information collected Interviews with programme staff Interviews with relevant stakeholders Consultation with partners, where applicable.   The evaluator will be expected to travel to each project location.   8.      Outputs Evaluation Report, first draft Evaluation Report (including recommendations), final version.   9.      Selection criteria for the Consultant/team - Expertise: CV and list of previous evaluations -Sector-specific experience -Adequate evaluation plan -Mixed-method approach to data collection and analysis - Compliance with deadlines.   10.  Reporting The Consultant/s will report to JRS Lebanon Country Director and JRS Regional Education and Regional Programmes Officer. JRS MENA regional director shall approve the final report and will be responsible for signing off on the evaluation.   11.  Presentation of the evaluation proposal The candidate shall submit a proposal to these three email addresses: roy.gebrayel@jrs.net Stefan.hengst@jrs.net Gregory.pearn@jrs.net   The proposal must include: CV Technical proposal, indicating methodology, evaluation plan and work chronogram. Detailed budget Proposals shall be submitted to a selection committee at the regional office. Only short-listed candidates shall be informed of the outcome of their offer. Proposal: the proposal must be submitted by Friday April 15th, 2016 Evaluation: The evaluation process will take place during the last three weeks (09 -27) of May, 2016. Final Report: The evaluator must submit the final report by 30th June. Final payment will be subject to approval of the report by JRS MENA.