External Evaluator

  The evaluator will be responsible to conduct an external evaluation of the project ‘Improved livelihoods for underprivileged women in North Lebanon’, funded by the European Union and implemented by 5 affiliated Lebanese NGOs: Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF), the team leader; The Committee for the Follow-up on Women’s Issues (CFUWI), Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), FTL (Fair Trade Lebanon) and Mada Association. The objective of the action is to improve the social and economic wellbeing of women living in rural underserved areas in North Lebanon, by improving their role in local development and their access to markets, through a series of activities, including training sessions on ICT and gender mainstreaming, community micro-projects, technical training for members of cooperatives and small business, tailored coaching programs, and business incubation. Main work interfaces   Internal interfaces Project Director Project Coordinator Technical advisors Field Coordinators Administrators   External interfaces Women committees/associations, SMEs, cooperatives, women from the community at large, and Community Trainers Municipalities Local stakeholders   PURPOSE OF Evaluation   Two external evaluations were foreseen to be carried out in the course of the project: one mid-term evaluation and one final evaluation. The main purpose of the mid-term evaluation is to assess the progress of the activities in achieving the results of the specific objective and suggest adjustments to the original proposal, if necessary. The mid- evaluation includes: Assessment of the activities’ progress towards achieving the specific objective. Review of the suitability of the roles and duties of the 5 affiliated entities and the level of coordination among them. Assessment of the involvement of the women beneficiaries and stakeholders in the project. Review of the approaches and methodology in terms of activities’ implementation and problem solving.  Assessment of the activities in terms of timeliness, quality, quantity, and cost effectiveness. Review of the logical framework and indicators to verify their suitability and ensure that they are being verified by the Project Management Unit. Assessment of the sustainability of the activities’ outcomes and benefits and recommendation of measures for their improvement. Identification of the main lessons learnt in terms of capacity building and training, awareness raising, advocacy, coordination, sustainability, approaches, and methodologies. Assessment of the performance of the Monitoring and Evaluation Tools. Identification of challenges and constraints affecting implementation; including managerial, organizational, and technical, as well as other, unexpected external factors. Provision of recommendations to ensure that the second phase of implementation will yield the expected impacts and guide for future project development.   The final evaluation will assess the overall impact of the project and will include suggestions for potential follow-up programming and dissemination of lessons learnt. The final evaluation includes: Determination of whether the project has been successful in achieving its objectives and results. Assessment of the sustainability of the project activities in terms of their impacts on the beneficiaries and their communities. Identification of the main lessons learnt in terms of capacity building and training, awareness raising, advocacy, coordination, sustainability, approaches, and methodologies. Assessment of the affiliated entities’ effectiveness in addressing the risks and assumptions mentioned in the proposal and logical framework. Proposition of changes to project approaches and methodologies for development of future actions.   Methodology & REPORTING   The evaluation process will be participatory, to ensure feedback from stakeholders and beneficiaries, and will include: Literature review of project’s publications, monitoring reports, progress resports, statistical analyses, and Interim Report. Meetings with the project’s team, including Project Director, Project Coordinator, and Field Coordinators, as well as all affiliated entities. Direct observations through field visits to assess the implementation of activities and participation in events supported by the project. Discussions with women beneficiaries and stakeholders (Community Trainers, municipalities, and local partners) to assess the impacts of the project’s activities. For both the mid-term and final evaluations, the External Evaluator will be expected to submit the following reports: A Progress Note, based on the literature review of the project’s documents and presenting the evaluation methodology, will be submitted prior to field visits and meetings. A draft of the Evaluation Report will be submitted to the affiliated entities for review and comments. A final Evaluation Report will be submitted at the end of the evaluation, including all assessments and recommendations, based particularly on the lessons learnt.   PARTNERS’ Responsibilities   To provide the evaluator with all reasonable assistance, including the arrangement of interviews and access to all relevant material and documents. To assist in the preparation of field visits and provide guidance during the field visits. To arrange basic office facilities. To provide feedback and comments on the draft of the Evaluation Report.   Education and experience   The evaluation will be carried out by one External Evaluator meeting the following requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic; French is an asset. Mastery of evaluation and reporting techniques. Experience in women empowerment and/or rural development projects. Experience in conducting focus groups and evaluation interviews in deprived rural communities. Ability to analyze and synthesize and excellent reporting skills according to donor standards. Excellent social and interpersonal skills. Ability to commute to remote areas within Lebanon. Ability to commit to deadlines and produce quality work in a short timeframe. TIMEFRAME   The mid-term evaluation should take place in the months of May and June 2014, and last for a maximum duration of 7 days. The final evaluation should take place in the months of June and July 2015, and last for a maximum duration of 7 days.