Vacancy Notice – Final Project Evaluation Expert (m/f/d) – Lebanon

Assignment Description: Expert to conduct a Final Evaluation of the project “Social Participation and Social Engagement by Young People: Electing and Training Youth Councils”

Assignment Location: Beirut and Koura district, Lebanon 

Employment Type: Short-term consultancy 

Assignment Period: March–May 2022 

Budget: Up to 2,000 Euro

How to apply: Please send the application documents to info.lebanon@democracy-reporting.org cc’ing e.haddad@democracy-reporting.org, by 11 March 2022, 11:59 PM local time. 

DRI is looking for an expert in project evaluation to conduct a final evaluation of the 18-month project “Social Participation and Social Engagement by Young People: Electing and Training Youth Councils” implemented by DRI.  

To find out more about the requirements for this vacancy, please download the full procurement notice available in English below.  

Background

1. About DRI  

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions worldwide. It has been established in Lebanon since 2016. Democratic discourse is the basis of our mission and vision. In our work, we facilitate discussion and exchange about democratic government and the need for a continuous discourse adhering to democratic rules.   

In the framework of its Lebanon project “Social Participation and Social Engagement by Young People: Electing and Training Youth Council”, funded by GIZ, DRI is supporting the election and establishment of a Youth Council in Koura district, representing 4 municipalities:  Bechmezzine, Batroumin, Btorram, and Kfarhazir. The purpose of the project is to strengthen social cohesion between local government, youth, and local communities. The establishment of the Youth Council should contribute, in the long-term, to local government reform and engage local communities in municipal issues based on participatory mechanisms. The project aims as well to strengthening the capacity of youth and refugees in the areas of the elected Youth Council, to be able to engage in effective dialogues and to increase social participation initiatives between local government, civil society, and community members.  

2. Assignment Overview  

Ahead of the project closure on 31 May 2022, DRI will be conducting an external evaluation to document learnings and examine the effectiveness of DRI’s programming approach and activity implementation. The final project evaluation shall:

(1) assess the project’s performance against its main objectives (impact/outcome/outputs evaluation);

(2) collect lessons learnt to benefit from in future programming (learning process);

(3) assess the relevance of the project, its effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability;

(4) Review the effectiveness of gender and social inclusion in the project’s delivery.

While adopting a participatory approach the expert should measure the extent to which the intervention has led to the desired impact or change. His/her mission will include:

• Conducting a desk review of available documents (project documents, monthly and interim reports, MEL data, etc.) 
• Conducting interviews with the project team.
• Leading one focus group gathering the youth council members in Koura.
• Interviewing at least two refugees who participated in the project activities.
• Interviewing at least two mayors from the targeted villages.

DRI Lebanon will provide the expert with the relevant project documents and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) data to conduct a desk review and facilitate interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, including beneficiaries and local partners. 

Your Deliverables:

• A brief methodology (maximum 3 pages) that provides the basis for your final evaluation, to be approved by DRI before proceeding with data collection. The methodology should include the overall evaluation approach, a preliminary list of interviewees, in addition to outlining the timeframe of the mission and submission of deliverables.
• Evaluation report. The final report should be a maximum of 10 pages, excluding annexes, and including success stories, Most Significant Changes.  The draft will be revised and finalised as per DRI’s feedback.
• Lessons learnt presentation. A presentation for DRI staff (two hours onsite or online) after the report approval to discuss lessons learnt and inform future programming.

Your Skills & Experience 

• A university degree in political science, social science, development studies, public policy/administration, or relevant fields;
•  At Least 5 years of experience as MEL consultant in the international development sector and/or public policy field, with a strong track record in evaluating programmes, including feedback on M&E frameworks, processes, and tools, and formulating lessons learnt;
• Strong understanding of challenges of doing MEL in democracy support programming;
• Familiarity with youth engagement projects;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity;
• Working proficiency in English and Arabic.