Evaluator

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE  The long years of armed conflicts in Iraq have increased the suffering of many different vulnerable groups. According to the Ministry of Women, the succession of conflicts and final 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq have left hundreds of thousands of women widowed and an inestimable number of children fatherless in Iraq. Iraqi widows are particularly vulnerable to poverty within Iraq’s patriarchal society in which men are the social protectors of women, as opportunities for independence and employment for women are rare. Traditionally, widows in Iraq have another male relative take care of them such as a father, brother, or uncle after the death of their husband; however, today there are fewer men to take care of many family units and most families struggle to provide for even their most immediate family members. Despite the commitment of the Government to cash transfers for vulnerable groups including widows, widows’ access to that welfare is still severely limited and far from their reach. In 2009 Oxfam GB conducted a study “In Her Own Words” which showed that: ‘76% of widows said they did not receive a pension from the government’. Consultation with a wide range of partners and NGOs in Iraq also confirmed the need to address widows and single vulnerable women to welfare assistance. It was clear, therefore, that there was a need for the project to address the above problems to enable widows to access the welfare assistance through promoting an equitable social protection system, with the ultimate aim of widows and their children being protected from destitute poverty. In response to the needs of widows in Iraq, Oxfam GB started a three-year programme in 2010 aiming at contributing to the protection of most vulnerable population in Iraq - in particular widows - through promotion of an equitable social protection system. The objective of the programme is that vulnerable widows are accessing welfare support through an efficient and responsive social safety net system by 2013. In order to achieve the above goal and objective, the below results were set: Result 1: 2,000 vulnerable widows have access to financial welfare support in catchments areas around 12 governorate application centres in Bagdad by 2013. Result 2:  Increased collaboration and a more constructive relationship between civil society and Bagdad governorate for the benefit of widows. Result 3:  Improved capacity at governorate levels in Bagdad for timely, efficient and accountable delivery of social safety net services. Result 4: Key stakeholders have an improved understanding of the situation for marginalized widows in Iraq, leading to evidence-based advocacy at a governorate level. With the project activities coming to an end in July 2013, Oxfam is seeking to conduct a final evaluation to measure the achievements and impact of the programme and explore integration of findings in the next phase of the programme.  2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY The objective of the final evaluation is to enable Oxfam and implementing partners to assess the progress in delivery of programme outputs and achievement of outcomes and, focus on showing the personal side or human face of the programme by highlighting stories of women targeted by the programme. The review should assess the (1) programme design (including the theory of change), (2) programme implementation with progress and impact, and (3) lessons learnt from the programme life-cycle and recommendations for the future. To this aim, the final evaluation shall attempt to determine, as systematically and objectively as possible, the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability of the programme, while also identifying significant factors that are facilitating or impeding the delivery of outcomes. The evaluation shall also focus on deriving success stories and case studies highlighting the impact of the project on daily lives of women we have worked with as well as on gender equality/transformation of gender roles. 3. METHODOLOGY The selected consultant(s) will work with Oxfam team to refine and agree on the final methodology, but it is expected that the latter shall be participatory and include the below components: Desk review (of programme design documents i.e. proposal, log-frame, theory of change, baseline study, as well as reports and produced documents/publications); Workshop with partners; Field work in Iraq including interviews and field observations in a representative sample of targeted communities; Interviews with stakeholders from CSOs and public sector; Interviews with Oxfam GB staff. 4. OUTPUTS Expected outputs include: An agreed evaluation plan and methodology; A presentation of initial evaluation findings/first draft for face to face discussion with Oxfam and partners; Final evaluation report, not more than 25 pages, of publishable quality, with a stand-alone executive summary of no more than 4 pages; 2 or 3 case study reports (length to be agreed in conversation with evaluator(s)). The final report should contain the following annexes, in addition to any other relevant material: Terms of Reference List of conducted meetings List of interviewed persons Summary of field visits List of documents reviewed  5. LOCATION FOR THE CONSULTANCY The consultant (s) is expected to be based and work in Iraq, with travel to Beirut to meet with Oxfam team. 6. REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES Oxfam is looking for consultants with strong analytical and writing skills with a strong record in conducting evaluations, including familiarity with advocacy/campaign work.  The organisation/team leader will need to have excellent knowledge of monitoring and evaluation in theory and practice, and understanding of policy work.  The consultants should have the following skills and competencies: Demonstrable experience of producing high-quality, credible evaluations/assessment. Familiarity with different methodologies for evaluation, and the additional factors involved in research in the field of gender equity. Familiarity with programme cycle components (i.e. logical framework, indicators, budgets, work plans) Demonstrable experience with participatory methodologies. Familiarity with campaign and advocacy work and demonstrable political sensitivity. Familiarity with gender and governance work. Experience of working in or assessing multi-stakeholders engaged in programme. Ability to write concise, readable and analytical reports and understanding of public communications. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic. 7. TIMELINE CHANGE The following table indicates approximate timings for the selection process and final evaluation. Action By When Who Application deadline 4 June 2013 Oxfam GB Recruitment and signing contract with the consultant/team 7 June 2013 Oxfam GB Submit the first draft report 8 July 2013 Consultant Provide comments on the first draft 17 July 2013 Oxfam GB, partners Final evaluation submitted 30 July 2013 Consultant 8. BUDGET  The budget for this task is 5,500 USD including all type of expenses (travel, per-diem, transportation, calls, etc.). 10.APPLICATIONS Applicants with the experience and skills described above are invited to submit the below: CV including contactable three references; A one-page cover letter introducing the applicant experience and how the skills and competencies described above are met, with concrete examples. Please also use this cover letter to indicate applicant’s availability; An outline of no more than 2 pages of the proposed process and key considerations; A one-page budget covering all major anticipated costs; One example of a previous similar task. Applications should be submitted to aawada@oxfam.org.uk  by 4 June 2013