External Evaluator

1. Project description: From May 28, 2016 to May 28, 2018 Safadi Foundation is implementing the two - year project entitled Wared Women active in Rural economic development in partnership with Municipality of Qobayat, Union of municipalities of Jerd El Kaytee & Union of municipalities of Joumeh. The project directly responds to the need for enhancing the socio-economic rights of women in rural Akkar, fostering tehir equal participation in their household and in their communities. The project highlights the fact that socio-economic rights, specifically the right to an adequate standard of living, are a fundamental element in reforming human rights in Lebanon and are a key starting point for widening rural women's access to education opportunities and other sources of social rights. Men and women are working together in socio-economic development of their villages, as partners rather than in an unbalanced power struggle. Women Active in Rural Economic development is one of the development projects being implemented recently in Akkar and consists of three main components: establishment of aromatic plants production units to ensure additional income throughout the year; creation of water and essential oil extraction unit to improve commervial value of agricultural products and implementation of three women- led grassroots initiatives.   2. Project evaluation: The project requires an External evaluator to cover all project activities The main purpose of the evaluation is to study the: - Relevance - Effectiveness - Efficiency - Sustainibility - Impact the each of the activities thus far It is important for Safadi Foudation that participatory methods be applied as much as possible 3. Methodology the following methods will be used to gather information - Data collection form project narrative and financial reports - Baseline information information from project surveys - Focus group discussions and individual interviews with key informants, these will include: Staff, project beneficiaries, local community members, local government leaders 4. Evaluator Qualifications  The evaluator should have a background in evaluation of projects: - relevant in agriculture and/or rural development - gender equality and participation of women - understand the Lebanese context, specifically the region of Akkar - working with women of all background and educational levels 5. Capacities - Excellent English writing skills - Strong speaking ability in Arabic - Significant knowledge in NGO's working in rural areas - Sufficiently physically fit to be able to endure multiple visits to beneficiaries and other stakeholders in different villages in Akkar 6. Deliverables 1 evaluation report