Evaluator Consultant For Microloans Project

      Terms of Reference     To Assess Impact of Micro Loans Project (targeting Palestinian refugees in South Lebanon)       Background Taawon  (Welfare Association – WA)  is an independent non-profit organisation established in 1983 by a group of Palestinian business and intellectual figures to provide development and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank (including Jerusalem), the Gaza Strip, 1948 Areas, and the Palestinian communities in Lebanon.  Taawon in Lebanon works in close collaboration with local partners’ active in the Palestinian communities on four sectors: Education, Community Development (including health, disability and micro loans), Culture and Relief and Emergency Assistance.   Taawon (Welfare Association) is implementing a four year project “Empower Marginalized Communities in South Lebanon” funded by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) which aims at improving the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in the South through a number of interventions. The interventions include environmental health (water treatment and composting), community awareness, provision of microloans, Community Based rehabilitation,  targeting specifically the three camps in the South of Lebanon (Rashidieh, Al Buss, and Burj El Shemali) and the nine gatherings around Tyre area.     The component related to the provision of microloans was executed by Taawon in close partnership with the Palestinian Arab Women League (PAWL) between 2012-2016. The main purpose of granting loans was to increase the economic opportunities of the targeted population contributing thus to enhanced household income and reduction of poverty by giving special attention to women and persons with disabilities. A total of 237 beneficiaries received 243 loans with the following distribution: -          Males 166 (68%) -          Females 77(32%) -          PWD (persons with disability) 3 (3%) -          Beneficiaries with a disabled family member 3 (1%)   The beneficiaries were selected by PAWL according to a number of set criteria; and were individually coached and supported through PAWL’s business development unit.  The loan amount per beneficiary hovered between USD 550.00 and US 1,100.   Objective of Assessment The objective of the assessment is to measure through an independent evaluation the changes produced by the micro loans project on the benefiting population. The impact assessment should analyse the progress the project has made against the project’s stipulated objectives.   It is expected to provide answers to the following:    What impact has the project made in the lives of the beneficiaries, their families as well as in the community? How relevant, effective, efficient, sustainable and participatory is the project intervention? -          Relevance: To what extent is the project focussed on the target group (???) and to what extend it responded to their needs and priorities -          Effectiveness: To what extent are the objectives of the programme being attained (or likely to be attained?) -          Efficiency: Is the relation between input of resources and results achieved appropriate and justifiable (cost-benefit ratio)? -          Sustainability: To what extent can activities, results and effects be expected to continue after BIG’s involvement has ended? Has the capacity of the implementation partner been developed?  If so, in what areas and how? -          Participation: To what extent are stakeholders (beneficiaries, partners,) involved in the design, planning and implementation of the project?   What lessons can be drawn from the project implementation that can be taken to improve and develop the project for the future?      Scope of Work The consultant is expected to lead the impact assessment exercise involving the project staff and other key stakeholders, including:   Plan the assessment design in coordination with programme staff Review the project documentation and other sources of information Pick 1-2 case studies to give a clear understanding of the impact on beneficiaries Plan, design, and coordinate the data collection process -     Identification of the major stakeholders who are associated with the programme to be interviewed, such as the direct participants of the programme, implementation partners, and beneficiaries. -     Selection of representative sample of people to be interviewed on the basis of agreed criteria -     Agreeing on the type of information to be collected -     Preparation of checklists (interview questionnaire) and other tools for data collection Collection of data Analysis of the data Preparation of a draft report and finalisation after inputs from various stakeholders Present the findings to the programme staff  After having received feedback from the various stakeholders – finalise the report     Expected Deliverables Assessment methodology and plan Final narrative report in English language presenting the assessment’s findings and recommendations (report to include research objectives and methodology, findings, lessons learnt and recommendations for the future), 1-2 page of executive summary and any relevant appendixes A power point presentation in English summarizing the reports content     Timeframe The expected time frame for conducting the assessment is 12 working days to be completed within no later than six weeks after signature of contract.   Action Number of Days Review project documents and meeting with implementing partners 2 Prepare assessment design / research methodology 1 Conduct field work in the concerned communities and collect data 3 Analyze date and prepare first draft of report -  share with Taawon for feedback 4 Finalize report and prepare presentation of finding based on Taawon’s feedback 2 Total 12     Required competencies and qualifications The selected consultant should fulfill the following: Holder of an advanced degree in social sciences or relevant fields Experience in conducting similar assessments and research and demonstrated capacity to analyze qualitative findings particularly what is related to microfinance projects In-depth understanding of the situation of the Palestinian context in Lebanon Willingness to go into the Palestinian camps Excellent command of both Arabic and English languages