Trócaire ICSP Grant Mid-term Review (MTR) (extended)

Trócaire, through ICSP funding, partner with local organizations in the region. The project focuses on protection, livelihoods, basic assistance, disaster risk management and social cohesion for crisis-affected communities. In Lebanon, local partners implement activities in the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel regions, while local partners in Syria have presence in Damascus and Rural Damascus, including areas such as Jaramana, Dwelaa, Kashkoul, Nashabiye, Jdeidet Artouz, Sahnaya, and Maaloula. 

Trócaire is seeking a consultant to lead on aspects of the MTRs for both the Lebanon and Syria ICSP grants being implemented by its eight partners. 

Evaluation Purpose  

Trócaire has received funding from Irish Aid under the five-year Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership (2023-2027) funding scheme. The ICSP Grant runs from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2027. We are seeking a consultant to support the Mid-Term Review of the ongoing ICSP project implemented by local partners in Lebanon and Syria. 

The consultant will begin by reviewing both primary and secondary data collected over the first three years of the project, helping them gain a solid understanding of our progress, challenges, and any adaptations made along the way. Trócaire are looking for a consultant to support in answering the following MTR questions: 

• What have been major factors (drivers and barriers) influencing the achievement or non-achievement of the planned changes/ outcomes and what implications do they have?   
• How have the programme’s cross-cutting approaches influenced achievement of changes/outcomes?  
• Has the yearly project cycle been effective in bringing about long-lasting change and thus moving beneficiaries from short term relief into long term change?  
• What lessons can we identify from successes or challenges in the country grants to date?  
• What have we learned from adaptations made to the programme strategies/activities/ways of working?  
• How can learning be used to adjust or improve the ICSP country/partner grant?  

After understanding the grant and it’s MTR requirements, the consultant will develop a comprehensive plan for data collection, analysis, and reporting—designing tools such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews tailored to our context, while ensuring strict data protection measures are in place. The consultant will then carry out in-person data collection across specified locations in Syria and Lebanon, engaging with project participants and partner staff to gather vital insights. Their findings will be compiled into detailed reports for each country, complete with supporting data annexes. Throughout this process, the consultant’s work will be essential to evaluate how well the project is meeting its objectives, identifying successes and areas for improvement, and ultimately guiding future programming decisions. 

Methodology 

To respond to the MTR questions, the following methodology is anticipated and will be discussed with the consultant(s) during the inception: 

Review primary and secondary resources: Review primary monitoring data from Years 1, 2, and 3 related to the grant indicators outlined in the project’s Grants Management Framework. Also review relevant secondary data from existing sources. This will help ensure a full understanding of the grant, inform the design of the data collection methodology, identify challenges, risks, and adaptations, and support a more thorough analysis of the evaluation findings. 

Develop a data collection, analysis and reporting plan: This plan should: 

• Detail and create any data collection methods and tools for primary and secondary sources, including sampling for selection of key informants or FGDs 
• Develop a data collection timeline/ plan 
• Describe the approach to data protection that will be applied in the evaluation covering how data will be collected, stored safely and securely and the storage limitation that applies to the data (how and when it will be disposed/deleted) 
• Describe methods for quantitative and qualitative data analysis, cleaning and triangulation to ensure validity and reliability. Explain how data will be analysed and validated.   

This plan should be detailed in an inception report submitted, using a template provided by Trócaire. 

Conduct a data collection exercise: Perform data collection exercises through created tools such as FGDs (a minimum of 16) or KIIs (a minimum of 50) with project participants and partner staff in order to support the analysis of findings of indicators or assumptions or to assess the long-term impact of delivered services. The consultant is expected to conduct in-person data collection, with the support of Trocaire local partners in both, Syria and Lebanon during the indicated consultancy timeframe. 

Present evaluation draft results and findings through two initial evaluation reports:one for Lebanon and one for Syria, including annexed FGD and KII reports. 

Anticipated Consultancy Outputs and Deadlines 

The following outputs are required from the consultancy:  

• Inception Meeting with Trócaire  
• Review of primary and secondary data  
• Develop the methodology section of an MTR Inception Report (Trócaire to provide template) 
• Develop data collection, analysis and reporting plan and tools 
• Draft two evaluations reports including annexed FGD and KII reports (one each for Lebanon and Syria) 

Timeframe 

The overall timeframe for this MTR is from September 2025 to October 2025. The consultancy will take place over a period of approximately 20-25 working days.  

We expect a total of 10 data collection days, divided between both countries (5 working days in Syria and 5 working days in Lebanon).  

Expressions of interest should include a proposal for the number of days in line with the timeline expressed in this ToR and the number of days required for each stage of the evaluation. A detailed timeline will be agreed during the inception phase.

Required experience and expertise of the consultant/team  

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (such as research, development studies, public policy, organisational development, or social sciences).  
• Proven experience in designing and implementing data collection methodologies and tools for the purpose of programme or project evaluations 
• Extensive experience in designing and conducting evaluations, research or reviews related to women’s protection and empowerment, Livelihoods and/or humanitarian preparedness and response, particularly in fragile and conflict affected states, ideally within Lebanon and Syria.  
• Demonstrated experience working with a range of actors—including international, national, and local NGOs and community-based organisations—in diverse contexts.  
• Excellent English writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, analytical reports and learning-focused publications.  
• RKn Demonstrated experience in conducting knowledge data triangulation and in reviewing grant management frameworks, with the ability to build upon and enhance existing grant-related practices. ts 
• Commitment to safeguarding, including willingness to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Programme Participants Policy.  

Selection Criteria  

• Quality and relevance of technical proposal (30%)  
• Demonstrated technical and sector specific experience including work in complex contexts, particularly Syria and Lebanon. Experience in conducting MTRs of grants delivered through partnership models is an asset. (30%)  
• Complementarity and overall team skills and expertise (20%) 
• Budget and value for money (20%)   

Safeguarding  

All consultants who work for Trócaire will be required to sign and abide by Trócaire’s official position statement on exploitation and abuse, including zero-tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. Trócaire recognises that abuse of power has led, and continues to lead, to many forms of exploitation and abuse. The nature of Trócaire’s work creates a power differential between those employed by or working with Trócaire and programme participants and partners. Trócaire acknowledges that the potential exists for those who work with programme participants and partners to abuse their position of power. Trócaire’s commitment to safeguarding is inclusive of its staff and all those with whom it comes into contact through its work.  

All consultant who works for Trócaire will be required to sign and commit to a confidentiality terms and conditions. Consultant will be requested to sign a confidentiality agreement.