Somalia: Media Project Evaluation Consultant, Experience with Assessments within Somali Context

A consultant is needed to conduct an end of project evaluation for RI's recently closed MEDIA project (EU-funded). The evaluation intends to assess the effectiveness of the project design, and achievements of its results and objectives. It will also assess the efficiency of the implementation process. In addition, it will determine lessons learned to benefit future media programming.

Timeline: Late February/Early March 2016

Key Tasks of the Consultancy:

• Compare stated program goals and objectives with actual accomplishments, and examine the reasons for actual outcomes and performance (verify if the response achieved what it set out to achieve i.e. indicator targets).

• Analyze the project implementation process; from inception, planning, implementation, monitoring, and documentation.

• Determine the efficiency of the project by assessing if it was timely, appropriate and cost effective.

• Make observations through case studies, obtain information and data on lessons learnt, and document best practices of the project.

• Examine the facilitating and limiting factors, as well as the relevant processes that took place, and recommend how to address constraints and capitalize on strengths in the future programs.

• Determine the appropriateness of strategies and approaches used to achieve objectives.

• Identify the impact resulting from the project activities and identify gaps that need to be filled to achieve the overall goal in the subsequent projects.

• Explore the purposed sustainability of the MEDIA houses implemented by the project by examining the handover procedures, determining any potential weaknesses and identifying lessons learned.

• Develop a comprehensive evaluation report and present key findings to the MEDIA Program Manager and Country Management in Somalia (Mogadishu or Puntland)

Proposed Work Plan (16 days):

• 2 days for familiarization with relevant documentation and introduction to MEDIA project staff
• 7 days for project site visits (Puntland and Mogadishu) to conduct end-project evaluation
• 7 days for generating end-project evaluation report and conducting final consultations with donors and relevant stakeholders

Key Deliverables:

· Inception Report – The inception report will be a scoping exercise for the evaluation and will include the proposed methodologies, data collection and reporting plans with draft data collection tools, such as interview guides, the allocation of roles and responsibilities within the team, a timeframe with firm dates for deliverables, and the travel and logistical arrangements for the team. This will be completed prior to beginning work in the field and discussed with program staff.

· Debriefings/feedback to management – The consultant will report the preliminary findings to RI-Somalia two days after completing the field work.

· Draft report – A draft report, identifying key findings, conclusions, recommendations and lessons learned for future operations will be presented to the program management team in Garowe or Mogadishu four days following the project site visits. RI will provide consolidated feedback within three days of receiving the draft.

· Final report/Presentation – The final report will contain an executive summary and main body of the report covering the background of the intervention evaluated, a description of the evaluation methods and limitations, findings, conclusions, lessons learned, and clear recommendations. The report should also contain appropriate appendices, including a copy of the ToR, cite resources or bibliography, a list of those interviewed and any other relevant materials. The final evaluation report will be submitted one week after receipt of the consolidated feedback from RI.

Reporting: In all matters in relation to the end of project evaluation, the consultant will report to the Somalia Country Director. The consultant will work closely with the Mogadishu and Puntland-based MEDIA project staff.

Intellectual Property Rights: All products arising from this evaluation will be owned by RI. The evaluators will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the results as his or her own work or to make use of the evaluation results for private publication purposes.

Evaluation Quality & Ethical Standards: The evaluators should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the evaluation is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved and to ensure that the evaluation is technically accurate and reliable, is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner, and contributes to organizational learning and accountability. The consultant will also commit to adhering to RI’s Code of Conduct.

Essential Requirements:

• Extensive knowledge of and experience in conducting assessments and evaluations, preferably within the Somali context
• Knowledge of the MEDIA industry in conflict-affected countries
• Being an external evaluation, you should not be affiliated with this MEDIA project

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong communication skills & cross-cultural sensitivity
• Strong capacity to work in challenging environments, including ability to work in the context of security concerns
• Willingness to travel within Somalia (Mogadishu and Puntland)
• Excellent analysis and report-writing skills
• Knowledge of Somali language preferred, but not required

Send your detailed CV by email to Teresa Eklund (teresa.eklund@ri.org) and Shueyb Youb (shueyb.youb@ri.org). Also indicate your earliest availability to begin the assignment on the ground in Somalia (Mogadishu & Puntland). Please specify in the subject line of the email the position title. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.