Somalia: Terms of Reference for the Final Evaluation of Lifesaving and Livelihood Restoration Project-II (LLRP-II) in south central Somalia

Terms of Reference for the Final Evaluation of Lifesaving and Livelihood Restoration Project-II (LLRP-II) in south central Somalia

A. Background Information

Founded in 1988 and with Headquarters in Berne Switzerland, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF-Suisse), www.vsf-suisse.org, is a not for profit organisation focusing on preventing and alleviating suffering, disease and hunger, supporting socio-economic development and assisting people whose livelihood mainly depends on livestock and agriculture with the aim of improving food sovereignty, nutrition security and resilience. Since September 2016 VSF-Suisse is implementing Lifesaving and Livelihood Restoration Project-II (LLRP-II) in South Central Somalia. The project is funded by USAID/OFDA and is currently in its final phase of implementation. LLRP-II aims to improve immediate access to food and to provide emergency livelihoods support for the vulnerable population in Somalia to cope with the impact of the 2016/2017 drought. The initial project period was from 01 September 2016 to 31 August 2017. The project then received a cost-modification until 31 May 2018 and a no cost-extension to 31 July 2018. During the cost-modification phase some activities that started during the initial project phase were scaled up and new ones introduced to respond to the severe drought.

VSF-Suisse is seeking to engage a reputable a consultant to undertake a final evaluation of LLRP-II in order to assess how the project has performed in compliance with the project design and other major cross-cutting issues influencing success/failure such as environmental protection, gender equity, community participation, ownership and sustainability.

B. Project Summary

Project Period: 01 September 2016 to 31 July 2018: Target Beneficiaries: Vulnerable livestock keeping communities including pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and IDPs Project Location: Bullahawa, Garbaharey, Elwak, Baardhere, Luuq and Dollow Districts

Project objectives:  To alleviate suffering and facilitate recovery of the population in distress from the effect of drought. The objective is achieved by implementing activities in the Livestock, Veterinary Medicines and Vaccines and the Irrigation sub-sectors.  To rehabilitate community assets and reduce vulnerability of communities to droughts. The objective is achieved through rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure, mainly desilting of water pans, dams and shallow wells.

Project Results:  Support is provided to agro-pastoralist communities to produce and conserve fodder;  Emergency veterinary assistance is provided to pastoralist/agro-pastoralist communities;  Training is provided to Community-based Animal Health Workers to offer animal health services;  Agro-pastoralist communities are supported to rehabilitate irrigation canals;  Pastoralist communities are supported to rehabilitate water pans and shallow wells;  Emergency feed is availed for core breeding stock, mainly goats;  Emergency water is provided to vulnerable communities through trucking  Emergency slaughter of small ruminants and distribution of fresh meat to vulnerable households, mainly IDPs

C. Objectives of the Evaluation

The objectives of the evaluation are:  To assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and demonstrated impact and sustainability of the project on the targeted beneficiaries;  To assess the extent to which the objectives and key activities of the project were achieved and determine how they contributed to the realization of the overall goal;  To assess the appropriateness of the different approaches and methodologies used in the implementation of the project to target different groups of beneficiaries;  To identify indicators of success including communities’ views on the benefits, impact and sustainability of the action.  To document key successes, challenges and lessons learnt and make recommendations for future interventions.

D. Methodology of Data Collection

The following methods of data collection may be used in combination to collect all the required information:  Desk review of VSF-Suisse documents, relevant reports on LLRP-II project activities;  Focus group discussion with stakeholders, pastoralists and key actors in the region/districts;  Key informant interviews with relevant experts in emergency interventions and heads of departments from the collaborating actors;  Use of participatory skills and approaches and field data collection with pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in target areas.

E. Results of evaluation

A detailed report indicating clearly the main impacts, lessons learnt, project successes and key recommendations.

F. Proposed duration of the Evaluation Proposed activity

Result Days 1.1 Literature review in Nairobi 2 1.2 Focus Group discussions and key informant interviews 14 1.3 Compiling Evaluation report 6

G. Location The evaluation will take place in the project areas in Gedo, Somalia, as agreed with the consultant (s).

Execution  The consultant (s) should provide a detailed work plan and budget of the training.  The evaluation is expected to be completed in July 2018 over a period of 22 days.

H. Deliverables

The consultant (s) will be expected to submit hard and soft copies of a detailed plan within two (2) days of signing the consultancy contract.

A final report will be presented to the VSF-Suisse Country Director and the Team Leader, detailing the findings of the consultancy and recommendations for future similar interventions in South Central Somalia. The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of VSF-Suisse. A hard copy and a soft copy (CD/DVD) must be submitted.

A draft report will be expected three (4) days after the end of the field mission and the final report is expected 2 days after VSF-Suisse’s comments.

The contents of the report shall be as follows:  Executive summary  Background.  Description of the objectives of the mission and execution methodology.  Findings  Problems encountered  Recommendations  Annexes covering Terms of Reference, abbreviations, field locations visited references, graphs, tables, etc.

I. Responsibilities

The VSF-Suisse Country Director and the VSF-Suisse LLRP-II Team Leader will ensure overall coordination of the consultancy.

J. Qualifications

The consultant(s) are expected to have the following qualifications:  At least seven years experience in food security and livelihoods, especially livestock, programming in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas.  Experience in carrying out similar consultancies and a proven track record of excellent results delivery;  Excellent report writing skills;  Working experience in Somalia, particularly in South Central Somalia, is desirable

Interested expert(s) and organizations (s) should prepare and submit to VSF-Suisse a technical and financial proposal (in US$) for the assignment by 24th June 2018, 17:00 Hours EAST. The proposal should indicate qualifications and experience with a detailed execution plan and budget. The proposals, CV and letter of motivation as well as three (3) referees should be sent electronically to Office.Nairobi@vsf-suisse.org. Given the urgency of this consultancy, applicants will be assessed on a continuous basis and may be recruited on short notice. Notice is hereby given that any form of canvassing will result in automatic disqualification of affected consultant(s).