VSF Belgium Karamoja Livestock Development Project Phase I End of Phase 1 Evaluation Terms of Reference

VSF Belgium Karamoja Livestock Development Project Phase I End of Phase 1 Evaluation Terms of Reference
Country: Uganda
Location: Matheniko County, Moroto District, Karamoja Region

Project to be evaluated: “Karamoja Livestock Development Project Phase I”
I. Background
The Karamoja ‘cluster’ is a term used to describe the pastoral and agro-pastoral ethnic groups in an area comprising north-eastern Uganda, north-western Kenya, southern Sudan and south-western Ethiopia, most of whom share a common language, culture and land area.

The communities that constitute the Karamoja cluster include: Turkana, Matheniko, Bokora, Pian, Dodoth, Nyangatom, Didinga, Merille, Toposa, Jie, Tepeth, Acholi, Labwor and Upe.

In Uganda, Karamoja region covers 27,200 Km2 semi-arid plain, with an average rainfall of 500-700 mm per annum, variable in space and time. The environment is classified as in disequilibrium, where vegetation in areas not receiving rain for two or more years is able to regenerate rapidly when it receives adequate moisture.

There is a limited amount of acacia / commiphora forest in the higher ground to the east of Moroto, which is the Regional Headquarters, but the vast majority of the district can be classified as semi-arid savannah covered with seasonal grasses, thorny plants, and occasional small trees.

The Karamoja region is characterised by a combination of acute poverty, vulnerability to drought, poor infrastructure, basic social services delivery, limited marketing opportunities, especially for livestock, natural resource degradation, social and cultural marginalisation, long-standing dependency on external aid and most importantly, chronic insecurity.

The region is the least socially and economically developed in Uganda, even among the generally poor parts of Northern Uganda as a whole.

Due to the aridity, extensive livestock keeping is the principal economic activity within the district. Livestock are kept primarily to sustain livelihoods through milk, meat and barter; the sale of livestock is only of secondary importance.

The livestock keeping system, which is exceptionally well adapted to the disequilibrium environment, is hindered primarily by the chronic insecurity (which has its basis in a tradition of cattle rustling) of the area, but also by poor access to water in the dry season, poor quality of available forage, high incidence of contagious diseases and limited access to veterinary services.

Whereas the prevalence of diseases, poor access to water and poor quality of the available forage limit the possibilities for breed improvement, the conflict provides an active disincentive for breed improvement as families do not want to draw attention to their herds.

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) Belgium, is an international non-governmental organization with a mission to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations in developing countries, through improving animal health and production.

VSF-Belgium is officially registered as an NGO with the Belgian Government and operates in several African countries. The Karamoja Livestock Development Project (KLDP) focuses on addressing insecurity and inadequate access to grazing and water for optimal animal health and production.

II. ObjectiveThe overall objective of this mid-term evaluation is to assess and document the benefits and impact of the Karamoja Livestock Development Project on the social and economic status, welfare and livelihoods of the intended direct and indirect project beneficiaries.

This will involve assessing and documenting the project’s contribution to improving the livelihoods of the direct and indirect project beneficiaries. The evaluation will include identifying the impact, changes, timeliness, coverage, appropriateness and connectedness of the project, highlighting key lessons learned in the current phase and recommendations for improving the future structuring of interventions.

III. Scope and focus

The broad terms of reference include the following:
    * Measure the extent to which the programme’s objectives to improve the social and economic status of households in the targeted areas have been achieved;
    * Provide VSF Belgium and donors with information on how the program interventions have contributed to livelihood security of the targeted households;
    * Verify indicators and indicator values in KLDP II Second Phase (20211-2013) proposal.
    * Inform future design of similar interventions by VSFB and provide the staff with a learning opportunity.

The evaluation will focus on the operational approach, the implementation process and the performance of the programme.

Specifically the evaluation must give answers to the following questions:
    * Did expected results fulfill the needs identified prior to the intervention? (relevance)
    * Do expected results meet the major current needs? (relevance)
    * Does the program cover the initially targeted population? (coverage)
    * Has the project appropriately targeted the right beneficiaries and the deriving villages? (relevance and coverage)
    * Are the project activities timely implemented as planned? ( effectiveness of work plan implementation)
    * Is the project on course to meet expected results? (effectiveness)
    * How are the resources being utilized in the course of project implementation so far? (efficiency)
    * Are the results of activities sustainable and to what extent?
    * What negative or positive mid-term influence of the project is already foreseen? (impact)

Finally, the evaluation should also assess the appreciation of the program by the beneficiaries as well as their participation at various levels of the project management cycle.

The estimated duration of the assignment is fifteen (15) working days.

IV. Evaluation process and methods
Evaluation methods to be clearly outlined in the report and their appropriateness, relative to the evaluation’s primary purpose, focus and users, explained pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the methods. A description of the overall flow of the evaluation process (i.e. sequence of the key stages) should be given in the evaluation report. The evaluation approach and the methods used to collect and analyze data should also be described. The nature (e.g., external or mixed) and make-up of the team (e.g. sector expertise, local knowledge, gender balance) and its appropriateness for the evaluation should be outlined.

The evaluation report should outline the sources of biases that might affect the evaluation and how these have been addressed.

The evaluation report should also present the key constraints to carrying out the evaluation (e.g., lack of baseline data, lack of access to key information sources, use of translators), and the effect of these constraints.

Whenever secondary sources will be referred to, the evaluator should indicate the level of reliability of the given information.

After the field work, the evaluation team will present and discuss with the project team the preliminary findings and the proposed recommendations.

A first draft of the evaluation report should be shared with VSFB before a final version is submitted incorporating all the comments.

V. Deliverables

The evaluation report should include at least:
    * Three bound hard copies narrative report (max 40 pages) including an executive summary (2 pages maximum) and a soft copy submitted to the Regional Technical Advisor.
    * A separate table summarizing the main findings and the lessons learned.
    * A separate table showing the different recommendations and tips for their implementation (who will be in charge of implementing these recommendations, when? dead line? necessary means? who will be in charge of checking that the recommendations are being implemented and when? etc.).
    * Relevant maps and photographs of the assessed zone and programme.

VI. Documents of reference (on request only)
    * Project document (KLDP1)
    * Last two annual reports (2008 and 2009) to the donor
    * Current organizational chart
    * Last Activity Progress Update of the programme
    * Proposal document for KLDP II (2011-2013)

VII. Qualification of the Lead consultant
    * Relevant University degree
    * Minimum 5 years of proven experience with NGOs
    * Proven experience in similar evaluation context (ASAL)
    * Strong methodology and writing capacities

How to apply
Please send your proposal, highlighting the following:
    * A brief introduction of bidding firm or person attaching relevant CVs
    * Your understanding of the Terms of Reference
    * Proposed methodology and approach
    * Proposed work plan and budget
    * Your availability

All relevant information (CV, cover letter, copies of testimonials, certificate of works and 3 contact references) should be sent to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke before midnight on Sunday 19th September 2010.

Please indicate the consultancy you are applying for in the title of your email.

Only short-listed applications will be contacted.