Consultancy: Evaluation of the IFRC Ebola Virus Disease Response _ 2018-2021

Summary of the Evaluation Purpose

The main purpose of the final evaluation is to assess IFRC’s, DRC Red Cross and other partner National Societies response to curb the spread of Ebola virus disease following the outbreak from May 2018 to September 2021, and the preparedness actions taken in Priority 1 countries, namely Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan, based on evaluation criteria defined in section 4 below. Since the start of the 9^th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2018, three other outbreaks have occurred with the 12^th outbreak declared over in May 2021, and response activities under the operation finalized by September, 30, 2021.

The evaluation will look at the response of the IFRC network in this operation in line with the EVD response pillars (RCCE, SDB, IPC, MHPSS), identify successes, gaps, lessons learnt and give recommendations on how to address future challenges and highlight processes for effective response for future public health emergencies of such a magnitude. In addition, the evaluation will also assess the relevance of the preparedness actions taken in support of National Societies in Priority-1 countries.

Evaluation Criteria – Questions

Relevance and appropriateness: This refers to the extent to which the RCRC EVD operation responded to the needs of the communities affected or at risk of being affected by the Ebola disease, during the emergency.

Effectiveness: The evaluation team will look at the extent to which the Ebola operation has achieved its objectives and results in the affected communities, DRC RC while also looking at preparedness in P1 countries.

Efficiency: The evaluation team will examine how well the resources available were used in the operation and can be justified by its results, including the agility of changing approaches and taking alternative actions into account. Operational efficiency will be a key aspect evaluated in this section as well as looking at efficiency versus impact.

Sustainability**: This will involve an assessment of whether there will be continuation of benefits realised from the Ebola operation and if they will continue within the affected communities, the DRC RC and the NS in P1 countries.

Coherence: The evaluation will look into the extent to which policies of different concerned actors in the intervention context were complementary or contradictory and how they affected the implementation of the operation. This will also assess synergies and interlinkages between the RC Ebola operation and other interventions carried out by other actors to prevent duplication while promoting complementarity, harmonisation and co-ordination.

Coverage: The evaluation will examine the extent to which the EVD operation was able to reach major population groups affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Geographic scope of the EVD Operation

• 2018-2020: 9^th and 11^th outbreak - DRC, Equateur Province
• 2019-2021: 10^th and 12^th outbreak - DRC – North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri Provinces
• Rwanda
• Burundi
• South Sudan
• Uganda

Evaluation Methodology

Due to the wide coverage of the operation – 5 countries involved, a sample of locations will be visited in DRC (stakeholders and communities), while P1 countries will be evaluated remotely.

Deliverables

• Inception report detailing methodologies and detailed workplan
• Data collection plan
• Regular updates with the management team during the evaluation phase
• Debriefings – workshop/webinar on preliminary findings of the evaluation
• Draft report
• Final report
• Cleaned data (for data collected during this evaluation)
• Written or oral case studies
• Photographs/videos captured during field visits

Evaluation Timeline

It is expected that the evaluation should take place between 15 December and 28 February 2021

How to apply:

Application materials should include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for all members of the team applying for consideration.

2. Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this assignment and three professional references.

3. A brief description of your firm or institution (for applicants other than individual consultants).

4. Technical proposal (when appropriate) not exceeding ten pages expressing an understanding and interpretation of the TOR, the proposed methodology, and a time and activity schedule.

5. Financial proposal itemizing estimated costs for services rendered (daily consultancy fees), accommodation and living costs, transport costs, stationery costs, and any other related supplies or services required for the evaluation.

6. Sample evaluation report most similar to that described in this TOR. Applicants are required to provide 2 examples of a previous evaluation reports authored – one in French, other in English.

7. All the above documents must be in English with the exception of the French report

Candidates meeting the requirements and interested in the position are invited to send a 1 - page letter of motivation, a detailed CV and the above listed requirements to the following link not later than 06 December 2021. The link provides more details on the consultancy and how to apply.

Consultant - Evaluation of Ebola Virus Disease Response - DR Congo_2018-2021