1.1. Purpose: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) seeks to evaluate the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the Bosnia and Herzegovina: Population Movement (MDRBA011) Emergency Appeal from December 2018 to March 2022.
1.2. Audience: The findings will be the basis for the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RCSBiH), IFRC and Partner National Societies (PNS) to inform future planning and response preparedness for similar operations in the future.
1.3. Commissioners: This evaluation is being commissioned by the IFRC Regional Office for Europe jointly with the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in compliance with its Evaluation Policy for final evaluations.
1.1. Consultant or consulting organisation: A lead evaluator and optionally up to one additional evaluation team member or a consulting organisation not directly involved with this project. If two evaluators apply jointly, the name of the lead evaluator must be indicated in the application.
1.2. Reports to: The evaluator(s) will report to the Evaluation Management Team (EMT). Whilst in Bosnia and Herzegovina (if COVID-19 related situation allows in-country presence), the evaluator(s) will be under the management of the IFRC Operation Manager in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If a single evaluator applies, a Research Assistant may be recruited locally through a separate process to support the evaluation.
1.3. Duration: 6 weeks (including briefings, desktop review, field work, report writing, presentation, and follow-up). Maximum 35 days covered by consultancy fees (can be divided between two evaluators if necessary).
1.4. Timeframe: 17 February - 31 March 2022, with a possibility of a 2 week no-cost extension for report finalization.
1.5. Methodology summary: Secondary data review, key informant interviews with stakeholders across different levels and, internal discussions, analysing the quantitative data available from the project interventions and other evaluations/PDMs over the lifecycle of the project, validation on a Lessons Learned Workshop.
1.6. Location: Remotely and Bosnia and Herzegovina (if COVID-19 related situation allows in-country presence)**Application requirements**: The consultancy for this final evaluation requires understanding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and experience of evaluating post-disaster relief and recovery programmes. The evaluator will be responsible of the outcome of the evaluation.
Evaluation Purpose & Scope
Purpose:
This final evaluation aims to assess the relevance, effectiveness (and any clear impact), efficiency and sustainability of the activities, systems, management, and coordination of the IFRC Emergency Appeal (MDRBA011) responding to the Bosnia and Herzegovina: Population Movement.
Scope:
Timeframe: December 2018 – March 2022.
Geography: Bosnia and Herzegovina, all major operational points.
Programmes: by key sectors that have been funded through the Emergency Appeal.
Evaluation Objectives - Criteria
Objectives:**
Objective 1: To assess the objectives, overall achievements and activities included in the Emergency Plan of Action:
· Was the assistance provided appropriate and sufficient to meet intended needs?
· Were there adequate resources (financial, human, physical and informational) available and were the resources utilized effectively and efficiently?
· How effective were processes for planning, monitoring and quality management, (e.g. use of assessment data, internal reviews and other quality assurance mechanisms)?
· Were there mechanisms to capture community’s complaints/feedback and how accountable was the project in assisting the community take informed decisions?
· Were gender and diversity aspects considered in programming, monitoring and reporting?
· Were adequate tracking systems in place to ensure transparency and accountability?
Objective 2: To assess the communication and information flow within the National Society, and its impact in the daily implementation of the operation:
· Were internal communication and coordination mechanisms between the NS HQ, entities and branches efficient? Was there a need for adjustments to ensure efficient coordination?
· What problems and constraints were faced during implementation and how did the interventions manage these?
· What important lessons have been identified that can improve the flow of information for future interventions within RCSBiH?
Objective 3: To assess cooperation and coordination with external stakeholders, and how the National Society can position itself better:
· How were programme activities managed and coordinated, particularly between RCSBiH and local authorities?
· Were intervention strategies and priorities in line with local customs and practices of the affected population, the priorities of the Government authorities and other key humanitarian actors?
· How the emergency response has influenced the status and external cooperation of the RCSBiH in its auxiliary role, and with other organisations within the national context?
· What are potential opportunities for continued collaboration between NS and authorities or other relevant stakeholders?
· What is the perceived value of the National Society’s role in the national disaster management framework?
Objective 4: To assess the National Society’s emergency response capacity:
· Were the National Society’s systems suitable for implementing the planned activities? If not, has IFRC provided appropriate support in building relevant capacities?
· Were there newly established capacities following the appeal that can be sustained?
· How was the internal flow of data and collaboration within RCSBiH?
· Did the interventions result in enhanced institutional capacity of RCSBiH across different levels?
Objective 5: To assess the efficiency of support provided by the IFRC, focusing on response to challenges:
· Has there been significant turnover of staff and how has it impacted the implementation of the emergency appeal?
· Did the support of the IFRC strengthen and complement the response of RCSBiH and coping mechanisms, or hinder them?
The evaluator must have experience or significant knowledge of the humanitarian response mechanisms, specifically interventions in population movement, and have previous experience in conducting evaluations for medium-to-large scale programmes. In case it is deemed necessary, tasks can be divided between a lead evaluator and an evaluation team member
The evaluator will coordinate directly with the IFRC team in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the IFRC ROE in Budapest.
The evaluator should meet the following requirements:
Required:
· At least 7 years of demonstrable experience in leading evaluations in humanitarian programmes responding to emergency and recovery programs
· Previous experience in coordination, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian programmes
· Experience in the evaluation of population movement programmes.
· Experience in participatory approaches to evaluations
· Excellent English writing and presentation skills in English, with relevant writing samples of similar evaluation reports.
Desirable:
· Very good understanding of the RC/RC Movement and types of humanitarian response.
· Knowledge of local language is preferred.
· How were programme activities managed and coordinated between RCSBiH, IFRC, other Movement Partners?
· Has the IFRC Regional Office for Europe provided timely and appropriate financial and technical support to implement the operational plan?
How to apply:
Applications are to be submitted before 10.00 (CET) 14 February 2022 to hr.europe@ifrc.org stating in the subject line: ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina Emergency Appeal Final Evaluation’. Please also submit your application via the IFRCjobs system.
The following should be submitted with the application:
The application should include:
Cover letter clearly summarizing experience as it pertains to this assignment, daily rate, and contact details of three professional referees
Proposal, including budget: A technical proposal should accompany the application, detailing the consultant’s understanding of the ToR with a detailed budget to undertake the work and should include a preliminary timeline of activities (specifying what part will be done remotely and in the field).
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Provide samples of previous work (reports of previous evaluations and reviews completed)
For any queries regarding these terms of reference, please contact: david.kohlmann@ifrc.org