Closing date: 16 Sep 2016
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) seeks expressions of interest from qualified experts (agencies or individuals) to undertake a Process Evaluation of the implementation of the IFRC Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) Violence Prevention Module in Bangladesh, Mongolia and Vanuatu, in line with the attached Terms of Reference. The evaluation should take place over a maximum of 65 days, including 3 in-country visits, one to each of the three implementing National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent that implement this pilot project. Evaluators with expertise in Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response, Health sector evaluation experience and process evaluation sought.
1. Summary
1.1.Purpose: To conduct a qualitative evaluation to identify the strengths and challenges around the processes used in piloting a multi-country project for integrating the theme of violence prevention and response into community-based reproductive, mother, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH).
1.2.Estimated dates: 55-65 days to be completed no later than November 30, 2016.
1.3.Deliverables: A technical report of no more than 25 pages.
1.4.Methodology: Review of project documents, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
1.5.Locations: Bangladesh, Mongolia and Vanuatu.
1.6.Management team: Members of the IFRC RMNCAH and VP&R pilot project reference group.
2. Background Information
The IFRC is launching a revised version of the eCBHFA package, including the Violence Prevention and Response (VP&R) Module. The VP&R Module now includes strengthened messages on gender equality, the role of men and boys, self-directed violence, violence in emergencies, and how to identify local solutions (micro-projects) and take actions at the community level.
Based on local needs, capacities and circumstances, each National Society can focus on the local populations, partnerships, messages of the Module, and implementation strategies that are most suitable for its situation.
Since its launch, the module has been implemented in approximately 15 National Societies in development, protracted crisis and emergency situations. The initial lessons learned from these projects show positive results in terms of improved knowledge about preventing and responding to interpersonal violence, and changed attitudes among community participants.
In response to growing interest in the module in the Asia Pacific Region, IFRC organized a regional training in December 2015. Subsequently, workshop participants from a number of National Societies have plans to pilot the module as part of broader RMNCAH initiatives. For instance, in partnership with the Australian Red Cross the Vanuatu Red Cross, Mongolia Red Cross, and Bangladesh Red Crescent will pilot the module within existing community based health programming in their respective countries. Several other National Societies are planning to start, or may have begun, similar projects through various partnerships and funding sources.
While each of the pilot projects has an evaluation / lessons learned component to understand changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and perceived safety, there is also a need for examining the processes for adapting the global tool to meet local needs, organizing internal systems to implement the project, and planning processes.
3. Objectives of the Consultancy
The objectives of the evaluation are to identify, using a case study or monograph approach, the key lessons learned around the processes for integrating Violence Prevention & Response into RMNCAH using the IFRC eCBHFA tools.
Specific objectives are to understand the strengths and challenges, and the reasons why for each, in the following domains:
1) Relevance:
a. The rationale and inclusion criteria in which target communities were chosen as pilot locations
b. The extent to which the pilot project is aligned with relevant Red Cross Red Crescent National Society and government priorities for violence prevention and response issues like GBV and child protection
c. Compliance with applicable professional and legal standards
d. The process in which the global eCBHFA VP&R module was adapted to meet the needs and cultural realities of target local communities
e. What topics were chosen from the eCBHFA VP&R module
f. What delivery systems to reach target communities were adopted and how
g. The extent to which the pilot project theory of change was clear and appropriate
2) Equity:
a. In what ways the project was adapted to reach local populations at high risk of violence
b. The extent to which sufficient numbers of the populations at highest risk to violence were reached
c. How gender and social inclusion aspects were integrated to encourage equitable access to knowledge and skills and referral to services
d. What resources were necessary and appropriate for the project
3) Quality:
a. The extent to which the project Reference Group provided technical expertise and guidance to support country-level projects
b. The extent to which the project Reference Group supported knowledge and sharing across pilot intervention sites
c. The extent to which the pilot project was delivered as per design
d. The degree to which the eCBHFA VP module (i) content (ii) key messages and (iii) methodology are evidence informed and aligned with country and community context
e. The level to which staff and volunteers are motivated to work within the project and use its tools
4) Approach:
a. The rationale for implementation strategies, including rationale for integrating within existing Red Cross Red Crescent programmes
b. The extent to which the implementation strategies contribute or facilitate the achievement of results and are aligned to the theory of change
c. The degree to which partners agency services were engaged to ensure referral pathways and service delivery networks
d. Coordination with other partners such as Red Cross Red Crescent departments, external stakeholders at the national or community level, etc.
e. Identification, recruitment, and sustainability of the pilot project volunteers
5) Sustainability:
a. The extent to which the pilot project has contributed to understanding, consensus and commitment for integrating violence prevention and response within RMNCAH related programming within the National Society
b. The mechanism in which the pilot project has been managed within the NS, including selection of project focal points, mobilising and management of volunteers and collaboration across departments
c. The degree to which the implementation of the pilot project has considered design elements related to transition (discontinue pilot), sustain (continue pilot) or scale (expand pilot)
Participants will include: Volunteers, staff, and leadership from the target National Societies, and local partner agencies.
Scope/Deliverables
Assessment frame and protocol, including ethics (to be shared and cleared by Reference Group)
Research tools
Case study / monograph technical report of no more than 20 pages
Timelines
The final report is due no later than November 30, 2016.
ActivityTimeline
Development of detailed plan and tools: September 16th
Country-specific reviews
Country 1: By September 28th
Country 2: By October 14th
Country 3: By October 21st
First draft of the evaluation:November 4th
Final draft of the evaluation: November 30th
Methodology
The methodologies to be used for the qualitative evaluation will include:
· Desk review of existing relevant documents: e.g. assessment reports, planning documents, lessons learned from other external projects, etc.
· Focus group discussions (FGDs) with three National Societies.
· Key Informant Interviews/discussions.
The evaluation will take a phased approach, in consultation with Red Cross Red Crescent National Society colleagues that are participating in the pilot, and taking into account the different stages of design/implementation of each project.
4. Application Guidance
The consultancy proposal should be submitted to the IFRC before August 15th, 2016. The proposal should include an annex with the Curriculum Vitae, the referees’ contact details, and published research papers where applicable. The proposal should include a consultant’s fee schedule and a budget for all the costs. The proposal should contain the following sections:
- Project Background
- Design strategy
- Team composition (where applicable)
- Ethical considerations
- Data collection, processing, analysis process
- Reporting, presentation and validation plan
- Detailed work plan and budget
5. Documentation Deliverables
· Evaluation report – The final evaluation report will not be more than 25 pages (excluding appendices) and will contain an executive summary and a main body of the report covering the background, a description of methodology and limitations, findings with analysis. The report will be in a case study or monograph format.
· Raw data. Raw data will be submitted with the evaluation report.
· Power point presentation: A power point presentation will be developed and highlight key findings.
The report and power point presentation will be available in English.
6. Management of the Documentation Process
The consultant will report to the IFRC Gender & Diversity Manager for the Asia Pacific Region.
7. Fees and Schedule of Payment
The estimated budget is 25,000 – 32,000 CHF.
The estimated number of days to be charged to the project is 55-65.
The Fees to be paid to the Consultant are for working days at $300 CHF per day.
The consultant is responsible for organizing and covering all costs associated with international travel, visas, accommodation, and evaluation-related costs.
The proposal shall include a detailed breakdown of estimates for all applicable costs, including taxes, expenses, levies, contingency, insurance, travel costs (hotel and per diem), for example:
Budget item :Item details**
=Estimated Cost (CHF)
Consultant Salary :$300/d x 65 days
=19,500
Travel :Travel within country where evaluator is located (assumes location is one of the pilot locations) = 1,000
Travel to and within the other two pilot location countries = 2,000 per location
=5,000
Accommodation during travel in each country :100/d x 6 days per country = 500
=1,800
Per diem during travel per country :Avg. 60/d x 18 days
=1,080
Visas and other administration costs for travel :200
=200
Refreshments and materials for focus group discussions :50/each x 3 in each country
=450
Design of report :1,000
=1,000
Total cost=29,030
30% of the fees will be paid at the start of the consultancy. The remaining 70% will be paid when the final invoice is received at the conclusion of the evaluation.
8. Qualifications and Experience
- The consultant/agency should submit a technical proposal for how to carry out the assignment and the consultancy fee.
- The consultant/agency is expected to demonstrate that it has a track record of not less than four (4+) years of experience executing similar assignments, preferably in resource-limited countries.
- Capability to work in English
- There is a preference for consultants who understand the cultural context and are based in one of the three pilot countries
- Knowledge about the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
- Qualifications:
a) Knowledge of violence prevention and response related themes such as gender-based violence and violence against children
b) Experience conducting process evaluations.
c) Extensive experience in academic work with focus on research, and/or analysis/strategy designing.
How to apply:
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Christina Haneef (Christina.haneef@ifrc.org) and Arvind Bhardwaj (Arvind.Bhardwaj@ifrc.org) noting the position title in the subject line.