South Sudan: Terms of Reference (ToR) – Evaluative Documentation of LWF/DWS 2015 South Sudan Integrated Relief and Recovery Project in Jonglei State, South Sudan

Terms of Reference (ToR) – Evaluative Documentation of LWF/DWS 2015 South Sudan Integrated Relief and Recovery Project inJonglei State, South Sudan

1.0 Background

The Lutheran World Federation Department for World Service (LWF-DWS) South Sudan Program has been operational in the country since 2004. LWF/DWS has experience working in different localities in South Sudan. Its competence in response to emergencies and development has both local, regional and international experience as demonstrated by the regional response to the recent South Sudan December 2013 crises. In South Sudan LWF-DWS works in three states of Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity in collaboration with local authorities and community organs and has endeared it well in the local setting. In Jonglei State, LWF/DWS emergency response to the 2013 crisis to date has delivered the anticipated results of contributing to the coverage of basic NFI, and food security (through cash transfers, WASH, seed, fishing twines among others) needs for the internally displaced persons and host communities. In 2014, LWF implemented Dan Church Aid funded emergency project to address the acute humanitarian needs in Twic East and Duk Counties of Jonglei. In depth case studies documented by LWF/DWS established a big impact on the overall food security, nutritional status and ability by the supported IDPs to produce food for markets in other parts of the county. Post disbursement analysis showed that beneficiaries used the money to meet their immediate needs by purchasing food and other essential items such as soap, clothes and medicines. Still, others opted to invest in businesses so that the money does not run out immediately. The cash transfer also strengthened the functioning of the markets with increased access to goods and services. The number of traders increased compared to earlier part of the year when most of them relocated due to the insecurity. This 2015 South Sudan Integrated Relief and Recovery Project builds on the lessons learnt in the implementation of the last year’s project with an intent to continue to support the most vulnerable IDPs, host and returnees through recovery-oriented interventions to enhance their recovery prospect as well as mainstreaming Disaster Risks Reduction (DRR) to strengthen the capacity of hosts, returnees and IDPs to cope with impact of floods.

1.1Introduction to the Evaluative Documentation of**LWF 2015 South Sudan Integrated Relief and Recovery Project**

Despite the impressive efforts of humanitarian actors to respond to the 2013 crisis in South Sudan, logistical constraints during the rainy season, limited humanitarian access, and funding gap deliveries, humanitarian assistance in general remained inconsistent towards end of 2014. An assessment by LWF and CARE in December 2014 in Twic East, Duk counties where the project under documentation has been implemented revealed low food stocks in the market in both counties, lack of traders confidence and low functioning markets due to poor road access and insecurity. September 2014 floods in Twic East and which affected 23,960 people destroyed their crops and houses and food security situation in Twic East had not fully recovered to the normal condition before crisis reliance of the crisis affected IDPs and host communities was also on humanitarian assistance was predicted in 2015. LWF/DWS has been responding to this situation targeting 3,055 most vulnerable IDPs, returnees and host communities that are at risk of hunger because of the on-going conflict and mass displacement with an overall objective of strengthening them through appropriate humanitarian response and effective disaster risk reduction in two counties of Duk and Twic East in Jonglei. Four results are anticipated from the project:-

• 1057 vulnerable HHs have increased access to food and other basic household needs
• 1000 HH reporting improved household’s fish production and consumption
• % of HH among 1000 supported HH reporting improvement on their household’s own vegetable production and consumption
• 11 flood affected villages reporting reduction in flood related crops destruction, livestock mortality and human displacement

Inbuilt within the design of the project was documentation and end of project evaluation upon which this evaluative documentation of this project is being commissioned.

2.0 Objectives of Project Documentation and Evaluation

LWF/DWS considers the documentation of this project critical in carrying forward best practices and lessons learnt within the project cycle management to inform future programming of her work in 2016 as well visibility enhancement of response strategies and approaches as promoted in the project for use in our advocacy work for durable solutions moving forward into 2016 and beyond. Specifically, the documentation will:-

1. Establish and document the extent to which the four aforementioned results were achieved and the factors within the design of the project and its management that contributed to these achievements
2. Assess and document the efficacy of the cash transfer strategy adopted by LWF to address the immediate food needs of the crisis affected beneficiaries, its cost effectiveness compared to other strategies used by LWF to address similar needs; LWF/DWS learning and best practices in cash delivery in the current insecure context
3. Assess the appropriateness of responding to vulnerable crisis affected Fisher Folks and farmers respectively through provision of fishing gears and assorted seeds. Determine the extent to which these responses succeeded in addressing the identified food gaps among the beneficiaries..
4. Assess LWFs historical efforts of addressing the reduction of floods in Twic East and community’s perception on these. Engage and interrogate the floods affected communities and Flood Task forces. Document and provide best options for durable solution to the flooding from the community members.
5. Evaluate the Refresher Training for DRR Committees and document the training content, its value adding in ensuring sustained community capacity to prepare and respond to floods
6. Document practical recommendations on best strategies that informs LWF/DWS programming in the coming years in transiting communities to recovery with durable solutions.

3.0 Evaluation and Documentation Methods

This assignment is two pronged in its approach and aims to enhance the visibility of LWF/DWS approaches to the 2013 crisis through an evaluative documentation of the efficacy of the strategies used to address food security needs of the crisis affected beneficiaries in Duk and Twic East Counties and the documentation of lessons learned and best practices. The assignment will be jumpstarted with preliminary literature review relevant to the project under evaluation among others- The project document and subsequent progress reports/monitoring reports, LWF/DWS 2016 to 2021 country Strategy; Minutes from FS cluster coordination mechanism; previous evaluations of DCA funded projects and other donors supporting food security responses of LWF/DWS in Jonglei etc.

Specific evaluative and documentation methods Must be contained in the technical proposals anticipated from the applicants for this assignment and should include among others sampling procedures among the targeted beneficiaries and the counties; genuine and beneficiary centered documentation with both narrative combined with pictorial presentation of high resolution photographs that support constituting of some program success stories that demonstrate the positive tangible change in the lives of the beneficiaries and operational context challenges during the delivery of the response in Jonglei; Consent protocols with beneficiaries for interviews with children from their guardians and photograph taking; Quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and work plane based on the evaluation period below under section 6.0and a budget proposal. LWF South Sudan programme team in Juba and field level will coordinate and support the consultant undertaking this task with a briefing prior to the evaluation; technical, logistical and management support to include: some critical mobilisation pre the consultants’ field visit; provision of transportation and accommodation during field visit, provision of the programme documents; working space, including other office support facilities / services (i.e. photocopying, printing, internet connection, Power point presentation facilities; camera etc) while in the field. The Consultant should have his / her own computer.

4.0Consultant experience

This assignment is open towards qualified individuals and consultancy companies. The consultant should meet the following criteria:

· Higher university degree in relevant field with over 10 years experience in Food Security and Livelihoods programming in fragile countries

· Proven experience in conducting end of project term Evaluations.

· Expertise in Communication, documentation and photography

· Knowledge on community vulnerability; Disaster Risk Reduction, humanitarian aid; LRRD ; Rights Based approach and participatory approaches

· Strong understanding of South Sudan context (specifically the context in Jonglei State), policy and advocacy work

· Excellent written English;

· Knowledge of local languages is an added asset

NB: Consultants and Service providers to LWF are subjected to the Code of Conduct and child protection compliance

5.0Consultants Deliverables

1. A Technical proposal at application stage that encompass among others:-

· The Evaluation methodology prior to the selection of the consultant (Technical Proposal).

· Evaluation Work Plan and Budget based on the estimated period detailed below under section 6.0

1. Evaluation Tools (To be developed after contractual agreement and reviewed by LWF-DWS and approved before commencement of the study)
2. A 4-5 pages inception report on the proposed evaluation and documentation one week into the Evaluation at field level
3. A power point debriefing on Evaluation findings and recommendations in Jonglei and Juba
4. Draft and final report (LWF will provide inputs in the draft report)
5. Final Report (To be approved by LWF)

6.0 Timeline

The assignment is expected to begin early November 2015 for a period of 23 Days

Applications to be sent to the following email address; hro.ssd@lwfdws.org by COB 4/11/15

The assignment is expected to begin early November 2015 for a period of 23 Days

Applications to be sent to the following email address; hro.ssd@lwfdws.org by COB 4/11/15