End of Project evaluation
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Zimbabwe Ecological and Orga…
- Expires 28 Oct 2023
- Harare
- Contractor
Job Description
Promoting Food Security through Sustainable Ecological Farming System in Zimbabwe
TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs)
End of project evaluation for a 3 year implemented Push Pull technology project targeting 2 000 beneficiaries in 4 districts of of Zimbabwe namely Bubi, Masvingo, Mudzi and Rushinga . The purpose of the evaluation is to measure project achievements, relevance, sustainability, against project goal, outcomes and indicators. It also seeks to measure the effectiveness of the intervention.
The evaluation is expected to be done in the month of October into November with the final report being released by end of November.
1. Evaluation Summary
Project Title Promoting food security through sustainable ecological farming systems in Zimbabwe
Target location • Mudzi and Rushinga Districts
• Masvingo and Masvingo Rural Districts
• Bubi
Development Goal Improved food security through promoting the use of ecological agricultural systems by rural smallholder farmers
Project Purpose Communities practise regenerative sustainable ecological agriculture in providing nutritional food security for improved livelihoods
Outcomes 1) Improved technical and development cooperation, agro ecological research, education and training, information and experience sharing among the consortium members and its networks.
2) Improved capacity, knowledge and skills of farming communities on increasing productivity whilst protecting the environment
3) Farmers adopted and scaled up push-pull and other agro ecology technologies in the farming communities for sustainable crop production and natural resource management
Direct beneficiary
Small holder farmers • 2000
Indirect beneficiary
Community members • 10 000
Key Partners • Community Technology Development Organization (CTDO)
• Organization of Collective Cooperatives in Zimbabwe (OCCZIM)
• Zimbabwe Organic Producers and Processors Association (ZOPPA)
• Kushereketa Rural Development Organization (KURDO)
• Women and Land in Zimbabwe (WLZ)
• Tryfine Seeds (Makushi Seeds)
Project Lifespan 3 years: 1 January 2021- 31 December 2023
Evaluation Purpose The purpose of the evaluation is to provide information based on effectiveness, relevance, impact and sustainability of the project.
Primary Methods • Administer a questioner to the farmers
• Key informant interviews with implementing partners
• Focus Group Discussions with smallholder farmers
• Document review including desktop research and relevant secondary data
• Project annual reports
Evaluation Start and end dates October- mid November 2023
Anticipated Evaluation Report Release Date 30 November 2023
. Evaluation Purpose
The purpose of the evaluation is to measure project achievements, relevance, sustainability, against project goal, outcomes and indicators. It also seeks to measure the effectiveness of the intervention.
. Evaluation Target Audience
The project evaluation is intended for Biovision, ZECOAI, smallholder farmers, academia, community people and stakeholders (government, non-government,) so as to understand the push – pull technology and gaps for improving the livelihoods of rural people. The groups and individuals with a major interest in the evaluation are:
Stakeholder Main role in the project
Smallholder farmers • Participate in Farmer Field Schools (FFS)
• Participate of cooperatives and individual farmers
Local leaders • Avail land for demonstration plots
• Custodians of local heritage
Rural District Councils • Capacity building and technical backstopping
• Facilitate a good working environment
Department of Agriculture - AGRITEX
• Train farmers on ecological farming practices and push – pull technology
Universities • Provide extension and technical support
CTDO, OCCZIM, WLZ, KURDO and Mukushi Seed • Implement the project
• Avail resources for the project.
• Monitor progress
Evaluation criteria and key questions to be addressed
Criteria Key questions
Relevance: • To what extent were the project activities a relevant addition to the activities which the different implement on their own?
• To what extent does ZECOAI network compliment or duplicate efforts of other networks? Are there specific niches the next project should focus on?
• To what extent did the project manage to respond in Push- Pull technology to emerging questions?
• Considering that the project is implemented with a limited number out of Partners: how have these organisations been selected and were they the most relevant actors to increase the push -pull technology at a national level?
Effectiveness • What have been the unintended and unexpected outcomes of the project activities?
• To what extent has the achievement of the changes / outcomes been influenced by external / other factors?
• To what extent are changes attributable to the project activities?
• Is it effective, where were the gaps, how should it be adapted and improved for the future?
• Who has benefited (men, women, youth), in what ways?
• What were the most effective approaches used to bring about change?
• What worked, what didn’t, and why?
• What overall lessons have been learned?
Sustainability • The extent to which the benefits are likely to continue after the project;
• To what extent are the individual farmers implementing best push -pull technology learnt during exchange visits and other forms of learning and experience sharing?
• To what extent have the different ZECOAI partners included the push pull technology in their work with farmers?
Quantitative data collection methods
The detailed data source and methods, and household questionnaires are required from consultant team. Household survey questionnaires are based on objectives and indicators/outcomes. Consultant team should submit the draft questionnaires to ZECOAI/ Biovision for verification of validity of the questions.
Qualitative data collection methods
Key methods will be Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KII) with stakeholders and farmers.
Document Review
The consultant will use all project documents for purposes of reviewing. Also, secondary data sources and published material will be used for further data analysis.
Data analysis and interpretation
Primary data collection and data analysis process will be disaggregated by sex and target districts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Evaluation consultant will be required to prepare detailed evaluation methodology, sampling method, tools, and final evaluation report. Consultant is expected to develop evaluation methodology/tools/sampling methods and submit data collection tools to ZECOAI for verification before application. For more refer to the Terms of Reference
EVALUATION PHASE ROLE PRIMARY TASK
PLANNING ZECOAI Project Manager • Conduct project introduction meeting with the consultant
• Give consultant ZECOAI project information.
• Provide technical inputs to improve evaluation methodology/tools
• Communicates with responsible authorities in the districts of operation
CONSULTANT • Develop evaluation methodology/tools/sampling method
• Submit data collection tools to Project Manager
Data Collection and Analysis
Recruitment of enumerators.
• Training of enumerators and tools pre-test
• Present and validate data to the project team.
• Give the final approval to the staff and trained enumerators to collect data from HHs and key informants
• Fully facilitate the data collection exercise
• Fully responsible for data quality assurance
ZECOAI/ Biovision • Reviews submitted Evaluation Report
• Monitors progress
Reporting and follow up •Participate in discussion meeting and provide feedback with consultant
• Reviewing the Draft Evaluation Survey Report
CONSULTANT • Prepare draft report.
• Discussion with ZECOAI on findings and reflect the feedback in the final report
• Final report submission
Management arrangement
The Consultant will report to ZECOAI Management to ensure reliability and validity of information gathered.
Qualifications and Experience
The lead consultant is expected to possess the following qualifications and competencies
1. A minimum of a MSc in Agriculture or a related field from a recognised academic institution.
2. At least 5 years’ practice experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects related to the area of expertise.
3. Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research, data base management and statistical data analysis.
4. Strong communication and analytical skills, including communicating with various stakeholders, ensuring that the evaluation is understood and generates valuable output.
5. Commitment to delivering timeous, high-quality results, ensuring the evaluation report is credible.
6. Action-oriented and evidence-based approach and strong drive for results.
How to Apply
Along with their CVs, interested individuals or firms are requested to submit the following:
1. A Technical Proposal detailing their comprehension of the Terms of Reference (ToR) and how they would approach this assignment, summarising the methodologies, and approaches they plan to use, including a timeline.
2. A Financial Proposal detailing out the proposed budget for conducting the assignment. This should include consultancy fees, estimated travel, accommodation, and meals budget for field exercises.
3. A Capability Statement demonstrating how the consultant / team meets the required qualifications and experience
4. Samples of similar previous work done
5. Copies of all relevant Curriculum Vitae (CVs). Only CVs for the specific individuals that will form the proposed End of Evaluation team should be included; two references (including one from your last client/contractor).
To apply, submit your proposal via email: zecoaipartners@gmail.com,sipiwemanjengwa@gmail.com and fortuhofisi@gmail.com indicating “Project End line Evaluation Consultancy [ ZECOAI Project] on the subject line of the email not later than 03 October 2023
NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and specific details about the project will only be shared with the successful applicant.
