MID-TERM EVALUATION TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs)
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- PELUM (Participatory Ecologic…
- Expires 05 Jun 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
Project: Joint programme on livestock and land regeneration using holistic land and
livestock management (HLLM), traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and other
landscape-level agroecological practices project
Type of Evaluation: Mid-Term Evaluation
Coverage: Hwange, Matobo, Gutu, Chimanimani, Shurugwi
Context
Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe is a network of civil society organisations
promoting agroecological practices for improved livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability. As
part of its efforts to upscale Agroecological practices, PELUM Zimbabwe is coordinating a joint programme on
livestock and land regeneration using holistic land and livestock management (HLLM), traditional ecological
knowledge (TEK), and other landscape-level agroecological practices.
The current project, with funding from Howden Foundation is running from January 2025 to December 2026 and
builds on an earlier phase implemented from March 2020 to April 2022, which focused on strengthening
capacity and learning among organisations promoting Holistic Land and Livestock Management (HLLM).
The current phase is being implemented across five districts (Hwange, Matobo, Gutu, Chimanimani, and
Shurugwi) and focuses on scaling planned grazing systems, crop field impaction, reviving Traditional Ecological
Knowledge (TEK), strengthening community-led landscape restoration and facilitating learning exchanges and
advocacy.
Since the start of implementation, key activities undertaken include a baseline survey, training on holistic
planned grazing and herding, training of traditional ecological knowledge, learning exchange visits, training on
soil health and biofertilizer making, community dialogues, media engagement, set up of boma sheets, training
on biological monitoring and Bi annual project Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (MERL) meetings.
The project, its design and activities are a response to Zimbabwe’s rangelands continued degradation due to
unsustainable land use compounded by climate variability and socio-economic pressures. In response, the
project promotes HLLM as a regenerative approach to restore soil health, improve water infiltration, enhance
biodiversity, and strengthen livelihoods. At the inception of the project, a baseline survey was conducted to
establish benchmark data on key indicators, including, rangeland condition and biodiversity, soil fertility and
water dynamics, livestock management practices and household livelihoods and community capacities
This baseline provides the reference point against which progress and change are being measured. The project is
now at the midpoint of implementation, making it necessary to conduct a Mid-Term Evaluation. The purpose of
this evaluation is to assess progress made against baseline conditions and planned targets, determine the
effectiveness of implementation approaches, identify emerging outcomes, challenges, and lessons and inform
adaptive management for the remaining project period
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives of the Mid-Term Evaluation
The Mid-Term Evaluation aims to:
➢ Assess progress against baseline indicators and project targets.
➢ Evaluate the effectiveness, relevance, and efficiency of project implementation.
➢ Determine the level of adoption of HLLM, TEK, and agroecological practices.
➢ Identify key outcomes, including intended and unintended changes.
➢ Assess the functionality of participatory monitoring systems.
➢ Generate lessons learned to inform adaptive management.
➢ Provide actionable recommendations for the remaining project period.
Scope of Work
The consultant is expected to:
➢ Review key project documents, including:
i. Baseline survey report.
ii. Project proposal and log frame.
iii. Monitoring reports and partner reports.
➢ Assess progress against baseline values and indicators.
➢ Evaluate implementation processes and effectiveness across districts
➢ Examine adoption levels of HLLM and related practices
➢ Assess changes in:
i. Biodiversity
ii. Soil fertility (grazing lands and crop fields)
iii. Water availability and infiltration
iv. Livelihoods and resilience (including social indicators)
➢ Evaluate policy engagement and influence
➢ Assess inclusiveness (gender, youth, vulnerable groups)
➢ Document key outcomes using appropriate approaches (e.g., outcome harvesting)
➢ Validate findings with stakeholders through consultative processes
Evaluation Approach and Methodology
The consultant is expected to propose a robust and appropriate methodology for the mid-term evaluation.
However, the evaluation should:
➢ Adopt a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data.
➢ Assess performance against baseline values and project indicators.
➢ Apply participatory approaches to capture community perspectives.
➢ Incorporate Outcome Harvesting to identify behavioural and systemic changes.
➢ Ensure inclusion of gender, youth, and vulnerable groups
The methodology should also:
➢ Align with the project’s M&E framework.
➢ Use baseline data as a reference point
➢ Include clear sampling strategies
➢ Ensure data triangulation and validation
Key Evaluation Questions
Relevance
➢ Is the project aligned with community needs and priorities?
Effectiveness
➢ To what extent are project objectives being achieved?
➢ What changes have occurred since the baseline?
Efficiency
➢ Are resources being used effectively to achieve results?
Sustainability
➢ Are the results likely to be sustained beyond the project period?
Adoption and Behaviour Change
➢ What is the level of adoption of HLLM and agroecological practices? (Including number of small-scale
farmers, livestock owners, local government and traditional leaders involved in each district/partner
vis-a vis our target)
➢ What factors influence adoption or non-adoption?
Environmental Outcomes
➢ What changes are observed in biodiversity, soil fertility, and water systems?
Livelihood Outcomes
➢ How has the project affected income, livestock productivity, and food security?
Policy Influence
➢ What changes have occurred in policy awareness and support
Qualifications and Experience
Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver:
1. Inception Report with
➢ Detailed methodology
➢ Sampling strategy
➢ Work plan and timeline
2. Draft Mid-Term Evaluation Report showing
➢ Key findings structured by evaluation criteria
➢ Comparison with baseline data
➢ Identified outcomes and lessons
3. Validation Workshop
➢ Presentation of findings
➢ Stakeholder feedback
4. Final Evaluation Report
Including:
➢ Executive summary
➢ Methodology
➢ Findings
➢ Conclusions
➢ Practical recommendations
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