Evaluation Team – EBO-SURSY Project

1. CONTEXT

1.1 BACKGROUND

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. The standards it develops for the trade of live animals and products of animal origin are recognized by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules (http://www.oie.int/fr/).

The OIE, then known as the « Office international des épizooties », was created on the 25th of January, 1924. Its headquarters are based in Paris. It comprises 182 Member Countries and is present on all continents through 13 Representations or Bureaus in total.

1.2 PURPOSE

In 2014-2016, the West African Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic underscored the risks linked to inadequate disease detection, prevention and response mechanisms, and the importance to strengthen public and animal health systems. The epidemic also raised a series of unanswered questions and defining challenges – at the human-animal interface – that need to be brought into the spotlight so as to reduce the vulnerability of societies to infectious disease threats that spread across national and international borders.

In December 2016, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received a grant from the European Union to implement the EBO-SURSY project “Capacity building and surveillance for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)”. The project is being implemented over a five-year period (2017-2021). The general objective of the Project is to strengthen national and regional early detection systems in wildlife in 10 West and Central Africa countries using a One Health approach to better detect, differentiate and prevent future EVD outbreaks or outbreaks of other emerging zoonotic pathogens.

The project is being implemented over a five-year period (2017-2021). Entering the last year of activities, the OIE wishes to carry out an external evaluation with a dual purpose to i) assess results to date and ii) leverage lessons-learned for a potential follow-up of the project and/or other similar initiatives.

1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND SCOPE OF WORK

The objectives of this review are to:

a) Assess the design, implementation and results of the EboSursy Project with regards to its objectives; findings should result in recommendations to be implemented within the current framework of the Project to ensure that objectives are reached.

b) Review the Project’s approach and identify critical strengths and/or weaknesses, analysing lessons learned, with recommendations to inform the design of the approach and activities of a potential second phase for this project and any future similar project that the OIE would be interested in undertaking.

This evaluation should be based on best practices in the field. The recently updated set of criteria as defined by the Development Assistance Committee may be used as a basis; however, the selected tenderer is expected to identify and finalise with the OIE the most adapted criteria, evaluation questions and methodology based on available data.

2.2 EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The detailed Evaluation TORs, including the scope of the evaluation, the expected methodology, deliverables and schedule are annexed to this document. The evaluation is expected to be carried out according to four main phases as described in annex, including the expected deliverables for each phase (at a minimum). Deliverables must be provided in English and will be validated by the OIE before engagement in the following phase.

See the preliminary planning schedule on the OIE website.

1. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Evaluation Team may be made up of a single or multiple consultant(s) and must have the following expertise and qualification across its members

Team leader

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field

• At least 10 years of experience in project or programme M&E working with international organisations, institutional structures and donors

• Previous experience in monitoring and evaluation of international development/research projects in animal and/or public health

Team member(s) (if relevant)

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (health planning, animal or public health, epidemiology, wildlife conservation…)

• At least 8 years of experience working on animal or public health programmes at regional or international level

• Expertise in the institutional strengthening of animal health and/or public health systems

Additionally, one or more team member must be able to show:

• Knowledge and understanding of international and country-level implementation of the One Health concept

• Knowledge of the OIE mandate and programmes

• Knowledge of the organisation of Veterinary Services and scientific organisations in the African context

• Professional proficiency in English

Minimum requirements for all team members:

• Strong analytical and research skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French

• WORK ARRANGEMENTS

4.1 ORGANISATION OF THE WORK

The Evaluator or Evaluation Team will be responsible for co-developing the methodology and conducting the evaluation. They will work in consultation with the Performance & Change Management Unit, which will provide overall management of the evaluation, validation of deliverables and guidance on the implementation of the evaluation schedule.

The EBO-SURSY Project Coordination Team which manages the Project on a daily basis will work closely with the Evaluation Team, providing data and input throughout the evaluation as well as comments on the draft report. It will also coordinate the management response to the evaluation.

The OIE Director General will be responsible for ensuring the dissemination of the evaluation and its management response.

4.1 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The following schedule of payments will be finalised in the Contract based on the agreed-upon workplan and set of deliverables:

• Thirty percent (30%) of the total price will be paid after validation by the OIE of the inception report and revised report structure

• The balance payment will be issued upon reception and validation by the OIE of the final report. Payment throughout the Contract will be made upon receipt of the corresponding undisputed invoice, which should be raised after validation of each deliverable. The OIE will proceed to the payment of undisputed invoices within 45 days of their reception by bank transfer or cheque.