Climate Adaptation and resilience building on the Sundarban Islands

Background and organisational setting

Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V. (SoH) is a Christian motivated organisation for human rights, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation. From its base in Constance, Germany, SoH is committed to helping those in distress and exploited people worldwide.

This final evaluation is commissioned at the end of the project implementation, under the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) budget for development projects run by private organisations.

SoH is the private German executing agency and the contracting party, while Development Research and Service Center (DRCSC) is the local implementing partner.

The target of the project is to conserve Sundarbans’s rich yet threatened natural resource base of flora and fauna and empower the climate vulnerable coastal communities of Sundarbans through their transition to sustainable eco-friendly livelihoods. Due to the improvement of agricultural methods and provision of alternative income sources, are the negative mitigation measure reduced. The number of trees which are important for CO₂ absorption, coastal protection and biodiversity are increased.

Final Evaluation Objectives

The purpose of the final evaluation is to elaborate whether the implemented measures are showing the expected results in order to reach the projected outcomes and impact. A baseline study was conducted in the project area at the beginning of the project in July 2018. A mid-term evaluation followed in December 2019. Both reports may serve as a point of reference for the final evaluation.

The evaluation should inform the implementing organisation DRCSC as well as the facilitating organisation SoH about the final status of the project with reference to the project indicators given in the project proposal. The results of the evaluation should outline the achievements of the project according to the given indicators set out in an indicator matrix, identify the project’s successes and lessons learned, and provide recommendations for potential future projects.

The evaluation will address evaluation questions based on the standard OECD/DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact (please see https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/revised-evaluation-criteria-dec-2019.pdf). Particularly the evaluation team will analyse the following points:

a) the design and coherence of the project including the design of the impact matrix;

b) the extent to which the project has sustainably achieved its objectives and results, including the extent to which the lives of the project beneficiaries have been improved;

c) the strengths and weaknesses in terms of planning, management, implementation and monitoring;

d) the extent to which sector principles such as efficiency & effectiveness, impartiality and do no harm were applied;

e) the extent to which the target group was involved in all project phases (principles of participation and ownership);

f) the extent to which cross-cutting issues (gender, age, environment mainstreaming) were addressed;

g) the effect of Covid-19 on the project, its activities and implementing organisation.

Expected Deliverables

The study will produce the following deliverables:

1. Variance analysis of indicators:

· Display a Performance Indicator Matrix with the gathered data / results

· Verifiable derivation of the published results for each indicator (methodology, sources, definition, calculation)

· Assessment of the implications for the impact of the project / reasons in case of deviations from the target

1. A realistic estimation on achievement of the project indicators/target as displayed in the project agreement

2. Reporting on the OECD/DAC Criteria

3. Gaps and challenges

4. Recommendations for improvement/further follow up

5. Performance of implementing organisations

6. Lessons learned

Process/Timeframe

A total duration of the assignment is up to 20 working days within period from 09.08.2021 to 05.09.2021.

A planning meeting with SoH (remotely), handover of relevant documents 1 day

Initial document review and preparing inception report 3 days

Sharing inception report with SoH and DRCSC 1 day

Data collection site visit to a project location 5 days

Data analysis, draft report with annexes, presenting to SoH 5 days

Incorporating received feedback and finalising the report 5 days

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

· Minimum of 5 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result-based management framework

· Proven experience of conducting feasibility studies, evaluations and other research projects

· Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of projects

· Experience working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partnered projects

· Fluency in written and spoken English

Desirable:

· Experience in the relevant field

· Professional familiarity with the project country/region

· Practical experience of working for and/or evaluating BMZ-funded projects

· Fluency in written and spoken Bengal

Academic Background

An advanced level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development studies, law, and/or climate and environmental studies. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

The consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organisation or government entity regarding this evaluation.

Relevant Annexes to this Vacancy Notice will be sent to prospective applicants upon request.