Consultancy on External Evaluation of COVID19 Prevention Project in Afghanistan

– Purpose of the consultancy:

To do an external, independent evaluation of the project COVID19 prevention in Afghanistan to the affected IDP’s in Faryab, Afghanistan, implemented by Danish People’s Aid.

Background:

COVID-19 infection has spread in Afghanistan. All indications have been pointing to a disastrous situation materializing in the near future with devastating health and economic consequences in a country suffering from internal conflict and displacement of people on a large scale. Afghan communities are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, due to widespread lack of information, inadequate hygiene practices, and limited financial means.

DPA activities have been focused on the Faryab province, where DPA is represented through its field office in the provincial capital Maymana. The government does not have capacity to effectively address the COVID-19 situation and has requested support from the humanitarian community.

DPA have been focused the intervention on the most vulnerable people – Internally displaced people, returning refugees and other poor communities in the outskirts of Maymana and in Pashtoon Kot district, where more than 400,000 people are estimated to live. Activities of awareness on the prevention of spread of the COVID19 will address about 16.000 households (approximately 116.000 people), selected in coordination with the government and the humanitarian community led by UNOCHA.

DPA have been educating local communities in protecting themselves from COVID-19 infection by raising awareness of the health risks and educating communities in applying social distancing and appropriate hygiene practices, supported by provision of hygiene kits. As economic hardship grows among families, due to unemployment and reduced income, DPA are providing multipurpose emergency cash (MEPC) for 1.958 families (13.706) people of the most vulnerable HH as recommended by the humanitarian community.

Project Objective:

To contribute to addressing the COVID19 crisis in Afghanistan by preventing the spread of the virus and protecting the livelihood of the effected communities in Faryab province of Afghanistan for 116.000 people.

· Project Outcome-I:

The spread of COVID19 is prevented by all people in the project areas adopting appropriate practices and behaviour through awareness raising to 16.604 HH in Faryab province.

ð Output-I for Outcome-I:

§ 1.1. People in the project area has systematically received information on COVID19 prevention covering 16.604 HH

ð Output-2 for Outcome-I:

§ 1.2. The 1.958 most vulnerable HH have received hygiene kits and training in use of the items.

· Project Outcome-II:

The threat to the livelihoods of the most vulnerable people in the project areas is reduced through cash distribution to 1.958 HH.

ð Output-I for Outcome-II:

§ 2.1. The 1.958 most vulnerable HH have been selected and have received unconditionally Cash transfers.

The project ends by the 30 of November 2020, and the project partners therefore wish to undertake an external evaluation. The evaluation report must be finalized before the 20^th of December 2020.

Background documents:

The consultant will receive the following background documents:

· Project proposal

· Grant agreement and conditions letter from CISU

· Implementation guidelines from CISU

· Access to project relevant documents from DPA

· Other documentation relating to project activities

The consultant is expected to engage with some of the intended beneficiaries to establish impact of the project activities through interviews in Faryab, Afghanistan.

Output:

The consultant should produce an evaluation report in English with a length of 12-14 pages (excluding annexures). The Report will be posted on the DPA and the donor’s websites, and therefore all beneficiaries must be anonymous in the report.

Criteria for Evaluation:

The evaluation should be based on the Principles for Evaluation of Development Assistance as set out by OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the CHS on quality and accountability summarized below:

Relevance:

• To what extent are the objectives of the project still valid?

• Are the activities and outputs of the project consistent with the overall objective and the attainment of its objectives?

• Are the activities and outputs of the project consistent with the intended impacts and effects?

Effectiveness:

• To what extent were the objectives achieved / are likely to be achieved?

• What were the major factors influencing the achievement or non-achievement of the objectives?

Efficiency:

• Were activities cost-efficient?

• Were objectives achieved on time?

• Was the project implemented in the most efficient way compared to alternatives?

Impact:

• What has happened as a result of the project?

• What real difference has the activity made to the beneficiaries?

• How many people have been affected?

Sustainability:

• To what extent will the benefits of project continue after donor funding cease?

Timeline:

Contract start date -16^th November, 2020

Field work in Afghanistan 1^th – 7^th December 2020

Submission of first draft – 14^th December, 2020

Submission of final draft -18^th December, 2020

Contract end date – 31^th December, 2020