External Evaluator for End of Project Evaluation

Caritas Germany, in cooperation with its local partner Caritas Iraq, is looking for a qualified Arab-speaking evaluator with experience in the sectors of Livelihood and MHPSS to conduct an End of Project Evaluation in North Iraq.

The project “Strengthening the psychosocial and economic resilience of vulnerable and conflict-affected communities in the city of Mosul and selected communities in the provinces of Ninewa and Zakho, Iraq” is implemented in Mosul, Telkeif and Zakho between 01.08.2020 and 31.03.2024 with a total budget of 3,750,000 EUR. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Background

Caritas Germany (CG) is a catholic relief organization dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by man-made and natural disasters worldwide. From our headquarter in Freiburg, Germany, we support approximately 680 projects each year in both sudden-onset and protracted crises across 78 countries. In our humanitarian assistance, we trust in the experience and expertise of our local partners as a matter of principle. For decades, we have invested in capacity-building of local partners. Our localized approach enables us to deliver sustainable humanitarian assistance and preparedness work that contributes towards promoting equality and reconciliation.

Caritas Iraq has been CG’s main partner in implementing emergency and social projects in Iraq for 15 years. Caritas Iraq is a local NGO with headquarters in Baghdad and coordination offices in Zakho, Dohuk and Mosul. Humanitarian and social projects are implemented through community centers in Baghdad, Fallujah, Saqlawiya, Zakho, Mosul, Alqosh, Qaraqosh, Telkeif, and other locations in Iraq. Through years of reliable work in the project region, Caritas Iraq has built trust and acceptance among the different populations of Iraq.

The Project

The overall objective of the project that is to be evaluated was to improve the psychosocial and socio-economic resilience of vulnerable, conflict-affected communities in North-West Iraq.

Iraq has experienced decades of conflict and instability. The ISIS insurgency in 2014 displaced millions and caused significant economic and social destruction. As a result, poverty rates increased, particularly in northern Iraq. The conflict targeted ethno-religious minority communities, forcing many to flee their homes and leaving their towns severely damaged upon their return.

The project responded to this situation by targeting vulnerable and conflict-affected communities (IDPs, returnees and host communities) in the city of Mosul and selected communities in the provinces of Ninewa and Zakho through livelihood and MHPSS activities.

The project intended to achieve the following outcomes :

Outcome 1: The psycho-social (PS) wellbeing of conflict-affected and vulnerable individuals in Ninewa and Zakho is sustainably improved.

• Output 1.1: Target beneficiaries have been provided with accessible psychoeducation (i.e. stress and coping, recovery from crisis events) and life skills (i.e. conflict management, stress management) relevant to their situation and tailored for age, gender, situation etc.
• Output 1.2: Target child and adolescent beneficiaries participate in recreational, creative and sports activities relevant to their situation and background on a regular basis.
• Output 1.3: Target communities have been provided with access to regular support groups.
• Output 1.4: Target beneficiaries are provided with inclusive value-based counselling appropriate to their needs, situation, and background.

Outcome 2: Productive and sustainable livelihoods of conflict affected and vulnerable households in Ninewa and Zakho are secured.

• Output 2.1: Target beneficiaries of vocational training activities acquire new skills for productive livelihoods.
• Output 2.2: Target beneficiaries of vocational training activities apply new skills for productive livelihoods.
• Output 2.3: Pre-crisis microbusinesses have been recovered or new micro enterprises have been founded by the participants of business activation/reactivation activities.

Outcome 3: The capacity of Caritas Iraq staff to deliver high quality, needs based MHPSS services in an accessible way for vulnerable communities in North-West Iraq is improved.

• Output 3.1: Newly adapted curricula on psychoeducation and life skills, tailored for specific gender- and age groups as well as specific situations/contexts, have been adopted by Caritas Iraq and trainings have been conducted on the application of these curricula.
• Output 3.2: The capacities of Caritas Iraq, to accompany and supervise community caregivers (CCG) and support groups are improved.
• Output 3.3: Caritas Iraq PS program managers, supervisors and staff have strengthened self- and team care procedures and supports.
• Output 3.4: Capacities of Caritas Iraq PS and selected staff of Directorate of Health on Value Based Counselling are strengthened.

Outcome 4: Acutely vulnerable households in Ninewa and Zakho affected by loss of livelihood due to COVID-19 are able to meet their basic needs.

• Output 4.1: Catastrophically poor target households receive multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA)
• Output 4.2: Acutely poor target beneficiaries gain temporary employment in Caritas Iraq CfW activities

Objectives and Scope of the Evaluation

The end of program evaluation has three objectives:

Objective 1: Evaluate to what extent the project has delivered effective, efficient, relevant, and timely assistance to beneficiaries as set in the project log frame.

Objective 2: Identify and compile lessons learnt throughout the lifespan of the project to inform future program design for follow-up projects. The following dimensions will be explored under this specific objective:

• What were the key factors of success and how can these be replicated?
• What were the challenges in the project implementation?
• How can the activities of this project be further developed to respond to the changed/additional needs in the target area and to ensure sustainability of the project results?

Objective 3: Identify suitable activities for a follow-up phase of the project (3-4 years), with specific focus on livelihoods and MHPSS and social cohesion, taking into account:

• Caritas Iraq’s past experience and existing capacities
• Stakeholders to be targeted in the coming stage and type of cooperation that would ensure sustainability of services
• Relevant developments and strategic orientation of existing coordination forums in Iraq

Approach and Methodology

The evaluation should adopt a participatory, transparent and solution-oriented approach using internal and external stakeholders. The evaluation process, as well as the final results should be gender-sensitive and human-rights-based. The evaluator will use mix-methods that are able to appropriately address the primary evaluation questions, as well as properly support its derivative conclusion and recommendation.

The evaluation methods to be used may include, but are not limited to:

• Review of project documentation (Desk Research)
• Interviews with all the key informants and key stakeholders; (semi-)structured Interviews with beneficiaries are a must and should be supported by interview protocols and the list of respondents (e.g. direct project beneficiaries, local staff, etc.)
• Focus group discussions
• Standardized Survey and questionnaires

We explicitely welcome the use of innovative participatory methods.

Deliverables

• Inception Report
• Kick-Off and Validation Meetings
• Draft Report
• Final Report

Time Frame

The evaluation is to be carried out between 15. January – 4. March 2024 (with some flexibility in the time frame). The total number of working days should not exceed 22. The concrete dates and time line will be agreed between Caritas Germany, Caritas Iraq and the evaluator before signing the contract.

Required Qualification and Experience

The evaluation consultant should meet the following required skills and competence profile:

• Demonstrable experience (at least 5 years) in research/evaluation of projects related to the sectors (Livelihood, (MH)PSS), and the Middle East region.
• Knowledge of strategic and operational management of humanitarian operations, as well as proven ability to provide strategic and practical recommendation to key stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations, and prepare well-written reports in a timely manner.
• Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and data analysis techniques.
• Strong expertise in using participatory tools.
• Familiarity with transparency and downward accountability processes and their values.
• Fluency in spoken Arabic; Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian and evaluation ethics and a commitment to ethical working practices
• Good understanding and appropriate sensitivity regarding different cultures and traditions.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Iraqi context and KRG areais a plus.