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 to conduct an End of Project Evaluation in Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq.

The Project “Sustainable reintegration of IDPs through livelihood capacity building and reconstruction in the Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq” was implemented in Fallujah and Saqlawiyah between 01.01.2018 and 31.12.2022 with a total budget of 4,024,500 EUR. Funding was mainly provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, an extension period of eight months was funded by the German Diocese of Freiburg.

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 conflict with the terrorist militia “Islamic State” forced an estimated 1,64 million people to flee their homes in Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq. When the area was recaptured from “Islamic State” by the end of 2017, IDPs slowly started to return. At the time of the project start in 2018, the majority of the IDPs and returnees were facing massive material hardship, in addition to serious psychological problems and psychosocial hardships.

The project was implemented in Fallujah district and targeted both, urban and rural areas of Fallujah city and Saqlawiya city. The project focused on villages, which were particularly strongly destroyed by the war, since in these locations, basic social services were lacking and the need for help was particularly great. Another criterion was the loss of the male population in the selected villages. Many men (about 600-750 men per village) were killed or disappeared during the armed riots. Men have traditionally been the main source of income for families. Before the war, family income was generated through livestock (cows and sheep), beekeeping, and the cultivation of vegetables. Due to the violent conflict, large parts of the agricultural infrastructure (irrigation systems and water pumps) and stocks were destroyed.

The purpose of the project was to support the reintegration of returning IDPs by rebuilding sustainable livelihoods as well as rehabilitating shelter in order to strengthen the adaptive and recovery capacity of individuals, households and the local community in Al Anbar Governorate. The specific outcomes of the project were as follows:

• Outcome 1: 1052 war-affected households who lost their source of income experienced a sustainable increase in income.
• Output 1.1.: 632 female-headed households and youth will have gained technical skills and some marketing knowledge and appropriate start-up equipment and supplies in appropriate agricultural fields or a marketable micro-enterprise or craft such as sewing, baking, hairdressing, or computer use, through a multi-days training and/or coaching by the micro-business support team.
• Output 1.2: 420 youth and men will have gained technical skills in carpentry, masonry and related fields, as well as job-search assistance and start-up equipment, through a 10-day construction training program.
• Outcome 2: 396 vulnerable, war-affected households have received adequate shelter in their hometowns (or places of return).
• Output 2: Repairs or new construction will provide housing which meets UN habitat-cluster (shelter and WASH) standards for the 396 participating families.
• Outcome 3: The psychosocial resilience of 2140 individuals has been strengthened.
• Output 3: An estimated 2.140 individuals, incl. Women, children, youth, men and people with disabilities take part in PSS activities which correspond to their wishes and needs.
• Outcome 4: The balanced diet of 400 children is restored according to SPHERE standards.
• Output 4: Around 400 mothers and their children receive training, consultancy, food and if necessary are referred to medical care.

During the Covid-19 pandemic additional funding was provided by BMZ and an additional intended outcome was added to the project logframe. The aim was to minimize the negative repercussions of the pandemic for the project participants and to avoid closures of microbusinesses or loss of livelihoods.

• Outcome 5: Project participants are able to deal with the economic and psychosocial impacts of the Covid-19 crisis
• Output 5.1: 375 vulnerable and poor households receive Multipurpose Cash.
• Output 5.2: 100 women receive technical equipment to participate in online PSS activities and 1.000 children recieve a PSS training kit.

Objective and Scope of the Evaluation

The end of programme 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 programme 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 (e.g. Durable Solutions Working Group, Returns Working Group, MHPSS Working Group, etc.).

The evaluation should cover all activities and project areas, with a specific focus on the livelihood component (vocational trainings/microbusinesses) and psychosocial support activities.

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 specifically welcome the use of innovative participatory methods.

Deliverables

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

Time Frame

The field work is to be carried out between April and June 2023 (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 with 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 is a must; 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 contextis a plus.