Project Evaluation

1. Background
1.1. Organization Overview
Amel is a Lebanese and non-sectarian NGO created in 1979. Amel has been working through 27 centers and 6 mobile medical units for more than 41 years in the poorest regions of Lebanon, from Beirut and its South Suburbs to Mount Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon. Amel offers accessible services for all in following fields: medical, psychosocial, professional training, rural development, child protection and human rights promotion.
In 2017, Amel and Caritas Germany initiated a partnership in relation with psycho-social support for elderly. The project benefited at least 500 older people (50% Syrian refugees, 50% Lebanese) and included activities such as gardening, cooking, awareness sessions, and mental health support. Building on this experience and given the needs and concerns of the older people community -including vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian Refugees- that may be neglected in the humanitarian response, the partnership has been expanded to cover Mashghara and renewed on a yearly basis to support the older community.
The current project started Feb 2020 and aimed at enhancing the living conditions of elderly people living in Khiam and  Mashghara including Lebanese and Syrian refugees, through enhanced access to basic assistance, psycho-social wellbeing, and home visits.
Particularly, the project provided gardening skills and gardening tools to older people to enhance their access to old-age friendly activity, as well as improved access to specialized mental health support.
Moreover the project supported older people with disability, including Lebanese and Syrian refugees through home visits and assistive devices. The project also provided the older community with basic assistance (food parcels) and preventive means to avoid getting the coronavirus.

2. The evaluation
2.1. Purpose of the evaluation
The main purpose of this evaluation is learning (summative and formative). It will provide Amel with an independent review of the relevance, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the project, as well as performance as compared to the project document. The evaluation findings and recommendations are meant to guide steering of the new project proposal, and to learn from previous experiences. In addition, Amel will use the results obtained to determine the impact of the project activities that
contributed to meet Amel’s objectives to improve psycho-social wellbeing of older people.
2.2. Scope of work
The scope of the evaluation will cover activities and results achieved under the five Outcomes of the on-going project that provide psycho-social support for elderly in Khiam and Mashghara areas.
2.3. Audience
The primary audience of this evaluation is Amel Association International and Caritas Germany.
2.4. Methodology
The following provides a guide on the methodological process expected for this evaluation. A final methodology will be proposed by the selected evaluator in the Evaluation plan.
The evaluation methodology will combine qualitative and quantitative approaches; it will be participatory where appropriate, including but not only limited to:

• Literature review
• Review and analysis of project monitoring data
• Analysis of the quantitative data provided by Amel Association
• Observations
• Key informant interviews
• Focus Group Discussions with beneficiaries of the program
• Preparation of the workshop with clear concept and agenda, in consultation with Amel.
• FGD question guides

3. Implementation Information
3.1. Amel contact
The consultant will work closely with Amel’s Psycho-social support project coordinator and head of center in Khiam and Mashghara.
3.2. Location
Data collection will be done in Khiam area (south Lebanon) and Mashghara area (West Bekaa).

3.3. Deliverables

• An Evaluation plan detailing tasks, timelines and roles,
• A draft report in English (with findings and basic frequencies analysis for surveys, and analysis for FGDS) to be revised by Amel)
• Raw data/notes for the FGDs (in English),
• Facilitate a lessons learnt workshop conducted in Amel Headquarters in Beirut based on
• the findings
• A final report in English of the evaluation incorporating Amel’s comments.
• Analysis of the data will reflect any significant differences between gender, age and urban/rural areas of sampling.

3.4. Deadlines

• Deadline for signing the contract: April 22, 2021
• Deadline for finalizing Evaluation plan: April 26, 2021
• Deadline for finalizing data collection: May 3, 2021
• Deadline for the draft report: May 10, 2021
• Deadline for the final report: May 15, 2021
• Date for Delivery of workshop between May 17 and May 20, 2021

3.5. Logistical Support
The consultant will be responsible for the logistical planning of all the activities concerning the evaluation in synchronicity with Amel Association, and of their own transportation to the field.

4. The consultant
4.1. Role and Responsibilities of the Consultant
The consultant will be responsible for:

• Designing an evaluation plan,
• Collecting data through interviews and FGDs,
• Analyzing the data from FGDs and quantitative data provided by Amel Association,
• Reporting the findings and analysis
• Preparing and delivering a lessons learnt workshop based on findings

4.2. Consultant’s Qualifications

Fluency in Arabic and English

More than 5 years of experience in project evaluation or the equivalent in M&E expertise, including:

• Collecting and analyzing data from interviews, surveys, FGDs, etc.
• Experience in working with NGOs,
• Strong communication and writing skills,
• Research and evaluation methods and data collection skills,
• Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule,
• Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines,
• Conflict resolution/peace building experience

4.3. Experience required: 5 to 10 years