External Evaluator – Mid-term Evaluation for Rural Development Project - ROOTS AID 012590 02 3

Position Title - External Evaluator – Mid-term Evaluation for Rural Development Project

1. Background:

The Foundation John Paul II is implementing a rural development project aimed at enhancing livelihoods, improving infrastructure, and fostering sustainable development in the rural communities of Akkar, Saida & Tyre governorates, in particular regards for producers of Citrus and Tropical fruits.

The project commenced on Sept. 15, 2023, and is slated to conclude on Sept. 14, 2025. As part of our commitment to accountability, transparency, and ensuring project effectiveness, we seek the services of an External Evaluator to assess the project's progress, outcomes, and impacts.

2. Objectives:

The primary objective of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, sustainability, and impact of the rural development project.

Specific objectives include:

1. Evaluate the extent to which project activities align with stated objectives and targets.
2. Assess the efficiency of project implementation in terms of resource utilization, timelines, and outputs.
3. Determine the relevance of project interventions to the needs and priorities of the target communities.
4. Examine the sustainability of project outcomes and their potential for long-term impact.
5. Identify key strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and lessons learned during project implementation.
6. Provide recommendations for program improvement and future interventions.

3. Scope of the Work:

The External Evaluator will be responsible for:

1. Reviewing project documents, including work plans, budgets, progress reports, and monitoring data and tools.
2. Conducting field visits to project sites and engaging with stakeholders, including community members, project staff, local authorities, and partner organizations.
3. Employing qualitative and quantitative methods to assess project performance against predefined indicators and targets.
4. Analyzing data to identify trends, patterns, and areas requiring further investigation.
5. Documenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations in a comprehensive evaluation report.

4. Deliverables of Work:

The External Evaluator is expected to deliver the following:

1. A draft evaluation report for review and feedback within 2 weeks of completing data collection; A final evaluation report incorporating feedback and recommendations, submitted within 2 weeks of receiving comments on the draft report.

5. Qualifications and Experience:

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in rural development and conducting evaluations.
2. Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, and evaluation techniques.
3. Familiarity with rural development issues, community-based approaches, and sustainable development principles.
4. Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
5. Fluency in English and Arabic is compulsory.

6. Timeline:

The evaluation is expected to commence on March 15, 2024, and conclude by April 15, 2024. The specific timeline for deliverables will be outlined in the contract agreement.

7. Budget:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a detailed budget proposal outlining consultancy fees, travel expenses, and any other associated costs.