WS630784359 - Intent to Bid - Forsa Final Evaluation

Mercy Corps seeks a consultancy firm or team of consultants to conduct the final evaluation of the entire FORSA II project period (Dec 2019 to May 2023). 

FORSA II is a three-and-a-half-year programme, launched in 2019 and coming to an end in May 2023, designed and implemented by Mercy Corps with the assistance of local partner Al Majmoua, to increase access to education and employment for youth from host and refugee communities within the Bekaa and South governorates. The original design entails three outcomes:

Outcome 1: Youth from all targeted communities have improved market-driven skills as a result of better quality training systems. 

Outcome 2: Job placement systems provide more equitable and sustainable access to jobs for targeted populations.

Outcome 3: Male and female youth have improved pathways to self-employment (Implemented by Al Majmoua)

The programme focuses on the education-employment nexus, by exploring how improved technical skills, education, and training can lead to better employment results. As such, the programme builds on a comprehensive approach that strengthens the employability of young people while improving job placement mechanisms. This translates into a  programmatic pathway that builds the youth’s skills, capacities, and confidence through the provision of quality market-driven training, mentoring sessions, freelance opportunities, and support towards employment and self-employment. 

The purpose of the evaluation is to  assess the project’s goal, theory of change (causal pathway), assumptions, intermediate outcomes, and three immediate outcomes against the six OECD evaluation criteria. Additionally, a critical analysis is needed on the way Mercy Corps implemented the project (management, processes, adaptation, inclusiveness), how Mercy Corps approached the design and implementation throughout the project cycle as well as the project’s impact. This will include an analysis of the way programmatic components were differently implemented and relatively successful depending on the geography, target group (Age group: 16-34; Areas: Bekaa and South; Nationality: Syrians, Lebanese, and Palestinians) implementation modality, etc. An assessment of any unforeseen or unintended impacts (positive or negative) is also necessary, as well as insight into project-specific learning questions identified by the FORSA project team. Furthermore, an evaluation of the partnership with Al Majmoua and recommendations around future partnerships and localization efforts should be conducted. Ultimately, lessons learned and recommendations should be produced, as well as recommendations for future program iterations.