Terms of Reference (TOR) For Final Evaluation & Outcome Assessment of Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition and Food Security (POSAN FS) Project Re-circulation date: 11/01/ Closing date: 18/01/ Practical Action Nepal Office Panipokhari, Lazimpat, Kathmandu PHONE: +977-1-4423639/640 FAX: +977-1-4423632 e-mail: info@practicalaction.org.np January
Contents 1. BACKGROUND... 3 2. PROJECT INTRODUCTION... 3 3. OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT... 4 4. SCOPE OF THE WORK... 4 5. METHODOLOGY APPROACH... 5 6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES... 5 7. STUDY TEAM and ELIGIBILITY... 6 8. DELIVERABLES... 6 9. REPORTING TEMPLATE... 6 10. SCHEDULE... 7 11. BUDGET... 7 12. EVALUATION OF PROPOSAL... 7 13. INVITATION OF LETTER OF INTEREST (LOI)/PROPOSAL... 7 14. Annex 1: Table of Indicators for outcome assessment... 9 2
1. BACKGROUND Practical Action is a UK based International Non-Government Organisation. Established by Dr. EF Schumacher (the author of Small is beautiful) in 1966, Practical Action currently has country offices in Peru, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The main objective of Practical Action is to reduce poverty by supporting the rural poor to improve their livelihoods through the use of appropriate technology; access to information, knowledge and skills; and by building their capacity to organise and use all these to get more control over their lives and livelihoods. Practical Action has given priority on four major and two cross cutting thematic programme areas in its five years strategic period (2012-). Its main programme areas are Agriculture, and Food Security; Urban Water Sanitation and Waste; Energy; and Disaster Risk Reduction. In addition to these, Climate Change and Market, and Gender are considered as cross cutting themes. Sustaining growth and learning from our global programmes, this strategy intends to ensure Technology justice to the poor people expecting positive changes in their lives. Practical Action under Agriculture, Market and Food Security Programme has been implementing a three years project entitled Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition and Food Security (POSAN FS) in 4 districts of Far Western Region in Nepal. As the project is running to its final year and as set in the proposal, Practical Action would like to carry out an outcome measure and final evaluation study in order to measure and assess the project derived results against to its indicators as its log-frame and evaluate the project under relevancy, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, impact, and gender. For this purpose, this ToR is prepared. 2. PROJECT INTRODUCTION POSAN FS Project is a three years project implementing in 18 VDCs of 4 districts (Doti, Achham, Bajura and Bajhang) of Far Western Region in Nepal since April, 2014. The project is co-funded by the European Union and is implementing through two local NGOs; SEBAC Nepal (in Doti and Achham districts) and Saipal Development Society (in Bajura and Bajhang districts). The overall objective of the project is to contribute in achieving national food and nutritional security target articulated in the periodic and multi sector nutritional plan of the Government of Nepal, whereas specific objective of the project is to improve food and nutritional security of 7,000 food and nutrition insecure households in Achham, Doti, Bajura and Bajhang Districts of Far Western Region in Nepal. The project works directly with marginalized farmers, business service providers, market actors, micro-finance institutions and government line agencies. To measure the specific objective of the project the following three outcome level indicators are defined and targeted I. Production: Target groups increased production volume of goat, vegetable and spice crops by 100 % against the baseline due to higher productivity (50% contribution) and scaling up of production (50% contribution). II. Income: Participating target groups increased income by 100% against the baseline due to increased production and increased access to rewarding market 3
III. Utilization: Children of below 3 years age (first 1000 days) in target groups have underweight, stunting and wasting reduced by 50% against baseline. 50% of target women have reduced under nutrition against baseline BMI Expected Results (Outputs): The following are the expected results of the project to achieve the specific object (purpose) of the project. I. Increased productivity of goat and vegetable/spices crops; II. Developed and strengthened inclusive and pro-poor value chain to commercialise goat, vegetable and spice crops; III. Improved nutritional status of women, children, and vulnerable groups; IV. Enhanced capacity of local non-state actors to constructively engage with local government for sustaining the project outcome and V. Developed enabling environment for food and nutritional security at district level 3. OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT The main objective of this assignment includes the overall evaluation of the project implementation at the field level in terms of its OCDC DAC criteria. It will evaluate the validity of project assumptions, working model and generate recommendation for the future. In addition, this study will also carry out field survey to collect data against log frame target indicators for final report preparation of POSAN FS project. The evaluation/study also need to give due emphasis to capture issues related to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). Followings are the specific objective of the study; I. Measure the overall achievement of its implementation against the log frame (project goal, objectives - outcome and outputs) II. Review the appropriateness of project strategies, approaches, partnership, and implementation mechanism. III. Document the major learning and also draw recommendations with respect to log frame (consistency), strategies, approaches, partnership, implementation mechanism and overall project cycle management. 4. SCOPE OF THE WORK The main focus of the study will be on the results derived by the project activities (as mentioned above) implemented at the community level. While focusing on results both outcome and output levels will be considered. Followings are the detail indicators against which the data need to be collected. The study should also be collected detail data as mentioned in the annex 1. In addition, the study should capture the following things/areas; Overall impact of the project Relevance of project strategies and business model Effectiveness of project interventions and its sustainability Relevance of project assumption and overall design Recommendation for future project design Recommendations for the future should relate to the wider Nepalese development context, the Practical Action strategy and Programme and the government policies related to agriculture development, food security and nutrition. The field work will be carried out in the project districts covering sufficient (statistically) beneficiaries' households (women and DAG groups, vegetable and spice producer groups, goat 4
groups, farmers having mobile training, communities, schools having school led nutrition activities, line agencies and partner organization. 5. METHODOLOGY APPROACH Based on the scope and objectives of the study, consultant has to develop detail methodology, tools and approaches of the study showing explicitly how the study will come to conclusion in their technical proposal, and present at the inception meeting. During the meeting it will be discussed further and agreed with the project team. Mainly the well-known participatory evaluation approach to collect information will be applied in carrying out this purposed evaluation study. The selected consulting farm or individual will develop guidelines and semi-structured questionnaires to carry out focus group discussion with the specific group of women and farmers, field observation and key informant interviews. It is a sole responsibility of selected consultant to develop detail methodology of the evaluation within this broad framework. S/he will also give a detail explanation on how the generated data will be analysed or interpreted. While developing the guidelines and questionnaires, the consultant will keep the evaluation criteria such as effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, impact, sustainability and Gender at the centre, which are particularly important to investigate in an evaluation within Practical Action. The consultant is expected to finalize the methodology and techniques of the evaluation study with the due consultant of Head of Policy and Practice, Head of Program Agriculture and Food security; and Project Manager of the POSAN-FS project, before executing the filed level activities. The consultant should also come with clear indication that how he/she will meet with concerned stakeholders and plan their works to carry out interviews, workshops, FGDs, and interaction meeting with government line agencies and other stakeholders, and how he/she will reviews of the existing information. 6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES 6.1 Consultant The main task of the consultant is to carry out final evaluation and outcome assessment of the POSAN FS project. The followings are other tasks of consultant: I. Based on discussion with project team, develop and finalize methodology; and submit inception report; II. Prepare and agree on checklist and process for overall study work in line to above given methodology and scope of works; III. Review and analyze secondary information (literatures) related to project and the given tasks; IV. Conduct field survey, collect necessary data and analyze it to prepare an comprehensive report of the study V. Conduct discussions, interviews, consultation, and group discussions with relevant stakeholders, government line agencies and individuals at local (Community, women and mix groups etc.) to explore their perceptions about access to finance; VI. Prepare draft report and present through de-briefing meeting VII. Prepare and submit final evaluation report after incorporating feedback of Practical Action. 5
6.2 Practical Action The main responsibility of Practical Action is to support consultant to produce a Final Evaluation report of the project. The following will be the other responsibilities: I. Provide project related documents as available in the office and other as agreed with the consultant; II. Provide support in finalizing methodology and inception report of the assignment; III. Facilitate field visits in coordination with partner organizations and manage field activities in selected communities and area; IV. Provide inputs and comments on draft reports; and V. Release budget as per agreed payment schedule 7. STUDY TEAM and ELIGIBILITY There will be a consultant having Master Degree in Agriculture (PhD preferred) or commerce or finance or in economics or development field. The consultant also need to have at least a proven track record of at least seven years of conducting similar studies on food security and nutrition analysis, he/she also need to be experienced in the complexity of the Nepalese rural economic and social structure, and local governance of Nepal, he/she also needs to be experienced in analysing socio-economic condition, group dynamics, access to finance, rural poverty, partnerships and capacity development of both partners and community level institutions. (Preference will be given to the candidate from marginalized groups, including women, Dalit and oppressed communities) In addition to above criteria of team members, following considerations should be taken into account during the selection process: a. All proposed professionals must sign the copy of clearly mentioning their proposed position in this assignment; b. A copy of VAT or PAN certificate (obligatory); and c. A copy of tax clearance for last fiscal year from Inland Revenue Office. 8. DELIVERABLES The following are the deliverable of this study. An inception report and presentation A debriefing of the study to be presented after completing fieldwork in each project district A final evaluation report An outcome assessment report based on annex 1 The consultant should deliver one electronic copy and a hard copy of the evaluation report. 9. REPORTING TEMPLATE The reporting template will be discussed before the field works. The outcome achievement and progress of the project should be ensured in specific topic and evaluation of the project should be discussed in based on overall fact and factual of the project. 6
10. SCHEDULE The study is expected to commence within 20 days spread over 1.5 months and the Final Report shall be submitted by 26 Feb. Following timeline needs to be follow to complete the assignments Timeline Contents Remarks Finalize consultant contracts and update ToR if necessary based on discussion with consultants 20 th January, 23 th January, 25 th January, 22 February, 24 th February, 26 th February, The consultants review key documents and refine the approach and methodology of the study; prepare and present inception report Commence study in field including: - Meeting with project team; - Conduct field trip (at least 10 days); - Brief or workshop of key findings with the project staff at field level Team leader submits a 1st draft report and share findings through debriefing meeting Find and incorporate comments from project staffs in final report Final Report Submission To be prepared by Project Manager Methodology to be presented to Practical Action team before commencing the field work Detailed itinerary to be prepared by Cluster Office, Doti and agreed with consultant prior to assessment start By Practical Action and Partner Organization To Practical Action 11. BUDGET The total maximum budget available for this assignment is NRs 600,000.00 (in words: Six lakhs only). This includes consultant s fee, field survey, information collection, lodging, DSA, stationeries and transportation. All applicable taxes will be deducted at source. 40% of total cost shall be made upon signing the agreement, second and third instalment each of 30 % will be paid against the submission of draft and final report. 12. EVALUATION OF PROPOSAL All received proposal shall be reviewed following different indicators. These will be considered to sound understanding of the assignment, competent methodology, consistency, coherence and compliance, experience of the Team Leader, composition of the Team and efficient budget planning. 13. INVITATION OF LETTER OF INTEREST (LOI)/PROPOSAL Practical Action Office in Nepal requests interested professionals / institutions to submit (i) letter of interest (1 page), (ii) a brief technical proposal with recently updated CVs of professionals to be involved in the study and (iii) a financial proposal on or before 18 7
January within 17:00 hrs in separate envelope properly marked with proposal type with sealed. The outer envelope should be marked as Final Evaluation Study- POSAN FS Project". All proposals must be submitted to the following address: Policy and Practice Unit Practical Action Office in Nepal Panipokhari, Lazimpat PO Box 15135 Kathmandu, Nepal Telephone: 01 4423639/640 E-mail: info@practicalaction.org.np Alternatively, proposals can be submitted to: 1. Practical Action Nepal Cluster Office, Silgadi, Doti 2. Practical Action Nepal Cluster Office, Nepalgunj Practical Action believes in and follows through a fair and competitive process to recruit the consultant in all of its assignment to ensure quality assurance The End 8
S.N. Annex 1: Table of Indicators for outcome assessment Objective/Expected result To improve food and nutritional security of 7,000 food and nutrition insecure households in Achham, Doti, Bajhang and Bajura Districts of Far Western Region in Nepal. ER1: Increased productivity of goat and vegetable/spice crops ER2: Developed and strengthened inclusive and propoor value chain to commercialise goat, vegetable and spice crops ER3: Improved nutritional status of women, children and vulnerable groups ER4: Enhanced capacity of local non-state actors to constructively engage with local government for Indicators Production: Target groups increased production volume of goat, vegetable and spice crops by 100 % against the baseline due to higher productivity (50% contribution) and scaling up of production (50% contribution). Income: Participating target groups increased income by 100% against the baseline due to increased production and increased access to rewarding market Utilisation: Children of below 3 years age (first 1000 days) in target groups have underweight, stunting and wasting reduced by 50% against baseline. 50% of target women have reduced under nutrition against baseline BMI 80% of target hhs of which at least 50% women and 20% dalit and janjati farmers adopting micro irrigation technology (MIT) At least 4 types of improved technology in vegetable and spice crops introduced 5000 farmers of which at least 50% women and 20% dalit and janjati adopting scientific practices in goat, vegetable and spice crops Access to agricultural extension service within 2 hours walk distance increased by 50% against the baseline access rate 5 types of community based climate resilient practices developed and adapted by target beneficiaries 48 new local private service providers (of which at least 16 are women) giving services to goat/vegetable/spice producers in the target districts 5000 (around 70 percent) of target hh (of which 50 percent women farmers, 20% dalit and janjati) have increased access to MIT, production inputs, vet service, and technical service at local level 5000 (70%) of targeted goat farmers (of which 50% women and 20% from dalit and janjati) have increased access to insurance service 6 satellite collection centres in the target districts with more than 10 collection points providing marketing services to smallholder farmers Overall market concentration index decreased by 40% against the baseline Degree of agricultural commercialisation increased by 40% against the baseline 5000 (around 70%) of target hh (of which 1500 women headed hh, and 1000 dalit and disadvantage farmers) from target district selling goat/vegetable/spice products in the district and regional market centres Means of verification baseline report baseline report baseline report progress reports progress report Field survey progress report progress report progress report progress report Field survey Field survey Field survey 100 homestead garden demonstration as per permaculture principle based on local context and needs 80% participating HHs have increased access to and better Field survey utilisation of nutritious diet Target HHh have 20% increased expenditure on food and nutrition Field survey due to income raise 70% of target HH diversify food in daily diet structure Field survey Percentage of pregnant and lactating women taking nutritious diet increased by 70% against baseline baseline report At least two local organisation from the respective project district trained on food and nutritional security plan and programme development One regional level and one national level interaction workshop organised between local stakeholders and policy makers One interactive discussion between district based line agencies 9
sustaining the project outcome ER5: Developed enabling environment for food and nutritional security at district level. and local non state actors 40 local resource person (50% women) trained on food security issues (climate field school, nutritional awareness, farm planning and design, market linkage) 8 cluster level network formed, registered and capacitated on institutional and entrepreneurship skills One association of agriculture input suppliers formed and strengthened One association of agriculture output service providers (traders, middleman, local processor, retailers) formed and strengthened One study on assessing policy gaps on food security plan and policies conducted At least 5 success cases from the project collected and advocacy activities conducted for an wider adaption Four district level food and nutritional security plan prepared and endorsed by respective DDC One food security/nutrition fair in each district level Progress report/field verification Study report Case study report FS strategy 10