Position: - BMZ final evaluation Consultant

Location: - Sa’ada Field Office.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff

The Opportunity:

Save the Children (SC) has been implementing a BMZ funded project in Sa’ada governate to improve household food security and nutritional status of children under 5 in vulnerable households in target districts in Sa’ada Governorate. The project comprises of three main components: income generating activities (IGA), livestock and smallholder farmers aiming at improving the targeted HHs income which is intended to subsequently improve the overall household nutritional status, thus reducing the stunning rate among infants and children 6-23 months.

Overall objective (impact): To improve household food security and the nutritional status of children under 5 in vulnerable households in target districts in Sa’ada Governorate.

The indicators associated with the overall objective (impact):

1. '70% of target households attain an acceptable level of food security measured by food consumption score index (FCS> 42) by the end of the project. 
2. Five percentage points reduction from baseline of “stunting rate” among infants and younger children aged 6-23 months from the supported HHs by the end of the project.

The program outcome indicators:

Outcome 1: The resilience of targeted families is strengthened through sustainable livelihoods activities. This will include providing cash grants to:

1. Smallholder farmers to restore land and purchase seeds and tools.
2. Develop income-generating activities (IGA) through vocational and on-the-job training such as phone maintenance, mechanics, and tiling for men, and sewing, food processing, soap and perfume making, and ornament decoration and painting for women.
3. Purchase livestock for families in suitable areas.
   • 80% of farmers targeted with agricultural funds have increased agricultural production from baseline. 

Indicators associated with outcome 1: 

• 80% of beneficiaries supported with IGA grants have increased income from baseline. 
• 80% of beneficiaries targeted with funds for livestock (goats, sheep, cow) have increased income from baseline.

 Outcome 2: The nutrition security of children under 5 and PLW is improved through:

1. livelihoods support,
2.  improved access to nutrition services and diversified food,
3. improved malnutrition detection and prevention, and
4. improved nutrition practices for children aged 0-23 months and PLW.   

Indicators associated with outcome 2:

• 2.1. 20 percentage points increase from baseline value in the proportion of children aged 6-23 months who consume foods from 4 or more food groups among the supported HHs by the end of the project. 
• 2.2. 20 percentage points increase from baseline value in the proportion of infants aged <6 months in supported HHs who are exclusively breastfed by the end of the project
• 2.3. 20 percentage points increase from baseline value in the proportion of children aged 6-23 months consuming the recommended minimum number of meals per day by the end of the project
• 2.4. 20 percentage points increase from baseline value in the proportion of targeted PLWs consuming more than 5 food groups according to individual dietary diversity scores by the end of the project

This final evaluation, through comparison to the baseline, endline results and findings, will come up with an analysis of actions impacts on beneficiaries and sound recommendations on how to improve Save the Children programming while maximizing benefits to the supported communities.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

• Capability to present the study based on TOR during interview through PPT and findings at end of evaluation.
• Review project documents
• Submit the inception report.
• Getting approval on the tools from authorities.
• Development and review of data collection tools.
• Ensure data collection, entry and analysis.
• Debrief on preliminary findings at both field office and country office
• Submission of the draft evaluation report for review – as per SC format and considering SCI quality scoring. 
• Submission of final evaluation report and datasets
• Dissemination of findings to experts and national stakeholders.
• Seek clearance, authorization and approvals from all relevant authorities.

Expected outputs

The expected outputs of this evaluation are as follows:

1. Power point presentation for the TOR during interview.
2. Inception report (not exceeding 30 pages)
3. methods and tools
4. data sets
5. Final report. (with an executive summary of max 2 pages) 
6. Power point presentation of the findings (not exceeding 15 slides)
7. Presentation of findings to key stakeholders

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest which will include:

A technical proposal:  The technical proposal should briefly and clearly describe the following aspects; Understanding of the task, technical aspect of the proposal, Methodology (Evaluation strategy, Sampling design, Data collection tools, Data Processing & Analysis, Data quality control measures and timelines or operational plan)

The study deliverables and tentative timeline (subject to the commencement date of the study) are outlined below. Head of MEAL and MEAL specialist will agree on final milestones and deadlines at the inception phase.

Deliverables and Tentative Timeline

The study Team will submit an inception report* in line with the provided template, including:

• Study objectives, scope and key study questions
• description of the methodology, including design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, data sources, and study matrix against the key study questions
• data collection, analysis and reporting plan
• caveats and limitations of study 
• risks and mitigation plan
• ethical considerations including details on consent.
• stakeholder and children communication and engagement plan
• key deliverables, responsibilities, and timelines 
• resource requirements
• data collection tools (in line with the study matrix), calibration and it's validation plan.
• Once the report is finalised and accepted, the evaluator/researcher study team must submit a request for any change in strategy or approach to the study manager or the steering committee.

Ethics submission (if applicable):

Should approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee be required, an ethics submission should include:

• study protocols (participant recruitment, data security and storage, consent and confidentiality etc.)
• considerations for consulting with children and other vulnerable groups (if applicable)
• participant information statement and consent forms

Final data collection tools (in the report language):

• Survey instrument
• Data collection mechanism

A [Power Point Presentation] including a summary of formative findings from the study. The focus will be on:

• Summary of interim findings 
• Any emerging program issues or risks (if applicable)
• Any changes that have had to be made to the study design (if applicable)
• Key tasks for the next stage of the study and any proposed refinements or changes to methodology (if applicable)

A Study Report* (Draft Version – template available if useful though external actors may want to use theirs) including the following elements: 

• Executive summary
• Background description of the Program and context relevant to the Study
• Scope and focus of the study.
• Overview of the study methodology and data collection methods, including a Study matrix
• Findings aligned to each of the key Study questions.
• Specific caveats or methodological limitations of the evaluation 
• Conclusions outlining implications of the findings or learnings.
• Recommendations
• Annexes (Project logframe, study ToR, Inception Report, Study schedule, List of people involved)

A consolidated set of feedback from key stakeholders will be provided by Save The Children within 1 weeks of the submission of the draft report.

Knowledge translation materials:

• PowerPoint presentation of Study findings
• Evidence to Action Brief**

16.06.2024

20.06.2024

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The following qualifications and skills are expected of the lead consultancy:

Assigned staff must have:

• An advanced university degree in public health/ health systems management or related health field.
• At least 7 years’ experience in the area of health, nutrition, WASH, food assistance (and Child Protection).
• Technical expertise in evaluation, preferably integrated interventions mainly health, nutrition, WASH, Food Assistance and Protection programs in chronic emergency contexts;
• Previous experience in MEAL, including conducting end-of-project evaluations for large-scale projects
• Thorough understanding of data collection methods
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative methods 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Fluency in English is a must, fluency in Arabic (preferred) is an added advantage;
• Experience/knowledge on gender-sensitive programming
• Understanding of child safeguarding and child participation procedures
• Experience of working in the middle east and/ or Yemen is a plus
• International firm with branches located in Sana’a.
• The consultant should get the permission from SCHAMCHA to conduct final evaluation study.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday 
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated 

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

“Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer. Women are strongly encouraged to apply”