TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy Role: Conduct an End of project evalution of the links For children (LFc) project

Introduction

The Links for Children OVC Project is a five-Year USAID /PEPFAR funded project, 2009 - 2014 managed by Save the Children, and implemented in partnership with seven indigenous civil society organizations (CSOs). The overall goal of the project is to 

expand access to care and support for children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS using a proven community-based approach, while building the capacity of indigenous organizations to enable children and families to continue accessing such services in an effective and sustainable manner. 

Purpose of Consultancy 

The end of project evaluation will evaluate the impact, effectiveness, relevance and sustainability of the LFC programme implemented by Save the Children in Bauchi, Kaduna and Katsina States. 

Objectives of the evaluation 

• To assess progress towards achievement of programme targets against the baseline data and-the midterm evaluation. 

• To assess the effectiveness of the programme the approach and interventions. 

• To document the outcomes and impact of the programme on the quality of life of the targeted beneficiaries of the project: children, families, and communities; including significant changes, positive and unintended impactof the programme whilst documenting all the underlying measures to promote or mitigate these program me impacts. 

• To assess sustainability at the government and community level and the interplay of stakeholder involvement at state and LGA levels 

• To assess the relevance of the programme 

• To document success stories and lessons learnt 

• To specifically conduct a VS&L stand-alone study 

• To specifically conduct a Cl'C stand -alone study 

Specific Tasks: 

The evaluation team will be responsible to conduct the research and gather/analyze the data and deliver the final evaluation report. Data will be collected using primary and secondary sources, and will include both quantitative and qualitative measures. 

Methods and procedures may likely include: 

1. Review of relevant documents 

2. Qualitative research (Focus Group Discussion and In-depth Interviews) with both direct beneficiaries and key informants, such as community leaders, government 

personnel, school personnel, and local partners, etc. 

3 Quantitative research using secondary program data 

4. Site visits to communities, meetings with community leaders and relevant groups (Child Protection Committees and Village Savings & Loans Groups etc.) 

Person specificaion 

The evaluation team should have the following skills: 

1. Demonstrated understanding and experience with USAID and PEPFAR programs. 

2 Social development/public health/social work/community development 

experience and expertise in two or more of the following areas: 

  • Programs serving vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families 

  • Programs focused on community development work 

  • HIV care and support, care and support for orphans and vulnerable children 

3. Organizational development and institutional capacity building 

4. Working with government agencies in policy development, budgeting, implementation. 

5. Experience in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of international health programs in Africa, experience in Nigeria is a plus. 

The Evaluation Team should have at minimum: 

• An advanced degree in social sciences: social work, social development, 

• Five to eight years' experience working on social development/community development, children and family issues, HIV / AIDS, and ove issues. 

• Experience in direct engagement with children; facilitating children's activities, discussing and listening to children directly, and so on. 

• Substantial experience in conducting and leading project evaluations, quantitative and qualitative research, especially in evaluating/reviewing community-based programs. . 

• Excellent English language skills, both written and verbal and excellent report writing and documentation skills; ability to produce quality and well-written evaluation reports. 

• Understanding of Hausa language is compulsory and experience working in Northern Nigeria, as the research and interviews will be conducted with primarily Hausa speaking informants. 

• The proposed team leader is expected to provide a sample of other reports s/he has written for consideration bv Save the Children prior to final selection/consultancy agreement

Child Protection

The evaluation team will receive a briefing and orientation on Save the Children's Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, and overall guidelines for ensuring a safe environment in interviewing and engagig children.

Application Process

The consulting sould submit Expression of Interest which details the methodology ad timetable proposed for the study  Eglish to:  Nigeri. [email protected]

Closing date: 26th of June 2014