Evaluation of Trócaire's Sustainable Livelihoods/ DRR Programme Trócaire

Evaluation of Kenya Sustainable Livelihoods/DRR Programme

Terms of Reference

1.Trócaire
Trócaire’s Kenya Programme works with partners for a just, democratic and peaceful society where people’s rights are upheld and respected; where basic needs are met and resources shared equitably; where people have control over their own lives and those in power act for the common good.

1.Trócaire’s livelihoods programme in Kenya
Trócaire’s livelihoods and DRR programme focuses on the ASAL districts of Turkana, Tharaka, East Pokot, Kitui central and Wenje. The programme primarily works through well established Diocesan partners to increase the income and improve the food security of vulnerable households through strengthening and diversifying their livelihood strategies. The programme works with pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and marginal farmers to bring sustainable change at the household level. Initiatives build resilience to drought (and other hazards) through diversifying livelihood strategies. These activities are complemented by a policy component with partners working at the national level on related issues. Specifically the programme aims: 1. To improve food security of communities living in ASAL areas 2. To promote sustainable management of natural resources for improved livelihood security 3. To advocate for policies, laws and institutions that support sustainable Livelihoods

1.The consultancy assignment
3.1 Purpose of the evaluation The overall aim of the evaluation is to review progress made towards set objectives and measure impact, to examine the efficiency of the programme strategy and provide recommendations to influence the new 5 year Livelihoods and DRR programme.

3.2 Specific Objectives 1. Impact – To assess and document evidence of impact and sustainability of the programme with reference to the approaches and methodologies used to increase household food security (HH income and agricultural production). 2. Policy – To assess the contribution of current national policy partners to achieving the objectives of the programme. 3. Capacity – To assess partner capacity to effectively deliver the objectives of the livelihoods programme particularly in the context of scaling up the existing programme, to make recommendations on whether we have the right mix of partners, and how to address capacity gaps. 4. Strategy – To review the programme strategy in terms of contribution towards securing sustainable livelihoods and building resilience and make recommendations on potential future effective strategies. The evaluation must look at; a. Coordination - To what extent do our partners effectively coordinate with other stakeholders (government, NGOs, UN) and contribute to local government development plans and policies? How can this be improved particularly in the context of decentralization? b. Policy – To make recommendations on appropriate strategies and priority issues for policy influencing and appropriate partners to work with that link local, national and global to address issues of household food security. c. Resilience – To make recommendations on the strategies to enhance community resilience and emergency response within a holistic approach. d. Innovation & technologies – To review and recommend promotion and scale up of innovations and appropriate technology that enhance livestock and agricultural productivity and build resilience. e. Target group – to assess whether the programme is targeting and empowering the most vulnerable (including women, children and PLHIV). And to assess and make recommendations on the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme in terms of coverage vis-a-vis resources.

4.0 Methodology The evaluation will be carried out by a team led by an external consultant. The team will also include Trócaire’s Environmental Justice Officer and M&E Officer and a partner representative.

The Final Evaluation will be done through a combination of processes which include: • Desk reviews; the consultant will study relevant project materials such as the country strategy, programme documentation, partner plans and reports, Participatory risk assessments (PRAs) and key for analysis of impact at a household level the programme baseline and endline. It will also analyse relevant government policies and plans including those of the Ministry of Northern Kenya and Arid Lands. • Selected field visits to the geographical areas where the project partners operate and meetings with national partners. • Interviews with stakeholders. Consultations in the field will be held with relevant stakeholders including steering committees, organizations working in the same project areas, partners etc to be agreed with the consultant team. Interviews should also be held with Trocaire’s head office in particular members of the Sustainable Livelihoods and Environmental Justice team. • Identify appropriate sampling technique that is consistent with the various contexts where the partners operate. • Validation of findings will be conducted with stakeholders upon completion of the first draft.

The following methodologies will be used to generate data and information. Quantitative: - Analysing end-line survey to measure impacts and outcomes to compare with baseline survey - Collect secondary data from partners and other actors in the target districts Qualitative - Use PRA tools (focused group discussion, semi-structured interviews, direct observations) to generate qualitative information in the field - Case studies/ significant changes stories - Analyze qualitative data to draw conclusions about, for example, people’s feelings or perceptions. - Focus group discussions with partner management staff and relevant government line ministries - Use of SWOT/FOFA where applicable during reflections on project performance and to consolidate findings which lead to recommendations - Other methodologies as proposed by the consultant

The preliminary report will first be shared with those involved in the evaluation to validate the findings. A final report will be shared with all the partners during the programme review meeting and it will be disseminated widely.

5.0 Scope and focus of the evaluation The evaluation will focus on the following key issues and guiding questions. In addition to these issues the consultant is expected to raise and respond to relevant issues emerging during the review. The consultant has the freedom to propose additional guiding questions. a) Relevance of programme strategies - How do the project interventions relate to the problem identified by the local stakeholders? How do the project interventions minimize risk and vulnerability? - Are livelihood options and activities being implemented relevant to beneficiary needs and effectiveness in expanding livelihood options? Are they replicable? Is the coverage adequate? Are they sustainable? How are the livelihood options linked to markets? - Are project interventions in line with policies and strategies of local partners, government and other stakeholders? - How appropriate were the HIV and Gender mainstreaming strategies used in the programme if any?

b) Effectiveness - To what degree do local groups and households use and share knowledge and skills gained during the various trainings offered by the project through the partners? - Are partners actively contributing to district and national development process and able to influence decisions? What level of influence have they made so far? - How did the partners work with district governments, its partner NGOs? What adaptations need to be made to strengthen partnerships? - What are the advocacy strategies being used by the partners and how can these be improved? - Are objectives and activities sufficiently clearly defined? Are they relevant to the context and to the envisaged outcome of the project? - How effective were strategies at improving food security for households affected by HIV including OVCs? - Has the project defined criteria for selecting beneficiaries in accordance with its objectives and do these criteria take specific account of PLHIV and OVCs? If these exist have they been applied consistently? - What policies did the project succeed to influence? - What was the progress against the programme results as set out in the programme proposal document (PPD)? - How effective were the programme’s strategies on climate change policy?

c) Efficiency - How well did the programme prioritize resources in response to local needs/ context? - How adequate and responsive was the organisational set-up of the programme? - How well did the programme build on the existing strengths and capacities of the partners? - What are the components which are most efficient, considering the costs made and achievements made?

d) Sustainability - What sustainable interventions and structures have been established during the project? - Has the project identified exit strategies? - How does the project link relief and development? - Have the disaster risk reduction strategies worked?

e) Impact - Refer to PPD Indicators. - Considering the recent humanitarian context is there any evidence that households that have participated in the livelihoods programme were more resilient? (refer to baselines) - Has the capacity and responsiveness of communities and partners improved to take well-informed decisions concerning durable solutions for themselves and their families? (ref baselines). - What new livelihoods strategies or strategies for enhancing existing livelihoods have been introduced in the partner areas? How have they been adopted by the communities? - Has livestock health improved in the target areas? If not, why? - Can increased water harvesting be observed in target areas? How much and where? If not, why? - What linkages have been made with markets? Has the project been able to improve the terms of trade for targeted beneficiaries? - Has there been a tangible and direct impact in terms of increased income or/and increased food security? How much and where? If not, why? - Has there been a reduction of poverty levels in targeted districts? Have nutritional levels, especially for the vulnerable groups, improved? If not, why? - Have any of the interventions been replicated without support from the programme? - What mechanisms or linkages can be established with government structures to ensure livelihoods development in the project districts? - What unexpected changes took place that can be attributed to the programme? - Has the project had any success in promoting gender equality and improving the lives of women, marginalised and PLHIV and those affected by HIV including OVCs?

f) Strengths and weaknesses - Determine strengths (including successful innovations and promising practices) and weaknesses (factors impeding success) of the programme planning, design, implementation M&E, and ongoing community management in the program.

g) Trócaire policies and guidelines - How did the programme activities take into account the specific needs of people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups? - How were women involved the planning and implementation of the project? - How compatible was the projects with Trócaire’s global strategic plan, livelihoods policy and strategies and other policies of the organisation at the time of inception and currently? - Is there effective synergy of planning, implementation and monitoring/ review between partners and Trócaire components?

6.0 Deliverables 1. Final report (hard and soft copies) of not more than 30 pages addressing all objectives and including clear recommendations. 2. 4 case studies on topics to be agreed. 3. Briefing sessions (one with Trócaire staff and one with partners) after a draft document has been prepared. 4. Draft livelihood strategy think piece paper – not more than 10 pages based on the findings.

7.0 Timeline The evaluation is expected to take place in 20-25 days during January 2012. A final work schedule with dates will be developed in agreement with partners and consultant.

Tasks to be considered include: - Desk review of programme (including baselines, programme review reports etc), projects and partner documents; and review of government policies and relevant secondary data - Field visits for interviews and PRAs, and partner meetings - Analysis of information and data gathered - Draft report to be shared - Final report

7.0 Application process This assignment will require a consultant with the following experience: - Extensive experience in evaluations in development programmes, with a good understanding of the DRR approach and proven record of quality professional results delivery - Knowledge of the Kenyan context with regards to legislations) and government structures - Knowledge and experience in livestock-based livelihoods, agronomy, entrepreneurship, natural resource and environmental management - An understanding of mainstreaming Gender/HIV and AIDS in a Livelihoods - Proven experience in programmes with focus on the strengthening of capacity of civil society and policy advocacy in developing countries

If you feel you/your organisation fit the required profile, please submit a short proposal and detail your availability during January 2012, your interpretation of the above ToR, how you will undertake the assignment and how your qualifications and experience fit this ToR. Please provide also a Curriculum Vitae (CV) that contains details of the consultant proposed for the job.

Proposals should be submitted by e-mail to cgardner@trocaire.or.ke and copied to FEmoru@trocaire.or.ke by December 16th 2011.