External evaluation consultancy

We are looking for a highly qualified and experienced consultant to evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of an ECHO funded protection and cash transfer programming for documentation outcomes. We are looking for someone with a relevant background in protection and CTP to 1 / assess the outcome and impact of the project in relation to its main objectives and 2/ Identify the impact of one-off cash assistance for documentation, its relevance, efficacy, and usefulness for achieving documentation outcomes at the individual and/or household level. 

 

 

 

To help cope with displacement-related challenges in Jordan, the DRC led consortium, including Mercy Corps (MC) and Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI) is assisting vulnerable refugee and host population since July 2016 and a substantial portion of our work has been implemented as cash transfer programming (CTP). DRC and its partners have been operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, protection, livelihoods, health, CTP and shelter programmes through Country Offices. . 

As the Syrian Conflict continues into its seventh year, trends in displacement have dramatically changed with shifting policies in overburdened MENA countries, an increased wave of refugees seeking fresh starts in Europe, and still no political end to the crisis is in sight. There are close to 660,000 registered Syrians living in Jordan alone, of which over 80% have found temporary homes in urban areas across the country.  

The project is a comprehensive protection intervention, jointly designed by the three partners in Jordan. Building on their complementary geographical presence and their extensive experience in a protection focused response to the Syrian crisis in Jordan, the project strengthens a protective environment that better identifies and responds to the protection risks faced by refugees living in the host communities of Jordan. The project includes protection monitoring and data collection at household and community level, information provision on legal and civil documentation, referrals and protection support, regular or one-off cash assistance to support refugees 

 

 

Based on the findings of the evaluation, the consultant will provide clear strategic and practical recommendations to improve the CTP activities of a second phase of the project to start on Oct, 1st, 2017 through a wider consortium. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The evaluation is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the project’s achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for future actions in the different Governorates of Jordan with a strong focus on CTP. 

 

2. To assess the outcome and impact of the project in relation to its objectives, activities and outputs as set out in the logical framework and recommend ways of improving the delivery model of an upcoming similar humanitarian program. 

 

 

 

The evaluation needs to be carried out to assess the outcomes of the cash transfer project anticipated at the outset of the project.  

 

The main objectives related to CTP will be: 

1. To assess the impact the unconditional regular cash assistance (RCA) and the one-off cash assistance for documentation (CFD) had on the lives of the assisted individuals and families  

2. To identify the most efficient activities leading refugees’ families to obtain legal or civil documentation capturing the key learnings and factors (Information provision, referrals, CTP, case follow-up, protection, or any combination of them) which enabled the success of this cash-based programming activity.  

 

 

1. Have there been significant protection benefits at both levels (Families/individuals)? Was the access to documentation improved?  

2. How relevant is cash programming for achieving documentation outcomes? 

3. What impact has RCA made in the lives of assisted families? Was the targeting relevant?  

4. Did the cash programming generate negative unexpected impacts (Gender, tensions, debt repayment etc.) that must be addressed for the future? 

5. How, if at all, were gender dynamics affected at the household level, and how can the project strengthen positive change in this area?  

6. How effective is the consortium cash programming in addressing documentation concerns as defined by the vulnerability and selection criteria?  

7. What factors could be improved to in the design to lead to more concrete protection benefits at the individual and household levels? 

 

• From the performances evaluation, to suggest an harmonised cash strategy allowing the consortium to reach its future commitments including but not limited to: 

1. Targeting 

2. Thresholds 

3. Criteria selection 

4. Conditionality  

5. CTP Modalities 

6. Duration and exit criteria for RCA 

 

• Consultancy Methodology 

 

Desk review of secondary and primary sources (Local/regional CTP external reports, project documents, protection monitoring reports, advocacy papers, M&E findings such as PDMs, FGD etc.) 

Individual interviews of key stakeholders (Consortium, donor, INGOs, UNHCR etc.) 

Field-level visits and interviews with key informants / beneficiaries 

Data collection and analysis 

Compilation and Reporting 

 

• Human resources 

 

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Consortium Project Manager and in close collaboration with the consortium and partners’ teams. She/he will need to liaise with the relevant stakeholders, including ECHO, government of Jordan, the UN agencies and local CBO/NGO partners in the country. 

 

• Time frame for Consultancy 

 

A tentative schedule for the consultancy will be designed with the consultant upon arrival. The consultant is expected to start as early as September 10th and this for a minimum of 6 weeks. Tasks will include desk review, interviews, field visits, intermediary report and presentation to the partners, discussion around preliminary findings in a meeting with all partners after 3 weeks in the consultancy, final report. 

• The 1st draft of the final report must be submitted the last week of the consultancy, and the consultant is expected to incorporate partners feedback within a week. 

• The deadline for the final approved report is October 31st , 2017  

 

 

 

Required qualifications:  

• Extensive humanitarian experience, preferably within an INGO environment; Proven experience in a technical capacity involving conducting evaluations, assessments, or research and drafting technical reports in particular CTP or Protection 

• Familiarity with international norms and standards for humanitarian action and CTP 

• Demonstrated technical assessment skills and command of methodologies, including working with large data sets and statistical analysis; 

• Must demonstrate in-depth knowledge and experience within the protection sector and/or cash transfer programming;  

• Ability to write clear, concise reports on the findings and make relevant, feasible recommendations for improvement whenever relevant; 

• Strong coordination and communication skills; capacity and creativity in leading and facilitating participatory methodologies to engage community members and receive and respond to feedback.  

• Arabic skills a strong asset, but not required. 

• Team spirit and a good sense of humor. 

 

 

 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.  

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.  

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.  

Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.  

 

 

 

 

 

DRC will offer the successful applicant a 6 weeks contract, extendable only if previously agreed during the design of the evaluation and depending on funds availability. You must be available to start work at the latest by September, 10th, 2017 and be willing and able to work in Amman, with frequent travel to in the country .

 

Application process 

 

 

Need further information? 

 

For more details on this position please contact Alain Coutand at alain.coutand@drc-jordan.org. 

 

Please note that applications sent directly to Alain Coutand will not be considered. 

 

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk