ICLA Host Communities Programme Evaluation

Rights Respected, People Protected

NRC in Jordan

Established in 2012 NRC Jordan’s long-term outlook addresses the problems affecting life as a refugee. We work to build the resilience of Syrians, and to relieve the impact on the Jordanian communities that host them.  Syrian refugees in Jordan are struggling. As they contend with difficult living conditions across the country, the obstacles are complex. They struggle to remain registered as refugees, to provide for their families, and to access essential services – including education for their children. The Jordanian communities that host them, meanwhile, feel the impact of hosting high numbers of refugees – with each year that passes, local infrastructure becomes more strained.

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

NRC ICLA Jordan programme started in 2012 as part of the integrated Shelter-ICLA intervention in Irbid. The most effective means to achieve the protection of rights is through an access to justice and legal empowerment approach which ICLA Jordan implemented since June 2016 when it became a stand-alone legal aid protection programme. Since then, NRC ICLA works towards the stated objective through a four pronged approach applicable across all ICLA thematic areas: (1) increased awareness of rights and obligations; (2) access to justice to exercise rights; (3) training and capacity building of key stakeholders, including national institutions; and (4) research and advocacy to contribute to positive policy change. These four components together constitute the pillars of NRC’s ICLA intervention. The programme will focus on its key thematic areas of speciality, namely Legal Identity and Civil Documentation (LCD), Housing, Land and Property (HLP), Refugee Registration Processes (RRP) and the new area of Work Rights (WR).  In parallel, ICLA will help vulnerable Jordanians exercise their legal rights across a broader range of sectors through implementing partners. NRC ICLA Jordan currently works in the Governorates of Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun, Mafraq, Amman, Balqua and Zarqa, where the concentration of Syrian refugees is among the highest in the country.

2. PURPOSE OF EVALUATION AND INTENDED USE

The main purpose of the evaluation is to support learning about the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the NRC ICLA Jordan programme and its partners and provide guidance for future programme direction. In addition, the evaluation should be an opportunity for NRC to be accountable to beneficiaries, partners and donors.  This evaluation will cover the NRC ICLA Jordan programme implemented in host communities since June 2016. NRC hopes that lessons learned captured in Jordan will provide additional evidence to feed into global programme development for ICLA programmes in the region.

3. METHODOLOGY

The applicants should submit a study design and methodology, which focuses on participatory, qualitative methods, to complement the significant amount of quantitative data about the programme already available.  In particular, we are seeking an evaluator experienced in participatory evaluations and with demonstrable experience of qualitative evaluations, such as process tracing or most significant change, is desirable.  We require an evaluator familiar with theories of change.

At a minimum, the methodology should include:

• a desk review of key documents, including analysis of existing qualitative and quantitative programme data;
• semi-structured interviews with beneficiaries and key informants, including key NRC ICLA staff;
• participatory methods to seek the views and perceptions of the targeted beneficiaries, their communities and key stakeholders (legal aid partners, government, community actors, protection international and national organizations, CBOs, etc);

• Also, a field validation exercise, for confirming preliminary findings with beneficiaries should be envisioned in the field part of the exercise.

4. DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING DEADLINES

The evaluator/ evaluation team will submit three reports and three presentations:

• Inception report: Following the desk review and prior to beginning fieldwork, the evaluation team will produce an inception report subject to approval by the NRC Evaluation Steering Committee. This report will detail a draft work plan with a summary of the primary information needs, the methodology to be used, and a work plan/schedule for field visits and major deadlines. With respect to methodology, the evaluation team will provide a description of how data will be collected and a sampling framework, data sources, and drafts of suggested data collection tools such as questionnaires and interview guides.
  Once the report is finalised and accepted, the evaluation team must submit a request for any change in strategy or approach to the NRC Evaluation Steering Committee. Inception report is due in first draft by 24^th May 2018. Field work will start in 17^th June 2018 and last 3 weeks.
• Draft Report: Draft evaluation report to be submitted to the Evaluation Steering Committee, who will review the draft and provide feedback within ten days of receipt of the draft report. The draft report will be submitted by 22^nd July, and feedback will be provided to researchers by 7^th August 2018.
• Final report: The Final Evaluation Report will follow NRC’s standard template for evaluation reports. The final report should include a maximum two-page executive summary that summarizes the key lessons learned and should also include best practices case studies that can be shared with NRC’s technical and management staff. Submission is due 14^th August 2018 to the Steering Committee and will be finalised and approved by steering committee by 31^st August 2018.
• Presentation of findings:
  • At the end of the field research, the evaluation team will present preliminary findings to validate and prioritise learning at the Jordan level

All material collected in the undertaking of the evaluation process shall be lodged with the Evaluation Manager prior to the termination of the contract.

5. TIMEFRAME 

Proposals should present a budget for the number of expected working days over the entire period.

The evaluation is scheduled to start on 15^th May and fieldwork is projected in June/July.

The evaluator/ evaluation team is expected to provide a suggested timeline and work plan for the evaluation based on these scheduling parameters and in keeping with the scope of the evaluation questions and criteria. 

6. EVALUATION CONSULTANT TEAM 

NRC seeks expressions of interest from individuals or joint applications, ideally with the following skills/qualifications and expertise:

• Sound and proven experience in conducting evaluations, particularly utilisation and learning focused evaluations 
• Extensive experience of theories of change and how they can be used to carry out evaluations
• Expertise in participatory qualitative data collection techniques
• Background in delivery of legal aid/protection programmes

  Additional, desirable knowledge, includes:

• Understanding of refugee legal aid and protection programmes

• Understanding of global and regional trends and initiatives on protection/legal aid

Necessary Skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Prior experience in Middle East
• Proven experience of managing evaluations of humanitarian projects in camp settings
• Experience of designing qualitative data collection methods and of managing participatory and learning focused evaluations

Excellent team working and communication skills, flexibility and good organisation skills

7. APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

Application Deadline:   24^th April 2018

Interview dates: last week of April 2018

Bids must include the following:

• Proposal including, outline of evaluation framework and methods, including comments on the TOR, proposed timeframe and work plan (bids over 3 pages will be automatically excluded).
• Proposed evaluation budget including an estimation of the expected working days over the entire period between starting the work and the approval of the final draft by the steering committee (May – August 2018)

• Cover letter clearly summarizing experience as it pertains to this assignment and three professional references.

• CVs and evidence of past evaluations for each team member

• At least one example of an evaluation report most similar to that described in this TOR.

Disclaimer: The daily cost quoted needs to include all travel to and from home country (if living outside of Jordan), accommodation while in Jordan, equipment, phone calls and any costs associated with undertaking the Scope of Work (including insurance).  Non-resident income tax rate is 10% and resident income tax is 5% and is to be deducted from the contract amount and paid by NRC to the tax department. An income tax clause has to be included in the contract with the percentage that will be deducted and paid to the tax department. NRC also provides the Consultant with the receipt (proof of payment) within 1 month.  Tax at 10% will be deducted from any payment and so should be included in the budget.  The successful candidate will receive his/her payment following clearance of the pre-agreed milestones.

***Important Note***

To review the full TOR, please download it by clicking on the "Terms of Reference" hyperlink showed below under the related documents field.

NRC does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Offers of employment or job openings with requests for payment of fees are fraudulent. Victims of such scams should report them to their local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

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