Consultant-Project Endline Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), an international nongovernmental organization (INGO), founded in 2002, recruits, trains and deploys unarmed civilians to reduce violence and protect vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas. NP has been operating in South Sudan since 2010 and currently has a presence in implementing over seven projects nationwide.

NP has been implementing a project focused on strengthening civil society in South Sudan. The overall goal of the project is to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of civil society work, by improving the operational space and safety, and strengthening the capacities of partners. Building on long-term partnerships, the project aims to support media environment, reliable information to reach citizens and foster civic engagement and public discourse, as the country navigates its transition. 

 

Currently in the process of ending the fourth phase of this project (May 2022 – May 2025), NP has continued to build on long-term partnerships, implementing a project focused on strengthening civil society in South Sudan. The overall goal of the project is to improve safety and security local civil society. This phase of the project aimed to increase capacity and support partners to effectively navigate challenges they face in their work, including through strategic initiatives focused on protection, advocacy, capacity strengthening, and awareness raising.

Project Description

Since 2015, the project, implemented in partnership with The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the Kingdom of the Netherlands, NP, and Defend Defenders (DD), focused on strengthening the safety, security, and operational space of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in South Sudan. Over the first three phases (2015-2022), it significantly enhanced HRDs' protection mechanisms and support, increasing both the quantity and quality of human rights work. The project successfully revitalized the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN), strengthened its institutional capacity, and ensured its independence through formal registration and the establishment of organizational and financial policies. A critical success was the creation of a functional Emergency Response Mechanism (ERM) to mitigate threats against HRDs, which was further reinforced in Phase 3. Capacity building efforts expanded, with HRDs receiving training in security, risk assessment, and digital encryption, reaching grassroots levels across South Sudan.

Phase 4 of the project, which is what we are seeking to be evaluated, spanned from period of May 2022 - May 2025, was implemented in partnership with Nonviolent Peaceforce, South Sudan Human Right Defenders Network and Defend Defenders with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands. This phase of the project focused on making SSHRDN an independent, leading actor in HRD protection, enhancing its visibility, conducting research, and deepening grassroots engagement. The overarching aim of the project was focused on increasing the overall safety, security, and operational space of South Sudanese HRDs through the SSHRDN and the five core objectives outlined below.

 

Project Objectives

Primary Project Objective:
Increase the safety, security, and operational space of South Sudanese Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) through the South Sudan Human Rights Defender Network (SSHRDN)

• Objective 1: Enhance partner coordination and staff development to better support and protect South Sudanese HRDs
• Objective 2: Strengthen the capacity of the SSHRDN to independently support HRDs across South Sudan
• Objective 3: Mitigate acute and immediate threats to HRDs’ safety and security
• Objective 4: Increase HRD’s capacity to protect themselves and continue their work
• Objective 5: Systematically alter the HRD landscape in South Sudan through awareness-raising, advocacy, research, and strategic network-building

 

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE END LINE EVALUATION

The end-line evaluation aims to assess the progress made by the project through the phased approach in achieving its agreed objectives through planned activities. This evaluation process will be guided by the OECD criteria[1] and includes:

 

• Evaluating the relevance of the project to the implementation areas.
• Assessing effectiveness of the project through the extent to which the project achieved its objectives and its expected results for each target group across the project - including any unexpected effects of the activities (positive or negative)
• Efficiency of the project in terms of how well the financial, human and operational resources were used, and if the intervention delivered in economic and timely manner.
• Determining the specific impacts of the project – positive or negative; intended or unintended; within and beyond the intended scope of the project.
• Assessing the coherence of this project, specifically the added value of the project’s intervention with other relevant interventions implemented by the Network and other actors.
• Determining the extent to sustainability of the project’s interventions, which benefits of the intervention continue or are likely to continue.
• Conducting a thorough endline evaluation covering programmatic aspects, project management, finances, donor reporting, and partnerships.
• Examining the logic of project strategies and approaches to relevant international norms and standards.

 

This evaluation will assess the impact of the project with a specific focus on outcomes and changes attributable to activities funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While acknowledging the broader ecosystem in which the SSHRD and its partners operate, the evaluation will ensure to distinguish between outcomes resulting from this project and those potentially influenced by other donor-funded initiatives (e.g., those supported by defend defenders or other partners). The assessment will examine the project’s contribution to relevance. effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, coherence, specifically within the scope of this funding. The consultant needs to compare baseline and end-line data, collect qualitative insights through case studies, and engage a representative sample of project participants and stakeholders to ensure accurate attribution and a comprehensive, phase-specific evaluation. The consultant is expected to provide detailed approach in the methodology section of the report used to carry out the evaluation.

 

Specific Objectives of The Evaluation

• Assess the extent to which the project outputs and outcomes have been achieved based on the indicators in the project document. The evaluator should clearly distinguish between direct and indirect outcomes, and ensure a logical link between project interventions and observed results, including any unexpected (positive or negative) outcomes that have occurred at least in part as a result of this project.
• Evaluate the level of contribution of the outputs and outcomes towards the achievement of the expected project objectives, goals, and outcomes – including any unexpected impacts (negative, positive, intended or unintended) that have happened, at least in part, as a result of this project.
• Ensure a holistic and fair evaluation process through a comprehensive participant selection process using best evaluation practices in determining the criteria for developing the participant criteria and sample size. This includes ensuring that there is adequate representation in the sample of a diversity of perspectives from all project locations – including those who may have been dissatisfied with their involvement in the project and those who may have been excluded from the project.
• Assess the relevance, effectiveness of interventions as well as, the sustainability of the results, and the degree of satisfaction of the project participants, namely HRDs and civil society members that have participated in activities or otherwise engaged with the project.  
• Evaluate the appropriateness of the strategies and approaches used for implementing the project.
• Identify major external and internal (e.g. operational or capacity issues; intra-group dynamics in the network, etc.) factors that influenced or impacted on the implementation of the project and evaluate their implication on future interventions.
• Highlight lessons-learned from the project and make recommendations for future strategies.
• Measure the key achievements as compared to the baseline and mid-term evaluations, to test these under the project.

Methodology

The presented proposal should include methodologies that respond to the specific objectives of the assignment and that should be accounted for in the final report. The methodological choices should be determined by the extent to which they lead to the collection of reliable data and provide a basis for reaching valid and reliable judgements. Then after proceed to outline the minimum requirements. The following outlines the minimum requirements; however, the consultant may propose additional or revised methods, with respective justifications:

 

Quantitative data: It will be used to measure indicators of the project expressed in terms of numbers/percentages (quantitative indicators). Information will be collected using a questionnaire survey which will be administered to a sample of households. The consultant is expected to determine the sample size which would be representative, and adequate to do basic descriptive statistics.

Qualitative data: Qualitative research methods such as Focused group discussions, key informant interviews (KIIs) and In-depth interviews will be employed most importantly to substantiate (complement) the information collected through quantitative approaches.

Secondary documentation: A review of related documents will also be important to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project.

PRINCIPLES

The proposed study design and methodology including the sample size will be discussed and agreed upon with NPSS at the beginning of the evaluation.  The proposed methodology must be consistent with the following principles:

• Independence: The consultant must not be influenced by external pressure or conflict of interests
• Objectivity: Minimizing bias and error. Consultants are expected to work in collaboration with a Reference Group consisting of consortium partners in the development of the methodology and sample selection to control for bias – which includes ensuring those participants who may have had a negative experience with the project are also included.
• Transparency: The evaluation must be conducted in a way that can be followed clearly by stakeholders and participants.
• Validity: the conclusions and recommendation must derive logically from the data collection, using the OECD standards on triangulation of data, and meet the objectives of the assignment
• Reliability: The results of the evaluation should be stable (i.e. that a repeat of the evaluation will produce the similar results and conclusions).
• Diversification: The evaluation process should consider how formal monitoring data captures the differing effects of the program on different groups of HRDS in the different clusters they work in.
  

Ethical considerations

Due to the unstable and high-security risk context project partners and beneficiaries work in, the evaluator is required to ensure participant confidentiality, in addition to, a comprehensive and transparent informed consent process at each step of the process. The evaluator, with guidance from the Reference Group, must prioritize safety in planning and participant engagement, including selection of locations of the evaluation and any logistical arrangements with participant.

SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE CONSULTANT

Expected Activities

• Design methodology for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the assessment.
• Revise the baseline and midterm survey tools and create any new tools necessary to answer the end-line evaluation questions.
• Submit a detailed work plan to NPSS along with the timeframe and responsible parties for this assignment.
• Finalize survey methodology including data collection methods, and analysis framework, and Collect data from the respondents as per the sampling list, using prescribed tools and techniques.
• Organize and facilitate training for data collectors (NPSS will hire the data collectors) on evaluation implementation, including the evaluation protocol and tools to be used and pilot testing of the tool.
• NPSS will plan and coordinate the necessary logistics to collect the data following the selected methodology.
• Evaluate at all project locations to measure key indicators as defined in the project log frame.
• Collect and analyse available secondary data to establish key insights relevant to the effective implementation of the project. Finalize data collection tools (questionnaire, checklist) and guidelines for the end-line survey in consultation with NPSS as well as other data collection tools.
• Based upon a reading of the program documents, propose any additional topics or issues for analysis in the final evaluation.
• Submit a draft report of the study to NPSS prior to the submission of the final report. NPSS will review the draft report and provide necessary feedback.

 

Expected Deliverables

• Inception Report: The consultant shall submit an inception report, including a detailed workplan, and data collection and evaluation methodologies. The consultant will refine the evaluation objectives and final lines of inquiry in collaboration with NPSS as part of the inception phase. These deliverables are therefore required have clearly defined evaluation questions. This deliverable is to be completed, within one week of the signing of the contract. The inception report/proposal that responds to the scope of work by adding any further detail or clarification regarding the evaluation approach, method, or implementation arrangements. Further, the consultant will provide any suggested improvements to the evaluation scope and questions which will be shared at the time of onboarding. The consultant will be required to present the inception report to NPSS, NP HQ team and donor.
• Desk Review/Data Collection and Analysis: The consultant will provide a field work implementation plan (to be submitted before fieldwork begins). This fieldwork plan should be presented to NPSS for comment, and revised as necessary before commencing fieldwork. The consultant, adhering to the previously agreed-upon timelines, will conduct a desk review of essential project documents including the mid-term evaluation, reports and other project related documents. Utilizing the proposed evaluation methodologies, the consultant will collect data in line with the objectives of the evaluation. Using this information, this will be analyzed and compiled for the final product. The overall report should outline the fieldwork and the data cleaning.
• Preliminary Review/Presentation of Findings: The consultant will develop a presentation of the key findings, to capture stakeholder feedback. This process will be imperative to complete, prior to report drafting, to incorporate preliminary guidance for the structure and content of the final product.
• Drafting of Final Report: Utilizing the feedback from the review session, the consultant shall produce a detailed evaluation report adhering to the agreed format, fully addressing the study objectives. This should include key conclusions on the project phase, to inform to institutional learning. The report should be logically structured, contain evidence-based findings, conclusions, lessons, and recommendations, and be free of information that is not relevant to the overall analysis.
• Review and Validation: The consultant will be responsible for incorporating all feedback received during the review and validation process, maintaining open communication with the partners on the deliverables at hand. This process will result in the submission of a comprehensive final evaluation report, that meets all agreed-upon quality standards and format and is approved by the respective partner institutions.

All deliverables – NPSS will oversee the process and be responsible for accountability and guidance throughout all phases of execution, and approval of all deliverables.

TIMEFRAME

 

The timeframe for the evaluation is estimated between 3-4 weeks. The consultant is expected to start working on 12th June 2025 and complete all responsibilities outlined in the Scope of Work and deliverables on 30th June 2025. The primary evaluation location will in Juba, where the project is being implemented, as well as in the states where the activities took place including Western Bahr El Ghazal, Eastern Equatoria, Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, Warrap, Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Lakes State.

Resources

NP will facilitate and pay the required payment for visa, and transport to South Sudan and all field sites. In addition, NPSS will provide accommodation and meals while in the country. NPSS will not provide personal computers and the consultant has to use his/her computer. All necessary logistical arrangements for the assessment will be coordinated through the NPSS logistics department. The chosen individual consultant will coordinate with the Programme Manager, Research Monitoring & Evaluation Office, the Programme team, and Program Development Team, in the planning and implementation of the evaluation.

 

QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCIES

 

• At least 7 years of successful experience in the design and implementation of external evaluations that meet or exceed OECD/DAC standards of evaluation, ideally for civil society groups working in humanitarian settings.
• Diverse experience in conducting, assessments or baseline surveys including qualitative and quantitative data collection is desirable.
• Master’s degree in International and Political Affairs, Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Experience in the development of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and log-frames.
• Experience managing a diverse team and providing capacity-building and training support.
• Experience developing protection projects in war and/or emergency settings.

 

SKILLS

 

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of research methodologies and processes
• Ability to produce high-quality written English reports.
• Proven ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information through a protection lens.
• managing projects in complex security environments.

 

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS

 

• Previous experience in the domains of human rights, civic engagement, and/or protection of civilians.
• Experience in gathering and systematizing large amounts of data
  

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

The proposal shall include technical and financial sections. The financial section needs to describe only the consultant’s professional fee and other expenses that will be incurred during the evaluation process excluding expenses like visa, transport, accommodation and small per diem while in the country as this will be handled by NP. The proposal should include:

 

• Consultant profile including past achievements
• A concept note including a brief overview of the assignment as understood by the bidder; a summary of past relevant experience; a detailed methodology and approach including work plan (i.e. research techniques to be used, sampling, field operation plan, quality assurance and time frame)
• Detailed itemized budget and price justification by unit cost per activity being proposed under the financial proposal
• Current CV of the consultant (s)
• Three references from organizations that prove the capacity of the consultant to carry out an assessment/evaluation
• Previous work sample (i.e. Evaluation Reports)

Prospective individual consultants should submit a written proposal including other details listed above and submit their application by midnight Central African Time on 6th June 2025. Candidates will be assessed based on the quality of their technical evaluation proposal, skills and experience, as well as financial proposal. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

 

NB: Please note that only the selected consultant will be provided with the detailed TORs, including the proposed evaluation questions, at the time of onboarding and prior to the inception phase. Moreover, the consultant will refine the evaluation objectives and finalize the lines of inquiry in collaboration with NPSS during the inception phase.

 

For more information about NP and its work, please visit our Website: www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org.

 

SPECIAL NOTICE

 

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. 

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector.NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritize ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization. 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

 

NO FEE

 

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website. 

[1] https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/better-criteria-for-better-evaluation_15a9c26b-en.html