1. Introduction
Secours Catholique - Caritas France (SCCF) is a French association governed by 1901 Law, registered at the Paris Police Prefecture under No. 9092 on October 1, 1946 (published in the Official Journal on October 29, 1946), whose public usefulness was acknowledged by a September 25, 1962 decree (published in the Official Journal on September 29, 1962), company I.D. (SIREN) No. 775 666 696, with headquarters at 106 rue du Bac, Paris, 75007, France. It supports Indo-Global Social Service Society in the frame of the above-mentioned project. An external final evaluation is to be done before the end of the project.
Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) is an organisation registered under Society Registration Act 1860 having its headquarters in Lodhi Road, New Delhi. IGSSS is an organization based in India. The organization was founded 1961. IGSSS vision is to Help establish a humane social order based on equity, freedom and justice in which human rights and the dignity of every individual are upheld. IGSSS mission is to implement and support quality development programmes across India to empower individuals and communities belonging to the poor, marginalized and vulnerable sections of society, with special focus on women and children.
2. Project presentation
Project title : Empowering Flood affected community for sustainable livelihood in the North Lakhimpur and Dhemaji Districts of Assam (2019-2022)
Project’s fields of work :
-Promotion and strengthening of village/local organization/group;
-Capacity building of communities to access rights and entitlements;
- Capacity building and inputs on Disaster risk reduction and Climate change adaptation;
-Capacity building and inputs to demonstrate livelihood activities.
Program Participants : Direct beneficiaries: 1444 households (revised after the baseline) who have access to the project activities either capacity building program, awareness program and livelihood support. Criteria used in the selection of the beneficiaries:
· Poor and Marginal farmers
· Low-income families
· Daily wage labourers
· Widow /Women headed households
Migrants (or high chance of migration)
· Youth
Indirect beneficiaries: 5,000 households from the neighbouring villages; Local authorities, village organisations, other villages in the region that can replicate the initiatives, inter-agency groups and other bodies involved in emergency preparedness and response
Project Location :
15 villages, 2 Panchayats (Bhebali and Bordoloni), 1 Development Block (Bordoloni Development Block) under Dhemaji District
10 Villages, 2 Panchayats (Ranganadi and Pachim Telahi), 2 Development Blocks (Telahi and Nowboicha Development Block) under Norht Lakhimpur District.
Timeframe : 1st August 2019 to 31st July 2022
Project Holder: Indo -Global Social Service Society (IGSSS)
Budget : 125 045 euros, equal to 9 628 453 INR as per the amendment n°2
Project key objective
-Overall Goal: Sustainable and secured livelihood opportunities for flood vulnerable families in the state of Assam.
-Objective: 1 Enhancement of food security and income of the marginalized families through promotion and adoption of farm/non-farm flood resilient livelihood models/practices.
Indicator: 800 families will enhance their food security and income.
-Objective 2; Strong community-based organizations along with the different relevant stakeholders are working to resolve the local DRR and other issues. (Climate change, WASH, migration, and development issues)
Indicators: Every targeted village has one Strong CBOs working on DRR issues
3. Overall Objectives of the Evaluation
Final external evaluation of the project is foreseen in the project contract. It takes place ahead of the end of the project to assess the implementation of planned activities and achievements of results until now, taking into account the Covid 19 crisis; find out the strengths and weaknesses of the project; review the project methodologies; assess the impact of the project; in order to highlight gaps, best practices and lessons learnt and to make realistic recommendations regarding the different components of the project, its management and its sustainability.
Ø To provide IGSSS and SCCF with an independent, evidence-based assessment of how the strategies adopted in the project address the relevant issues and how they contributed to the goals of the project. Assessment is to be based on the indicators outlined in the project monitoring and evaluation plan and on Development Assistance Committee framework (Relevance, Coherence, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, Sustainability, Accountability).
Ø To assess the changes in practices and behaviours, the improvements in:
· The food security, income and indebtedness, vulnerabilities reduction of the marginalized families supported on off-farm and nonfarm and to access government social schemes and provisions
· The sustainability and flexibility/resilience to climate change of these livelihood opportunities
· The institutional and financial capacities and empowerment of the Village Development Committees, Task force groups, PRI members, line departments and district authorities to promote and to implement hazard specific mitigation and preparedness plans, community-based disaster management plans, and responses to WASH, migration, and development issues.
For each point, check the reasons why the objectives or improvement were met or not.
Ø Assess the systems, process, and programmatic approach of IGSSS and give recommendations for improvement and development of further strategies.
Ø Review the capacity and effectiveness of the partnerships (SCCF, IGSSS, local public bodies, other organizations, etc.).
Ø Provide recommendations by capturing the learnings and best practices in order to replicate them if relevant.
- Areas for Assessment
This section is broadly organized as per the 7 OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria (Relevance, Coherence, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, Sustainability, Accountability). To this usual pattern, other key questions to be used per criteria are taken from the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). The specific objectives of this evaluation are:
A) To assess the relevance of the project
The extent to which the project objectives and design respond to beneficiaries, global, country, and partner/institution needs, policies, and priorities, and continue to do so if circumstances change. Examples of questions: How relevant is the project to the targeted beneficiaries, specifically poor and marginal farmers; How appropriate are the project’s intended results for the context within which it operates, as well as meeting the needs, vulnerabilities and capacities of the target groups?; Does planning consider optimal times for activities, accounting for factors such as climatic or season?
B) To access the coherence of the project
The compatibility of the project with other interventions in a country, sector or institution. Examples of questions: Was there external coherence: complementarity, harmonization and coordination between the project and those carried out by other organisations and authorities in the same context? Did the project bring added value while avoiding duplication of activities?
C) To assess the effectiveness of the project
The extent to which the project achieved, or is expected to achieve, its objectives, and its results, including any differential results across groups. Examples of questions: To what degree were the set objectives achieved, in terms of qualitative and quantitative results? How? a) Targeted people (poor and marginalized families, youth, women, migrants): participation, involvement and leadership, sustainable and resilient livelihood opportunities, links to available schemes and to the market, empowerment to develop and implement hazard specific mitigation and preparedness plans, community-based disaster management plans, and responses to other issues (WASH, hygiene, nutrition, migration, etc). b) PRI members, line departments and district authorities: information, involvement, and support to the project and to the target groups, etc.; Did the interventions meet the immediate and intended results? For instance: How practical and useful were the dissemination of information on weather and climate, the support for farm and non-farm alternative livelihood options, the trainings of farmers on inter-cropping models, Rabi and Kharif crops, SRI technique, FYI model, organic and integrated farming? What did the villagers learn? Did the coordination among the different public departments improved so that local DRR and other issues (climate change, WASH, migration and development issues) are resolved? If not, what is still missing?
D) To assess the efficiency (activities, methodology and means) of the project
The extent to which the intervention delivers, or is likely to deliver, results in an economic and timely way. Examples of questions: Have the project been designed and processes implemented to ensure the efficient use of resources, balancing quality, cost and timeliness of each phase of the intervention? ; Was the monitoring and evaluation system efficient? Was it used to adjust programs and address quality of work issues?
E) To assess the impacts/effects and sustainability of the project
The extent to which the intervention has generated or is expected to generate significant positive or negative, intended or unintended, higher-level effects. Examples of questions: Are all the alternative livelihood opportunities productive, sustainable and resilient/flexible to climate changes? ; What were the impacts of the project in terms of reduction of vulnerabilities, food security, income generation, inclusion and gender equality, DRR and preparedness, climate change adaptation and protection of the environment? What were the impacts of the linkage/coordination and lobbying actions? ; To what extent has the project changed the stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices: Were the groups (Village Development Committees, Task force groups) well organized in the villages and have they demonstrated their capability to lead future actions? Are they financially sustainable? Are the target people and groups socially and financially empowered enough to be able to register for social schemes and provisions by themselves, to promote and implement community-based disaster mitigation, preparedness and management plans, to link with different relevant stakeholders and coordinate responses to DRR and development issues.
F) To assess the accountability of the project
Set-up appropriate mechanisms through which affected populations can measure the adequacy of interventions, and address concerns and complaints. Examples of questions: Have communities and individuals been consulted on the design, implementation and monitoring of the complaints processes? ; Have complaints been handled in a timely, fair and appropriate manner that prioritizes the safety of the complainant and those affected at all stages?
G) Highlight the best practices and lessons learnt in the frame of the project
This section may concern every aspect of the project: activities, strategies and methodologies, project management, partnerships, etc.
5. Proposed Methodology to conduct the Evaluation
The exact methodology is to be determined by the consultant. However, the following are suggested for consideration:
- Briefing session(s) with SCCF (online meeting).
Preparation work based on background project documents and reports.
Meetings with the management and project staff in headquarters and local offices. Field visits and analysis in each district. A participative methodology is highly recommended in order to take into account the opinion of all partners and stakeholders, as well as mixed methods approach by using both qualitative and quantitative instruments. The selection and evaluation methods will be shared with SCCF and IGSSS.
Debriefing session with IGSSS to share the key findings, the first conclusions.
Draft report sent to SCCF and IGSSS. Questions and answers with SCCF (and online meeting if needed) and IGSSS.
Final report sent to SCCF and IGSSS.
6. Output
The consultant(s) will prepare a comprehensive report in English containing all detailed information and recommendations, as well as an executive summary to be submitted to IGSSS and SCCF.
7. Assessment requirements
Requested profile of the consultant(s)
It is possible to send the application of a team of 2 consultants, if justified and relevant.
Ideally, the consultant fulfils the following requirements:
Postgraduate degree in Social work, Agriculture and Environment Science.
Strong expertise on rural livelihood and climate changes issues.
Understanding of the local context (ideally with a previous experience of work in Assam)
Evidence of substantial work on agro, off-farm, animal husbandry DRR and CCA projects
Significant experience in project management, coordination, design, and evaluation
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to write clear and relevant reports
Impartial and independent of the parties
Proficiency in English and, if possible, in Assam local Language.
Provisional Timetable of the Assessment
This evaluation will be completed within a period of 21 working days, including preparatory work, field visits with briefing sessions, field analysis, debriefing sessions, reporting work. The evaluation is to be carried preferably in the month of January.
The consultant(s) is expected to submit the expected outcomes 1 week after the evaluation ended.
Criteria of selection
The selection will be based on the following criteria:
The presentation of the issue and understanding of the assignment/outlines of the evaluation
The methodological approach proposed
Qualifications, experiences and skills of the candidate
Experiences in the region and regarding the project’s specific issues
Budget proposal with detailed breakdown
Timetable for the implementation
How to apply:
The candidate is invited, knowing the present terms of reference, to make a methodological and technical proposal for the assessment, including: Methodology used to carry out the evaluation mission; Experiences and references relating to project evaluation implemented by NGOs (5 pages maximum); CV of any persons concerned by the mission; A provisional mission timeline and work plan with an estimated ratio man/hour.
The candidate is also invited, knowing the present terms of reference, to make a financial proposal for the assessment. The proposed budget should only include the consultant’s fees. Travel and mission expenses will be reimbursed on the actual costs (with proofs of payment) by SCCF at the scale established and which will be transmitted to the chosen candidate(s). The terms of payment will be indicated in a schedule. IGSSS will support the consultant for the logistics of the field work (accommodation and food, local transportation, and support to organise meetings, interviews and focus groups, etc.)
The methodological, technical and financial propositions (answering to the present Terms of Reference), should be sent, with the candidate’s resume, to SCCF, before 02/01/2022 by email at:
missioncourteduree@secours-catholique.org