Request for Expression of Interest (EOI)

Individual Consultant  

(Ref No. IGAD/AED-BE/08-2024/01)

For

Consultancy Service to Conduct End of Project (Enhancing Blue Economy in the IGAD Member States for Biodiversity Conservations and Livelihood Diversification) Evaluation

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Background

In 2021, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development – IGAD, with the support of the Swedish Embassy in Addis Ababa initiated a three-year project to Enhancing the contribution of Blue Economy for Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Diversification. This project contributes to the following outcome “the capacity of IGAD and its Member States strengthened by structuring and main-streaming the BE at both national and regional levels while increasing cooperation and regional integration, and strengthening support to the member states to develop their own national BE strategies. It will also contribute to the effective implementation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy”. It is three years (2021 – 2023) project to start the implementation of the IGAD Blue Economy strategy in selected priority intervention areas at four coastal countries (Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan) of IGAD. In consultation with the Sweden Embassy, IGAD project team with the same budget expanded the area coverage from 4 coastal states to all 7 IGAD MS including non-coastal countries (Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda).

The project objectives are:

• To establish a functional Blue Economy structure at IGAD to cater for the regional and national needs (selected member states of IGAD),
• To assess the impact of pollution and develop mitigation measures on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, and
• To increase research and knowledge management/dissemination on key BE indicators (questions for the IGAD region for learning), policy and practice change among the Member States.

In a nutshell, this project intends to achieve the following three broad results:

• Blue Economy approach in IGAD region harmonized and coordinated to harness the contribution of the different sectors,
• The health of marine aquatic ecosystems is improved and systems for managing, controlling and reducing aquatic pollution and waste are strengthened in IGAD coastal countries, and
• Blue Economy enhancing technologies and innovations promoted, documented and disseminated.

The project assisted IGAD’s mandate that extends to policy formulation and implementation, capacity development, research and advocacy, and technological transfer.

2. Purpose of the Evaluation

This end of project evaluation focuses on the entire implementation period. The evaluation is forward looking and will capture effectively lessons learned and provide information on the nature, extent and where possible, the potential impact and sustainability of the project. The evaluation will assess the project design, scope, implementation status and the capacity to achieve the project objectives. It will collate and analyse lessons learned, challenges faced, and best practices obtained during implementation which will inform the programming strategy in the next programming phase 2022-2026 in response to the Embassy of Sweden’s priorities.

The emphasis on learning lessons speaks to the issue of understanding what has and what has not worked as a guide for future planning. It will assess the performance of the project against planned results. The evaluation will assess the preliminary indications of potential impact and sustainability of results including the contribution to capacity development and achievement of sustainable development goals. The results of the evaluation will draw lessons that will inform the key stakeholders of this evaluation who are IGAD Member States, the IGAD Secretariat and the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa. The evaluation will generate knowledge from the implementation of the project by the various implementing partners in collaboration with IGAD and reflect on challenges; lessons learnt and propose actionable recommendations for future programming.

3. Scope and focus of the Evaluation

This end of Project evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the implementation strategy and the results. This will include the implementation modalities, roles and responsibilities of implementers including the IGAD Member States, IGAD the interventions, coordination, partnership arrangements, institutional strengthening, beneficiary participation, replication, and sustainability of the programme. The evaluation will include review of the project design and assumptions made at the beginning of the project development process. Project management including the implementation strategies; project activities; it will assess the extent to which the project results have been achieved, partnerships established, capacities built, and how cross cutting issues of mainstreaming gender, human rights and conflict sensitivity have been addressed. It will also assess whether the project implementation strategy has been optimum and recommend areas for improvement and learning

4. The duration of the assignment:

The assignment will be for (44) Forty Four -Working days.

5. The Required Qualifications:

The Evaluator must have the following expertise and qualifications:

• At least a master’s degree in Aquatic/Marine Resource Management, Natural Resource Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Development Economics/Planning, Economic, Public Administration, and Management and in any other related university degree.
• Extensive expertise, knowledge, and experience in the field of evaluation of development programmes in Marine/freshwater areas
• At least 10 years of experience in working with international organizations and donors.
• At least 10 years’ experience of programme formulation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of ecosystem valuation and assessments projects.
• Fluency in English. Working knowledge in French is an added advantage; and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

For further information kindly see attached the terms of refence (TORs) of the End -of Project Evaluation. .

6. How to apply :

Interested Individual Consultants who are citizens of the IGAD Member States are invited to send their letters of application with their CVs. Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit technical and financial proposals, separately comprising the following components:

1. A cover letter outlining the suitability of the consultant for the assignment, motivation and summarizing the relevant experience.
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae of consultants who will undertake the assignment, including names, addresses, and contacts (e-mail and telephone numbers) of three referees.
3. Copies of relevant work undertaken in the last three years (electronic version).
4. No Technical or Financial Proposals Required in this Stage.
5. IGAD is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Interested and qualified consultants may send their application that fulfils the above requirements to the following email addresses: procurement@igad.int.

Applications should be submitted to the address below no later than Wednesday, 5^th September 2024. Please note that only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.

Procurement Unit
IGAD Secretariat
Avenue Georges Clemenceau
P.O. Box 2653, Djibouti
E-mail: procurement@igad.int

Download attached ToR document in PDF below
Terms of Reference for the End of Project Evaluation