1. PROJECT BACKGROUND
Phase II of the Integrated Health and Habitat Improvement (IHHI), Rasht Valley, Tajikistan project is a four-year (2018-2021) contribution to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)'s broader social development programme in Tajikistan. IHHI II's budget (CHF 10,670,150) is composed of CHF 8,300,000 from SDC, CHF 2,000,000 cash from the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) United Kingdom (UK), and CHF 370,150 in salaries of implementing staff from the local AKDN agencies.
The AKDN's broader social development programme (CHF 7,438,744 in programme spending complimentary to IHHI II) is financed by projects from Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for CHF 151,054, the Christensen Fund to CHF 201,143, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan for CHF 253,225, the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) for CHF 201,609, Imamat Funding USD 860,914, the Disaster Preparedness ECHO programme (DIPECHO) for CHF 202,248, AKAH internal resources for CHF 2,155,000, and the European Commission (EC) for CHF 3,413,551. This brings the total social development programme budget aligned with IHHI II to CHF 18,108,894 (46% SDC, 54% AKDN and partners).
IHHI II is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the AKDN, and implemented by the AKDN - the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) as lead and representative Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS', and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH).
The project focus is fostering active engagement of communities and local authorities in participatory development planning informed by Integrated Watershed Management- (IWSM), enhancing access to and quality of health, drinking water and sanitation services, and improving Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The project also promotes community behavior that is healthier, safer, and more environmentally sustainable.
The target area covers the districts of Fayzobod, Rogun, Nurobod, Rasht, Tojikobod, Lakhsh and Sangvor of Rasht Valley (Districts of Republican Subordination). The project focuses most activities on and around an estimated 14 sub-watersheds. The target groups are 1) 120,000 people (direct beneficiaries) living in an estimated 140 villages in the target sub-watersheds, while investments in valley-wide health services will cover an estimated 322,000 people (indirect beneficiaries); 2) government bodies in the water, health, sanitation, agriculture, geology, and disaster preparedness/response sectors; and 3) community-level Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the same sectors.
The intended impact of the project is People benefit from basic public services in a peaceful and equitable society allowing them to improve their quality of life. To achieve this, the project will deliver the following outcomes: 1) Communities, including women and youth, participate actively as stakeholders/actors in local development; 2) The population has access to and uses vital public services; and 3) People in the target area adopt healthier, more environmentally-sustainable, and disaster-safer behaviors.
Outcome one will be achieved by developing an Integrated Village Development Plans (IVDPs) and Watershed Management Plans (WMPs) at sub-watershed level to address the development priorities of communities - plans will be owned and implemented by communities and local authorities, who will receive training to develop the plans. As a precondition to the development of evidence- and needs-based plans, Integrated Habitat Assessments (IHAs) will be conducted, with participation of local specialists, to assess the sub-watershed natural and human-induced hazards and natural resource conditions, and IHA results will be presented to community and local government stakeholders to foster ownership. The outcome will improve community involvement in development by enhancing the ability of more than 7,000 people who will participate in IVDP and WMP creation to conduct local development planning and implementation.
Outcome two will be achieved by constructing, rehabilitating, and conducting minor renovations of primary healthcare centers; provision of basic medical equipment to primary health care facilities;training health professionals including Family Medicine (FM) doctors, nurses and other health workers; establishment of a Clinical Excellence Centre for Continuing Medical Education (CME) via eHealth; establishment of drinking water supply systems to provide villages access to safe and clean drinking water, construction of public flush toilets each catering to a strategic district center, incentivizing communities to construct private ecosan or flush latrines, as well as improving their existing sanitation facilities using non-project resources; implementation of resilient NRM projects and sub-projects demonstrating soil bioengineering techniques; supporting youth and women-oriented income generating and livelihood development activities; and supporting marginalized members of communities through capacity building programs for integration into government activities related to risk reduction, including establishing emergency communication systems, safe havens/emergency shelters, and community emergency stockpiles. The investments under this outcome will provide access to quality primary health care services to an additional 44,600 people, combat waterborne diseases by providing access to safe and clean drinking water to 11,900 people, promote sanitation by providing access to quality public and private latrine facilities to 11,000 people, and benefit an estimated 36,000 people with NRM/DRR interventions.
Outcome three will be achieved by delivering needs-based trainings on watershed management, soil bio-engineering, and resilient NRM; implementing communications activities to promote healthier, more sanitary, and more environmentally-sustainable behaviors; organizing exchange visits to learn and replicate best practices in resilient NRM; establishing and capacitating community/government response teams; and building the capacity of government and communities to enhance the long-term sustainability of habitat interventions. Seven (7) public latrines constructed will be maintained in clean and working condition, an additional 10% of community members (12,000 people) will learn to identify the major signs/symptoms of heart disease (major non-communicable disease in Tajikistan), and 35% of community members will become aware of proper emergency and disaster preparedness.
The project approach will be informed by IWSM through holistic sub- watershed-level analysis to guide activities; deploying integrated interventions to achieve synergies between diverse components; employing participatory governance to strengthen local governance systems by leveraging the AKDN's longstanding presence and grassroots network of partners to fully integrate CSOs and local government into project design, implementation, and monitoring, empowering them to own results and replicate best practices post-project; and incorporating conflict sensitive programme management to mitigate risks of conflict over project-support resources and services.
2. EVALUATION OBJECTIVES
According to the project proposal, the Mid-term Evaluation (MTE) is planned to be conducted within the first two years of the project, to assess project progress from the baseline towards the log frame targets and explore project progress with respect to the five evaluation pillars: r**elevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability.** The findings and conclusions of the MTE will be instrumental in informing stakeholders regarding project progress and based on the recommendations relevant adjustments will be made in the project implementation to ensure the achievement of results.
The midterm evaluation will provide the implementing partners, stakeholders, donors and the wider public with sufficient information to:
· Make an overall independent assessment about the performance of the project to date;
· Check for any unintended positive or negative results that might have occurred as a result of the project activities during the first half of the project period.
· Formulate lessons learned during the first half of the project period and generating the recommendations for the remaining project period.
3. EVALUATION CRITERIA
The evaluation shall focus specifically on results (short and medium term). It shall be a desk, interviews and field study with recommendations and lessons learnt for future interventions. The following evaluation criteria shall be focused on:
· Relevance (appropriateness)
· Effectiveness
· Efficiency
· Impact
· Sustainability
The following questions should be explored as part of each evaluation criteria:
RELEVANCE
· To what extent was the activity’s design coherent with relevant stated national platforms and policies, including sector policies and strategies?
· Was the program appropriate for each specific local context, and why?
· Did the program meet the needs and priorities of the beneficiaries?
· Were gender considerations taken into account in designing the project's strategy to address these issues?
· Did the direct beneficiaries participate in the implementation of the project? If yes, what were the nature and extent of their participation?
EFFECTIVENESS
· To what extent did the outputs lead to the achievement of the activities’ objectives/outcomes, lead to any unintended effects, and lead to any gender-related effects What has been the achievement towards expected results?
· What were the major factors influencing the achievement or non-achievement of the outcomes/objectives of the activity?
· To what extent have beneficiaries been satisfied with the results?
EFFICIENCY
· What measures have been taken during planning and implementation to ensure that resources are efficiently used?
· Were the financial resources and other inputs efficiently used to achieve results?
· Are there any alternatives for achieving the same results with less inputs/funds?
IMPACT
· What immediate results have occurred as a direct result of the project?
· What real immediate difference was made to the beneficiaries as a result of the project?
SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION
· Has the project engaged appropriate strategic partners that can help sustain benefits?
· To what extend did they project activities achieve on, considerations for sustainability, such as capacity strengthening of health professionals and community members and other partners?
4. SCOPE OF WORK AND DESCRIPTION OF THE EVALUATION
The study will follow progress-oriented approach focusing on critical indicators developed for respective outcomes and outputs. The following outcome level indicators will be measured through the study:
Outcome 1: Communities, including women and youth, participate actively as stakeholders/actors in local development.
· # of representatives (m/f) participating in development of project-supported local planning documents: IVDPs and WSMPs
· Perception of people of inclusiveness of village/sub-watershed development planning processes, disaggregated by sex and type of process[1]: VDP and WSMP[2]
· % of activities from IVDPs implemented, disaggregated by source of funding, incl. non-project related sources (Will be obtained from project progress report)
Outcome 2: The population has access to and uses vital public services.
· # and % of people (m/f) served with safe drinking water ((baseline 62,947 people (31,425 m, 31,522 f), 13%, target 74,847 people (37,387 m, 37,460 f), 18%);
· # and % (m/f) of people having access to family medicine services
· # and % (m/f) of people having access to improved sanitation: public[3] and private[4] latrines
· Fee/tariff collection rates for newly constructed water supply systems (baseline: 0 target: 80%)
· # and % of people (m/f) in target sub-watersheds reached by IWSM-informed NRM/DRR, livelihoods interventions
· % of Rural Health Centers involving community groups in business planning and monitoring (proxy for accountability and governance) (Will be obtained from project progress report)
· Satisfaction of community members regarding project-supported public services, by type of service;
· % under-5 diarrheal prevalence (Will be also obtained national statistics)
· # of PHC facility visits per person per year (Will be obtained from project progress report)
Outcome 3: People in the target area adopt healthier, more environmentally sustainable, and disaster-safer behaviors.
· % of community members aware of at least major sign/symptoms for cardiovascular diseases, disaggregated by sex
· % of community members aware about emergency and disaster preparedness, disaggregated by sex
AKF Global Indicators recommended by project team to be collected during the mid-term evaluation
Health and Nutrition outcome indicator: Improved access and utilization of integrated healthcare services**
· % of live births attended by skilled health personnel
· % of women aged 15-49 years with a live birth (in the past 5 years) who have received ANC 4 or more times
· % of women of reproductive age who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
Agriculture and Food Security outcome indicator: Increased sustainable management of water and soil**
· % of smallholder farmers who are members of a natural-resource management organization
· % of smallholder farming households who adopt climate smart agricultural practices
5. TIMELINE
The mid-term evaluation will be conducted within five months commencing as soon as possible. The detail implementation plan should be developed by the outsourced research company and agreed with AKF MERLU team.
6. ACCOUNTABILITIES **
Research Company is the primary implementer of the study and is accountable for the overall quality and will take the following specific actions in a step-by-step manner:
· Conduct rigorous desk review by reviewing all project documents
· Develop/propose methodology/tools
· Develop/propose the evaluation budget
· Develop detail implementation plan
· Develop/propose sampling strategy
· Develop/propose data collection mode
· Conduct trainings for field researchers
· Conduct actual field activities
· Conduct quality check during the field activities
· Submit timely progress report (details will be agreed with the company)
· Conduct qualitative data transcription
· Perform analysis, produce a final report, and communicate the results. Report structure will be discussed once the selection is completed.
AKF will review and approve the evaluation methodology, work-plan and budget, the draft report and final report. AKF will further disseminate and follow up on the findings of the review with implementing partners of the project.
7. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
· Evaluation methodology, sampling strategy, tools, implementation plan developed and agreed with AKF
· Draft assessment report produced and revised based on AKF and SDC comments and feedback
· Final assessment report submitted to AKF in English.
· Presentation of assessment findings and recommendations is made to AKF and implementing partners of the project.
8. EXPERTISE REUIREMENTS
The Consultant should have the following qualifications as criteria for selection:
· Legally registered/allowed to conduct survey and research in country;
· Acquiring all relevant legal documentation including the last tax disbursement status, and any other relevant documents proving that the company is not breaching any social or security obligations;
· At least 5 years of experience and qualifications in conducting studies, research, project evaluations, surveys and analysis.
· Strong contextual knowledge, mainly Rasht valley;
· Professional expertise in analyzing data and producing high quality reports;
· Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings;
· Strong command of English and Tajik languages. All evaluation related documents (i.e. technical proposal, methodology, tools, implementation plan, report etc.) should be submitted in English language. Tools for data collection should also be submitted in English and Tajik languages.
Deadline for submitting the technical and financial proposals is January 10, 2021. The proposal should contain as minimum the following documents:
· License for conducting of evaluation, assessment or provision of consultancy services
· CVs of key experts to be involved
· Profile of consultancy company
· Proposed budget with costs breakdown
· Reference letters from recent clients on a similar assignment or reference contacts
Sample of relevant assessment report, in English, produced by the company or consultant.
[1]“Inclusiveness” refers to the perceived level of involvement of women and youth in the decision-making process, e.g. during development and implementation of Integrated Village Development Plans. Types of processes to be assessed are as follows: 1) integrated village development planning process, 2) watershed management planning process.
[2]This indicator will be tracked through separate qualitative assessments at baseline and endline project period
[3] Refers to the 7 flush toilets that will be constructed in the frame of projectat district level
[4] Refers to existing private sanitation facilities with improved conditions as part of the WSS conditionality
How to apply:
5. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates can submit their applications to AKF Human Resource Department at hr.recruitment@akdn.org.
Applications should include: a) Tentative outline of the assessment methodology and timeline for completing the activities, b) budget estimate indicating lines and associated costs, c) a report outline d) sample of similar reports produced by consultant as the lead author, e) reference letters from previous clients of consultant or reference contacts.
While AKF gives equal chance to all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
AKF Tajikistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding of children from abuse and zero tolerance of sexual harassment.
DISCLAIMER
By sharing their cover letter and resume with AKF in response to this job application, applicants consent for AKF to keep this information on file for recruitment and human resources management purposes.