Job Description

Posted on March 26, 2022

Call for Proposals to provide Mid-Term Evaluation consultancy services for the Sustainable Cotton for Women and Youth Empowerment in Southern Africa Phase 1
Background
We Effect is a development organisation founded in 1958 by the Cooperative Movement in Sweden. We work in more than 20 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa and collaborate mainly with member-based organisations consisting of women and men who live in poverty. We work in the thematic fields of sustainable rural development and adequate housing. We Effect Southern Africa (ROSA) consists of four countries with programmes in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi.
We Effect is a rights-based organisation. To walk our talk, we actively work with our core values in our overall planning and our day-to-day activities. These core values are encompassed in the principles of non-discrimination, meaningful participation, accountability, transparency, empowerment, and continuous learning. For more information, seewww.weffect.org.
These principles are translated into three specific value words that permeate our internal communication: Respect, transparency, and together. The value words are translated into the following objectives for the kick-off:
Together: Strengthen our joint identity as one global organisation.
Respect: Celebrate our differences and the value of our joint experiences.
Transparency: Ensure a joint understanding of our global goals, risks, challenges, and opportunities.
The Sustainable Cotton for Women and Youth Empowerment in Southern Africa (SC4WaY) project (2019-2023) is a regional project targeting 55,000 cotton smallholder farmers. The project is implemented by We Effect, Regional Office of Southern Africa (ROSA) in partnership with African Institute for Corporate Citizenship (AICC), Fórum Nacional de Produtores de Algodão (FONPA), Zambia Cotton Ginners Association (ZCGA), Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU), and Zambia Women Development Association[1] (ZAWEDA). Indirect partners include ginning companies, handloom associations and the Eastern and Southern Africa Cotton Organisation (ESACO).  The project is funded by the Sida, represented by the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa. The geographical coverage is Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Assignment
We Effect is inviting consultants to submit proposals to conduct the Mid-Term Evaluation consultancy services for the Sustainable Cotton for Women and Youth Empowerment in Southern Africa Phase 1. The key objectives of the assignment are to:

provide information to We Effect and its implementing and collaborating partners on results achieved in the period being evaluated. This will be useful for decision making on how performance can be improved to achieve intended results
contribute to learning among the project implementation teams across the target countries and partner organisations
contribute to downwards and upwards accountability to target groups and to the funder, respectively
If and to what extent interventions have been relevant;
If the interventions have achieved the results that they were intended to achieve;
If the results were delivered in a cost-efficient manner

Output

The outcome of the evaluation is expected to provide useful information for Sida, represented by the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, to decide on extending support into Phase two of the project.

Methodology
A mixed approach will be undertaken through various methods including observations, Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior and Practice (KABP) survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and Key Informant Interviews (KII). Further, data collection should be done in a participatory and inclusive manner where all groups i.e., youth1, men, women and other marginalised groups fully participate. The consulting team should consider the prevailing COVID 19 pandemic and adapt data collection methods accordingly, where possible.
The method should consider the contextual factors at regional level and in each focus country. Data is expected to be collected through primary and secondary sources. This will include desk study group and individual interviews with key stakeholders, such as representatives of line ministries both at national and district level, implementing project partners, community. leaders, beneficiaries (youth, men, & women), ginning companies, management, and project staff.
The consultant (s) is expected to develop  and  suggest  a  sampling  strategy,  including  a description of:

Sample size (or expectations of the consultant (s) in calculating it):
Necessary respondent disaggregation; and
Sampling approach.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Network on Development Evaluation (EvalNet) principles[2] and criteria will be followed. This will ensure relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability are measured. Progress will be measured against the baseline data as documented in the project Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability (MEAL) plan.
Qualifications Requirements
At least a master’s degree level preferably in agriculture science and/or economics, or related field

At least seven years’ experience in  leading  and  conducting  complex  regional programme evaluations in development or other international organisations;
Expertise and knowledge of Decent jobs, financial inclusion, study circle  methodology, women economic empowerment, cotton certification standards, cotton spinning and weaving, sustainable agriculture; climate change, resilience building and strengthening and other related thematic areas
Knowledgeable about advancing conflict sensitivity, gender equality, human rights, environmental and social issues in cotton production, processing, marketing and value addition.
Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills;
Excellent written and spoken English. The team should have at least one member able to speak/ understand Portuguese.

Optional qualifications are:

Knowledge of relevant legislation in the four countries, and
Portuguese language skills, both spoken and written

Tenders.
Tenders shall consist of:

Company profile and experience (clearly stating full contact details, physical address, and telephone lines).
Certificate of incorporation or registration;
VAT registration and tax clearance certificates;
Evidence of relevant affiliation to a professional body;
Five years or more experience in the field of Leadership training and development;
Declaration of any business or personal relationships connected to We Effect.

Tenders shall also consist of a technical and financial proposal. Criteria for evaluation of proposals are:
Technical proposal:

A proposed method and approach applied in conducing the evaluation and Methods and approaches that are participatory and engaging will be scored higher in the evalation
Proven project evaluation of similar nature
Technical capacity of the organisation to carry out the evaluation and,
A work and time plan that allows the achievement of deliverables within the timeframe; and
References/samples of similar assignments completed; and
Proven communication and presentation skills.

Financial proposal:
The financial proposal shall be evaluated according to the price structure and overall cost. The budget should inclulde fee rate per conslutant per hour and a budget for reimbursable cost. The budget shall be prepare in US Dollar/local currency.
The selected firm or consultant will be interviewed by Regional Director, Regional Programme Director and Regional Programme Manager. The interviews will be held virtually depending on the location of residence in the region of the firm or consultant.
Tenders should be sent before. Documents indicating Sustainable Cotton for Women and Youth Empowerment in Southern Africa Mid-term Evaluation Tender should be sent before 17:00hrs on 29th March 2022  to proc[email protected]
[1] The Partnership has been discontinued
[2] https://cdn.sida.se/publications/files/sida62282en-sidas-evaluation-handbook.pdf

To apply for this job email your details to procurement.rosa@weeffect.org