Endline Evaluation Pathfinder Project Consultant

Terms of Reference - Evaluation of Pathfinder Pilot Project - Kakuma Refugee Camp and Nairobi

Position: Endline Evaluation Pathfinder Project Consultant

Reports to: Professional and Post-Secondary Education Specialist and Country Programs Officer

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Introduction:

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international organization with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn and determine their own future. It is non-profit church-based organization with over 40 years of global experience in various humanitarian emergency and relief operations worldwide and is currently reaching out to over 1 million displaced people in 57 countries. JRS Kenya works in Nairobi with urban refugees and in Kakuma with camp-based refugees. The nature of services JRS provides includes education, livelihoods, protection, mental health and psychosocial support and social assistance.‍

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Background of Project under evaluation:

JRS-Pathfinder is an evolutionary development of JRS’s work in tertiary education. It unites the traditionally distinct sectors of education and livelihoods, creating a bridge from professional and vocational training to jobs, business, and community involvement. This is in keeping with the directions and priorities of the JRS Strategic Framework 2019-2023 which states the aim to enable refugees to access employment or business through Market-informed post-secondary education, training, and mentoring.

Various organizations in Kakuma refugee camp, including JRS, have historically provided skills training, micro-lending, and start-up support for new businesses. The success of these initiatives was limited by inadequate attention given to addressing systematically all the challenges for refugees to gain employment. There was often a misconnect between market needs and training provided, and refugees lacked the networks needed to find a job or sufficiently raise capital to build a business.

In recent years, various educational institutions, and NGOs, again including JRS, introduced university-level studies, either in the form of providing scholarships to local or international institutions or through courses offered in situ online. These are limited in application to those refugees who have successfully completed secondary school. While this sector continues to grow, there remains a need for approaches thatcombinegreater inclusion, quality training, and more explicit links to realistic employment opportunities in Kakuma and surrounds. JRS-Pathfinder was created to answer this need.

The pilot began with a market assessment in November 2019, however the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic delayed implementation so that the original eighteen-month pilot concluded only in May 2022.

The goal of the project was “strengthened and more resilient refugee and host communities because of education, skills training, and guidance that lead to employment or entrepreneurial activities.”

Course streams offered were as follows:

• Certificate in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) - delivered initially by Imara Teacher College and later by the Bishop Makhon Teachers Training College.
• Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship (SE) - delivered by Tangaza University.
• Certificates in various IT skills delivered in association with iEarn.
• An uncredentialled in-service Primary Teacher Education program.
• Degree in Management delivered by Southern New Hampshire University (in Nairobi).
• To these were added initial market analysis and intentional job placement activities in both Nairobi and Kakuma.

There were 287 students accepted into the project throughout the two and a half years. Inception and tracer studies were conducted which demonstrated take up in employment and business as a result of the project leading to increased income levels, food security and well-being, however these need further verification.

In the words of the Pathfinder concept paper, the project, “acknowledges that the greatest resource in refugee situations are the refugees themselves, specifically their skills, experience, and desire to live beyond the dependence and destitution resulting from the flight experience (Jacobsen, 2005).

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Evaluation Summary:

Project

Pathfinder Kenya pilot-

Project Phase

1 January 2020 – 31 December 2022

Evaluation Type

End of Project Evaluation

Evaluation Purpose

1. Assess the progress made towards achieving the project goal and impacts based on the project design, strategy and implementation (Relevance, Effectiveness, Impact, Sustainability and Efficiency).
2. Identify potential gaps and weaknesses in the project and possible opportunities for remediation and improvement.
3. To analyze cost effectiveness relative to other similar projects in Kakuma or other refugee situations.
4. To make recommendations arising from the above concerning both project design and implementation to guide the Phase 2 of the current project and the creation of future projects.

Primary Methodologies

1. Quantitative Surveys and-or review of JRS quantitative data.
2. Review and verification of monitoring survey results.
3. Qualitative methods (through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) within JRS and with some selected actors.
4. Desk/Literature Review.

Evaluation Start and End dates

20 February – 30 May 2023

Anticipated Evaluation Report Release Date

June 2023

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Evaluation Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of the evaluation is to establish and document the impact and effectiveness of project interventions. The evaluation is expected to provide data on the design, performance, impact, and sustainability of the project interventions. The findings and recommendations will contribute to a learning process which enables JRS to improve the quality of service to refugees. The process will assess the extent to which outcomes of the project have been achieved, and interrogate the causes behind non achievement identify strengths and make recommendations based on these findings.

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Evaluation Objectives:

The main objective of the project evaluation is to present findings and impact of the project activities/interventions of the target beneficiaries as per the indicators of the project objectives and expected results specified in the project document and the project’s results framework.

The specific objectives of the evaluation are:

1. To assess the Pathfinder project’s achievements against its goal, and its stated outcome and output indicators.
2. To assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of strategies, approach and modalities used in the project to realize the intended results.
3. To assess the quality of implementation and issues arising.
4. To assess wider relevance and contribution of the project to refugee resilience and livelihoods in Nairobi.
5. To assess the relevance and contribution of the project as a pioneering approach to the post-secondary sector targeting refugee communities, its acceptance, adoption and make recommendations about better project take up, commenting on the potential for scale and key steps needed.
6. To assess the integration of intersectional themes of gender (inclusion of women and youth), inclusion of people with disabilities and ICT.
7. Conduct and cost benefit analysis of the project with comparison to other similar projects.
8. Survey Methodology

The methodology for this study is envisaged to include both direct and indirect data collection, analysis, cross-referencing, and formulating recommendations thematically and as area/site-specific. This evaluation requires a mixed method approach that allows methodological triangulation to increase the validity and credibility of data. Participatory methods shall be used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.

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Roles and Responsibilities:

The roles and responsibilities of the consultant include:

• Desk review of relevant project documents and reports such as proposals, assessments, project budgets, monitoring and assessment reports, surveys and JRS guidelines.
• Establish working contacts with all the relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare and submit to JRS the evaluation proposal and the inception report including methodology to be used, work plans and schedules for both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the assignment for review and feedback and approval by JRS.
• Field visits to Kakuma and selected sites within Kakuma; involving surveys, interviews and/or focus group discussions with participants, local partners, teachers, community members and other stakeholders.
• The consultant will submit an inception report (with detailed methodology, research tools and timeline/logistics) for further discussion.
• Submission of draft and final evaluation report with recommendations for JRS for JRS feedback before final submission.

JRS Roles & Responsibilities

• Briefing of the consultant by JRS Team.
• Review and approve the study tools and methodology.
• Brief stakeholders about the purpose of the evaluation and make introductions.
• Provide all the necessary logistical support to the consultant including transport, food and accommodation to ensure timely completion and compliance with the international survey standards.
• Avail all the required facilitation and coordination.
• Assist in organizing meetings with stakeholders.
• Help in recruiting data collection team if needed.
• Prepare and effect payment for the consultant upon completion of the assignment.
• Terms of Service
• The payment for the consultancy service will be implemented through the JRS Kenya Country Office in Nairobi in KES by bank transfer. This will be done based on mutually set deliverable schedule between JRS Kenya and the consultant.
• The period of the assignment is three (3) months.

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Application instructions:

Candidates must forward the following documentation no later than 23rd February, 2023. Proposals should include the following:

• 1 - 2 page letter of motivation indicating the consultants’ suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications etc.
• Professional profile of the evaluating team/ company (CVs of all individuals included in the consultancy team).
• An example of previous work of a similar nature.
• Proposal for the evaluation including:
• How the team will be composed and the division of work between team members.
• Proposal and discussion of the work methodology it will use.
• Draft work plan and suggested timetable.
• Economic proposal and budget breakdown.
• Provisional availability to fulfill the consultancy as per the timeframes indicated in these Terms of Reference.

Enquiries regarding the expression of interest/proposal process may be directed to Fr, David Holdcroft, the Professional and Post-Secondary Education Specialist at JRS International Office: david.holdcroft@jrs.net, copying Elizabeth Akello in the Kenya office elizabeth.akello@jrs.net

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Apply through the Apply Button below.

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