Consultant for Final Evaluation At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Since 1 February 2021, Myanmar has been undergoing a political crisis with civil unrest precipitating a humanitarian crisis affecting populations across many parts of the country. The civil unrest has constrained the collective humanitarian response capacity to a large extent. There has been a significant upswing in the displacement rate within Myanmar following the increase of violence and security-related incidents since 1 February 2021. Main humanitarian needs include food, healthcare services and in some locations, winterization items to cope with cold weather. Despite rising humanitarian needs, access to humanitarian assistance has been severely curbed due the movement restrictions (authorizations required, roadblocks, security concerns), electricity and internet limitations, among others.

Armed conflicts and clashes have escalated and are ongoing in states and regions across the country. This has already led to nearly 1.3 million internally displaced people since 1 February 2023, out of the total 1.7 million IDPs as of March 2023 (UN OCHA). Many of these people remain in informal settlements across the country. OCHA estimated that 55,000 civilian properties, including houses, churches, monasteries, and schools, have been burnt or destroyed.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this final evaluation is to evaluate the achievements/outcomes made towards the operational strategy and actions implemented under the IFRC Emergency Appeal for the Myanmar Complex Emer gency (MDRMM016), show accountability to people served and donors, gather lessons learned and best practices, and formulate recommendations to inform future response to similar complex contexts. Also, to inform and help the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in their immediate actions and longer-term planning for the ongoing and evolving complex situation.

Scope:

• Timeframe: From the start of the DREF operation corresponding to IFRC’s initial support to MRCS’ EPoA (24 February 2021) until the end of the Emergency Appeal (31 March 2023).
• Geography: Focus on four out of the six states and regions that were prioritized in the Emergency Appeal. The geographic focus will be on MRCS actions in Shan, Kayah, Chin, and Magway since MRCS reached the most people with funding from the IFRC Emergency Appeal in these locations. The other two priority states/regions (Kayin, Sagaing) will also be analysed to understand constraints and limitations to reach more people and for implementation in general.

In-person field consultations (1-2) will depend on access authorization and approval.

Objectives:

General objectives to meet the purpose of the final evaluation:

• Assess the achievements/outcomes based on the operational strategy and interventions implemented under the Emergency Appeal operation
• Assess the actions of MRCS and IFRC to implement the operation, particularly their relevance and effectiveness to demonstrate accountability to affected people, partners, humanitarian actors, and donors
• Document lessons learnt, best practices used or developed in the operation, and recommendations for future operations in a similar context and as MRCS continues to respond to the ongoing complex emergency
• Provide recommendations for immediate actions by MRCS and IFRC, as well as suggestions related to MRCS’ long-term plan to ensure the sustainability of its preparedness and response actions to the complex emergency

For further details on the Term of Reference, kindly HERE

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Specific objectives:

• Assess the implementation of the areas of intervention (funded through the IFRC Emergency Appeal) with particular emphasis on:
  • Complementary provision of food, in-kind, and cash for socio-economic and basic needs support
  • Scalability of health and care services including mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), first aid and ambulance services, mobile clinics
  • Incorporation of cross-cutting areas particularly Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA)
• Assess institutional capacities with particular emphasis on:
  • External awareness, perception, and acceptability of the mandate and Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross, the auxiliary role of the MRCS, and advocacy strategies
  • Volunteer management including retention, recruitment, safety and security
  • Coordination with partners and complementarity or alignment with ongoing programmes and projects
• Identify evidence-based opportunities for transitioning to a multi-sector long-term intervention with particular emphasis on:
  • Method of transition, strategic objectives, areas of intervention and risk identification

Evaluation Methodology

The team will carry out the final evaluation through mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches, including:

1. Desktop data analysis (DREF and Emergency Appeal Operation Strategy and Operation Updates, Situation Reports, in-country documents, mission reports, debriefs, Lessons Learnt reports, Indicator Tracking Table, Dashboards, etc).
2. Key informant interviews with MRCS, IFRC (current and former staff), partners (ICRC, PNSs) who have been engaged in the operation.
3. Focus group discussions (FGD) with MRCS branch staff and volunteers, IFRC and Partner National Societies, etc.
4. Efforts will be made to ensure meaningful engagement with a sample of affected communities that have been reached with MRCS humanitarian support. If feasible, this can be done with FGDs. Otherwise, surveys can also be done with a sample group of people reached.

Challenges or limitations influencing data collection or analysis should be highlighted.

An Evaluation Management Team (EMT) will be set up to manage and support the Final Evaluation. The EMT will support the final evaluation process, as required. It will be responsible for supporting and overseeing the evaluation process up to the finalization of the final evaluation report.

The evaluation team will present its preliminary findings to the MRCS and its partners, including the IFRC country delegation, and IFRC regional and global stakeholders.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Evaluation Deliverables (or Outputs)

The following are the key deliverables or outputs from the final evaluation:

1. Inception report. An inception report demonstrating a clear understanding of the Terms of Reference (ToR) with a realistic work plan for the evaluation is required. The inception report should include the proposed methodologies, a data collection and reporting plan with identified deliverables, activities and timeframe, draft data collection tools such as interview guides and evaluation questions, team members’ roles and responsibilities, and propose travel and logistical arrangements for the evaluation.
2. Debriefing. Debriefing to MRCS and IFRC to discuss the initial findings before the submission of the draft report.
3. Draft report. The consultant will produce a draft report which will be reviewed by the EMT which should include key findings/results, lessons learned, and recommendations for the current and future operation.
4. Presentation of findings and recommendations
5. Final report. A The final report will contain a short executive summary (no more than 5 pages) and a main body of the report (expected to be no more than 25 pages). The body of the report will cover the background of the intervention evaluated, a description of the evaluation methods and limitations, findings, conclusions, lessons learned, and recommendations. Recommendations should be specific, feasible and evidence based. Additionally, this report should provide an annex on a sustainable long-term planning that highlights draft objectives, prioritized actions, timeframe, action focal points, budget, risk analysis, and linkages with other existing plans[1]. The report will contain additional annexes such as the ToR, cited resources or bibliography, a list of those interviewed, and any other relevant materials.

The final report will be made available on IFRC’s Evaluation Databank. It will also be used by IFRC and MRCS management to reflect and decide on actions related to the recommendations.

The full PDF file provides more details on the expectations for the evaluation that would be very important

Education

The following qualifications are required for the consideration of the external consultant (team leader) :

• Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, humanitarian assistance or other related fields.

Experience

The following experience are required for the consideration of the external consultant (team leader) :

1. Priority will be given to applicants based or living in Myanmar. Ability to speak Myanmar language is a plus.
2. Knowledge of the current situation and context in Myanmar.
3. Proven experience in conducting and leading emergency response evaluation or research and evaluation in humanitarian or similar contexts. (5 to 7 years).
4. Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
5. Experience in participatory approaches to evaluations.
6. Experience with remote methodologies for consultations is a plus.
7. Familiarity with different data collection and analysis tools and software.
8. Good knowledge of strategic and operational management of humanitarian operations and an ability to provide strategic recommendations to key stakeholders.
9. Excellent writing and communication skills in English (reference and production of at least one sample required)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

The following knowledge and skills are required for the consideration of the external consultant (team leader) :

1. Familiarity with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its disaster management system.
2. Knowledge of response and protection mechanisms is preferred.
3. Knowledge of cross-cutting issues, including protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) and community engagement and accountability (CEA) would be of interest. Knowledge of cash and voucher assistance (CVA), health in emergencies, and humanitarian diplomacy is also desired.
4. Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions and to prepare well‐written reports in a timely manner.
5. Good team player and familiarity with working with people from different cultures/contexts.
6. Experience in managing teams remotely and comfortable working with online platforms.

Should not have been involved or have a vested interest in the IFRC operation being reviewed.

For further details on the Term of Reference, kindly HERE