Consultant for Final Project Evaluation (m/f/d) – Lebanon At Democracy Reporting International

I- Background:

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation
registered in Berlin. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and
the development of democratic institutions worldwide. It has been established in Lebanon since 2016.
Democratic discourse is the basis of our mission and vision. In our work, we facilitate discussion and
exchange about democratic government and the need for a continuous discourse adhering to
democratic rules.

In the framework of its pilot project entitled “Expanding the democratic space for political change
in Lebanon”, DRI is working to expand the democratic space for a civil society-led debate on systemic
change in Lebanon. The project is premised on the theory of change that, if citizens and marginalised
voices are given a platform to engage in the democratic space, and have increased awareness of the
political debate, then the vision of Lebanon’s future political model will be more inclusive, because
new thought leaders can engage and discuss new proposals for citizen and people-centred political
change. In the long-term, citizens are encouraged actively participate in the governing of their own
country in an inclusive and participatory manner.

The project aims at increasing the participation of the civic actors/citizens in the governing of their
own country in an inclusive and participatory manner. It targets Lebanese civic actors, youth, activists,
and engaged citizens who are passionate about democratic debate and political change and looking
for a safe democratic space for pitching and discussing ideas for political change. The direct
beneficiaries of the project activities are a cohort of 11 young Lebanese media makers. They were
trained, mentored, and accompanied by DRI throughout the project cycle. 15 talk show episodes with
emerging activists are being produced and broadcasted under the title of “Nafas Jdeed”. Two dialogue
events are being implemented, gathering audiences from different backgrounds.
DRI is currently recruiting a Short-Term Consultant to design and conduct a Final Project Evaluation
and a Lessons Learnt Workshop of its project implemented by its Country Office in Beirut, Lebanon.
The assignment may be conducted in person or remotely. Candidates based in Lebanon are preferred.

II- Key purpose of the assignment:

The purpose of the final project evaluation is to document learning and examine the effectiveness of
DRI’s programming approach and activity implementation. The final project evaluation shall (1) assess
the project’s performance against its main objectives (impact/outcome/output evaluation), and (2)
collect lessons learnt to benefit from in future programming (learning process).

The consultant shall assess the relevance of the project, its effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and
sustainability. The consultant should also review the effectiveness of gender and social inclusion in
the project’s delivery.

A participatory approach is advised; it should measure the extent to which the intervention has led to
the desired impact or change.

DRI Lebanon will provide the consultant with the relevant project documents and Monitoring,Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) data to conduct a desk review and facilitate interviews and focus
groups with stakeholders including beneficiaries and local partners.

Depending on covid-19 travel restrictions, the interviews and focus groups may be conducted online.
The evaluator should outline in the methodology section how the assignment will adapt to contextual
challenges, e.g., fuel shortage, power cuts, covid-19 health/safety considerations (e.g., using a
decision tree). The evaluator should use innovative data collection tools and methods to actively
engage with, and ensure adequate representation of, beneficiaries and partners in the data collection
phase.

A mixed method approach should be used where qualitative as well as quantitative data is
collected and analysed. An analysis of the following data sources is required:

• Desk review (activity reports, MEL data, secondary sources, etc.)
• Interviews and focus group discussions (at least one focus group discussions with the 11 young
media makers who participated in the project, interviews with DRI staff, the talk-show
presenter and at least 3 guests featured in the talk show and dialogue sessions)

The expert may not claim transportation, accommodation expenses, and meals but may include them
in an all-inclusive expert daily rate.

Under the supervision of DRI’s Country Representative and in close coordination with DRI Lebanon’s
MEL Focal Point, the Final Project Evaluator shall:

III- Specific Objectives:
• Evaluate the extent to which the project has met its expected results as per the project’s
logical framework;
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the project and provide recommendations regarding
areas for improvement in future programming;
• Formulate lessons learnt from the project’s implementation and propose recommendations
to improve design and delivery of a potential follow-on project;
• Evaluate if indicators, MEL methodologies, and used approaches were appropriate;
• Identify success stories and Most Significant Changes, and describe the role of the partners;
• Identify opportunities for the sustainability of the project outcomes;

• Assess the extent to which Gender and Diversity were mainstreamed in project design and
implementation and provide recommendations to improve results and outcomes in this
regard.

IV- Deliverables:
• Methodology (maximum 2 pages) that provides the basis for your final evaluation, to be
approved by DRI before proceeding with data collection. The methodology should include
evaluation questions, outline the overall evaluation approach, and data collection methods,
in addition to outlining the timeframe of the mission and submission of deliverables.

• Short evaluation report and lessons learnt workshop – the report should be a maximum of
10 pages, excluding annexes with Most Significant Change stories. The lessons learnt
workshop with DRI staff should be interactive and inform future programming.

The below breakdown is provided to guide the draft methodology. The exact timeline and number of
days will be discussed with the consultant once selected.

V- Qualifications:
• University degree in political or social science, development studies, public policy/administration,
or other relevant fields;
• At least 5 years of experience as MEL consultant in the international development sector and/or
public policy field, with a strong track record in evaluating programmes, including feedback on
M&E frameworks, processes, and tools, and formulating lessons learnt;
• Understanding of challenges of doing MEL in democracy support programming is an asset;
• Understanding of media and communication issues is highly desirable;
• Proficient IT skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic.
DRI values diversity and aims to be an equal opportunities employer. Women are encouraged to
apply!