End Term Evaluation of the Joint Programme” Strengthening Local Resilience for Sustainable Peace in Devolved Kenya” – Interpeace Kenya Programme At Interpeace

Introduction

Interpeace’s Kenya programme seeks a consultant to conduct an end term evaluation of the programme “**Strengthening Local Resilience for sustainable peace in Devolved Kenya**” which is a Joint Pilot Programme of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and Interpeace. The period of the programme is from January 2019 to December 2021.

The end term evaluation is expected to be conducted by an external consultant. The consultant is expected to measure the outcomes of the programme, by analysing the achievements, challenges encountered, measures put in place to mitigate challenges and lessons learned. It is expected that the consultant will provide recommendations that will in return assist in improving future programme design and implementation of peacebuilding programmes. Interpeace anticipates that the evaluation will commence on December 1, 2021, with the time period of the evaluation being 30 days, with a minimum of 15 days being spent in the programme areas in the North Rift Regions (Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and Samburu), and in the North eastern region (Wajir and Mandera) and thereafter, the submission of the final draft by the end of December 2021. The final timeframe will be agreed upon with the selected consultant.

Background

Since January 2016, Interpeace and NCIC, with support from the German Federal Foreign Office, have been working together under the Peacebuilding Programme in Kenya. This engagement commenced in Mandera County, where Interpeace and NCIC have been involved in a number of peacebuilding, mediation and reconciliation processes both within the county and with neighbouring counties and countries.

The programme was expanded in 2019 to include Wajir County as well as five counties in North Rift Valley region. The objectives of this programme with an implementation period between January 2019 and December 2021, are to:

• Strengthen the capacity of NCIC and local peace building infrastructures to foster reconciliation, social cohesion and trust in the Kenyan population and critical governance institutions
• Enhance peace and security in the selected fragile counties of Kenya
• Adopt contextually appropriate peacebuilding approaches to prevent violent extremism in Mandera and Wajir Counties

*Theory of Change:* If the capacity of the NCIC and local peacebuilding infrastructures are strengthened, and contextually appropriate peacebuilding approaches adopted then peace and security in the select fragile counties will be enhanced.

Key activities of the programme

• Establish and support regional peacebuilding hubs in North-eastern and North Rift regions
• Establish and strengthen community engagement and dialogue spaces
• Establish Regional Peace, Culture and Heritage Resource Center in Mandera
• Conduct research on the impediment to peace to peace in Wajir and North Rift regions
• Implement activities to respond to identified challenges to peace
• Connect and coordinate peace actors and government entities responsible for peacebuilding

Objectives and key questions of the evaluation

The main objective of the evaluation is to assess the outcomes, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the peacebuilding programme areas. The evaluation is also expected to analyse the achievements of the pilot phase of the programme and to inform the strategies for Kenya peacebuilding programme and potential similar programmes to be implemented by Interpeace and NCIC in Kenya. The evaluation will be of interest to Interpeace, NCIC, and the peacebuilding team in Kenya as well as to international donors and policy makers engaged in the Kenya region.

Key evaluation Questions:

Relevance:

• To what extent was the programme intervention logic/strategy relevant to the context of peace and conflict in the programme regions?
• To what extent was the programme responsive to the defined needs and priorities of the stakeholders in the region?

Effectiveness and Impact

• To what extent did the programme meet its goal?
• What were the main factors that influenced the outcome of the programme, as to whether the programme reached its goal or not?
• To what extent has the programme contributed to changes in the context (peacebuilding), at the local level?
• Has the programme been implemented as designed?

Gender and youth responsiveness

• To what extent did the programme integrate gender into the programme’s strategy?
• How effective were the programme’s efforts to integrate gender into the programme strategy?
• To what extent did the programme integrate the youth into the programme’s strategy?
• How effective were the programme’s efforts to integrate the youth into the programme strategy?

Sustainability

• To what extent are the programme achievements sustainable beyond the programme period?
• To what extent are the programme’s established processes and systems likely to support the continued implementation of the programme?

Coherence

• To what extent has the project been consistent with the objectives of NCIC and Interpeace?
• To what extent has the project build upon and align with other programmes undertaken by the NCIC and Interpeace, jointly and separately.

Has the programme been able to provide complementary support to other peace building initiatives within North Rift, Mandera, Wajir and the cross-border regions?

Efficiency

• To what extent were the programme’s strategies and activities sufficient for meeting the programme’s goal?

Learning

• What challenges emerged during the various periods of programme implementation that affected the achievement of results?
• How did the project adapt to changes in the context and emerging challenges during programme implementation?
• To what extent did the programme adhere to the principles of Do No Harm and employ conflict sensitivity while implementing and adapting the programme strategies?

Project Design Improvement

• What best practices and lessons learnt from the programme should be incorporated into the next phase of the programme?
• What strategies should the next programme employ to be more relevant to the context and responsive to the needs and priorities defined by stakeholders?
• What mechanisms should the programme integrate to ensure continued monitoring and relevant adaptation of the programme to changes in the context?
• What should programme partners take into consideration to improve the overall design of the programme?
• What areas/themes would be most relevant for the programme (and any spin-off programmes) to focus on?
• What strategies can the next programme employ to improve the integration of gender and youth into the overall programme strategy?
• What do the outcomes of the programme imply for peacebuilding initiatives in the target programme areas and in Kenya?

Interpeace anticipates that these key evaluation questions will be further refined with the selected evaluation consultants.

Scope of work

The anticipated duration of the evaluation is 30 days with a minimum of 15 days to be spent in the programme areas in the North Rift Regions (Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and Samburu), and in the North-eastern region (Wajir and Mandera). The anticipated start date is December 1, 2021, with submission of the final draft by mid December 30, 2021. The final timeframe will be agreed upon with the selected consultant.

It is expected that the Consultant will use participatory evaluation methodologies which may include but are not limited to, outcome harvesting, contribution mapping/contribution analysis, interviews, focus group discussions, most significant change, etc. These methodologies used should also be gender, youth, and conflict sensitive and respect the principles of Do No Harm. The evaluator is expected to present, agree upon, and apply a conceptual framework of analysis consistent with Interpeace’s peacebuilding and participatory approach. The evaluation will be both an objective and a consultative/participatory exercise.

Activities, Deliverabels and Timeframe

ActivityDeliverableResponsible partiesDue DateInitial Planning ProcessSigned Evaluation ContractInterpeaceBy one week after selection of evaluation teamSharing of relevant documentsInterpeaceBy one week after selection of evaluation team

Inception report inclusive of updated methodology, guiding questions, evaluation tools and evaluation workplan

The Inception report is expected to be informed by a Documentary review of relevant documentation, including the original and revised programme document; programme logical framework; programme reports and updates; reports of workshop proceedings; research outputs; and relevant audio-visual material produced for the programme.

Selected evaluation teamBy one week after the signature of the evaluation contract

Approved inception report, final methodology, evaluation tools and workplan.

Identification and facilitation of contact between evaluators and focal points at Interpeace and NCIC

Interpeace and NCICBy one week after the submission of inception reportField Work

Facilitation of travel to and within the programme areas

Provision of logistical and security support, including arrangement of meetings with stakeholders as required by evaluation team

Interpeace and NCIC

Within one week of the submission of inception report and during the fieldwork

Stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions: including with employees of Interpeace; NCIC; authorities in the programme areas as possible; institutions engaged by the programme; donor representatives; civil society organizations engaged by the programme and community members/youth/citizens/decision makers/media participating in programme activities. Indicators to assess the progress and impact of the programme, complementing existing progress markers and outcome statements, will be developed in consultation with Interpeace and NCIC.

Selected evaluation team with logistical and security support from Interpeace and NCICTo conclude within 15 days of arrival in the RegionEnd-term Progress report and presentation A preliminary report and a presentation is expected for Interpeace and NCICs’ management and relevant staff at the end of the fieldwork stage. The report is expected to be no more than 10 pages and shall summarise the progress of the evaluation, highlighting any changes to the evaluation schedule, and providing tentative findings.Selected evaluation teamAt the end of the field work.ReportingDraft Report of Evaluation. Please see above for indicative evaluation questions and expected reporting structure.Selected evaluation teamWithin 15 days after completing the fieldworkFinal Report of Evaluation considering comments on the draft report. Please see above for indicative evaluation questions and expected reporting structure below.Selected evaluation teamWithin 5 days after completing the fieldworkManagement Response from the programme.Interpeace and NCICWithin one week of submission of final report

While Interpeace anticipates the use of the elements listed above, the list is not exhaustive. The evaluation may include additional elements and approaches as appropriate for responding to the final evaluation questions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest a comprehensive methodology that includes these elements and others that the evaluators deem fit for meeting the evaluation objectives. The methodology for data collection should be described in the proposals. The final list of elements will be discussed with the selected team of consultants.

Reporting and feedback

The evaluators will hold a feedback meeting (or meetings) for the NCIC, the Interpeace Nairobi office and invited stakeholders. This will be an opportunity to debrief on the evaluation, and to exchange views on preliminary findings and recommendations.

The evaluation report will include a main text of no more than 30 pages with findings and recommendations. The report will be expected to include:

Executive Summary

1. Introduction and brief background
2. Methodology
3. Major findings:
4. Relevance
5. Effectiveness and Impact (including major accomplishments to date)
6. Efficiency
7. Sustainability
8. coherence
9. Cross-cutting issues
10. Overall Assessment
11. Challenges
12. Best Practices and lessons learned
13. Recommendations for improvement

Annexes:

• Terms of Reference
• List of documents assessed
• List of persons interviewed
• Evaluation Matrix
• Presentation of changes identified related to programme outcomes and progress markers
• Proposed revised logical framework

Qualifications

The evaluation will be undertaken by a consultant familiar with the Kenya Peacebuilding Programme areas of Mandera, Wajir, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties.

The consultant will be expected to have the following skills and experience at a minimum:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, peacebuilding management, evaluation, social research etc

General professional experience

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of and experience in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and reconciliation programmes
• Experience working in the North-rift and North-eastern regions or other conflict or post-conflict environments.
• willingness to travel to the regions
• An ability to work within tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively and inclusively with people of different culture, race, nationality, gender, religious belief, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or political
• Knowledge of local language is an added advantage

Specific professional experience

• Peacebuilding management, evaluation, social research
• Experience conducting evaluations/assessments (or collaboration with a person or group with extensive evaluation experience)