SWOLL Assessment of the Forest and Biodiversity Support Activity Consultant – DRC At SoCha LLC

Background:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Forest and Biodiversity Support Activity (FABS) in 2020 to contribute to maintaining the ecological integrity of Central Africa’s humid forest ecosystem. With the current contract ending in August 2025, USAID seeks to design the next phase, FABS II, which will run until July 2029.

To inform the new design, USAID requires a rapid strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and lessons learned (SWOLL) assessment of FABS’s final year. The assessment will rely on a desk review and key informant interviews (KIIs) to generate actionable recommendations for improving future activities. The Mission Support Strategic Program (MSSP) will provide support and guidance during the assignment, while the Consultant will lead and execute the entire process on the ground.

Scope of work:

The Consultant will be responsible for leading, coordinating, and executing the SWOLL assessment process. This will involve reviewing project documents, conducting interviews with key stakeholders, and developing a report and presentation to inform USAID’s planning for FABS II. The Consultant will work independently but report to the MSSP and USAID CARPE Team. They will receive technical and logistical support from MSSP throughout the process.

Responsibilities:

Inception Phase:

• Conduct a kickoff meeting with MSSP and USAID CARPE representatives to clarify objectives, methodology, and deliverables.
• Develop a work plan, including a timeline and approach for the assessment.
• Coordinate with MSSP and USAID CARPE to ensure access to key documents and stakeholder contacts.

Desk Review:

• Collect and analyze relevant documents, including quarterly and annual reports, the FABS contract, and other supporting materials.
• Synthesize findings related to the SWOLL from FABS implementation.

Key Informant Interviews:

• Develop interview guides with support from MSSP.
• Schedule and conduct interviews with identified key informants provide by USAID/CARPE.
• Ensure proper documentation and data collection from the interviews.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyze the information gathered through the desk review and KIIs to identify key findings.
• Draft a concise report (maximum 20 pages) that summarizes the SWOLL findings and provides actionable recommendations for future programming.
• Incorporate feedback from SoCha and USAID into the final report.

Presentation of Findings:

• Develop and deliver a presentation summarizing key findings and actionable recommendations to USAID/CARPE.
• Participate in debrief meetings with USAID and MSSP as needed.

Deliverables:

Inception Report:

• A work plan outlining the consultant’s methodology, timeline, and interview plan (by November 20, 2024).

Draft SWOLL Assessment Report:

• A draft report submitted to MSSP for review (by December 10, 2024).

Final SWOLL Assessment Report:

• A final report, incorporating feedback, submitted to USAID (by January 13, 2025).

Presentation of Findings:

• A presentation delivered to USAID summarizing key findings and actionable recommendations (by January 20, 2025).

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental studies, international development, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in project evaluation, research, or monitoring and evaluation in the DRC or similar contexts.
• Proven experience in qualitative research, including desk reviews and key informant interviews.
• Familiarity with USAID programming, particularly in environmental conservation, biodiversity, or natural resource management.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex information into concise reports and presentations.
• Fluent communication skills in French and English both oral and written.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with stakeholders across multiple sectors.

Location:

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Level of effort and duration:

The assignment is expected to require approximately 30 days of effort over a six-week period from November 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025.