Request for Expression of Interest

Background

On 25 April 2015, at 11:56, a devastating earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck Nepal. The epicenter was Barpak VDC of Gorkha District about 80 km northwest of Kathmandu. This was followed by several major aftershocks including in Sindhupalchowk with magnitudes of 6.6, 6.9 (26 April,Sindhupalchowk) and 6.8 (May 12, Dolakha). 

A day after the earthquake, AAIN was in action undertaking the necessary assessments and planning for relief operations. An Emergency Response Programme (ERP) team was formed to respond to the disaster that Nepal faced. AAIN immediately responded with 15 days of food supplies in various quake-hit areas of 8 districts followed by emergency and transitional shelter support. 

ActionAid International Nepal (AAIN) reached 2055 households in the Kathmandu valley with food supplies, 939 households with tarpaulins and 350 households with zinc sheets and construction tools (for constructing temporary shelters) in KotDanda, Thecho, Chapagaun, Badikhel, Sheshnarayan, Panga, Khokana and a few slum communities. AAIN provided Dignity Kits to 955 women aged 13-60 and also established 7 safe spaces for women, and 2 safe spaces for children.  Outside Kathmandu valley, AAIN responded  in Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Dholka, Makwanpur, Kavre and Sankhuwasabha with emergency support. 

After the completion of emergency response programme, the long term strategic plan was developed in close coordination with the partners and other stakeholders. The strategic plan which is known as Community Led Reconstruction Programme (CLRP) was launched in November 2015. AAIN,in the programme duration, will seek to innovate programmes to realise the idea of ‘build-back-better’ and engendering resilience within communities. Also it will strengthen the processes that transform the power relations and influence government policies on land rights and fair wages as an essential means of not only improving sustainable livelihoods, but also to build resilience of the affected communities. Post disaster reconstruction in this context as defined by AAIN not only refers to the reconstruction of physical infrastructure, but also the social, economic and psycho-social wellbeing of the community, and strengthening the processes, of democratic transformation of the country driven by the agency of people, organisations and movements. AAIN will thus engage in developing a critical mass of grassroots activists, facilitators and social movement leaders who can best articulate the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) in disaster reconstruction process.

AAIN seeks to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Community Led Reconstruction Programme by conducting a Midterm Review(MTR) of the programme.

The overall objective of the MTR is to document the best practices of ActionAid signature areas of emergency response, evidences of innovation in process of building back better and interventions that build the resilience of the affected communities. The MTR will also recommend course for corrections, in terms of processes and actions so as to improve the overall quality and efficiency of the project to achieve the set objectives and anticipated results.  

The specific purpose of the MTR will be 

• To analyse and document how the focus areas such as women leadership, accountability to the affected populations and local partnership haveprogressed in the major thematic components as outlined in CLRP strategic plan.
• To document the evidences of innovation in ‘build-back-better.”
• To analyse and document programme interventions that contribute to building resilience of the affected communities.
• To analyse how AAIN has built up its policy and advocacy agenda to influence the pro poor rehabilitation and recovery programme of government.  
• To assess the extent to which the project M&E system is effective in measuring the results and impacts, and make recommendations for improving it if needed.  
• To document the AAIN initiatives and innovative activities which had not been planned and included in the original ‘CLRP Plan Document’; and assess the pertinence and value-additions of such activities – for instance: AAIN’s joint action-research initiative with University of Coventry; AAIN’s strategic alliances with social movements to positively influence the concerned Govt agencies to promote ‘people’s agenda. 

Consultant Profile

• Proven experience, minimum 5 years, in conducting quality evaluations and assessing DRR and/or disaster response programmes
• Excellent writing skills in English language
• Sound practical knowledge about the participatory methodologies, and international humanitarian instruments
• Experience and knowledge of humanitarian and development issues
• Ability to articulate through Rights Based lens / perspectives to analyse context of poverty and marginalisation

Time Frame for the MTR

The MTR will be conducted from the 4thweek of March 2017 and will be completed by 3rdweek of April 2017. A total 25 calendar days are allocated for MTR from preparation to presentation of final report.

Application Process
Interested applicants should submit their application by 19 March 2017, 5:00pm (Nepal time) to jobs.nepal@actionaid.org.

The Expression of Interest should include:

• Technical proposal not exceeding five pages, expressing your understanding and interpretation of the TOR, proposal for methodology, and activity schedule.
• Financial proposal itemizing estimated costs for services rendered (daily consultancy fees), accommodation and living costs, transport costs, stationery costs, and any other related supplies or services required for the MTR.
• Curricula Vitae (CV) for all members of the team applying.
• Letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this assignment, your daily fee, and three professional references.
• A brief description of your firm or institution (for applicants other than individual consultants).
• At least one example of an evaluation report most similar to that described in this TOR.
• Application material is non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process.