Request for Bids (RFB) for a Qualified Consultant(s) to Conduct Mid Term Project Evaluation for the Project Entitled “Community Led Planning and Management for Biodiversity Protection and Resilient Communities in Southern Rwanda” At Trócaire

Introduction
Bids are invited to be considered for a suitably qualified consultant to provide consulting services to Trócaire for a Mid-Term Evaluation.
This RFB document deals with:
• Section 2: Confidentiality
• Section 3: Profile of Trócaire
• Section 4: Rationale for the Midterm Evaluation
• Section 5: Methodology
• Section 6: Key questions the Midterm Review should address
• Section 7: Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 8: Deliverables
• Section 9: Timeframe
• Section 10: Selection Criteria
• Section 11: Reporting
• Section 12: Travel
• Section 13: General Terms and Conditions
• Section 14: Conflict of Interest
• Section 15: Safeguarding
• Section 16: Intellectual Property
• Section 17: Termination of Contract
• Section 18: Submission of bids

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Confidentiality
Trócaire will treat the content of all bids as strictly confidential and information provided in the bids will be used solely for the purpose of deciding on the award of a contract as described in this document.

Profile of Trócaire
Trócaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, established in 1973 and currently has presence in more than 17 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia including Rwanda. Trócaire has been operating in Rwanda since 1994 and is currently focusing on 3 Programme pillars: Resource Rights, Women's Empowerment, and Preparing and Responding to Emergencies. Trócaire does not implement programmes directly. Instead, the organisation works in partnership with local civil society Organisations. More information about Trócaire can be found on http://www.trocaire.org/.
Effective July 2020, after a successful submission to a call for proposals, Trócaire signed a 48-month agreement with Jersey Overseas Aid to implement the project entitled: Community led planning and management for biodiversity protection and resilient communities in Southern Rwanda.
The overall objective of the project is to empower rural, poor communities living around the Nyungwe National Park to assess, plan and sustainably manage their land and common natural resources leading to more environmentally and economically sustainable and resilient communities in Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts.
Trócaire is implementing the project over 4 years as the lead organisation in partnership with UNICOOPAGI (Cooperatives Union), BIOCOOR (Biodiversity Conservation Organization) and ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre.


Rationale for the Midterm Evaluation (MTE)
It is expected that the Mid Term Evaluation for Community led planning and management for biodiversity protection and resilient communities in Southern Rwanda aims to assess the relevance of planned intervention and the progress made in achieving project objectives since the Baseline conducted in 2020. It will also provide an opportunity to highlight key successes, challenges as well as lessons learned and recommendations.

Methodology
The Midterm review exercise should be conducted in a participatory manner between the consultant, Trócaire project team composed of the Country Program Manager, the Technical Advisor-Sustainable Livelihoods and Natural Resources Management, the JOA project coordinator and the executive secretaries of the partners to the project UNICOOPAGI, BIOCOOR and ICRAF, as well as relevant field officers and other relevant stakeholders.
The consultant is requested to submit a methodology in his or her proposal. However, it is anticipated that this midterm evaluation exercise will involve a mixed method approach which will enable the project’s quantitative and qualitative indicators to be accurately measured. When developing methodologies consultants are asked to note that for quantitative data Trócaire usually requires a statistically valid approach, with a margin of error of no more than 5%. However, consultants can propose alternative quantitative methodologies as long as there is a strong rationale for why the alternative approach is to be taken.
The survey will seek to apply a participatory approach and will include different stakeholders to gain a deep insight into the key Midterm questions.


Key questions the Midterm review should address
Mid Term Evaluation will seek to address the following questions related to Relevancy and Design, Efficiency, Effectiveness and management arrangements, Impact and sustainability.

Relevancy of design:
• What are the actual project midterm values for impact and outcome indicators set out in the project result framework?
• How appropriate and useful are the indicators described in the project result framework in assessing the project’s progress? Are the targeted indicator values realistic and can they be easily tracked?
• If necessary, how should they be modified to be more useful?

Efficiency
• Based on actual progress, will the project be likely to achieve its planned objectives upon completion? What are the main constraints, problems and areas in need of further attention?
• How have stakeholders been involved in project implementation? How effective has the project been in establishing community level and national level national ownership?
• Have project funds and activities been delivered in a timely manner?

Effectiveness of management arrangements
• Does project management facilitate good results and efficient delivery? Is there a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities by all parties involved?
• Does the project implementing partners receive conducive environment, technical and administrative support from the Trócaire and JOA?
• How effectively does the project management monitor project performance and results?

Impact and sustainability
• Besides impacts outlines in the results framework, what are other changes in target population that are directly or indirectly are attributed to the project?
• What are the project interventions that are likely to remain in the community after the project lifetime?
NB: Trócaire is committed to mainstream gender across all the programmes and for the sake of this mid-term evaluation, all research questions should use a gender lens in order to establish the Mid-Term situation for men and women, boys and girls.


Roles and Responsibilities
Trócaire will establish a Midterm Evaluation Management Team (MMT) to oversee the midterm evaluation exercise. This will consist of the JOA Project Coordinator as the main focal person for this assignment, supported by the Technical Advisor-Sustainable Livelihoods and Natural Resources Management, and the Rwanda Programmes Manager.
The MMT will be responsible for:
• Providing guidance to the consultant and stakeholders throughout the evaluation process.
• Approval of all deliverables.
• Overall responsibility and accountability for the midterm evaluation.
In consultation with partners the MMT will also undertake the following tasks:
• Identify and recommend any key sources of secondary information that can be used to supplement primary information gathered.
• In collaboration with the consultant, conduct field work to gather data; and
• In collaboration with the consultant, select sample communities based on a clear sampling strategy.
The external consultant/s will be requested to:
• Participate in briefing and consultative meetings on the assignment;
• Develop a work plan and inception report that will operationalise and direct the midterm addressing:
• Expectations of the evaluation
• Roles and responsibilities of consultants, MMT and partners
• Midterm evaluation framework and methodology
• Data collection and analysis
• Work scheduling and reporting
• Develop data collection tools such as questionnaire surveys, focus group discussion questions and key informant interview questions in collaboration with the MMT and programme partners.
• Present to partners and the MMT the methodology and tools to be used;
• Enter the survey in the digital data collection platform, preferably CommCare, and ensure the application and the survey are uploaded in phones/tables to be used by enumerators.
• Train enumerators and the evaluation management team on data collection and processing using CommCare in relation to this evaluation
• Carry out field work, analyse data, and draft a preliminary report for feedback from the MMT;
• Finalise the data analysis and submit a final report setting out the midterm evaluation key findings;
• Present the information formally at a workshop with partners and key stakeholders; and
• Deliver on all agreed deliverables.


Deliverables
The following services and outputs are expected:
1. A detailed midterm evaluation inception report;
2. Detailed and comprehensive midterm evaluation tools to be used in data collection;
3. Present to partner staff and the MMT the methodology and tools to be used for the midterm evaluation;
4. Debrief session with the MMT following the completion of the fieldwork;
5. Workshop to present and validate the findings of the midterm evaluation survey with partners;
6. Comprehensive draft and final midterm evaluation reports; and
7. Handover to Trócaire soft copies of all datasets and tools used in data collection.
The draft and final reports should be submitted in soft copy to Trócaire in line with the timeframe, which will be agreed upon the signing of the consultancy contract.

Timeframe
The consultancy contract is a fixed-term consultancy contract and will commence at a specific date to be determined by the MMT in collaboration with the consultant, and at the end of this date the Consultant is expected to have submitted the final report to Trócaire Rwanda. The contract duration will have a maximum of 20 working days assigned to this midterm evaluation. It is anticipated that the evaluation will ideally commence in July 2022 and the final report should be available by the end of August 2022.

Selection Criteria
The successful candidate/s will have relevant and demonstrable experience in the following areas:
1. Programme/project planning and evaluation.
2. Participatory research techniques.
3. Training of local development actors to engage in primary research processes.
4. Developing high quality monitoring and evaluation systems for similar programmes.
5. Strong background and experience of working in the region/country and programme context.
6. Knowledge of relevant thematic programme (e.g. biodiversity conservation, conservation livelihood, community development)
7. Proven knowledge and experience in the use of digital data collection and processing applications, preferably CommCare.
8. Production of high-quality reports in English.


Working to demanding deadlines.
The consultant/s will be responsible for the overall management of the assignment and the production of the final report. The consultant/s will be assisted by the MMT throughout the whole exercise. The consultant will be selected according to the following criteria:
• Understanding of the Terms of Reference;
• Proposed methodology and planning of the assignment;
• Experience of developing midterm for similar programmes;
• CV of 2 senior officials who will take the lead on the evaluation as annex;
• Copy of similar evaluations done within the last 6 months.
• At least 2 certificates of good completion of services for similar work with international organizations, donor organizations or government agencies delivered in the last 2 years.
• Overall quality of the proposal; and
• Cost.
Financial proposal with detailed unit costs and total cost for each planned activity and related logistics in RWF and clearly indicating VAT costs. VAT registration certificate issued by RRA and Company registration certificate from RDB should be presented as annexes.
Only Registered national and international consulting firms are encouraged to apply. Applicants are required to submit current CVs of all individuals engaged in the midterm review (including CVs of junior staff and of any associates sub-contracted to work on the study). The work plan must clearly outline which individual (s) will actively lead and deliver on each component. Senior consultants/team leaders will be responsible for the successful and timely delivery of each component of the assignment.


Reporting
The consultant will report to the MMT, with final sign off on the report by the Country Director.

Travel
The consultants shall be responsible of all the travel expenses required for this assignment.


General Terms and Conditions
Trócaire Rwanda reserves the right to reject any and all Expressions of Interest not fulfilling requirements associated with this request. Trócaire Rwanda will in no case be responsible or liable for any and all costs associated with the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.
• Trócaire does not bind itself to accept the lowest priced tender;
• Trócaire reserves the right to engage other companies/consultants if required;
Trócaire shall be free to:
• To accept the whole, or part only, of any EOI;
• To accept none of the EOIs tendered;
• To republish this Request for EOIs;
• In the event of not accepting any of the EOIs received on foot of this Request for EOI, Trócaire shall be free to make such arrangements as it considers necessary in relation to the provision of the services;
• The EOI shall maintain strict confidentiality in relation to the services being sought and the evaluation process;
• Any subsequent contract shall be considered as a contract made in Rwanda, according to Rwanda law; and
• The Standard Terms and Conditions to which Trócaire expects all of its supplier to respect is found on the Trócaire website - https://www.trocaire.org/about/work-with-trocaire/supply-chain.
• The Beneficiary(ies) shall limit access and use of personal data to that strictly necessary for the performance, management and monitoring of this Contract and shall adopt all appropriate technical and organisational security measures necessary to preserve the strictest confidentiality and limit access to this data


Conflict of interest
Any conflict of interest involving an applicant must be fully disclosed to Trócaire. Failure to disclose a conflict may disqualify an applicant or invalidate an award of the contract. Applicants are required to declare any current or past work which might reasonably be considered to represent a conflict of interest. It will be for Trócaire to decide if any material conflict of interest exists and applicants in doubt in this regard should seek the advice of Trócaire.


Safeguarding
Trócaire is committed to safeguarding Programme participants from any form of exploitation or abuse as a result of our programmes or activities. Anyone working for or on behalf of Trócaire must share this commitment. Trócaire’s Position Statement on Exploitation and Abuse and Trócaire’s Child Safeguarding Policy Summary document outline expectations in this regard, including a Code of Conduct. All consultants, representatives and volunteers of Trócaire will be expected to sign these documents along with a Declaration Form and a Self-Declaration Form.

Intellectual property
Any concepts, guidelines or other material developed during the contract will be considered as property of Trócaire and may be used by Trócaire.

Termination of Contract
Trócaire reserves the right to terminate the contract at any stage on payment of reasonable and agreed costs accrued to the date of termination.
If at any stage during the contract, the services delivered by the consultant is found to be unsatisfactory, the contract may be terminated by Trócaire. In the event of such a termination, the consultant will only be entitled to receive payment in relation to the acceptable services rendered at that time.


Submission of bids
Your proposal clearly marked: “Mid Term Project Evaluation for community-led planning and management for biodiversity protection and resilient communities in Southern Rwanda” should be submitted ONLY through email to inforwanda@trocaire.org with a copy to marielouise.umuhire@trocaire.org . Any queries relating to this Request for Bids should be directed by e-mail to inforwanda@trocaire.org.
The financial proposal should be inclusive of tax and quoted in Rwandan Francs (RWF) clearly indicating the services/goods in the subject heading. Only suitably qualified local/international consulting firms will be contacted for further engagement.
The deadline for the receipt of bids is 5 PM 28 June 2022


Country Director
Trócaire